150 gr or 180 gr

[Arkel23]

Deer season has started here for bow hunters, and gun season starts Sept 1st. This will be the first time hunting with my new .300 wby mag, would you recommend 180 gr or 150 gr for deer? The reason I ask is it is also football season, and I will be using my shoulders apparently (running back) and don't want to do too much damage when shooting to sight it in, I know the 180 gr won't do as much damage, but the 150 gr will have less recoil. Edit: The 7mm rem mag uses 150 gr when I hunt with it, but isn't really bad.

 

[ArmedBear]

165 grain.

Wait, what do you mean 180 won't do as much damage, but the 150 will have less recoil?

I shot a .300 Wby off the bench years ago and swore I never would again. More recently, I shot one with a factory brake, and it was really comfortable.

Personally, I'd sight it in with a full machine rest, and practice shooting it off hand, off sticks, etc. after that. The round SUCKS off the bench without a muzzle brake. But it's entirely usable for real shooting.

 

[Arkel23]

I haven't seen the 165 gr, but I'm getting a GREAT deal on some bullets off of the net, $28.00 on sale!! Hornady Customs.

 

[Brian Williams]

What kind of monster deer are you shooting that you want a 300 wby mag?

 

[Arkel23]

What kind of monster deer are you shooting that you want a 300 wby mag?
__________________

The kind that scare Godzilla.

 

[NCsmitty]

So the 7MM ReMag wasn't adequate for the Godzilla deer?


NCsmitty

 

[Matrix187]

300 wby mag!!! I guess it might be adequate for deerzilla
I used a .223 69 gr Sierra Matchking HPBT on a big montana whitetail. It did the job fine.

 

[jmr40]

Deer season opens in 2 weeks and you are still trying to decide on which bullet weight to use! This decision should have been made months ago. At this point I would use the older rifle you are used to until you get this one sighted in and find out which ammo works best in it.

 

[257WM_CDL-SF]

id go with the 180 if a light bullet is used it wont be pretty with the 300 Weatherby facing the same deal with my 257 Weatherby

 

[lefteyedom]

Just trade your 300 weatherby in on a much softer shooting 30-378 and use 180 grain you will be fine.

 

[RonE]

The 180 gr bullet leaving the muzzle in excess of 3,000 fps is the key to the retirement system for deer from 90 lb whitetails up to 300 lb mule deer. Also great for any other large North American game animals.

The 150 gr bullets will be a little faster but won't hit as hard and won't have as good a Ballistic Coefficient.

You have picked a great caliber rifle and I wouldn't worry too much about recoil if you are a football player....just hold the rifle properly and you will be fine.

 

[Arkel23]

My friend will be using the 7mm rem mag.

 

[scythefwd]

ArmedBear,
Did you lean into the rifle, or did you sit so your body could move a little? I find that while I can shoot my 12 GA with slugs from the prone, it is more comfortable to do so seated, where I can be moved by the recoil. I just shot a 300 wby. and found it very comfortable, but I was standing when I shot it.

RonE,
That 150 will do fine as long as it is a well constructed bullet. I wouldn't want it grenading when it hit A 150 Gr. bullet moving anything faster than 2k fps will do fine. With the 300 Wby, you might not get much expansion before the bullet has ripped out the other side on anything but a big deer (I'm from IL where 300 lb deer before dressing isn't uncommon).