300WM vs. 338LM

garandman

garandman

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Nov 17, 2009
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Huntington WV
#1
Considering a purchase of a rifle in one or the other. Here's what I *****think***** I know about the two of them -

- 300WM rifles can be found a little cheaper
- 300WM is alot cheaper to shoot
- Ballistics at 500 yards are not that different (in terms of speed, and energy)

Please feel free to correct / clarify any of these.

Anything else I should eb thinking about in terms of one caliber vs. the other?

Thx.
 
#3
Re: 300WM vs. 338LM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Alric</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What is your intended use and distance? </div></div>

500 - 1,000 yards, benchrest / prone.
 
#4
Re: 300WM vs. 338LM

I would go with the 300 WM. It's good to at least 1500 yards and it'll be alot easier on your wallet. Check out the new Savage 110 FCP HS Precision in 300 WM. I have one in 338 LM and it's a nice rifle but it's expensive to shoot. Best I can do is a little over $3.50 a round.
 
#7
Re: 300WM vs. 338LM

300WM, for sure.

Having owned both, I prefer the WM for anything inside and including 1k: easier to shoot well, less expensive to pull the trigger.

If you were consistently shooting over 1k, the recommendation would change, but a 338 at 500 yards is overkill, to say the least.
 
#8
Re: 300WM vs. 338LM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: future sniper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Check out the new Savage 110 FCP HS Precision in 300 WM. </div></div>

Yeah, looking closely at that gun.
 
#9
Re: 300WM vs. 338LM

For sure .300WM. is this a target rifle or hunting rifle or both? If you don't need the energy then there are plenty of other cartridges that will do very well inside 1k and for a lot cheaper and less recoil.
 
#10
Re: 300WM vs. 338LM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Varmint Slayer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For sure .300WM. is this a target rifle or hunting rifle or both? If you don't need the energy then there are plenty of other cartridges that will do very well inside 1k and for a lot cheaper and less recoil. </div></div>

Pure target rifle.

Was shooting 308 yeterday at 500 yds. Drop was 54" Reported drop of 300WM is about 36" Basically, I want as flat a shooter as possible,.
 
#12
Re: 300WM vs. 338LM

Since you don't plan to hunt with the rifle, and flat shooting is what you want. I would suggest the 243 - will get you the same flat trajectory without the recoil or the cost and in a short action with 10 round detachable box mags.
 
#14
Re: 300WM vs. 338LM

Inside 1000 yards for a target rifle I would not really consider the .300 unless you just want it. I would look at the .243 or 6.5. Cheaper to shoot with a lot less recoil. If you were hunting with it then things change.
 
#15
Re: 300WM vs. 338LM

Of the two you mentioned, I also have to promote the 300. On the other hand, for a pure target rife 1000yds & in, there are a LOT of cartridges that are just as accurate & far easier on your should & wallet. Most of the higher energy 6mm's (243 or 6cm etc) come to mind as well as the short action 6.5's (6.5x47,260, 6.5cm etc).

But if you hell bent on a 300, then get one & roll with it, you won't be disappointed.

t
 
#16
Re: 300WM vs. 338LM

260 Rem (with 140 or so bullets) closely mirrors 300WM ballistics (190-gr SMK) and does so with ALLOT less powder and a much smaller bullet.

Recoil is much more mild as well. Ammo isn't quite as readily available, but there are plenty of good options around.

Hard to beat a 6.5mm for target shooting out to 1000 yards.
 
#17
Re: 300WM vs. 338LM

For the yardage and targets you are going to shoot I would say 300, but I would also suggest a 6,6.5, or even a 7 caliber. You can get a great round to shoot that far with way less recoil, but run what you love that is why its your gun.
 
#18
Re: 300WM vs. 338LM

tumblr_mghb1ezxst1rhsh6ho1_500.jpg
 
#19
Re: 300WM vs. 338LM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: garandman</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Varmint Slayer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For sure .300WM. is this a target rifle or hunting rifle or both? If you don't need the energy then there are plenty of other cartridges that will do very well inside 1k and for a lot cheaper and less recoil. </div></div>

Pure target rifle.

