reloading .300 wsm...need some insight

[kmrcstintn]

1) bought a marlin 336 in .30-30 as primary deer gun a few months ago

2) jumped on a remington 700 in .300 wsm a bit too quick

3) after shooting the .300 wsm, I question the need for 2 rifles; also feeling a bit financially stretched since getting the Remington & might have to let go of one of the rifles;

4) like the potential of the .300 wsm & need some insight for reloading; is it feasible to load 180gr round nose softpoints in .300 wsm to reduce bullet deflection when shooting in the woods thru the thickets?

I ask since I saw some reloading data for 180gr round nose softpoints in .300 Weatherby mag, but not for .300 wsm? is there a problem with powder density in .300 wsm? thanks

 

[Smokey Joe]

Bullet deflection...

Years and years ago the American Rifleman staff tested out the theory of bullet deflection in heavy brush, and published the results. Sorry, I was just a teenager @ the time, read the article, didn't save it, can't cite a reference.

Anyhow, the Rifleman people built a "thicket" of 1/4" dowels (not exactly a real thicket, as they freely granted, but with that they could track the deflection of each round fired) and shot various bullet shapes through it, of various calibers.

The results were unequivocally that lighter, sharply pointed bullets moving at relatively high speeds, deflected less than heavier, round-pointed bullets moving at lower speeds. This was across the board, regardless of the caliber involved.

Bullets that hit a dowel squarely deflected less than those that hit one with the side of their nose, as you might expect.

Not what you'd think, not what Gran'paw told you, I know, but it's the closest thing to a scientific test of this "heavy round-nosed bullets for brush" legend that we're ever likely to see.

The point of my bringing this up being, that one should choose a bullet based on its intended performance at the target, not based on shooting through brush at that target.

 

[batmann]

What about ammo availibility in the long term? It is sure hard to beat a good .30-30 for all round use and ecomonomy.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Actually, in the article cited above, the best results were with a 7mmRemMag, using 175gr PtSpt. bullets. This bullet has a high sectional density, (like the 6.5 Swede with a 154-160gr bullet) and also has a high rotational speed 1/9.5" twist (ditto the 6.5Swede with 1/7.7" twist). The high velocity of the 7mmMag with a 175gr bullet is ~2,800fps. Not the "light-fast" as perceived by the above poster. But kinda close.........Heavy for diameter and fast rotational speed, therefore more gyroscopically stabilized bullet. Article was written by Col. Askins; IIRC.

So, you see why Uncle Sam went to a highly stabilized bullet with the M16A2 in order to get superior ballistics. 64gr bullet @ 3,100fps with a 1/7"twist

This however shouldn't be confused with terminal ballistics. A wide flatnose bullet of high sectional density gives superior IN-TARGET penetration and lowest deflection due to impact with internal structures in living objects (ie: bone).

other topic.....
The .30WSM is easily reloaded, just an "improved" .30/06(sort-of)....... H4350, H4831, RL22, RL19, IMR4350, IMR 4831 do just splendidly in the .30wsm. Slightly lower powder charges with nearly equal ballistics to the .300winmag.

There is always a place for a .30/30 also.......
Got one too!
Gets shot a LOT more than my .300RUM.... Even though the powder costs more (I use mil-surplus .50BMG powder in the .300, cost $50 for 16lbs. I have to pay ~$22+ per pound now for RL15 for the .30/30.......

 

[kmrcstintn]

so far y'all have some great points to ponder...hopefully I can keep both in the collection, but one must have a plan on hand in case something does happen; back to my inquiry...is loading 180gr or even 150gr round nose .308" caliber bullets feasible in the short-n-stubby case of the .300 WSM? I haven't seen any reloading info on such an animal...I know that 75-100 yard shots in the woods is not the optimal use for such a long range monster, but we all compromise from time to time...