.300 wsm...what bullets to use?

Crue4 · 08-29-2004, 08:52 PM

Just got a .300 wsm, and I want to know what bullets to use. I will be using it for deer hunting, most thick cover some open logging road shots ( up to 150 yards or so), thick swamp country, you don't want a deer running far as tracking is difficult. I just really don't know what brand to use. I think according to most I talk with 165 grain is the best to shoot, but what brand...Hornady, Federal ? any others. I do not reload so any help with off the shelf bullets would be much appreciated.

handloader1 · 08-29-2004, 11:21 PM

According to "Ammo & Ballistics II 2nd Edition" there are only two factory loads avaliable to you. Win. 150 gr. Ballistic Silver Tip, and Win. 180 gr. Fail Safe. The 150 gr. will work well for medium sized game, and the 180 gr. will work well for large sized game. The 180 gr. will work well on medium and large game.

Good luck.

338 · 08-30-2004, 05:16 AM

There are many choices this year, I think someone here posted there are 15 out now. I loaded 150gr nosler bt for mine. I don't recomend them for thick cover. You should use a tougher bullet, although heavier than needed the fail safe will work good...Bill

oldelkhunter · 08-30-2004, 07:38 AM

Hello, below are listed Federals loads that would fit your needs. I purposely left off the 150 grain load. All these will fit the bill ..I would find the one in this list that is the cheapest pricewise and use it as all these combos are probably a lot of horsepower for a deer in a swamp. Good Luck For more info go to www.federalcartridge.com

P300WSMB
300 Win. Short Magnum
180 / 11.66
Nosler Partition

P300WSMT1
300 Win. Short Magnum
180 / 11.66
Trophy Bonded Bear Claw

P300WSMA1
300 Win. Short Magnum
180 / 11.66
Nosler AccuBond

P300WSME
300 Win. Short Magnum
165 / 10.69
Nosler Partition

P300WSMF
300 Win. Short Magnum
180 / 11.66
Barnes Triple-Shock X-Bullet

P300WSMS1
300 Win. Short Magnum
165 / 10.69
Nosler Solid Base BT

P300WSMS2
300 Win. Short Magnum
180 / 11.66
Nosler Solid Base BT

Crue4 · 08-30-2004, 07:19 PM

Oldelkhunter-- Thanks... Which one would you use... I am new to all of this. Triple Shock, Ballistic tip, Bear Claw, Partition. .... which one is the best for taking game down and also accuracy.

oldelkhunter · 08-31-2004, 06:30 AM

I would use the Nosler Solid Base or the partition

brother hal · 08-31-2004, 07:18 PM

if you are only going for deer, select at least two 150 grain loads or 180s and shoot them in your rifle. the one that is the most accurate in your gun is the one you should be hunting with. go for accuracy first, any of the bullets loaded for the 300wsm will kill a deer. good luck......

rongleaves · 08-31-2004, 09:08 PM

I shoot the 150 grain BST from mine. Very accurate and shoot great!

skeeter 7MM · 09-01-2004, 07:33 AM

For deer they all work and accuracy really depends on what your rifle will like to chuck. I think I'd start with in the 165 gr area and then go from there. Nosler Partition should prove to be accurate as I have found very few rifles who won't fire them decently and no doubt it is proven biggame taker in the bullet world. For deer I personally like ballistic tips - shoot 150 gr(7 rem mag) Nosler BT's and they flop our big whitetails very nicely but they also leave decent sized holes in the body cavity...which is one reason I like them so much and I don't eat deer ribs anyway. They also are extremely accurate and of use for potential longer shot distances I may encounter.

Get a couple different bullet styles or brands and head out to the range. Let the rifle do the talking.