RE: 300 mag deer loads
 

Are you guys saying I'll have a more accurate load if I shoot the 165 instead of the 150gr. in my .300mag.
I'm pretty happy with my Hornady 150 SST, pushed by 74.2grs. IMR4350 BUT, I was thinking about trying something else. I shoot chuck all year and my zero is 200 yds. (was 275), I take alot of shots in the 350 to 450 yd. range and that's where I want my improvement. Under 250 yds. my kills are about 95%, between 350 - 450 I drop to 60%.
Now I know part of this could be me screwing up, but I like to reduce the varibles.

RE: 300 mag deer loads
 

No one can tell if going to a 165 will make your gun more or less accurate.Each gun has it's own preference that can only be discovered by trial and error.Go with whatever load shoots best in your gun but the 150 will kill deer just as well as any 165gr will.It is normal for group sizes to be twice as big at 400 yards as at 200 yards so your kill percentage on woodchucks will drop off at longer distances.If you have an accurate load already there is no real reason to change.

RE: 300 mag deer loads
 

When shooting at longer ranges it is best to go with a bullet that will buck the wind better. A 165 or 168 is the lightest I'd go with in any .30 at 300yds and beyond. As far as accuracy goes at 100yds a 3/16" center to center group (measured with a caliper) ain't bad. Same loads at 312yds are 1" and at 600yds 31/4" if I hold steady enough and read the wind right.