Bullet Choice for a 300 WSM
 

I recently bought a 300 WSM and am now going to decide what ammo to use from it. I hunt Deer and Black Bear every year and go on random trips every year also. Last year was for Moose and this year is Wild Boar. I need a bullet that will work for all animals i hunt. I was looking for a 150gr bullet but there arent many choices for a 300 WSM. I dont reload so i have to look at factory ammo. These are the ammo im going to try to shoot and see how well it groups.

Federal
TSX 180gr
TSX 165gr
MRX180gr
Accubond 180gr
Trophy Bonded Bear Claw 180gr
Remington
Scirocco 180gr

Winchester
XP3 150gr
XP3 180gr
E-Tip 180gr
Accubond 180gr

Has anyone had or herd of any of these bullets not performing well? I dont want to waste my time or money trying a bullet that is not going to perform the way i need it to. Thanks for your help.

RE: Bullet Choice for a 300 WSM
 

Nothing wrong with the XP3 in fact it may be one of the best designed hunting bullets ever. Its just a plastic tipped version of the failsafe with a few very minor changes. The Failsafe was and isa great bullet. I have had/have just a few 300wsm and they are a bit much for deer but for all around I would go with the 150XP3.

RE: Bullet Choice for a 300 WSM
 

Look online at Sportsman's Guide and find yourself some 150 grain cor-lokts. 180 grains are big for deer in that gun.

RE: Bullet Choice for a 300 WSM
 

I can't say about the brands but I would use 180 grain bullets in any 300 Mag. I have hunted with the 300 Win Mag and the 300 Weatherby Mag and 180 grain bullets IMO are the only way to fly.

RE: Bullet Choice for a 300 WSM
 

I would opt for the 180 gr Accubond. But only if it shot well. Being that you won't be reloading, better try several and see what shoots best.

RE: Bullet Choice for a 300 WSM
 

New bullet technology folks plain and simple., try them before you criticize ..180 gr tsx or otherpremium will over penetrate most deer. A 150 xp3 will penetrate as well as a 180 grain conventional bullet in larger game. It's coming out of the muzzle at 3300 fps and kicks less.The original poster is predominately deer hunting with the occasional big stuff the 150 xp3 will be more then enough + shoot flatter. Its a win win except for the price

RE: Bullet Choice for a 300 WSM
 

Any bullet you choose for a 300 mag will "over penetrate" a deer. Although i prefer to have a bullet "over penetrate" and give me two holes to drip blood instead of just one.

Personally I would choose the 180 grain accubond. Winchester and Federal both load this bullet so which ever one shoots the best in your rifle.Itis soft enough up front toexpand reliably in the smaller game animals like deer, antelope, etc...and the thicker wall at the rear of the bulletand bonded construction will assure esxcelent penetration in larger animals like elk and moose.

Ballistically there isn't a hill of beans of difference between a 150, 165 or 180 grain high BC bullet. At 400 yards you are only talking about 3-4" advantage with the lighter weight bullets.

RE: Bullet Choice for a 300 WSM
 

By over penetrate I mean that the bullet is built toooo tough for expansion in the body cavity of a bullet...anyone I know that uses a 130 grain failsafe in a 270 win has never found the bullet that went thru an Elk they had shot.

I have heard nothing but bad things about Accubonds and their work on game..I have never used them using just partitions and or failsafes with complete satisfaction. I don't think a cold bonded bullet is the same as the original heat bonded bullet such as an Aframe. Personally I think the Barnes MRX ( an xp3 copy) and the xp3 are the finest big game bullets made today.


Shoots flatter and kicks less and does a ton of damage what is not to like? In fact in my 300 wsm with a 1/11" twist the 150's shoot like no tomorrow and I haven't bothered shooting anything heavier even though I have the bullets at home.

RE: Bullet Choice for a 300 WSM
 

I use Federal 180 grain Nosler Partitions in my gun and they do a GREAT jobboth on the range and in the woods ;)

RE: Bullet Choice for a 300 WSM
 

i tried the XP3 winchester and my browning a bolt with boss did not shoot well ..i went back to the .180 gr. winchester accubond ..