.300 Winchester Short Magnum

.300 Winchester Short Magnum
From left to right: .300 Winchester Magnum, .300 WSM, .308 Winchester, .223 Remington
Type	Rifle
Place of origin	USA
Production history
Designer	Winchester
Manufacturer	Winchester
Produced	2001
Specifications
Bullet diameter	.308 (7.62mm)
Neck diameter	.344 in (8.7 mm)
Shoulder diameter	.538 in (13.7 mm)
Base diameter	.555 in (14.1 mm)
Rim diameter	.535 in (13.6 mm)
Case length	2.100 in (53.3 mm)
Overall length	2.860 in (72.6 mm)
Rifling twist	1-10"
Primer type	Large rifle magnum
Maximum pressure (C.I.P.)	63,817 psi (440.00 MPa)
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy 150 gr (10 g) SP 3,313 ft/s (1,010 m/s) 3,657 ft·lbf (4,958 J) 165 gr (11 g) HP 3,223 ft/s (982 m/s) 3,807 ft·lbf (5,162 J) 180 gr (12 g) HP 3,095 ft/s (943 m/s) 3,830 ft·lbf (5,190 J) 200 gr (13 g) SP 2,822 ft/s (860 m/s) 3,538 ft·lbf (4,797 J)
Test barrel length: 24" Source(s): Reloading data at Accurate Powder

Test barrel length: 24"
Source(s): Reloading data at Accurate Powder

.300 Winchester Short Magnum (also known as .300 WSM) is a .30 caliber rebated rim bottlenecked centerfire short cartridge that was introduced in 2001 by Winchester.

The cartridge overall length is 72.64 mm, cartridge case is 53.34 mm in length and the bullet diameter is .308 in (7.62 mm), which is common to all U.S. .30 caliber cartridges. The principle at work in the short magnum cartridge is the advantage of fitting larger volumes of powder in closer proximity to the primer's flash hole, resulting in more uniform, consistent ignition.

The advantage to this round is the ballistics are nearly identical to the .300 Winchester Magnum, but in a lighter rifle with a shorter action. A disadvantage of cartridge case designs with relatively large case head diameters lies in relatively high bolt thrust levels exerted on the locking mechanism of the employed firearm. Also in small ring actions the larger chamber diameter removes more steel from the barrel tenon making it weaker in a radial direction .

The .300 WSM is adequate for hunting moose, black bear, brown bear, elk, mule deer, and white-tailed deer in forests and plains where long range, flat shots are necessary. The .300 WSM is also used in benchrest shooting.

The .300 WSM has a standard bullet diameter of .308 or 7.62mm and takes advantage of the numerous bullet options available in that caliber.

The .300 WSM is a Delta L problem cartridge, meaning it can present unexpected chambering and/or feeding problems. The Delta L problem article explains this problem in more detail. The .300 Remington Short Action Ultra Magnum has very similar cartridge dimensions but is not interchangeable.