Which bullet would you choose

[Luked]

I am wanting to try a different bullet in my 300 WSM
I have it narrowed down to either a Sierra TMK in 175gr
Or Berger.
But I am not sure which Berger would be the best for hunting as I have never even looked at a Berger.
The two Bergers that I was looking at giving a try are 175 VLD or the 180 Elite Hunter

 

[sndmn11]

I use the 180 elite hunter from a 30-06...

What's your typical shot distance?

 

[Smenning]

185 Berger Juggernauts were stupid accurate in mine. Slow w/ 4350

 

[HuntHarder]

I shoot Berger 185 VLD's in my WSM.

 

[SchwarzStock]

Since you are shooting a WSM I would guess your rifle has atleast a 1:10 barrel if not faster and that you have a 25-26 inch tube. I would look hard at the Sierra TMP 195. I have been loading Sierra's since the late 1960's for both hunting and target. Tried a few other brands over the years but keep going back to Sierra. Barnes bullets (randy Brooks) was located about 6-7 miles from where I grew up so I shot a bunch of his bullets as well but was never too impressed. No experience with Berger .....

 

[S-3 ranch]

Berger Their brochure wording scares me on any shots except a 90* broadside
“”Classic Hunters are designed to penetrate 2-3″ into the vitals and then begin to expand and create a massive wound cavity up to 15″. This delivers maximum organ/tissue damage and extreme hydrostatic shock aiding in an ethical kill.””

That being said I’m not sure about my recent purchase of some 140gr .270win sierra game changer doing the same

 

[Luked]

I am unsure of Twist on the barrel.
It is a 24" in a Win Model 70
I am leaning hard to the TMK in the 175s

 

[hdc77]

I have used those in a 300 wsm I used to run, they kill well but meat damage was a bit more than I have gotten with Bergers if you hit bone.

 

[waspocrew]

I’d be looking at the 190 VLD. A 175 TMK will kill, but I’d be concerned about excessive meat damage.

 

[Taudisio]

Out of your list, I would take the tmk. I’ve been loading the 208 eldm for a buddies tikka wsm. It was a hammer last year on a nice bull and a couple bucks.

 

[RDF1]

Just curious what your hunting?

 

[The Guide]

Depending upon your magazine length restrictions, I would look at the 185 Classic Hunter, 185 Juggernaut, or the 205 Elite Hunter in the Berger line.

Jay

 

[Luked]

Just curious what your hunting?

Should have put that.
This rifle will only probably be used for Elk

 

[sierracharlie338]

The Berger 215 is an elk killing machine out of 300wm/30 Nosler. Not sure why it wouldn’t be out of a 300wsm. Check out Jeff Brozovich’s data on his forum or long range hunting. He has done extensive testing with it.

 

[The Guide]

The Berger 215 is an elk killing machine out of 300wm/30 Nosler. Not sure why it wouldn’t be out of a 300wsm. Check out Jeff Brozovich’s data on his forum or long range hunting. He has done extensive testing with it.

Typically the 300WSM magazine is too short for the length of a 215. Not usually a horsepower issue but a form function issue. The 215 is a long bullet.

Jay

 

[sierracharlie338]

Typically the 300WSM magazine is too short for the length of a 215. Not usually a horsepower issue but a form function issue. The 215 is a long bullet.

Jay

Figured that might be an issue but didn’t know for sure as I’m not a wsm user.

 

[Article 4]

Berger Their brochure wording scares me on any shots except a 90* broadside
“”Classic Hunters are designed to penetrate 2-3″ into the vitals and then begin to expand and create a massive wound cavity up to 15″. This delivers maximum organ/tissue damage and extreme hydrostatic shock aiding in an ethical kill.””

That being said I’m not sure about my recent purchase of some 140gr .270win sierra game changer doing the same

Yeah, it can be daunting when you look at it but the performance is devastating. Huge fan of the shock factor as part of the design. I do run bonded bullets on elk usually but I run 180 Berger VLDs in one of my 7's on deer sized animals, the tracking job is minimal. It would probably kill an elk just fine, my thing is bonded bullets on larger game

No experience with TMKs so cannot comment

 

[300country]

The only experience I have with the Berger 185 is load development I did for a guy. The rifle was a lightly modified Rem 700 30-06 and it loved those 185’s! It was very easy to develop a good load and that rifle shot those bullets very accurately.

I personally use the 215 Berger out of a .300 WM and have taken antelope, deer, elk and a bison. The bullet has always performed flawless with quick kills. As stated above if your WSM is a short action the 215 may not be an option for you. However, my experience would cause me to give the 185 a strong consideration if I was in your shoes.