I’m headed back to the loading bench to develop a new load for my Ruger Hawkeye SS/laminate in .300WM and I’m looking for suggestions on bullets and powders. I’ve developed two good loads for the rifle so far. The first is a 180 gr. Nosler BT over 76.5 grains of RL22. This load shoots about 1.25” at 100 yards and I’ve found excellent terminal performance on deer. Next load is a 165 gr. TSX over 72.8 grains of IMR 4831. I tried the TSX because there are a lot of black bears where we hunt and I was worried that the NBT might be too quick to expand for black bear. The TSX load shoots 0.75” at 100 yards, but I’ve been disappointed in the terminal performance on deer (lack of blood trail, likely because of small exit wound).
I know that the accuracy of the NBT load is “good enough” but who wants to settle for good enough? Besides, I like working up loads. So, here are the bullet/powder combos I tried and rejected so far (all are 180 gr. bullets: Nosler Ballistic Tip with IMR 4831 and H100V; Hornady SST with RL22, IMR 4831, and H100V; Sierra Gameking with RL22, IMR 4831, and H100V; Nosler Accubond with RL22.
The SST offered poor accuracy with all three powders, so I’m reluctant to try that bullet again. The SGK had decent accuracy with a low charge of RL22, but I’d prefer a load near max if I can find one (otherwise I’d hunt with my .30-06). The NAB had poor accuracy with RL22.
I’m leaning toward trying the 180 gr. NBT with different powders to see if I can improve accuracy since I’ve been happy with the terminal performance on deer. Also, I’ve got plenty of them on hand to work up a new load. I’m currently planning to try IMR 4350 and IMR 7828SSC. Should I be confident that the 180 gr. NBT will be tough enough on a quartering shot on a bear?
On the other hand, I only tried the NAB with one powder. Should I give that bullet another chance? I only have a handful left from the box I bought and they are more expensive than the NBT. Would the NAB give as good terminal performance on deer as the NBT?
Here are the powders I have on hand that seem appropriate for 180 gr. bullets: AA 4350, RL22, H4831, IMR 4350, IMR 4831, IMR 7828SSC.
I also have plenty of NBTs in 150 gr. and 165 gr. for loading in .30-06. I could try the 165 gr., but would that bullet be tough enough for bear?
So which bullet powder combo would you try next? Thanks for taking the time to offer suggestions.
I know that the accuracy of the NBT load is “good enough” but who wants to settle for good enough? Besides, I like working up loads. So, here are the bullet/powder combos I tried and rejected so far (all are 180 gr. bullets: Nosler Ballistic Tip with IMR 4831 and H100V; Hornady SST with RL22, IMR 4831, and H100V; Sierra Gameking with RL22, IMR 4831, and H100V; Nosler Accubond with RL22.
The SST offered poor accuracy with all three powders, so I’m reluctant to try that bullet again. The SGK had decent accuracy with a low charge of RL22, but I’d prefer a load near max if I can find one (otherwise I’d hunt with my .30-06). The NAB had poor accuracy with RL22.
I’m leaning toward trying the 180 gr. NBT with different powders to see if I can improve accuracy since I’ve been happy with the terminal performance on deer. Also, I’ve got plenty of them on hand to work up a new load. I’m currently planning to try IMR 4350 and IMR 7828SSC. Should I be confident that the 180 gr. NBT will be tough enough on a quartering shot on a bear?
On the other hand, I only tried the NAB with one powder. Should I give that bullet another chance? I only have a handful left from the box I bought and they are more expensive than the NBT. Would the NAB give as good terminal performance on deer as the NBT?
Here are the powders I have on hand that seem appropriate for 180 gr. bullets: AA 4350, RL22, H4831, IMR 4350, IMR 4831, IMR 7828SSC.
I also have plenty of NBTs in 150 gr. and 165 gr. for loading in .30-06. I could try the 165 gr., but would that bullet be tough enough for bear?
So which bullet powder combo would you try next? Thanks for taking the time to offer suggestions.