So in my research for my 2025 rifle, I was digging into a 300WSM build as a backcountry 300 cal rifle that I could barrel swap on a 6.5 PRC (i.e., buy a 6.5 PRC rifle and a 300WSM barrel).
In my digging I started to wonder if there was a better BC choice than a 300WSM, but still short action. That led me to read about a 300 Sherman Short, which is a wildcat. I am not a reloader (yet), but this really has my brain working. This is modern 300 magnum short action, high bc bullet… and it looks/sounds amazing.
Does anyone have any experience with these or done enough research to share a thought or two on its feasability and/or issues to overcome?
Piet ever at Impact Shooting is a big Sherman Short fan. Don’t know what he thinks of that specific one however. You might can ask him either on his YouTube channel or website.
Personal opinion, but as a relatively new reloader, there is no way I would jump right into the deep end and go straight into Wildcat reloading first. Would definitely start with something more mainstream and work your way up.
Edited to add
There was a real recent Vortex Nation Podcast where the people from Barnes were talking about the 300 wsm. They are talking about how you could take a rifle with a normal, or long action and then chamber it for 300 WSM and that would give you the room needed to use the longer heavier bullets. You would also probably need to do some chamber work on the rifle though.
well, since you are talking about a back country rifle, you might want to look at the barrel lengths being used to get the stated velocities. Have never even heard of these but in taking a quick look at some data they seem to be able to push a heavier bullet like the 215 berger to around 3000 fps; but again I did not see any barrel lengths quoted. If you get this one, you will definitely become a handloader so some initial startup costs in getting your reloading tools lined up. I searched but did not get any hits on loaded ammunition for the caliber, not surprising, but did see it has been out there at least since around maybe 2000 or 2002.
Good luck
You could convert a tikka T3x 300 wsm into a long action by switching out the bolt stop and using the long action magazines. You could chop and thread the barrel. You would still have to do a custom throat job or do it yourself with the PTG unithroater tool. Or put on a custom barrel. Would be a fun project but may be better to just go with a custom rifle.
Anyway, I did it, and I’m still working a load up but so far have been able to get close to 2900 fps with 200 eld-x and superformance (probably will try n560 next) out of a 20” barrel.
Could I interest you in a 7 SAUM instead? You don’t have to fire form the brass and it’s an excellent cartridge. Should be more popular than it is. Basically a 280AI in short action.
The thing I don’t love about the Sherman’s is the load data you see commonly online is way way over pressure. People make crazy claims with them but it’s because there isn’t much factory reliable load data so people just say “well I don’t see any obvious pressure signs, must be safe!” And in reality you could be 10k psi over pressure before you see any obvious pressure sign.
Yeah the SAUM is interesting as it’s the parent cartridge, but I really want to stay in the 30 cal family. I was on 308 for a bit just started to consider the 300 wsm. It seems like the 30 cal short action could use a modern bc cartridge/bullet.
yep on wmfeht comment. Ron Spomer did a comparison between a 300 win mag and a 300 wsm. Using a 190 Nosler ABLR, BC .597, the 300 WSM was pushing it at about 3000 fps and ran pretty much neck and neck with the win mag through 1000 yards.
“If” the ABLR bc holds up at .597 that would be a pretty good load in a .30 cal for just about any type of shooting inside of 1500 yards.
Adg sells brass for the 30ss to it just requires necking up so all you would need is a 30 cal expander mandrel so it’s not that big of a deal now. Adg is really high quality brass as well.
Nothing wrong with wsm either you should be able to hunt anything in North America with it. And if you’re not wanting to reload it you will atleast have a factory option.
I would defiantly recommend reloading though.