Does the 300 win mag count as close range thumper?
- Thread starter vpsalin
- Start date
fade2black
CGN Regular
- Location
- Central Ontario
With a 200 grain or 220 grain RN loaded for lower velocity and less deflection from brush it works quite well.
Ugh. This whole idea that a slower, heavier bullet deflects less is spurious at best. Deflection is highly unpredictable. The only real way to ensure a hit is to not shoot through brush in the first place. Some tests have even shown lighter faster bullets deflect less, but no test has a big enough sample size to be considered imperical evidence of whether or not the old tale of big and heavy deflects less is true.
https://www.fieldandstream.com/rifles-truth-about-bucking-brush/
https://www.theboxotruth.com/the-box-o-truth-40-deflected-bullets-and-the-box-o-truth/
https://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/hunting/2014/05/how-much-does-brush-deflect-rifle-bullet/
OP, I guess that really depends on what your definition of short range thumper is. It will certainly thump an animal at short ranges, but it is not limited to short ranges like a lot of other cartridges that are discussed in these types of threads like 45-70.
Whether a bullet pencils though or not is entirely dependent on the bullet chosen. Considering there are dozens if not hundreds of options in 308cal bullets, you can absolutely find something that will expand at 3000+ fps.
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300 win mag at short ranges on animals can make a real mess, especially if it hits bone. Buddy of mine shot his deer at about 30 yards last season with his 300 win mag and it bloodshot a lot of the meat in the fore quarters and the back strap as well. Made a big mess. I hunt with 9.3x62 and a 300 win mag definitely does not produce the same type of result. I wouldn’t say 300 win mag is a thumper in the sense of a “stopping” type of cartridge. I’d just say it’s the wrong cartridge for the job if you’re hunting specifically at close range.
It might not be the BEST possible option for short range work, but it certainly works. Bullet selection is key with high velocity cartridges, if you use a cup and core bullet in any cartridge that does 3000+fps you are asking for bloodshot meat. My 270win created noticeably less bloodshot meat when I switched from factory Rem CoreLokt to handloading hornady Interbonds.
Sounds like someone with not a whole lot of experience with a 300 win lol.
Bullet selection is key and if you hit any animal with something going 3100 fps it makes instant jelly. My recommendation if you want that route is to load heavy bullets. 200 plus grains and keep them under 2800fps at the muzzle and should be good to go. If you really wanna brush gun u could also consider a 338win. I have taken plenty moose/black bear near and far with 300 win and the cartridge is high on the list of my favorites. Cheers
Did you forget to add a Winkey eye emoji to your post or do you really believe that crap?
- Location
- Vancouver Island, BC
back when rampart sold Norma ammo for 30$ a box (maybe 2-3 years ago) I picked up a bunch of 300 win mag tipstrike ammo. It does not pencil through.
I had a sauer 303 with a 20" barrel in 300 win mag. As stated above, with 220 gr partitions I would consider it a thumper at short to medium range. Not the most efficient use of powder though since it probably didn't really outperform a 30-06 with that barrel length. Handy rifle though. Wish I could have found one in 9.3x62.
I had a sauer 303 with a 20" barrel in 300 win mag. As stated above, with 220 gr partitions I would consider it a thumper at short to medium range. Not the most efficient use of powder though since it probably didn't really outperform a 30-06 with that barrel length. Handy rifle though. Wish I could have found one in 9.3x62.
No reason why a .300 WM can't be a thumper, particularly if you are a reloader.
Here is a blurb from the description of the "SIERRA - BULLET - 30 (.308) 220 GR RN PROHUNTER," sounds like they think this is a short range thumper, in the .300 WM, choose your speed;
In rifle cartridges, these bullets are highly recommended when good expansion and deep penetration in medium and heavy game are required at short to medium ranges. These bullets give pinpoint accuracy because of their short lengths for their weights. This short length for a given weight allows a rifle barrel to stabilize a considerably heavier roundnose bullet than would be possible with a Spitzer-pointed bullet of the same weight, which would be considerably longer. If the shots are fast and at short ranges or the game is big and dangerous, these are the bullets to choose. The 220 grain #2180 is the real heavyweight and is suitable for the largest North American game and many African species.
I bought a couple hundred of these 220 RN's to try out in my 7.62X57 rifles for spring bear season.
Here is a blurb from the description of the "SIERRA - BULLET - 30 (.308) 220 GR RN PROHUNTER," sounds like they think this is a short range thumper, in the .300 WM, choose your speed;
In rifle cartridges, these bullets are highly recommended when good expansion and deep penetration in medium and heavy game are required at short to medium ranges. These bullets give pinpoint accuracy because of their short lengths for their weights. This short length for a given weight allows a rifle barrel to stabilize a considerably heavier roundnose bullet than would be possible with a Spitzer-pointed bullet of the same weight, which would be considerably longer. If the shots are fast and at short ranges or the game is big and dangerous, these are the bullets to choose. The 220 grain #2180 is the real heavyweight and is suitable for the largest North American game and many African species.
I bought a couple hundred of these 220 RN's to try out in my 7.62X57 rifles for spring bear season.
In the scope of the original question , I don’t personally think 300 win mag is a “thumper”. A thumper to me is a 45-70 , 9.3x62 , 12 gauge slug etc. A heavy, relatively slow moving bullet.
In the sense of it working or not , yes it most definitely will work , pretty much any centrefire cartridge will thump something at close range.
To me personally the “thumper” is a projectile that penetrates deeply and doesn’t fragment apart. Like you say though with the proper bullet selection there’s no reason a 300 win mag can’t do that.
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I have to say from significant experience this is certainly not the case.
If you have used a 300 win enough and actually compare it beside a number of others I certainly does qualify as a thumper with the correct bullets.
Close range thumper isn't really a compliment, its more an implication that thats all its good for.
However, if the question is whether a 300 hits hard at close range then its a definite yes. I’ve thumped Asiatic buffalo with 180 accubonds out of 300 RUM and they stayed thumped.
However, if the question is whether a 300 hits hard at close range then its a definite yes. I’ve thumped Asiatic buffalo with 180 accubonds out of 300 RUM and they stayed thumped.
