Reloading 300wsm - bullet choice?

Mad_Mikee

Mad_Mikee

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I just picked up a 300wsm and I'm still trying to decide what bullet to shoot out of it.

I'm looking for something in the 180gr. size for hunting and target shooting.

Range wise, most likely for shots over 300 yards.

I'd like something that holds together well. I was thinking of the Hornady Interbonds as the SST's look like they easily fragment.

The Nosler partition is also a nice bullet but not as ###y as the Accubond (which I currently use and it seems to explode).

I suppose I could also look at the Barnes tipped TSX's. I've shot the regular TSX's (168gr.) out of my 30-06 and it does major damage on poor little deer at 150-200 yards.

Any thoughts on the Interbonds? Other suggestions?
 
175gr Barnes LRX for a decent LR bullet that holds together.

For LR use I would just go with the 208gr AM, since fragmentation is usually minimal once you get out past a few hundred yards, anyway ;)
 
Jordan Smith said:
175gr Barnes LRX for a decent LR bullet that holds together.

For LR use I would just go with the 208gr AM, since fragmentation is usually minimal once you get out past a few hundred yards, anyway ;)
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Last season I shot a large mule buck at 350'ish yards with my 7mm Umag. The 160gr. Nosler Accu-bomb put a pencil size hole in one side and a grapefruit sized hole out the other.

Might have to give the barnes bullets a try.
 
I would expect that from a 7UM ;)

I'd be shooting for an impact velocity of under 2800fps with both the AB and the AM. Then again, I like to shoot shoulders/spine, and I like to eat meat. Not even remotely a concern with the LRX/TTSX/TSX/etc. The Barnes bullets should do great until you get out passed 500 yards, or so, which is when the wind-bucking abilities of the AM/Berger start be become a major asset.
 
the 165 SST in this cartridge often fails to exit on deer-sized animals. It *does* make for some spectacular kills, though. This season, we're going with 165 partitions in the WSM
 
The accubond is designed to have the front half "explode" and the rear core sail on thru almost exactly like the partition... except it's got a plastic tip and a better BC.
 
+ 1 on the Accubond.
I've also tried the Hornady Interbond, but I had shotgun sized groups with it. I was surprised because Hornady's regular 180 BTSP interlock give me good accuracy in my '06.
 
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If you've had good success with the Accubonds, then stick with the accubonds.

I've found that ballistically they are are quite simlar to the 180 GR sierra SBTs, and as such I can train and zero with the far cheaper Sierras, and then use the same load with the accubonds with the same point of impact +/- 1" @ 300m.

I have also been impressed by Youtube videos of the Barnes TTSX, and am eagre to try those out.
 
I'm using 165 gr interbonds in my 300wsm. Using 180's should drop the velocity and they should work well and not over expand or fragment. I took 3 deer with that setup last year. One in the neck at around 80 yards and it blew a ping pong sized hole out the other side of the neck. Another through the heart at around 100 yards and it leaped over a fence. Last one was a buck at around 120 yards or more right into the neck / chest from the front. He just dropped on the spot. No loss of meat on any of these shots.
 
In my 300 WSM, I developed a load, using the 180 Partition & Norma MRP.
While not as "###y" as the Accubond, or Interbond, or TTSX, it was the bee's knees.
It regularly shot sub-moa in my Vanguard at 3000+ fps, and terminal performance on 3 Moose was perfect.
The ranges were 95 yards, 166 yards and 390 yards.
I recovered one of the three, and it is the classic expansion I have come to expect from the Partition.
I have shot two moose with the 308 Norma Mag and the 180 TTSX @ 3125 fps, and they have worked very well.
However, none stayed inside, so no recovered slug [yet]
If I was using the Accubond, I would be tempted to move to the 200 grainer, since I have seen some 180's expand pretty dramatically at 300 Mag velocities.
The Interbonds shoot well in some rifles, not so well in others.
I have not shot any game with Interbonds, so not offering any comments.
Regards, Eagleye
 
best accuracy in my A7 is with 168gr ttsx + rl17 3200 fps
in my sons T3 180gr partitions + imr4350
 
You cant go wrong with the SST, a dont move after shot bullet, i dont shoot nothing else in any of my rifles... Cheers. JP.
 
Mad_Mikee said:
I'm going to try out the 180gr. SST's with H4350.

Hope to get it out shooting soon.
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caramel said:
You cant go wrong with the SST, a dont move after shot bullet, i dont shoot nothing else in any of my rifles... Cheers. JP.
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I have found the SST to be quite accurate in most loadings, and fine for light bodied animals like deer and antelope,
I do not like them in heavier bodied animals like Moose & Elk, particularly at Magnum velocities.
Reason is the SST is too fragile.
You must pick your shots carefully or you will either lose a lot of meat to bloodshot, or you may find the bullet explodes on heavier bone, failing to penetrate.
With so many better choices out there, I would question using the SST as an all-round bullet.
Regards, Eagleye.
 
I'll probably just use the 300wsm for deer and stick to something a bit bigger like a 338wm or 375 Ruger for the moose and elk.
 
Have you tried the Nosler 180 CT? I love them in the 300 Win, never tried them in the WSM though. Great terminal performance on a couple of long range moose last year 300-400 yards.
 
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