.300 Win Mag vs. .300 Wthby Mag

Doc Spratley · 12-22-2003, 07:27 PM

Here's my topic for discussion/debate: .300 Win Mag versus .300 Wthby Mag; which would you choose and why? Here's why I ask. I have the opportunity to pick up a brand spanking new Weatherby in a .300 Wthby Mag from an estate sale. Normally I wouldn't be interested, but the price is very tempting. I have hunted with a 30.06 up to this point. Although I have been tempted to step up to a .300 Win. Mag, I never went through with it and have never, ever considered a .300 Wthby Mag. I know the "reach" of the Weatherby cartridge is greater than a comparable standard magnum. However, is it worth it? Let the debate begin! :grin:

12-22-2003, 08:13 PM

Velocity gain with 180gr bullets is only 100fps, Wby. brass and ammo is harder to find and costs more.

Other than these, they both work.

Flatfish · 12-22-2003, 08:37 PM

100fps. Flip a coin.

Find a gun you like that is chambered for either one. Buy it.

The end.

Mark and the dog.

Fish4Fun · 12-23-2003, 05:24 AM

I shoot a .300 Weatherby and my Brother shoots the .300 Win. I have never seen an animal walk off from either gun. We have taken 25 Bulls and I cannot remember how many deer with these two guns. Best shot for my Weatherby was 495 yards at a Whitetail buck in Idaho. Either one of them are just down right deadly for any Northwest animal.

Grantspastor · 12-23-2003, 06:54 AM

The Weatherby will be especially pleasant to shoot if you love punishing recoil

onstep · 12-23-2003, 07:17 AM

I've owned both and they are great North American cartridges. If you handload the .300 Weatherby might have a slight edge in that in case capacity could possibly push a 200 gr bullet to 3000 fps. Now giving the Weatherby that when it comes time to lowering the hairs and pulling the trigger no animal I have shot could tell the difference between 2800fps and 3000fps. Performance has more to do with the man behind the gun than power of the firearm. Recoil seems to be about the same given that my win mag is 2.5 pounds lighter. My 300 Weatherby was a mark 5 and it shot accurately with selective ammo. My 300 Win mag is another story it shoots EVERYTHING I put through it with unbelievable accuracy. The rifle is a Model 700 Custom KS Mountain Rifle (trigger tuned properly) topped with Kahles 2.5-9. Incidently most of the military use the 300 win mag for their long guns because the inherent accuracy and downrange energy in this round. My thoughts.......

Dr Strangelove · 12-23-2003, 09:32 PM

The guy I lived next to in college had a unique scar over his right eye...The Weatherby eyebrow. He decided to save up a whole summers pay to buy the 300 Wby Mag and despite what seemed like adequate eye relief...15 stitches.

If I really needed anything over a 30-06, and most people don't, I'd get it in a Browning BAR to soften the recoil with the gas action. I'd certainly have the BOSS muzzle brake and ear protection as well.

My advice: save your money for ammo and rangetime and get sniper grade accurate. If you aren't getting the hits you want with your current gun, get a gun that fits you better and is accurized, not simply overpowered. Flinching only makes you a worse shot.

[ 12-23-2003, 10:33 PM: Message edited by: Dr Strangelove ]

Killertraylor · 12-23-2003, 11:58 PM

Although the Weatherby is a hair faster balistically, the main advantage in getting a Weatherby is the Mark V action with 9 locking lugs - it is by far the safest action of any bolt action rifle. Also, they are guaranteed to shoot 1 1/2 inch three shot groups at 100 yards right out of the box (both of my Weatherby's do much better than that - even with factory ammo.)I'm a big Weatherby fan and own both a .300 and .257 but I usually use my .300 Win for elk hunting as I'm particularly fond of the rifle. You should pick up a copy of Roy Weatherby's book (co-authored by Grits Gresham) titled "Weatherby, The Man, The Gun, The Legend" One of the best hunting books I've ever read. The testing they did with the Mark V action is very impressive as are his memoirs of trips to Africa.

nerta · 12-24-2003, 10:30 AM

If the price is right buy it. Ammo cost more but you will have very good trading material in the future. As far as comparing it to the win. mag it's just a little more gun. Recoil shouldn't be a problem if your used to shooting.

fishin · 12-24-2003, 12:22 PM

Same thought as nerta. If it is an estate sale the rifle may be worth something on collector value. Depending on model, date of manufacture or location of manufacture. My Dad has shot a 300 Weatherby for years and has done well with it. Both calibers are capable of shooting farther than I should try. Recoil will come down to style and wieght of the rifle instead of ballistics between the two.

HarpMan · 12-25-2003, 09:45 PM

Doc,

Comparing these two is not as easy as looking at just 180 grain bullets. The bullets have to be the same type. If your comparing lets say the common 180 grn Nosler with Federal Premium ammo their is considerable differences in velocity at muzzle, ft pounds of energy at long yardages and bullet drop between the two with the Wby Mag in the lead.. Comparison with boat tail bullets the advantages of the Wby Mag are even greater. The 300 Wby Mag 180 Boat tail in Federal Premium is the only Federal load that will give you over 2100 ft pounds of energy @ 500 yrds. The 300 Win Mag 180 grn boat tail is a close secound @ 1970 ft pounds of energy at 500 yrds. Reloaders can likely make up the difference.

my2cents,
Plunker