Help Selecting Bullet For 300 Win Mag

[Jackson Bowner]

I seem to be hanging out a lot in here lately asking questions. I do respect the opinions you all have provided me in the past. So, here's another question. I am booking a whitetail hunt in Manitoba next Thanksgiving. Although I have always hunted whitetail with my trusty ole 30-06 Remington Gamemaster pump, I have decided to pull a new gun out of the gun safe and break it in. Here is the scenario, I will be hunting around an agricultural area in the province where 250-300+ lb deer are not uncommon. Because of the open agricultural areas, a shot could range as close as say 30 yards....up to 300 yards or more. I do have a scope capable of a 300+ yard shot (even if I am personally not capable of that range). It is a Shepherd scope and if you're not familiar with them, check out their webpage ( http://www.shepherdscopes.com/ ) and take a gander for yourself. I have put this scope on a Sauer 300 Win Mag bolt action. Now, here is my question. What would each of you suggest I use in the situation I described above as the most versatile bullet...and why do you feel the way you do? I am interested in manufacturer, type of bullet, and grain suggested. As always, I appreciate your input a great deal and am thanking you in advance for reading this and taking the time to respond.

[stubblejumper]

I would probably try a few 165gr loads using accubonds,interbonds scirroccos or similar bullets and see which load shoots best in your rifle.For a scope any quality 3x9 scope is more than adequate for 300 yard shots and you certainly do not need a rangefinding scope..

[JeffS]

Do you reload your own shells or do you buy factory? I would try several different brand bullet and weights from 150 -180 grain. My friend shoots a 30-06 and uses 170 grain Nosler he handloads himself. Each rifle will shoot diferent w/ different bullets so you need to see which one your gun likes best.

[stubblejumper]

My friend shoots a 30-06 and uses 170 grain Nosler he handloads himself

I would not even consider the 170gr nosler since it is a flat point bullet with very poor ballistics for 300 yard shooting.

[sqrln8r]

180 grain swift sirrocco, ballistic coefficient of .5 which should provide you with the best trajectories at longer distances and will provide plenty of wallop for those 250-300+ pound deer. That's what I'm feeding through my 300 RUM.

[MizzoukiSpot]

I, myself, love the hornady 180 grain spire point for everything. It is a flat based bullet, so it does not seperate easily. ALthough not a premium bullet, I have shot through elk shoulder and boar plate inside 30 yards. No exit on either shot, but it did not matter- both animals went less than 10 yards. It is a super accurate bullet. It expands fairly fast, so it puts good shock on animals. I have seen this load in 300 win mag drop an elk in its tracks with a plain heart shot. I truly do not believe that you need a premium bullet for deer. Even 300 pounders. You could also shoot the hornady 165 grain boat tail spire point. I feel that this bullet is a little tougher than a ballistic tip, but not by a huge margin. You can get the hornady loads. Both of the loads that I mention shoot about an in at 100 yards. Id buy a pack of both and goup them. One, or both, will shoot well. Another choice is to look at conley precision ammunition on the web. He loads tons of different bullets. good luck.

[duramaxlt]

my 300 weatherby only likes the 180's but if the 165's would shot i'd try them.

[swisslake]

I have a .300 WSM that I was using 180 gr Fail Safes in for bigger stuff. I needed a lighter round for dall sheep at longer ranges. I ended up with a 165 gr Swift Aframe load that is cruising about 3150. It offers a good combination of speed & penetration.

[Angus74]

In my 300 win mag I shoot 165 grain nosler ballistic tip bullets. They transfer tons of energy to the animal, and I always get more than one exit hole, from the bullet fragmenting. Ive taken about 10 bucks with this load, most in the 200 lb+ range out to ranges of 220 yards, and have never had a deer make a single step after being hit, they have all dropped in their tracks.