Thanks in advance for the help...getting a new 300WSM and need some help with bullet selection. I have been a .308 guy for a long time, but am concerned about the higher velocities of the WSM with some of the BTs I have shot in my .308s. This will be a deer only bullet for Georgia and Kentucky whitetails. I also will be handloading for the rifle as well, so factory offerings are not a priority. I want a hard hitting, deer killing, hammer of a bullet.
Help with 300WSM bullet selection...
- Thread starter goindeep
- Start date
- Status
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
Many good bullets besides Sierra, but I've had great success for several decades with them. I wouldn't bother to go heavier than their 150-grain GameKing.
That said, the SPBT can be over-driven and can blow up at short distance impacts, even from a .30-'06. The flat-based 150 soft-point is stronger and won't blow up.
Me, I'd go with a book starting load of powder and the 150-grain soft point. That would be ruinacious on Bambi to 400 or 500 yards, if you ever needed to play in Ma Bell country.
That said, the SPBT can be over-driven and can blow up at short distance impacts, even from a .30-'06. The flat-based 150 soft-point is stronger and won't blow up.
Me, I'd go with a book starting load of powder and the 150-grain soft point. That would be ruinacious on Bambi to 400 or 500 yards, if you ever needed to play in Ma Bell country.
Captcurt
Member
I have used 165gr Accubonds for several years and have had good luck with then in the WSM. This year I dropped to the 150gr and killed several from 20-215 yards. Worked fine. The Monolithic bullets like the Barnes and Hornady GMX should work and then there is always the standard. Nosler Partition.
Glockula
Member
I m have used 165 federal fusion in factry ammunition to kill 2 white tails. It performed well. Good penetration and not a ton of meat damage.
I have used 2 kinds of 150s with hornady superformance. Nosler partitions were top notch. Little meat damage and DRT kills.
I used hornady interbonds in 150 this year. They are softer than partitions ir the fusions. More meat damage at the same distances. Distances were 6 to 325 yards. I may try Nosler accubond 165's this year.
I hope this helps
I have used 2 kinds of 150s with hornady superformance. Nosler partitions were top notch. Little meat damage and DRT kills.
I used hornady interbonds in 150 this year. They are softer than partitions ir the fusions. More meat damage at the same distances. Distances were 6 to 325 yards. I may try Nosler accubond 165's this year.
I hope this helps
130 gr Barnes TTSX @ 3500 fps. Same bullet for your 308 @ 3000-3100 fps. If you ever move up to elk or larger game the 150 TTSX @ 3300 fps in the 300 and @ 2800-2900 fps from the 308.
Expect complete pass through shots, 100% weight retention, and with good expansion as long as impact speeds are 2000 fps or more. This isn't a 600 yard bullet since bullet speed drops below the 2000 fps threshold way on out there. But at reasonable ranges are a good choice.
Not a cheap bullet, but no more expensive than Accubonds and cheaper than Partitions.
You could also go heavy. The Ballistic tips, SST's and new Hornady ELD-X are softer bullets. But in heavy for caliber bullets stay together pretty well. If you were to go with 180-200 gr bullets at slower speeds I'd not be concerned about over expansion.
Expect complete pass through shots, 100% weight retention, and with good expansion as long as impact speeds are 2000 fps or more. This isn't a 600 yard bullet since bullet speed drops below the 2000 fps threshold way on out there. But at reasonable ranges are a good choice.
Not a cheap bullet, but no more expensive than Accubonds and cheaper than Partitions.
You could also go heavy. The Ballistic tips, SST's and new Hornady ELD-X are softer bullets. But in heavy for caliber bullets stay together pretty well. If you were to go with 180-200 gr bullets at slower speeds I'd not be concerned about over expansion.
