300 WM deer load

StevieK

StevieK

Regular
Rating - 100%
83   0   0
Location
Hamilton, ont
Hey guys,

I wasn't very impressed with the load I had for deer season this year, so I've got a year to perfect it.
I have a post 64 model 70, 300 WM, with a 24" barrel.
This year I was using 150 gr bullets but I am open to using 150's or 180's.
If anyone has a similar model gun, let me know what recipe works best for you.
 
165 grain interbond bullet at 3000 fps. It's not a grenade or destructive (thank goodness), but simply effective.

For my gun, it took 74 grains of H4831SC, but there would be other recipes.
 
I've used 180gr Ballistic Tips and Accubonds with good success, but my favorite is the 220gr Nosler Partition with H1000 and 215 primers. I get 2850fps out of a 24" barrel and it is great for deer on up to moose and bears. The semi-spitzer design opens up well and it shoots flat enough. The lower velocity (relative to the 150's and 180's) combined with a fairly solid bullet means less fragmentation and meat damage too.
 
180gr Accubonds with RL-22 / 215 primers and you are set for all big game. The 180 AB's and RL-22 are my choice for my 300WM along with some hunting buddies too. Another bullet the 165gr TTSX might be another to look at for yourself.
 
What was your old load, and what are you trying to improve? Are you after better accuracy, faster kills, less wind drift, less meat damage, more meat damage or a do everything load?
 
Mainly better accuracy. Although I had the 150's loaded at a minimum they still fragmented a bit too much, I think they were still too fast for deer. I would probably prefer a 165 or 180. I would ideally like to have a lighter load for deer and a 220 gr load for moose, but I haven't had any time to experiment with any 220's
 
I tend to use one load per rifle. A 168 grain TSX and Barnes max load of IMR works well in one of mine and will kill anything you need. I took a wild boar, blackbuck and a couple red stag with that load, with the longest shot at 568 yards. My son shot his first moose with it too, at 30 odd yards.
Moveing up to 180 grain bullets, take a good look at RL22 for easy results. I don't even know anyone on this continent that shoots 220 grain bullets in a Win Mag. They seem to be very popular in Africa with the locals though.
 
only advice i have is if you are using it for more than just deer, try and load something that works for all in one package. otherwise you will need to re sight in your rifle when you change rounds. if all you have is 1 load worked up, you dont have to do that.
 
StevieK said:
I was using 60 gr of IMR 4320. sending a 150 gr approx 3120 fps
Click to expand...

That's pretty mild, if you're going to use a 150 gr. for deer, I would go with something Like Barnes TSX.....or a bonded bullet at the minimum.

For comparison, Ive loaded a 300 wm with a 150 gr. bullet (interbond). The load was 65 g.r of 4064 (nearly the same burn rate as 4320).

Not sure what it would do to a deer....Im not going to try it :D
 
There is no point to owning a magnum unless you are going to use heavy for caliber bullets. Lots of hunters like to use light bullets in magnums for the impressive velocities they can brag about, but heavier bullets at good speed is the reason to own a magnum.

I have a 180 grain load for my .300 Win that gets about 3150 fps. If I use a Ballistic Tip at that speed, I have a very violent load for deer (too violent actually). If I use an Accubond or Partition, I have a flat shooting load that is devastating on deer, but is manageable in terms of meat destruction.

A 200 grain Partition or TSX may be the ultimate in lethality from a .300 WM along with outstanding trajectory and energy retention at long range. I think the 220 grain bullets available make the .300 a very good big game cartridge, but begin to restrict its long range potential.

My advice is to move to heavier bullets and do some testing.
 
If using it for just deer, I would think the 165/168 grain bullets will serve you nicely. When using it for a number of applications from dogs to Bear I would go with one of heavier weight and my load is with 190 grain Hornady Boat Tails.

I have assembled a number of CGN loads and if interested send me your email.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom