texasaggiebowhunter

Ive got a new 300 wby. I am planning on taking it mule deer and elk hunting this fall, and using the same gun for both. Can someone suggest me a load and bullet.

elkaddict

180 grain partitions loaded with MRP (if you can find it) matches factory loadings and would be my first suggestion. 7828 is also a good powder. Some folks seem to have luck with RL22--my rifles have not shot it well. I've used the factory hornaday 165s on both elk and mule deer. I wouldn't count on it for a raking shot on elk or to take out shoulders. However, they create great wound channels. For heart lung shots on elk, they are simply devastating. Barnes TSX 168 were the first barnes bullets I've ever been able to shoot well in my rifle. They would be ideal for elk and deer if your rifle will shoot them. When you get your rifle shooting well, please post the results. Good luck.

idahoelkinstructor

I am new to reloading starting just over a year ago. Reloading mostly pistols because I bowhunt. But I used to own a 300 WBY. I shot factory ammo. I was a stupid teenager at the time, but with my father's help I managed to harvest 5 elk with the rifle. I shot 180 gr. nosler partitions. When I did my part, it killed them dead on the spot. I also harvested a number of mule deer with the same rifle. It was not overkill. Provided you hit behind the shoulder and not on the shoulder, you will not waste meat. I'm sorry that I'm not familiar enough with loads for the 300 WBY to give a good recipe, but I do know that if you stick with a 180 gr. bullet you can't go wrong.

oldrgr

Below are some loads using a 180 grain bullet.
Data came from the Nosler Reloading Manual 5th Edition (most recent)

300 Weatherby
IMR4350 76 grains Muzzle vel. 3088 fps
RL19 79 grains Muzzle vel. 3198 fps
IMR4831 76 grains Muzzle vel. 3028 fps
RL22 80 grains Muzzle vel. 3132fps
AA3100 77.5 grains Muzzle vel. 3050 fps
IMR7828 84.5 grains Muzzle vel. 3185 fps
H1000 89 grains Muzzle vel. 3146 fps
H870 92 grains Muzzle vel. 2970 fps

I load the 180 grain Nosler Partition in my .300 RUM.

Solitary Man

The last load I worked up for my .300 Weatherby is now my favorite. Here it is:

168 gr. Barnes TSX
84 grs. RL22
Norma brass
Fed 215M primer

This combination has been very accurate for me and with the Barnes bullet you don't have to worry about how it's going to perform on game. I shoot deer up close and personal quite often, that's why I really like this bullet. It won't over-expand or disintigrate like some other bullets at high velocity.

I've also had excellent results with IMR 7828 and just about any 180 gr. bullet I've ever used, at least from an accuracy standpoint that is. I've had less than desirable results on game, however, with certain bullets I've used. The Nosler Partition is always a good choice of course. I max out at about 85 grs. of 7828 in my Sako rifle with Norma brass and Fed 215M primers when using 180 gr. bullets.

As always, your rifle is different. Start lower and work up with your powder charge.

elkaddict

As a follow up, 168g tsx shot as follows today:

89g 7828 = .5"
87g MRP = .8"

180g nosler partitions:
85g 7828 = 1.25"
84g 7828 = 1.0"
82g MRP = .8"

165g Interbods were a dissapointment--they seem to pattern more than group:

86g 7828 = 1.25"
87g 7828 = 2.25"
88g 7828 =3+"
86g MRP =1.8"
87g MRP = 2+"
85g MRP = 1.75"

150g Lazzerheards (a variation of the tsx marketed by Lazzeroni--it's manufactured undersized then a superslick finish is electroplated on it bringing it back up to diameter)

90g 7828 = 1.0"
89g MRP = 1.25"

This same rifle shot 2" to 4'' groups with the same bullets using various charges of RL22

I'm going to play around with the tsx and lazzerhead seating depths to see if I can improve these any. After 6 different boxes of barnes bullets (XLC and X), I've finally found a bullet with acceptable accuracy--I'm thinking the 168g tsx will be just about perfect for a long range deer load/back up rifle load for elk .