You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
300 Short Mag
- Thread starter dongun
- Start date
Robert the41MagFan
New member
Briefly saw the cartridge and some general ballistics. The case diameter is about the size of a .338 (make it this way. Found it hard to believe that any smart company would tool for a completely new cartridge and instead would rather use a existing bolt and the like. It fit a .338 bolt), has a 30 caliber bullet at the end and it is very short. The ballistic chart showed that it had 300 Winchester magnum potential (this was from Browning. Have not seen ballistics from an independent publication.). The cartridge is a Browning exclusive and will be offered throughout the line. Big plus is not necessarily the ballistics, but its very short action.
Robert
Robert
Dimentions on .300 WSM
I've got the December issue of 'Handloader' magazine in front of me. It lists the following dimentions on the .300 Winchester Short Magnum: rebated rim diameter .532 inches; case body diameter .555 inches; case length 2.1 inches; overall loaded length 2.76 inches; shoulder angle at 35 degrees. Performance numbers........180 grain bullet @ 2970fps and 150 grain @ 3300 fps. Sounds interesting!!
I've got the December issue of 'Handloader' magazine in front of me. It lists the following dimentions on the .300 Winchester Short Magnum: rebated rim diameter .532 inches; case body diameter .555 inches; case length 2.1 inches; overall loaded length 2.76 inches; shoulder angle at 35 degrees. Performance numbers........180 grain bullet @ 2970fps and 150 grain @ 3300 fps. Sounds interesting!!
First, I'll say that I don't see the (alleged) great virtue of a "short" action on a big game rifle. I find it's half-inch or so less bolt throw and few ounces of weight to be inconsequential. YMMV. So that's not a reason for me to go out and buy a WSM.
If the 180/2970 ballistics are met (after chrographing many different factory loads through many rifles, that's a big, BIG "if") it's at best, a trivial increase over the best the 30/06 can offer. So that's not a reason to buy one.
Maybe the shorter cartridge is earmarked for use in a future semi-auto hunting rifle? Or as the basis for a family of cartridges in same? Maybe - just maybe - there's a place for it here, as a shorter cartridge may be better suited to an autoloader.
Or maybe the relatively short, fat case will enhance 1000 yard accuracy...and maybe a short action can be built stiffer for the same weight...but that's for a relatively small market.
To sum up, I'm not saying it's a BAD cartridge . . . I'm just wondering "Why?" It's nothing special in an already-crowded .30 caliber field. It looks like another oddball cartridge that will fade from the scene after a few years, because there's no compelling reason to get it.
If the 180/2970 ballistics are met (after chrographing many different factory loads through many rifles, that's a big, BIG "if") it's at best, a trivial increase over the best the 30/06 can offer. So that's not a reason to buy one.
Maybe the shorter cartridge is earmarked for use in a future semi-auto hunting rifle? Or as the basis for a family of cartridges in same? Maybe - just maybe - there's a place for it here, as a shorter cartridge may be better suited to an autoloader.
Or maybe the relatively short, fat case will enhance 1000 yard accuracy...and maybe a short action can be built stiffer for the same weight...but that's for a relatively small market.
To sum up, I'm not saying it's a BAD cartridge . . . I'm just wondering "Why?" It's nothing special in an already-crowded .30 caliber field. It looks like another oddball cartridge that will fade from the scene after a few years, because there's no compelling reason to get it.