300 WSM Bullet Selection

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Morrey

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A good friend asked me to help him with load development to get some ammo designed and loaded for hunting purposes. I have never loaded 300 WSM, but he has some dies and we need to get some components lined up to test his rifle which is a Browning bolt action.

His goal is to reach out and touch feral hogs that are tearing up his farm. He mentioned his shots may vary from 200-400 yards on average. I am not much on taking shots past 200, but to each his own. Plus this is damage control shooting and not the trophy buck of a lifetime deal.

May I ask your suggestions for a good starting powder and a bullet? Accuracy is important of course, but he needs to cull some hogs even if the shot placement is not great. I guess impact energy is important is what I am getting at. Thanks for your help!!
 
I load 200gr ELD-X and partitions in mine. About 2750 with AA4350 and 2895 with H100V.

This out of a savage 12 26" 10twist tube.
 
I don't load wsm or shoot hogs, but in my 300 wm partition, etip, and accubond long range work great for long range knockdown accuracy......that being said those are pricey, 2-400 yds reduces impact velocities enough that a plain ol 180 cup and core should suffice for the job at hand and if your friend is shooting volume, it would be easier on his wallet.
 
Depending on mag length i like the ABLRs, and other heavier bullets. Im shooting 208amaxs right now.
Mostly tho ive shot 180grn ballistics, or similar from my .300s
 
The cost savings for 200 cheap bullets vs 200 premium bullets won't pay for a tank of gas in my truck. With all the other expenses involved with hunting that is insignificant. If you're talking about someone shooting several thousand bullets down range every year then it might matter; 200 bullets will last me several years just used for hunting.

I found H4350 to provide the best accuracy with all bullet weights I've tried from 150-200 gr. Not the best speeds, but still 150-200 fps faster than 30-06 and within 50 fps of typical 300 WM. At only 200-400 yards on hogs I'd just as soon take my 308, the 300WSM doesn't start to have any advantage until you get up to elk size game at over 400-500 yards. For hogs at those ranges most anything will work.

I did get very good accuracy from the Hornady ELD 200 gr bullets at up to 600 yards. 180 gr Nosler Accubonds were very close. But for what he wants to do even cheap 150's will do the job.

I've had a hard time finding brass to load, but our local Walmart keeps a good supply of Federal Deer Thug ammo in 300 WSM at good prices. I've been buying it to shoot and reloading the brass Their loaded ammo is a LOT cheaper than the brass I've found. Accuracy is more than acceptable and he may find it cheaper and easier than reloading. Last winter after hunting season they reduced it to $12/box. I bought all they had, about 7-8 boxes.
 
At those distances I would think a decent cup and core like an interlock would work well.
Impact velocity at longer ranges would be like a 100 yardish shot from a 308.

Full disclosure: I have no 30 caliber magnums.
 
My Savage 10 likes 165gr Accubonds over IMR-4350. Sub-MOA and works on deer from 10 feet to 400 yards. Don't know why it wouldn't work for hogs.

H4530, 7828, R-22, 760, and IMR-4831 are some that I have tried. Always go back to IMR- 4350.
 
Good info! Luckily I have some IMR 4350 and 4064 both of which may work. I have some Hornady ELD-X 178 gr*, 165 Sierra Boat tail Gamekings and 150 Sierra Pro Hunters. I can mix up some various loads for him with what I have....but he needs to come up with some brass. Cant help him there. Thanks for the suggestions!

*I almost hate to use any of my ELD-X for testing. I cant seem to find any more and I am running out. IF anyone knows who has 30 cal ELD-X in 178.....PLEASE HOLLER!!!!
 
Of those two powders, go with the 4350.

178 EDL-X is presently non-existent. Try the Hornady 165/180gr SPBT Interlock, they're tough, accurate and really inexpensive; ~$26 per hundred around here. I don't know how big your hogs are but those will bust through both scapula and leave a dead hog behind, no doubt.

Reloading brass is pretty sparse, Norma and Lapua at roughly $2 per piece. I use Norma 'cause my LGS has it on hand. I'd suggest picking up some non-nickel cheap factory loads with matching heads stamps. Shoot em and load em up. Should be able to get 60 rounds for under 100 bucks.
 
True but if your gun shop is real nice like mine they'll order them in for only a little more.......also until December certain purchases qualify for free bullets from hornady......they may not be the premium bullets of your choice, but if you favor hornady, they are free
 
I think ive seen some of the eldxs on the shelves here, didnt check to see which ones they were i can look this weekend....but again for mid range hunting any decent spitzer or btsp will do.
 
Last edited:
Yes, I spent over an hour last night looking for Hornady ELD-X 30 cal 178 gr. Seems I can find almost all other cals such as 6.5 or 7mm, plus I can find most 30 cal weights above 178. Short (no) supply on the 178.

I never tried the Hornady 165 SPBT Interlock, but after this suggestion I looked at a few reviews. Most folks are highly pleased with the accuracy and terminal performance on game. I called my local gun shop and they have it in stock saying it is a top seller. Good tip!

Our hogs (coastal SC) range in size of course, but the vast majority range from piglets up to 300 lbs for a mature wild boar. It is rare, but I culled one two years ago that went almost 400 lbs and had him shoulder mounted. But, in answer to your question, the average mature hog including sows is in the 200 lb range. With that said, I think 165 gr bullets will do the job nicely even pushed out to 400 yards. (If he can hit them from that distance...lol)
 
No hogs here either, but according to Hodgdon's site the .300 WSM uses the same bullet weights as any other .30 cal. I'd be using a 150 to a 180.
Mind you, a great deal depends on how well your buddy can shoot out to 400 yards. The ballistics aren't great for 400 yard shots either. Sighted in at 250ish yards, a 180 will drop 13.8" inches at 400. A 150 drops 12.4". Energy's good though.
Brass only will be an issue. Midway shows only Norma and it's on No Backorder. Graf's shows Norma and No$ler. $52.99 per 25 and $66.99 per 25 respectively. However, loaded ammo is readily available at both but cheap it ain't. Although some brands are "on sale" at Midway.
 
Morrey said:
Yes, I spent over an hour last night looking for Hornady ELD-X 30 cal 178 gr. Seems I can find almost all other cals such as 6.5 or 7mm, plus I can find most 30 cal weights above 178. Short (no) supply on the 178.

I never tried the Hornady 165 SPBT Interlock, but after this suggestion I looked at a few reviews. Most folks are highly pleased with the accuracy and terminal performance on game. I called my local gun shop and they have it in stock saying it is a top seller. Good tip!

Our hogs (coastal SC) range in size of course, but the vast majority range from piglets up to 300 lbs for a mature wild boar. It is rare, but I culled one two years ago that went almost 400 lbs and had him shoulder mounted. But, in answer to your question, the average mature hog including sows is in the 200 lb range. With that said, I think 165 gr bullets will do the job nicely even pushed out to 400 yards. (If he can hit them from that distance...lol)
Click to expand...
Check Grafs and Sons and Monmouth Shooting Supplies for bullets and brass. They had Creedmoor brass when no one else had any.
 
I handload barnes 180 ttsx for my 300wsm. Very accurate at max load of superformance powder. 3150 to 3190 fps.
 
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