22250Rem
Member
Tons of good 30 cal. bullets out there. As long as you're handloading I'd go with something that produces good accuracy. That's a Savage Mod. 10 in 300 WSM in my avatar and my go to load uses a 150 gr. Nosler Accubond because they shoot so well from an accuracy standpoint at least in that rifle and bullet performance is outstanding on deer and antelope. Let the barrel of your rifle tell you what bullet and what weight it likes and if that works well on critters you'll have an accurate, game getting combination. You already have a hard hitting, deer killing, hammer of a cartridge, ( Mine works great launching those 150 gr. Accubonds at a little over 3200 fps), once you find your bullet those Georgia & Kentucky whitetails are gonna be in deep trouble.
My experience is with .300WM, but velocities should be about the same. I've killed several deer with both the 180 gr. Nosler BT and the 165 gr. TSX. I switched to the TSX because it is super accurate in my rifle, but I'm just not convinced that it opens up well on whitetails. The 180 gr. BT did a fine job whitetails, but was a 1.25" to 1.5" group @ 100 in my rifle while the TSX is 0.75" to 1.0". I know that such a small difference in accuracy doesn't matter at reasonable hunting ranges, but I just like small groups at the range!
Anyway, I'm considering going back the 180 gr. BT or Accubond or maybe a lighter weight Partition.
ETA: Just checked my records and noticed I killed two deer several years ago with 180 gr. Federal Fusion (factory ammo). Seemed to do a good job.
Anyway, I'm considering going back the 180 gr. BT or Accubond or maybe a lighter weight Partition.
ETA: Just checked my records and noticed I killed two deer several years ago with 180 gr. Federal Fusion (factory ammo). Seemed to do a good job.
Last edited:
Leaning towards 180gr Nosler BTs right now...pushed at just over 308 velos...I have shot 165 BTs in my 308s for years and they are shoulder busters on a deer, no reason the beefier 180 wont do the same at about the same velocity.
Any powder recc?
Any powder recc?
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
No doubt that the 165s work, but I've always figured that since the 150s work okay, why put up with more recoil for no real gain? Dead is dead. "Heavier doesn't make 'em deader."
Captcurt
Member
I have used IMR-4350 for years. IMR-4831, R22, 7828, and 760 all work well with 180gr. Magnum primers.
What powders do you have on hand?
Reloder 22 gave the best accuracy with 180 gr Nosler BTs in my .300WM. According to Nosler's website, H100V was the most accurate powder they tested with 180 gr bullets in 300WSM (64.0 grain max at about 3,000 fps). If you want lower velocity, Nosler shows Reloder 17's most accurate charge as 60.0 grains at 2,900 fps).
Here's the link:https://load-data.nosler.com/load-data/300-winchester-short-magnum-wsm/
Reloder 22 gave the best accuracy with 180 gr Nosler BTs in my .300WM. According to Nosler's website, H100V was the most accurate powder they tested with 180 gr bullets in 300WSM (64.0 grain max at about 3,000 fps). If you want lower velocity, Nosler shows Reloder 17's most accurate charge as 60.0 grains at 2,900 fps).
Here's the link:https://load-data.nosler.com/load-data/300-winchester-short-magnum-wsm/
Art-I am concerned with the 150s and 165s having a touch too much fragmentation out of the 300WSM at the impact velocities I will be seeing....I believe the reinforced 180s will be fine at impact velocities...but I am not ruling out shooting an interlock or a partition.
Klint Beastwood
member
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2017
- Messages
- 622
I’m not sure if there are anti hornady people on here, but I’m sure I’ll find out.
the eld x line are pretty good. You there’s 178gr, 200gr (I think) 212gr and heavier.
I Reload for a .300 win mag, and use the 212gr for longish range hunting. It works good as an expanding bullet.
Side note: I have no idea how well they expand inside 300 yards. Depending on how you hunt. I don’t reckon it will matter though inside of 300 yards with a .300 wsm
the eld x line are pretty good. You there’s 178gr, 200gr (I think) 212gr and heavier.
I Reload for a .300 win mag, and use the 212gr for longish range hunting. It works good as an expanding bullet.
Side note: I have no idea how well they expand inside 300 yards. Depending on how you hunt. I don’t reckon it will matter though inside of 300 yards with a .300 wsm
- Status
Similar threads
