This year I am looking at new rifle mostly for deer hunting, but as I live in Manitoba there are plenty of chances to go for moose/elk/black bears. I was thinking of the .300 WSM. Up until recently I was leaning towards the 7mm Mag or .300 Mag. The 7mm and .300 Mag are both time proven rounds. I will be reloading my own shells so not too worried about costs. So the question is, is the .300 WSM here to stay.
Welcome to a Manitoban,
I was born there and hunted there as well in my early days. Great place to be into the outdoors.
No idea whether that cartridge is here to stay or not. If you are buying for the long term and handload then it doesn't make that much difference. I have a 264 WM which is kind of orphaned, and it is no problem at all.
If your main target is deer I think you are looking too big. Suggest you read another thread here (link posted further down).
Suggest you research and consider these cartridges in decending order. If you want something different then the 270 WSM seems interesting, and I think the old 280 Remingtion is worth consideration also. The 300 RUM made the list as kind of a fluke, and I would ignore it.
Cartridge, Bullet Wt, 300 Yd Vel, Muzzle Eng, 300 Yd Eng
270 WSM , 130, 2444, 3114, 1724
270 Win, 130, 2442, 2702, 1721
260 Rem, 120, 2334, 2392, 1560
264 WM, 140, 2326, 2854, 1682
7mm-08, 140, 2314, 2542, 1664
280 Rem, 140, 2309, 2797, 1657
300 RUM, 150, 2270, 2820, 1716
30-06, 150, 2270, 2820, 1716
308 Win., 150, 2219, 2648, 1640
7mm RM, 160, 2212, 2987, 1739
308 Win., 180, 1974, 2743, 1557
350 RM, 200, 1921, 3419, 1639
http://www.gunandgame.com/forums/big-game-hunting/45116-best-way-select-big-game-cartridge.html
Ron