A great moose rifle, but....

bobkegs · 02-20-2008, 09:30 PM

I am the proud owner of a 300WSM Model 70, stainless synthetic. It is a wonderful gun for moose and caribou hunting in Newfoundland. I reload my own shells and really appreciate the accuracy that can be obtained with 180 gr. Hornady Interbond bullets.

There is a problem, however. The NF guides will not allow a hunter to have a shell in the chamber. When hunting, therefore I carry 3 shells in the magazine.

This past year the guide called in a very nice bull moose. At 50 yards I chambered a shell. It was noisy and cumbersome to get that cartridge into the chamber!

Lo and behold, the moose heard the noise and lumbered off. Fortunately, we were able to get his attention at about 200 yards and I was able to make a clean kill. I was not happy with the noise and the resistance I encountered when I went to chamber that shell.

I am returning to the same camp this year. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can make this shell chambering less noisy and cumbersome? (At one point the shell almost jammed on its way to the chamber.) It is not the ammo that causes the problem. I have tried factory Nosler shells with the same results. Have any of you readers encountered similar problems with the WSSM's?

Bob Kegs

toolman · 02-20-2008, 09:45 PM

It's my understanding that this is the primary complaint on almost all of the WSM\WSSM's. Unfortunately, most rifles just aren't configured correctly for short\stubby cartridges. Hopefully someone here can offer some suggestions as to a fix. Good Luck!

270wsm · 02-20-2008, 10:14 PM

I have the .270 and .300 WSM and have never had that problem!
Mine are very smooth and quiet when chambering a round.
Don't know what would cause that!?Could it possibly be something wrong with the feed ramp?

GlennF · 02-21-2008, 08:46 AM

I have hunted in Newfoundland and the guides "unloaded chamber" rule is a pain, but is universal throughout the province. I have a 30-06 Rem. 700 and with the constant wind there, never spooked any game chambering the round. Does the 300 WSM require much force to chamber? If factory loads do the same thing, you might try full length sizing your reloads.

HEMI · 02-21-2008, 08:59 AM

Fat shell small bullet, make up some dummy rounds to factory specs and cycle your action a bunch if it continues send the gun back.

bobkegs · 02-21-2008, 10:47 PM

I will try the dummy rounds. Ugh!!! I really love this gun in 300WSM. Any other possibilities out there?
Thanks!
Bob Kegs

bobkegs · 02-24-2008, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 270wsm

I have the .270 and .300 WSM and have never had that problem!
Mine are very smooth and quiet when chambering a round.
Don't know what would cause that!?Could it possibly be something wrong with the feed ramp?

But is yours a Model 70? Do (or did) other manufacturers "build 'em differemtly"?
Bob Kegs

turner · 03-12-2008, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobkegs

I will try the dummy rounds. Ugh!!! I really love this gun in 300WSM. Any other possibilities out there?
Thanks!
Bob Kegs

I own several SM calibers. The reason you stated, along with problems I actually had trying to fit 3 SAUM mag rounds in a magazine before, tell me I'd also prefer a .300Mag, or go to a .338SM or larger(.350 rem mag) to use on a hunt where my chamber HAD to be empty and have a shell bolted in. The larger calibers have a better(lower) neck angle for facillitating loading the chamber. This angle is what has made the .375 H&H such a GREAT dangerous game round over the last 90 or so years!

02-20-2008, 09:30 PM	#1
bobkegs Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 8	A great moose rifle, but.... I am the proud owner of a 300WSM Model 70, stainless synthetic. It is a wonderful gun for moose and caribou hunting in Newfoundland. I reload my own shells and really appreciate the accuracy that can be obtained with 180 gr. Hornady Interbond bullets. There is a problem, however. The NF guides will not allow a hunter to have a shell in the chamber. When hunting, therefore I carry 3 shells in the magazine. This past year the guide called in a very nice bull moose. At 50 yards I chambered a shell. It was noisy and cumbersome to get that cartridge into the chamber! Lo and behold, the moose heard the noise and lumbered off. Fortunately, we were able to get his attention at about 200 yards and I was able to make a clean kill. I was not happy with the noise and the resistance I encountered when I went to chamber that shell. I am returning to the same camp this year. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can make this shell chambering less noisy and cumbersome? (At one point the shell almost jammed on its way to the chamber.) It is not the ammo that causes the problem. I have tried factory Nosler shells with the same results. Have any of you readers encountered similar problems with the WSSM's? Bob Kegs

02-20-2008, 09:45 PM	#2
toolman Mr. Fixit Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: abilene,tx Posts: 5,569 Blog Entries: 22	It's my understanding that this is the primary complaint on almost all of the WSM\WSSM's. Unfortunately, most rifles just aren't configured correctly for short\stubby cartridges. Hopefully someone here can offer some suggestions as to a fix. Good Luck! __________________ Don't be messin' with my gun!

02-20-2008, 10:14 PM	#3
270wsm Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 326 Images: 2	I have the .270 and .300 WSM and have never had that problem! Mine are very smooth and quiet when chambering a round. Don't know what would cause that!?Could it possibly be something wrong with the feed ramp? __________________ THIS IS MY COMMANDMENT,THAT YE LOVE ONE ANOTHER,AS I HAVE LOVED YOU-Jesus Christ(John15:12)

02-21-2008, 08:46 AM	#4
GlennF Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 28	I have hunted in Newfoundland and the guides "unloaded chamber" rule is a pain, but is universal throughout the province. I have a 30-06 Rem. 700 and with the constant wind there, never spooked any game chambering the round. Does the 300 WSM require much force to chamber? If factory loads do the same thing, you might try full length sizing your reloads.

02-21-2008, 08:59 AM	#5
HEMI Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 719	Fat shell small bullet, make up some dummy rounds to factory specs and cycle your action a bunch if it continues send the gun back.

02-21-2008, 10:47 PM	#6
bobkegs Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 8	I will try the dummy rounds. Ugh!!! I really love this gun in 300WSM. Any other possibilities out there? Thanks! Bob Kegs