300 wsm bullet

[Njadams13]

Hi guys, I am currently working with a number Montana in 300 wsm. The barrel is cut and threaded to 20” and suppressed/scoped the rifle weighs 8 pounds 4 ounces.

I had been working a few loads with hammer 154 HHTs as I like their performance on game over Barnes since the petals shear, but with their most recent price increase it’s $200 shipped for 100 bullets which is simply too much for the amount I shoot and try to practice.

The eventual plan with this rifle is to rebarrel into 6.5 saum or 25 saum, but this year it will be used on at least one cow elk in Wyoming and a deer in Nebraska. I know neither are particularly difficult to kill.

I have also gotten the 180 EH to shoot well, however the recoil is quite stout and spotting shots just isn’t possible until about 400, and that’s with a solid rest/position.

What bullets between 150-168iah grains would you recommend based on personal experience? I’d like to try and keep enough velocity to effectively take game to 700 (4200 elevation average), however 400 and in is more likely.

I’ve never really messed with the Berger classic hunters, or any Berger’s outside of the EH.

I know ELDMs and TMKs are preached on here and I’ve killed several animals with the Eldm, however it’s usually stated that heavy for caliber is a big part in that.

 

[Dark timber]

I’m a fan of the Berger 200.20x but if you want lighter, I think the 185 juggernaut will be a great choice. You’re gonna have a hell of a time spotting your impacts no matter what.

 

[Njadams13]

I’m a fan of the Berger 200.20x but if you want lighter, I think the 185 juggernaut will be a great choice. You’re gonna have a hell of a time spotting your impacts no matter what.

Spotting impacts a bit closer is my whole reason for going lighter. With the 154 hammer I can spot at 200 (enticer STi suppressor with SRS brake endcap). I am going to probably give the 168 berger classic hunter a shot and see how it does.

I also just don't think I can get away with the 200.20 with any amount of actual velocity as I am limited to like 3.0 internal mag box (blind mag) on the montana.

 

[CJ_BG]

Cow elk are gonna be 10-14 inches wide in the largest part of the ribs depending on age and body mass. They aren't hard to kill and a 168 TMK will be fine penetration wise.

The bergers will also be fine. With either one, if penetration is any concern it will only be at close range. In which case if you're proficient enough to kill game at 700yds you can surely just put it in the neck.

 

[doverpack12]

Spotting impacts a bit closer is my whole reason for going lighter. With the 154 hammer I can spot at 200 (enticer STi suppressor with SRS brake endcap). I am going to probably give the 168 berger classic hunter a shot and see how it does.

I also just don't think I can get away with the 200.20 with any amount of actual velocity as I am limited to like 3.0 internal mag box (blind mag) on the montana.

That’s the whole point with Bergers, you need to keep impact velocity down. If Bergers hit in their performance velocity window they work really well. When pushed too hard results are less than ideal.

If dropping weight in the 160-170 range I would only look at something like a 165 accubond so they try to stay together a little better at higher speeds.

My 20” tikka 300 WSM pushes 200.20x at 2714 fps and I maintain 1800 fps to 850 yards minimum in nearly all atmospheric conditions encountered in western Montana.

 

[HiMtnHntr]

My favorite load for 300 wsm uses 178 gr eldx.

If your looking for a lighter bullet the 165 gr accubond or 168 gr Barnes might be with a look. If you are looking for a budget bullet sierra makes several in that weight range.

 

[Njadams13]

That’s the whole point with Bergers, you need to keep impact velocity down. If Bergers hit in their performance velocity window they work really well. When pushed too hard results are less than ideal.

If dropping weight in the 160-170 range I would only look at something like a 165 accubond so they try to stay together a little better at higher speeds.

My 20” tikka 300 WSM pushes 200.20x at 2714 fps and I maintain 1800 fps to 850 yards minimum in nearly all atmospheric conditions encountered in western Montana.

What would be the maximum impact velocity for a Berger then? I’ve seen plenty of results on here at over 2800-2900 impact with sufficient penetration. The 180 EH shoots great at a muzzle of 2900 fps, I imagine I’ll be right around 3k muzzle with the 168 which would put it right around 2830 at 100 and 2675 at 200.

