Well, do I? I mean I own some "obsolete" calibers like the 308 and a caliber .30, model of 1906.
But I don't have any magnum rifle calibers. Should I buy one?
Your papers, please?? It is un-American not to have at least one .300WM. Thread ended.
308 as obsolete??? Hardly, it is still a very viable round for work within 800yds and even 1000yds. Some refer to the 308 as KING for learning ballistics and wind proficiency. So much such, that USSOCOM incudes the 308Wn (along with the 300NM and 338NM) in the newly released MK22 Advanced Sniper Rifle Deployment Kit (Barrett MRAD) for shorter range work, practice, and ability to be used on most ranges units might have available up range,
KIdding aside, as always, what will you use a 300WM for? Just because...."no papers"....BUY IT!!! For hunting, steel ringing, competition?? Range?? For out to 400yds, buy it. For well beyond 400yds, 300WM is still a proven performer, BUT, there may be better choices today.....application considered.
The 300WM is a proven venerable old solider. Ammo availability is great almost anywhere, and reloading has been thrashed to death over its life. But, introduced over 50 years ago, technology has advanced offering improved options. I offer a segment......300WM vs 300PRC.....of an article comparing the 300PRC to most other 300 cartridges. There are also many other options to consider......300RUM, 300Norma Magnum, et el.
300PRC - left; 300WM - right
For ELR (extra long range) work, Hornady’s new .300 PRC cartridge (left) has an advantage over every popular 30-caliber magnum currently on the market.
When it comes to hunting inside 400 yards, the Hornady .300 PRC cartridge does nothing more and nothing less than the passel of already existing .30-caliber magnums. It’s past that where it becomes significant.
Designed specifically for ELR (extra long range) use, the .300 PRC is optimized for shooting way, way out there. It’s engineered to provide inherent accuracy and to offer ideal performance with heavy, aerodynamic projectiles that shrug off wind and maintain velocity better than common .308-diameter bullets.
Hornady .300 PRC (left) and .300 Win. Mag.
300WM's biggest disadvantage is a quite short 0.72-inch “head height,” which is the distance between the front of the case mouth and the cartridge’s SAAMI maximum overall length. Ammo factories must load to this standardized maximum, which prevents factory ammo from being loaded with long, super-sleek bullets with the very fine, gradual entry that so benefits extreme-range aerodynamics.
In contrast, the .300 PRC is engineered with the latest cutting-edge cartridge design principles, and features a 1.12-inch head height, enabling the use of very long, low-drag projectiles without intruding inside the case. (You’ll find this is a common thread throughout most of the other 300 caliber comparisons.)
300WM is a belted design headspacing off the belt.....less precise than the 300PRC, and many other newer cartridges, which is non-belted....... headspacing more accurately off the shoulder.
Another short coming of the 300WM is the 0.315 throat versus the 300PRC at 0.3088 dimension. Resulting less controlled, variable bullet presentation to the rifling.......more variation. Remember, Consistency is King for accuracy in long range work.
The 300WM is, again, proven cartridge with great ammo availability. But, technology has moved on.
That said, YES, you need a 300WM, or.....Your Papers, please!!!
