Help me decide...

[tiecampdeerslayer]

I'm wanting a new rifle and I'm always looking for a deal.  I have found a Rem. 700 XCR in 300wsm at a local gun shop.  The owner says he sold it new and the guy brought it back before he shot it and traded it in cause he was afraid of recoil.  New it sells for $929 in his shop and he has this one for $629.  He also has a Browning A-bolt s.s. 325 wsm that he says he will make me a good deal on.  He said Browning is replacing the a-bolt with the x-bolt and he's getting rid of his a-bolts to make room.  I'm not partial to any particular company.  I just like rifles that shoot and perform well on deer.  I do hunt in timber and some open fields as well.  Thanks

[Coyote Hunter]

I'm not a fan of the X-bolt - a lot of people have complaints about the springs and such rusting in wet cliamtes.  For the most part I've always preferred Ruger for the value and reliability, Reminton for the looks (BDL and CDL only) and Savage for out-of-the-box accuracy.  

The .300 WSM is a good cartridge but it really doesnt do anything the .300 WM Mag can't do except fit in a short action.  Don't know if the price is good or not, but then except for the custom rifle I'm building I've never spent more than $500 for a rifle - new or used.  If you like the rifle and want it, the price/value determination is yours alone.

If you do not handload you might want to take a hard look at ammo prices.  In spite of all the hoopla about the WSM, it is the ballistic twin of the .300 Win Mag.  I'd have to check, but I'd bet Win Mag ammo (and rifles for sure) can be had for a lot less.  It sucks to have a rifle you cna't afford to shoot.

[Graybeard]

I think the short fat cartridge craze has about run its course. Folks have realized they really do nothing many other older rounds don't do equally well or better at less cost. Ammo for them is already in short supply and getting in shorter supply all the time. Many of them have already been discontinued and in my opinion in the not so distant future many more will be. Personally I'd pass on both and find a rifle in a more standard non magnum chambering if deer hunting is the task you plan for it.

[bigjeepman]

I think the short fat cartridge craze has about run its course. Folks have realized they really do nothing many other older rounds don't do equally well or better at less cost. Ammo for them is already in short supply and getting in shorter supply all the time. Many of them have already been discontinued and in my opinion in the not so distant future many more will be. Personally I'd pass on both and find a rifle in a more standard non magnum chambering if deer hunting is the task you plan for it.

Yep ...

bjm

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  I hate to disagree with Graybeard, but of the 2 you mentioned, I would definately go with the 300. To me the 325 was dead before it was hatched. In elk country, you never see one and never hear of one. Over the WSM, I would pick the old Win. Mag. However, unless you are a shooter, I must agree with Graybeard, a nonmag caliber will do as well. I like the range an power they offer, but one must shoot them, and enjoy shooting them to benefit from what they offer. 

[tiecampdeerslayer]

Thanks Graybeard,

  I think I will pass on both.  They're both priced well probably because of what you said.  Less interest in the short mag craze.  I'll keep my eye out for a deal in a standard caliber.

[nomosendero]

Thanks Graybeard,

  I think I will pass on both.  They're both priced well probably because of what you said.  Less interest in the short mag craze.  I'll keep my eye out for a deal in a standard caliber.

Good call

[Swampman]

Amen!

[whsk]

go buy yourself a MARLIN XL7 in 30-06-save yourself 300.00 or more and have money for a decent scope-i should mention that your XL7 06 will proably outshoot the high dollar guns you were considering-whsk

[roper]

I'm not sure how that lawsuit was settled or if money is paid on each rifle(WSM) build and the new Win rifle has plenty of WSM models in their new rifles so who knows.  In our part of the country were now starting to see Rem brass for the WSM and you can hit some little store that sells ammo they have ammo for the WSM in 270/300.  In our local Sportman's Warehouse during the shortage there was always Win ammo in most calibers or local gun shop even our farm supply store "Big R" had WSM ammo.

Myself I'm having my 3rd WSM being build on Win action and my gunsmith just ordered a reamer for the WSSM seems he getting some interest and has Rock barrel on order for one.

I see some used WSM for sale but don't know if it's the unemployment so I think it's hard to figure what really happening and during the deer/elk seasons I hunted here didn't seem to see as many out-of-staters.

I also think with reloading cost getting higher may not sell as many mag calibers  but on the custom end my gunsmith still running 6mos to year behind depending on who barrel he has to get Bartlein  is still 6/8 month behind. 

[the jigger]

If the Remington and Browning caught your eye check out the Savage 16/116 in 308 or 30-06.
GOOD LUCK and GOOD SHOOTING!!!

[charles p]

If deer is your game of choice, you would do well with less gun.  You don't need magnums.  A plain vanilla 30-06 will fill you need.

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  Sometimes I think even for whitetails unless in very open country, the 06 is more rifle than needed...

[Swampman]

The .30-06 is anything you want it to be.  Loaded with 165 or 180 grain Core-Lokt bullets it is a fantastic deer rifle.

[poncaguy]

My Winchester Super Shadow,$400 300WSM.is a very accurate rifle, recoil not much more than a 308, really enjoy mine, have one  in 270 WSm too. Short fat the way to go................not in women though!

[DannoBoone]

+1 what Coyote Hunter said about reloading and ammo prices. When getting my 7mmWSM action/barrel
made, I didn't even consider ammo prices because I could get a good deal on 500 cases. Out of
curiosity, I looked at the local Wally World's 7WSM prices. Ye Gads!!.......almost $2.50 per round!!
There's no way I could afford shooting it without "rolling my own".

[HogFan]

I think we will see the 300 and 270 WSM stick around for the long haul, but the others not so. I actually thing the 7mmWSM was the best of all, but recently sold mine off. I can find 300 and 270 WSM ammo just about every where, not so with the others. The younger crowd still seems to be buying 300 WSM's.

[cole k]

Thanks Graybeard,

  I think I will pass on both.  They're both priced well probably because of what you said.  Less interest in the short mag craze.  I'll keep my eye out for a deal in a standard caliber.

You made a wise choice!!!