 

[Jusgunn3]

Last elk I shot with a 168ttsx out of my rem model 7 going around 3150. Great bullet and plenty of penetration and velocity at 700.

 

[Matt5266]

I shot an elk with the 168 ttsx and thats when I decided id never use monos again.

Switched to 185 Berger classic hunters and shot a dozen animals with it. All bang , flop. And best was it shot under 1 inch groups (5 shots) consistently.

 

[madcalfe]

178gr ELDX and 64-64.5gr H4350

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

Take this with a grain of salt (ZERO personal experience) but I went through a short stint of wanting a 300wsm cut short. Saw handful of people shooting 155 scenars at critters

Edit: this only came to mind because of what you said about mitigating recoil

 

[LightFoot]

It’s going to be very difficult to achieve what you want with the 700y performance metric. Sticking with the 400y limit, very achievable.

1. Bonded or copper bullet. Speer Hot-cor are in 150 or 165 would be cheap and effective. Ultra-premium would be the Swift 165 AFrame or Nosler Accubond. I would load the 150 TTSX.

2. Step off the gas if the recoil is too stout. Or work on shooting positions and technique. Or both. Run the numbers for each bullet to determine minimum impact at maximum distance to determine your minimum muzzle velocity. Start at the minimum velocity and work your way up.

3. Add some weight to the front. (e.g. heavier bipod)

4. Then set your rifle back in the safe and take your .223 with TMKs…


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[Jusgunn3]

I shot an elk with the 168 ttsx and thats when I decided id never use monos again.

Switched to 185 Berger classic hunters and shot a dozen animals with it. All bang , flop. And best was it shot under 1 inch groups (5 shots) consistently.

I feel like it’s a love hate thing with the monos, some love them and others hate them.

 

[madcalfe]

178gr eldx with a 20" tube and H4350 will give you around 2900-2930fps.
you'll be right close to 1800fps at 650yards with this setup. I know casue this is what im shooting in my custom 20" 300wsm. Now you can speed things up a bit with Superformance. i was seeing around 3010fps with that powder and the 178's it seemed to be accurate i was just crunched for time before my sheep hunt so haven't revisited it. If your wanting to run monos you could look at some PVA Cayuga in the 163gr or 178gr.

Also if your not running a brake id highly suggest looking at one so you can spot shots easier.
i have no issues with seeing where i hit with mine.

 

[Matt5266]

I feel like it’s a love hate thing with the monos, some love them and others hate them.

I agree with that, but id guess more hate them then love them. But to each their own. My elk took 3 rounds before going down. They penetrated deep and expanded the way their designed so not a bullet failure. Just not my preference

I prefer more damage like a eld or tmk

 

[eightyeight mag]

I’m running 180 accubonds at 2960 out of a 20.5 in barrel. Reloader 17 and adg brass. No pressure signs.
Gets me to 680 above 1800fps. I consider 700 my max distance.
Elk hate accubonds

 

[Bamban]

Try the Berger 168 Hybrids. Excellent form factor, and short bearing surface.

 

[wind gypsy]

Not one I’ve used but the 155 scenars come to mind for what your asking about.

 

[Njadams13]

Take this with a grain of salt (ZERO personal experience) but I went through a short stint of wanting a 300wsm cut short. Saw handful of people shooting 155 scenars at critters

Edit: this only came to mind because of what you said about mitigating recoil

I’ve seen the scenar a ton, just a lot of mixed reviews where I read. Seems they need a higher impact velocity than other match bullets.

 

[Njadams13]

Accu

It’s going to be very difficult to achieve what you want with the 700y performance metric. Sticking with the 400y limit, very achievable.

1. Bonded or copper bullet. Speer Hot-cor are in 150 or 165 would be cheap and effective. Ultra-premium would be the Swift 165 AFrame or Nosler Accubond. I would load the 150 TTSX.

2. Step off the gas if the recoil is too stout. Or work on shooting positions and technique. Or both. Run the numbers for each bullet to determine minimum impact at maximum distance to determine your minimum muzzle velocity. Start at the minimum velocity and work your way up.

3. Add some weight to the front. (e.g. heavier bipod)

4. Then set your rifle back in the safe and take your .223 with TMKs…


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Accurate.