300 wby for deer
02-08-2014, 09:03 AM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 21
300 wby for deer
I have just gotten a 300 wby mag in a colt sauer and was wandering what would a good bullet and grain size be the shots go from 50 yards to 800 yards I am interested in the barness bullets are they any good
02-08-2014, 09:19 AM
#2
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,230
Rather than getting wrapped up with a particular bullet weight or brand, I suggest you shoot as many different weights and brands as you can and see what groups best in your rifle. Let that dictate what you use rather than any hype you see in a magazine or a forum. Deer simply aren't that tough and any modern 30 caliber soft point from 130 grs up that you stick into a deer's chest will kill the deer.
As to Barnes, yes they are a good bullet but that doesn't mean your rifle will shoot them well. Some rifles do well with them and some don't. Each rifle is an individual when it comes to things like that. For instance, I have a 7mm Mag that is spooky accurate with both Noslers and Hornadys but it won't group Barnes worth a darn. I handload and I have never been able to get a better group than 2 inches with the Barnes. Rather than continue to waste my time with the Barnes I simply load the Noslers and go hunting.
As to Barnes, yes they are a good bullet but that doesn't mean your rifle will shoot them well. Some rifles do well with them and some don't. Each rifle is an individual when it comes to things like that. For instance, I have a 7mm Mag that is spooky accurate with both Noslers and Hornadys but it won't group Barnes worth a darn. I handload and I have never been able to get a better group than 2 inches with the Barnes. Rather than continue to waste my time with the Barnes I simply load the Noslers and go hunting.
02-08-2014, 09:25 AM
#3
Fork Horn
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Northern Tennessee
Posts: 128
You shouldn't have any problems with the solid bullets "grenading" on you at WBY velocities and either 165 or perhaps 180gr would be best at the longest ranges with their higher BCs. If the Barnes Xs don't shoot well enough, I'd look to something like a Nosler Accubond or similar next. With shots as short as 50 yards and the very high velocities you'll be shooting at, a run of the mill cup & core bullet could blow up and make a mess. So I'd stick with at least a bonded bullet, myself.
Good Luck!
02-08-2014, 10:05 AM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,780
If you like cleaning copper fouling frequently, and if yours is one of the rifles that shoots them well, an all copper bullet might work for you. I have used them on game from whitetails to kudu but I have not been completely satisfied. They worked, but none of my rifles gave really great accuracy with them. On hunts where I did a lot of shooting the fouling was a problem. After 15 rounds or so the fouling noticeably affected accuracy.
It has been my experience that the solid copper bullets do stay together very well and they penetrate well, but they need a fairly fast impact velocity to expand consistently.
Other guys have opposite opinions based on their experiences, but the all copper pill is not for me.
It has been my experience that the solid copper bullets do stay together very well and they penetrate well, but they need a fairly fast impact velocity to expand consistently.
Other guys have opposite opinions based on their experiences, but the all copper pill is not for me.
02-08-2014, 11:00 AM
#6
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SW Montana
Posts: 550
The original Barnes bullets had a copper fouling problem. I've shot hundreds of Barnes TSX and TTSX bullets in my .300 Weatherby and .375 RUM, and have never had any copper fouling problems.
My practice bullets for my .300 Wby are 168 gr Hornady BTHPs. They also shoot sub moa out to 400 m. I would not hesitate to hunt deer with them.
I've never seen a big game animal at 800 yds that I couldn't sneak to at least half that distance for my shot. Most of the time if I see an animal at 400 yds that I want to shoot, I'll sneak to half that distance and make my shot. But I'm not on TV trying to sell a long range shooting system.
02-09-2014, 05:12 AM
#9
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,230
Based on what? Have you shot them? Are they accurate in your rifle?
If the answer is yes to both those questions then Nosler is a good choice. If the answer is no and I don't know, then I'll point you to my first post. Before settling on a brand, shoot them and see how your rifle likes them.
If the answer is yes to both those questions then Nosler is a good choice. If the answer is no and I don't know, then I'll point you to my first post. Before settling on a brand, shoot them and see how your rifle likes them.