Was shooting 308 yeterday at 500 yds. Drop was 54" Reported drop of 300WM is about 36" Basically, I want as flat a shooter as possible,. </div></div>

If that is the case I would ditch the .300WM idea as it is not really nessisary unless you just really want a big boomer. I run a .243 with 105 Amax and it will shoot inside a WM out to 1000 yards all day with half the powder and cost. If you go .300 then I would suggest the 208 amax for a bullet of choice. I would look hard at a 6mm or 6.5mm as most bench rest shooters run them due to their high BC and the high speeds they can be shot at.
 
#20
Re: 300WM vs. 338LM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Varmint Slayer</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: garandman</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Varmint Slayer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">For sure .300WM. is this a target rifle or hunting rifle or both? If you don't need the energy then there are plenty of other cartridges that will do very well inside 1k and for a lot cheaper and less recoil. </div></div>

Pure target rifle.

Was shooting 308 yeterday at 500 yds. Drop was 54" Reported drop of 300WM is about 36" Basically, I want as flat a shooter as possible,. </div></div>

If that is the case I would ditch the .300WM idea as it is not really nessisary unless you just really want a big boomer. I run a .243 with 105 Amax and it will shoot inside a WM out to 1000 yards all day with half the powder and cost. If you go .300 then I would suggest the 208 amax for a bullet of choice. I would look hard at a 6mm or 6.5mm as most bench rest shooters run them due to their high BC and the high speeds they can be shot at. </div></div>

This is good info. I'd also recommend one of the 7's as opposed to the 30 or 338 cal if you're wanting to stay with a magnum.
 
#22
Re: 300WM vs. 338LM

I'm not understanding the importance of drop between a 300Winmag, or a 243 or a 6.5Creedmoor, for a 500 yd target rifle. Either way you have to know the drop, and correct for it. It seems like splitting hairs for no apparent reason.

For a 500 yard paper puncher, I'd go for something like a 6BR. Accurate, easy to shoot, economical to load.
 
#23
Re: 300WM vs. 338LM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MontanaMarine</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm not understanding the importance of drop between a 300Winmag, or a 243 or a 6.5Creedmoor, for a 500 yd target rifle. Either way you have to know the drop, and correct for it. It seems like splitting hairs for no apparent reason.

For a 500 yard paper puncher, I'd go for something like a 6BR. Accurate, easy to shoot, economical to load. </div></div>

Less drop = less needed correction when moving from 500 - 1,000 yards. Maybe just a preference thing. But less drop also means further reach. I'd like to be able to do 1,000 yards, and maybe a little beyond.

Tell me more about 6BR.
 
#25
Re: 300WM vs. 338LM

All these novelty chamberings seem to have VERY expensive guns - in the $3,000+ range. (If I'm wrng about this, please link me to guns you are thinking of) The Savage 110 is more my price range, given I'm also gonna spend about 1G for the scope.
 
#27
Re: 300WM vs. 338LM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: garandman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">All these novelty chamberings seem to have VERY expensive guns - in the $3,000+ range. (If I'm wrng about this, please link me to guns you are thinking of) The Savage 110 is more my price range, given I'm also gonna spend about 1G for the scope. </div></div>

The nice thing about a Savage is that if you don't like the recoil of the 300WM, you can swap the barrel and bolt head in your garage and be shooting a 243/243AI with similar trajectory in about 30 minutes, for a few hundred bucks extra (barrel, head, go/no-go gauges). Not sure on that model, off my head, what the mag implications would be.
 
#28
Re: 300WM vs. 338LM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: garandman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I looked at 6.5mm ballistics ....its actually drops faster out to 500 yards than 300 Win Mag. From the above chart, so does 243.



</div></div>

Then you didn't use the correct data for a 243 or 6.5. Trust me, a .243 will shoot inside a WM any day of the week.

Try .243 with 105 amax @ 3150 wich is easily doable. You will be surprised at what you see.
 
