[genen]

I'm starting the process of building a rifle using a Rem. 700 SA. Will do custom barrel and stock for it and get it acurized.

I've pretty much decided that it will be a 300WSM - but the action I'm buying is curently a .308. Are there any good arguments for KEEPING it at .308 rather than going with WSM? No work has begun yet so I am free to change my mind.

Rifle will mostly be used for shooting paper at 500+ m. Maybe once a year it will shoot deer at 200-300m. There is only one range where I'm a member that has a 1000m range ( www.frontsight.com ) and I only go there coupe times a year.

Should I stick with my plans for 300 WSM or should I go for less recoil and do the .308?

 

[Hectorvictorious]

As you said .308 will have less recoil. If all you're planning on shooting for the most part is paper at 500 yards, with the occasional 1000 yard range, .308 should do the job just fine, and it will do it cheaper, too.

The .300 WSM WILL outperform it, ammo will cost more, as will getting the rifle set up (bolt face will need to be opened, and you'll want a 26" bbl to get the most of your powder). Personally, if I had the money I would do the .300.

 

[Spoon]

300wsm only if you reload. If you are shooting factory ammo only then there is no reason for 300wsm. I like the 300wsm a lot.

 

[terry beaird]

300 wsm vs 308

I currently do not have the money to begin the project I want to complete, but my vision is similar to yours so let me share it with you. I am not a competitive shooter so recoil is not an issue. I simply want to build a long range rifle that will perform. I like the 30 caliber magnums because they can not only place it at 1000 yds accurately but can do so with some power. It is a pretty close race when you compare the 6.5's with the 308 or 300 win mag, and the same would be true of the 300 wsm.
A couple years ago the 1000yd bench title was won by a lazzeroni 300 warbird pushing sierra's 240 gr matchking. And I heard another shooter on this forum talk about great perfomance with a 300 rum behind the same bullet. Recoil on those cartridges would be tough! especially for a competive shooter. But I believe a varmit weight rifle chambered for the Lazzeroni Patriot which is a 300 short mag would be excellent. Many say the patriot has less recoil than the 300 win mag. Lazzeroni uses cases which have match grade tolerances and his cartridges produce excellent accuarcy. The Patriot will give you 200 fps more than the 300 wsm. John Lazzeroni, personally told me you could expect 2500 rounds from a patriot before you shoot the barrel out. From what I have been told that is considerably better barrel life than what you can expect from a 6.5x284.
I do not know if the patriot would fit the bolt face of a rem. short action, but would certainly work in a Savage model twelve.

 

[madgunsmith]

If you build a long range .30 cal rifle and intend to use the 240 grain Match King, make sure to specify a twist rate of 1 in 9 inches.

The standard one in 10 or one in 12 inch twist will not provide top accuracy with the long 240 grain bullet.

Mad