Ultra, WSM cartridges - how are they doing?

Gus Orviston · 09-28-2003, 07:51 PM

Mostly I have archery hunted for elk, but I might make some time this year to hunt elk with a rifle. The question I have here is for those new magnums and how they are performing?
Presently I shoot a 25/06 and it is a joy to shoot for deer, and getting another rifle I want a step up in power, eg the 30/06 is out. Been thinking about 7mm mags over the years, however, since the new Remington Ultra and the WSM have come on the market it has just made the choice more difficult.
Given such a benign topic I am sure I won't get much response

gus

09-28-2003, 10:09 PM

Any mag in .30 ca would work. I wouldn't run out and sell a .300 Win, H&H or Wby to buy a short mag but they should be good for a starter small bore mag. I like the .300 Win but that's what I have, for a .30 cal mag. Nutin wrong with the '06 either.

TheTexan · 09-29-2003, 10:56 AM

Gus,

I purchased the 300 RUM and it was too much gun for me, (call me a weenie) but I didn't enjoy shooting it! I got lucky when Browning recalled the gun, so I traded for the 300 WSM. I really like the WSM, it is really a good all around gun. The WSM rifle is lighter than the RUM, but still provides the ballistics that I want. You can shoot it, if you are ever in my neck of the woods!

Killertraylor · 09-29-2003, 12:11 PM

Hi Gus. I'm suprised BOE hasn't logged in to chastise you yet

That .25-06 will kill an elk just fine if you hit em' where it counts, but I like the .300 caliber mags. I'm personally fond of the .300 Win Mag and have killed all of my elk with it - most with one shot. I'd take a hard look at the .300 WSM - everyone loves it so far. I saw Walmart in Eugene had a blued/synthetic Winchester Model 70 .300 WSM with a 3x9 scope (I think it was just a cheap Simmons scope) for $389! That's a heck of a deal even if you have to replace the scope with a better one. They had the same rifle in .270 WSM and 7MM WSM - all good elk calibers.

Good luck, Gus.

Joe

Dr Strangelove · 09-29-2003, 01:33 PM

Gosh I didn't know my 30/06 wouldn't kill elk under 300yds with >180gr bullet. Anybody want to buy a stainless Abolt that shoots 1 MOA? I guess I need that WSM stuff. Hornady light mag won't do. [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img]

Gus Orviston · 09-29-2003, 03:30 PM

Mmmm, do I have to have a new gun? Nope, just want one. Call it disposable income. :grin:

And I am positive that you can harvest and elk with a 25. Nor was I dissing the 30.06

I thought I made it clear I wanted a gun with a much bigger bang than the 25, and there isn't much differnce in 25.06 and a 30.06 to satisfy that desire of separation. I don't want one gun for all seasons, spice is the varitey of life. :smile:

I am a good enough shot and spend enough time at the range to reinforce good habits, and would do my best to place any round I shoot appropriately- and a archery back ground supports that. Ok now is where I dig on BOE,,,Do Not use his hunting experience this year as MY example of a well place arrow :tongue: he just ruined a good rump roast.

Return Volley #1: I am sure even with a sub caliber like a 30.06 would do well at harvesting elk too :tongue: , do you only have one gun? And I really need to shoot over 300 yards....303-304 or so... :tongue:

That said I have wanted a rifle with a bit more zest. And have shot some of the 300s but haven't found one I really took to.

keta/ex-tex/killertraylor -thanks!
What I have read about the WSM they have seemed closer to what I want. Good shooters, light, with a lot of power. No not the H&H, or the RUMs but a tad more pleasant to shoot. I will have to wander in to a WalMart and gander at the Model 70.

gus

[ 09-29-2003, 04:32 PM: Message edited by: Gus Orviston ]

SeanD · 09-29-2003, 06:09 PM

Actually the 300 wsm is pretty darn close to the 300 H&H. It pretty much splits the difference between the 300 win mag and the 30.06. In my opinion the 30.06, 300wsm, and even the 300 ultra are really simalar in terms of effectiveness, unless the range is extreme. All are a big step up from the 25.06. Im really fond of the 30.06 myself, i think that except for at extreme ranges, the velocity is pretty darn close to optimum for great bullet performance.

A good freind of mine works in sporting goods, and i guess the WSM's and ultras are selling really well. He said he personally cringes every time he sells an ultra to a customer and thinks about the recoil. He warns em' but most people have magnumitus these days and if it doesnt say magnum, then it must not work as well.

Guess most people dont realize that super high velocity works against, not for, bullet performance and penetration.

Mtn Man · 09-29-2003, 11:57 PM

Do you think you need more power or just a new gun?

I have seen a lot of elk killed with the 25-06, it is the only modern cartridge I have hunted with for years.

MM

glowball · 09-30-2003, 05:20 AM

I wouldn't buy one for the simple reasoning of being able to find ammo in emergency situations. You can find 7mm or 06 ammo just about anywhere. These new guns aren't that much better when you look at the numbers. Good luck to ya with what ever you get.

StickFish · 09-30-2003, 10:23 AM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Gus Orviston:
[QB]
Presently I shoot a 25/06 and it is a joy to shoot for deer, and getting another rifle I want a step up in power, eg the 30/06 is out. Been thinking about 7mm mags over the years, however, since the new Remington Ultra and the WSM have come on the market

I presently have a 300WSM and enjoy the rifle. Very compact and the 180 grain bullet selections are very wide open.

The best source of info I have found for short mags is www.shortmags.org check it out there is some great people there and excellent knowledge base.