#29
Re: 300WM vs. 338LM

6.5 Creedmoor, .260, and 6mm-6.5mm rounds are the ones winning matches out to 1000 yards. Easier to shoot than a 300 win mag, shoot as flat or flatter, and have enough mass to hold against the wind.
 
#30
Re: 300WM vs. 338LM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jhnmdahl</div><div class="ubbcode-body">6.5 Creedmoor, .260, and 6mm-6.5mm rounds are the ones winning matches out to 1000 yards. Easier to shoot than a 300 win mag, shoot as flat or flatter, and have enough mass to hold against the wind. </div></div>

Agreed, All the older .300 WM guys gave up recoil about ten years ago, in favor of faster/flatter shooting 6mm's and 6.5mm's.

Added:

Where you see the .300 coming back in is heavy for caliber bullets trying to get where the .338 Lapua/wildcats have gone in the 'ultra long range game'. To get really good BC's in .30 cal you pretty much need to be above 220 gr. And of course, have an ogive like Cyrano de Bergerac's nose
 
#31
Re: 300WM vs. 338LM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jhnmdahl</div><div class="ubbcode-body">6.5 Creedmoor, .260, and 6mm-6.5mm rounds are the ones winning matches out to 1000 yards. Easier to shoot than a 300 win mag, shoot as flat or flatter, and have enough mass to hold against the wind. </div></div>

OK, you got my attention.

Are there any 6.5Creed guns out there suited to precision shooting under $1400?

SHould I get a barrelled action, and then look for a stock?
 
#32
Re: 300WM vs. 338LM

Or try a 105 berger hybrid going 3100... very easy to get it there with a 243. If you are going to shoot a magnum a 6.5saum or 7wsm is another great option. The 7wsm pushing a pointed 180 berger hybrid is just impressive, sub 6mils or right at it depending on DA to 1K.
 
#34
Re: 300WM vs. 338LM

Ive been trying to decide the same thing. I think Im going with the 300WM. Run some SMK 220g and call it a day.

The 338 lapua is a better cartridge but at a much higher cost. Even reloading it is about double the price.
 
#35
Re: 300WM vs. 338LM

Since your common theme here seems to be best target ballistics for the price I agree with everyone saying go with the 6.5cm. The Savage model 12 would be a good shooter for under $1400 or you could go with a 700 action and have it barreled for 6.5cm staying under $1400.

Also, since cost is an issue here remember you'll burn a 300WM barrel out much faster then a .6.5 mm like the CM or .260 so that might be something to consider depending on how much you shoot.

IMO I would not put off the .308 just now either... You can find quality ammo for a good price, it's fairly cheap to reload and it performs fairly well out to 1000yds with guns well under your price cap leaving plenty of room for decent glass. Most of the shooting I do with my .308 Remington 700 AAC is at 400-600yds .
 
#36
Re: 300WM vs. 338LM

There's no need for any caliber over 7mm in my book. Atleast inside a grand. I still have 1200 pounds of energy at 1000yds with my 7RM.

And that's all the recoil I ever want outta a non-muzzle break gun.

The 243AI I'm building is gonna be the only gun under 7mm I need. 800 pounds of energy at 1000yds is enough for yotes.

Remington makes a sendero in 264 win that id love to have but I already got the 7mm sendero...

Look at the .243/6mm calibers and 6.5/264 calibers. Then find the right gun afterward.
 
#37
Re: 300WM vs. 338LM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: COLOSHOOTR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

IMO I would not put off the .308 just now either... You can find quality ammo for a good price, it's fairly cheap to reload and it performs fairly well out to 1000yds with guns well under your price cap leaving plenty of room for decent glass. . </div></div>

Well, "fish stories" abound in the gun world abound....but....

My DPMS LR-308 with handloads regularly shoots 1/2 MoA at 200 yards. Well, this week I got to shoot 500yds. My 4-shot group measured 1.75" My 5th shot I yanked, and the group opened up to 4.625"

SO I really haven't found the limits of this gun. I need to shoot this one long range more. I guess I just also want a bolt gun, in a flatter shooting caliber.
 
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