What To Wish For

[Myk]

Winchester has their new line up out. There's a new Controlled Round Push Feed system (which luckily doesn't come in a Stealth or I'd be looking for a change).
CRPF does come in the Super Shadow (the old Black Shadow) which has both the WSM's and the WSSM's. The price is right and I can live with a blind box magazine, although I find the new oval rubberized stocks ugly.

But I don't like the idea of a WSM in a 6.75lb rifle.
I'm having troubles coming up with a good excuse for a light barreled 243WSSM (my 223 and '06 fill that niche and more). I don't know if a 243WSSM with a light barrel would give me any better accuracy than I can get out of my 223 Stealth. And if Hell were to freeze over and Illinois ever allowed rifle deer hunting, my 30-06 would be able to make any shot we have.
I can come up with a good excuse for a 300WSM. If Hell froze over and I got to go on my dream moose hunt or if I gave into a friend and split expenses for a western elk hunt, the caliber would fit in great.

Which brings us to the Model 70 Coyote. It has the new CRPF system. It's 9lbs which is just about right for the weight I'd want in a WSM. But they went and put out the WSSM's in that model too. :blink:
With the medium weight barrel of the Coyote a 243WSSM probably would be able to out do my Stealth at a distance.

I think I'm leaning towards a Super Shadow in 300WSM because the likelyhood of actually affording one is better. Then I can either make a new pillar bedded wood stock or pillar the synthetic stock and add some lead to get the weight up.

Anyone want to tell me what to do? :D

[Myk]

Or should I get a 300 win mag which comes in the old Black Shadow (which I guess is still being made).
That would give me 2 more inches of barrel to burn more powder and from what I gather the longer cases are better at handling heavier bullets. But would I need heavier than 180gr @ 300 mag velocities for a moose?

If I do end up decided on the 300WSM I'm still flipping between the heavier barrel and desired weight of the Coyote and the price tag of the Super Shadow. Unless I can find a piece of wood, the cost and time of building a stock for the Super Shadow wouldn't save much money but it would be a custom fit and have better bedding than the Coyote.

[Tony]

Myk...if you like the heft of the heavys,just go with the 300 mag.You can get more seating in that one.The FB is ment to be a lighter action and from what I read on you,you prefer the weight and would probably shoot the full mag better.
Good luck on this one,hope I helped you .....Tony

[Myk]

I have a machine shop available so adding lead or steel to the stock isn't a big problem to get the wieght up or make the stock stiffer (if I was to go with the cheap ones with the synthetic stocks). I also think I have some Maple stock wood lined up for free, it's just a matter of waiting for it to dry and how many stocks we can get out of the tree. So the actual rifle weight shouldn't be a problem.

My main concern for the 300 win mag is the bullet weight/seating depth, I would want it to handle heavier than 180's because that end of my collection is empty.
My concern against the 300 win mag is the belted cases and stretching and the more powder needed to do the same velocities.
If a WSM can handle 200gr as well as the WM, I'd rather not have the belt and use less powder.

Thanks for the reply it does help and welcome to Huntseek.

['da law]

Myk,

Well, this is better late than never :lol: ! Are you dead-set on a Win.? If not and you are looking for more weight, Howa has their Model 1500 bolt-action in a heavy taper in the .300 WSM. In the stainless model, the "local" gun shop at home priced me one for ,I think, $320.00 bucks for the barreled action w/the drop-out floor plate. Plus the cost for about $106.00 bucks for the laminate semi-finished Boyd thumbhole stock. Rings, bases and taxes, the little rig would hit home for about around $500.00 +/-. I'm still ponderin' that one, as I have a little "mad money" stashed back for "hard times" :rolleyes: The little Howa's are accurate little rigs, a fella here at home bought the same thing, only in .22/250 and had me finish it out (bed,finish,adjust the trigger,etc.) for him. He's as happy as a speckled pup w/it. He's shooting 1/2" groups w/it w/factory ammo! Just a suggestion if your not set on a Win. and lookin' for a WSM in a heavy barrel.

'da law

[Myk]

I'm never dead set. If Remington came out with a Sendaro in WSM I'd strongly consider that (and I'm not a Rem fan :) ).
It'll probably take me a year before I can afford it anyway. Although if business stays like it has for the past two weeks that year may be a short one.

I'll have to look into Howa. I'm not totally Winchester biased they're just one of 3 or 4 brands I know about that have the features I like. I'm not sure if Howa was one of the others or not. The only ones that stick in my mind are Ruger and Winchester.

Building one has definitely crossed my mind. I think if I did build one it would be a WSM.