Hornady 300 Whisper 208gr

[451 Detonics]

Finally got some of the new Hornady 300 Whisper ammo in and got out to the range with it today. This is the first factory ammo I have shot in this rifle, up to now it has been all handloads and I was eager to see how the 208 grain A-Max bullet would perform.





I got set up on the 100 yard line and fired the first three. First impression was they went supersonic, no biggie as the rifle has an adjustable gas system. Well lo and behold the wrench wasn't in the rifle bag. Long story short I shot those three round at steel then fired 3 more for a grouping. I then wandered down and was very happy, 2rounds in virtually one hole and the 3rd fractions of an inch away.



I stopped at that point, this stuff isn't cheap and I wanted to adjust the gas system before proceeding. The brass was thrown well clear, further than the brass from my handloads are thrown, another indication some gas system adjustment would be in order.

All in all I am satisfied so far with this ammo

 

[Zak Smith]

Excellent! I have a box of those ready to load in my .300 Fireball. To date I've shot the 210gr Bergers and 240gr SMKs.

 

[451 Detonics]

I think you will like it, the brass come out a little sooty but looks great, should reload well. I have used almost nothing but Match Kings in my reloads but I am thinking hard about switching to these A-Max bullets. Sacrifice a little bullet weight but the performance makes up for it. Should also carry more energy downrange thanks to a better ballistics co-efficient. I wish I had thought to take the Chrony with me but didn't think to grab it.

 

[JustinJ]

Are you saying you can alter the velocity enough to be subsonic by adjusting the gas system? I can see how increasing gas flow back through the gas tube could slighly reduce bullet velocity but i'd be surprised if enough could be bled off to significantly affect bullet speed.

 

[451 Detonics]

The load is supposed to be subsonic in a 16 inch barrel but my reloads are well under the threshold, they run right at 1000fps and function without flinging the brass far. By opening up the gas regulator I will be taking better advantage of the huge expansion chamber at the rear of the can so yes...I think it will drop it down enough to take the 20-30 fps off that will make it subsonic again. Like I said I forgot my Chrony so I don't know how far I need it to drop, could be as little as 10fps.