When it comes to hunting rifles, there are countless options available on the market. Two popular cartridges for hunting, especially for medium to large game, are the 300 Savage and the 300 WSM. Both cartridges have their unique features and benefits. In this article, we will compare the 300 Savage to the 300 WSM and discuss their specifications, ballistics, and overall performance.
Here is the short answer:
The 300 WSM is a more modern cartridge with higher velocities and flatter trajectories, while the 300 Savage is an older cartridge with a proven track record for hunting. Both cartridges have their advantages and disadvantages, and it ultimately comes down to personal preference and intended use.
With the short answer out of the way, we can look in-depth at each cartridge, what they are good for, what their ballistics are, and how they compare in depth.
In-Depth Look at the 300 Savage
The 300 Savage is a rifle cartridge that was first introduced by Savage Arms in 1920. It has undergone numerous changes since its inception. However, it is still beloved among hunters and shooters alike. This rimless bottlenecked centerfire rifle cartridge possesses a .308-inch bullet diameter and an overall length of 1.87. The ammunition was specially designed to be used with the acclaimed Savage Model 99 lever action rifle that featured revolutionary smokeless powder cartridges when released onto the market at that period
The 300 Savage carries the capability of being loaded with a variety of powder types and bullet weights, extending from 110 grains to 220 grains depending on the level of performance desired. The biggest downside to this cartridge is its lack of ability to keep energy at long range.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 300 Savage with a 180-grain jacketed soft point:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2350 | 2207 |
| 50 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 2242 | 2009 |
| 100 | 0 | 1.2 | 2137 | 1825 |
| 150 | -2 | 2.6 | 2034 | 1654 |
| 200 | -6.1 | 4.5 | 1934 | 1495 |
| 250 | -12.5 | 7.3 | 1838 | 1350 |
| 300 | -21.6 | 10.9 | 1745 | 1217 |
| 350 | -33.6 | 15.3 | 1656 | 1097 |
| 400 | -48.6 | 20.5 | 1571 | 986 |
| 450 | -67.1 | 26.4 | 1489 | 886 |
| 500 | -89.5 | 33.3 | 1412 | 797 |
In-Depth Look at the 300 WSM
The 300 Winchester Short Magnum (WSM) has gained favor among hunters and long-range shooters for its impressive accuracy and knockdown power. The 300 WSM translates has an overall length that is much fairly short at 2.10 inches but fat at .55 inches in diameter. Because of this short fat cartridge design, you get magnum cartridge-level performance in a short-action rifle.
This decreased size facilitates the production of shorter rifles that can be more concise and simpler to maneuver in enclosed spaces or dense brush. Furthermore, it also leads to less perceived recoil when shooting as compared with other cartridges possessing similar power levels like .308 Winchester or .30-06 Springfield.
Here is a ballistics chart of a 300 WSM with a 180-grain soft point:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2950 | 3478 |
| 50 | -0.2 | 0.1 | 2852 | 3250 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.6 | 2756 | 3035 |
| 150 | -0.9 | 1.5 | 2662 | 2832 |
| 200 | -3.1 | 2.6 | 2570 | 2639 |
| 250 | -6.6 | 4.1 | 2480 | 2457 |
| 300 | -11.4 | 5.9 | 2391 | 2285 |
| 350 | -17.8 | 8.2 | 2304 | 2122 |
| 400 | -25.9 | 11 | 2220 | 1969 |
| 450 | -35.8 | 14.2 | 2137 | 1825 |
| 500 | -47.4 | 17.9 | 2055 | 1688 |
In-Depth Answer
When attempting to ascertain which cartridge is most suitable, it is critical to evaluate each of the two options and appreciate how they contrast. The 300 Savage and 300 WSM are both favored cartridges that possess their unique benefits as well as drawbacks. Introduced by Winchester in 1920, the 300 Savage has been one of the oldest retail short action cartridges still available on today’s market. It utilizes a .30-06 case shortened, its average muzzle velocity stands at approximately 2,400 fps when using 150-grain rounds.
In 2002, Winchester introduced the 300 WSM (Winchester Short Magnum) cartridge as part of its range of short magnum cartridges. It has since become a popular choice for hunting elk-sized game due to its capacity to launch heavier bullets at higher velocities than other cartridges in this class. The 300 WSM utilizes the same case as that used by the 270 WSM but with a neck that is larger enough to enable it to accommodate .308″ diameter bullets and generate an average muzzle velocity of approximately 3,000 fps when loaded using 165-grain round ammunition.
If you desire a cartridge that has less recoil but can still be used for deer-sized game within 300 yards then the 300 Savage would be the better choice. However, past 300 yards the 300 Savage loses most of its energy and will be ineffective at taking game.
The 300 WSM is far superior for shooting long-range due to its higher energy and larger case size allowing it to hold more powder. The 300 WSM is also a better choice for anyone who wants a cartridge that can be used on game as large as bison or moose. But the downside to this cartridge is that it produces significantly more recoil than the 300 Savge making it a worse choice for those who are most sensitive to recoil such as smaller framed shooters.
Conclusion
The 300 Savage and the 300 WSM are two comparable cartridges. Their variance lies in their ballistics, recoil levels, as well as overall performance. Though both have advantages and disadvantages to note, it is ultimately a matter of personal preference regarding which one proves best suited for an individual’s requirements. Both have proven successful when employed for hunting or shooting applications alike. Taking everything into account then if someone was looking for a cartridge with powerful capabilities along with good ballistics combined with reasonable kickback either might prove an ideal fit depending on their needs .