Lowest bullet grain for the 300 mag?

[salty]

I am pondering turning my 300 mag into a long range pea shooter but want to know what the lowest grain bullet size I can hand load into this rifle would be? it is the win mag, ruger m77 mark 2. I have a sweet millett scope that I just got and want to put it onto this rifle. I have handloaded many rifles but not my 300 mag yet. I really enjoy the way the hornady store bought shells fire out of this beast.

[BareBack Jack]

I some110 gr bullets loadedfor my 300 Ultra mag a few years ago,I'm shure you could do the same for the 300 Win Mag.
I did get tumbling problems with them and I didn't shoot to may as I was afraid of burning up the barrel.
BBJ

[stubblejumper]

Are you talking hunting or strictly target?For hunting the 130gr tsx is the lightest bullet that I would use.

[longrifle1000]

I think you will find that your twist rate will not accomodate the really light bullets for optimum accuracy. Personally, I would load up some Sierra 168gr BTHP match slugs and see how it does. I got my best accuracy out of 2 308's and 2 30-06 rifles with these.

[BrutalAttack]

the lightest I've seen is 110 gr. You can check Midway they might have others.

[James B]

Nothing in .308 lighter than the 130 grain should be used for game hunting. The 110 Hornady would be ok for varmits if it shoots well in your gun. As mentioned above, shooting to many very high velocity loads could shorten your barrel life. For long range, the heavier bullets will win out in the end.

[stubblejumper]

There are conflicting views as to whether using lighter bullets at higher velocities actually causes any more throat erosion than heavier bullets loaded to the same pressure.With the lighter bullet,you burn more powder,but the bullet leaves the barrel sooner which means that the throat is exposed to the heat and pressure for a shorter time period.

[YZEATER]

a heavy bullet will be better for long range. wind will have less of an effect on it. it will also be more stable. use you scope clicks and you won't need the high velocity of a light bullet.

[stubblejumper]

a heavy bullet will be better for long range. wind will have less of an effect on it.

The heavier bullets offer no advantage in reduced wind drift untilthe shot distances exceed 500 yards.

[Roskoe]

There is really no conflict on this issue. Heavier bullets produce more throat erosion due to the slower start the bullet experiences when travelling the first few inches down the barrel. Gives the hot gas more time to vandalize the throat of the rifle. I have seen this first hand - David Tubbs has written about it.