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300 WSM for Plains Game in RSA?
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posted
Anyone used the 300 WSM in RSA?

I'm particularly curious about any first-hand experience with the 150 gr. round on Kudu and Oryx size game.

Any thought would be appreciated. Most everyone says go with the 180 gr.

I read one article saying the 150 gr. did a super job, just don't expect to recover the lead in one piece.

 
Posts: 13901 | Location: Texas | Registered: 10 May 2002Reply With Quote
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Kensco,
The .300 WSM is supposed to match the .300 Win. Mag. ballistically.

Many people have used the .300 Win. Mag. successfully on all sorts of African game, although I think their preference would be for a 180gr. bullet.

I suggest you forego the 150gr. load, and go with the 180gr. FailSafes. Penetration with expansion is the way to go.

George

------------------
"Shoot straight, shoot often, but by all means, use enough gun!"

 
Posts: 14623 | Location: San Antonio, TX | Registered: 22 May 2001Reply With Quote
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Hi agree with GoergeS,

Penetration is very important, I would highly recommend the 180 or even bigger the 200 grainer depending on where you are going to hunt. Bushveld or more open veldt like the eastern Cape ? Busveld shots are very seldom longer than 150 yards while in the eastern Cape your avg shooting distance will be around 150 yards.

Safari-Hunt

www.Safari-Hunt.com

 
Posts: 2550 | Location: Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa | Registered: 06 May 2002Reply With Quote
<mikeh416Rigby>
posted
Ditto the two previous posts. 180 grain minimum in a premium bullet.
 
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I echo the above advice. Use the heaviest good quality bullet you can find. You do not want to spend all that cash and not anchor your animal due to bullet failure or lack of penetration. You will already have more than enough velocity in that WSM.

If you handload and are looking at hunting in bushveld/ close cover I would suggest you do not push that bullet too fast.

Have a great hunt.

------------------
Regards

Richard

 
Posts: 1978 | Location: UK and UAE | Registered: 19 March 2001Reply With Quote
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Picture of HunterJim
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Kensco,

I use 180 grain premium bullets in my .308 Win, so far FailSafe, Speer Grand Slam, and Trophy Bonded. Next trip I will try the Norma Oryx. I write for African Hunter magazine so I switch and try new things, so you don't have to.

So how does my .308 compare to your .300 WSM, I can just hear you asking. Of course we are shooting the same bulets, mine are moving slower and you could probably engage targets further out than I -- but it is not necessary. Mostly ranges in Southern Africa are on the short side, typically 75 yards to 150 yards. My .308 puts those premium bullets where they need to go, and they take over from there.

I would expect that 150 grain bullets would be moving faster than optimum for use on African bush veld game. As noted above usng your magnum load capability to shoot 200 grain bullets would even be better.

In Africa you want straight line penetration and expansion in your soft points, velocity is definitely a secondary characteristic.

jim dodd

------------------
"if you are to busy to
hunt, you are too busy."

 
Posts: 4166 | Location: San Diego, CA USA | Registered: 14 November 2001Reply With Quote
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I appreciate the thoughts.

I'm going to be going factory loads. I'm only aware of three for the 300 WSM. They are Winchester offerings. 150 gr. Supreme Ballistic Silvertip, 180 gr. Fail Safe, and 180 gr. Super-X Power-Point.

I have the sense that you guys would go the 180 Fail Safe.

I was interested in the .308 Win. comments. I hunt elk in New Mexico with a .308 Win using 168 gr. Winchester Supreme Ballistic Silvertips. It kills them deader than dead.

 
Posts: 13901 | Location: Texas | Registered: 10 May 2002Reply With Quote
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"In Africa you want straight line penetration and expansion in your soft points, velocity is definitely a secondary characteristic."

Jim, why would African requirements be different from anywhere else?

Curious,

Brad

[This message has been edited by Brad (edited 05-24-2002).]

 
Posts: 3523 | Registered: 27 June 2000Reply With Quote
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Brad,
I can answer that in two words:


Trophy fees.

They're payable whether you collect your wounded animal or not.

George

------------------
"Shoot straight, shoot often, but by all means, use enough gun!"

 
Posts: 14623 | Location: San Antonio, TX | Registered: 22 May 2001Reply With Quote
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George, I thought that quote of Jim's was so good and to-the-point that it certainly applies to hunting anywhere... you are, of course, correct! Makes one wonder if we all had to pay a "lost animal" fee here in the US how many more people would take marksmanship and rifle/cartridge selection more seriously... I doubt we'd see as many 223's, 22-250's and 243's being used on big game!

Regards,

Brad

 
Posts: 3523 | Registered: 27 June 2000Reply With Quote
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Picture of Flip
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Stay with 180 grain bullets, they work best in my 300 Winchester so should do the same with your SWM
 
Posts: 931 | Location: Nambia | Registered: 02 June 2000Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Brad:
I doubt we'd see as many 223's, 22-250's and 243's being used on big game!

Or MatchKings!

George

------------------
"Shoot straight, shoot often, but by all means, use enough gun!"

 
Posts: 14623 | Location: San Antonio, TX | Registered: 22 May 2001Reply With Quote
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Federal lists both 180 Grand Slams and 180 TBBCs in their Safari line for the 300 WSM. It's new so I don't know if it's on store shelves yet.

Sorry, no Matchkings.

 
Posts: 920 | Location: Mukilteo, WA | Registered: 29 November 2001Reply With Quote
<Peter Walker>
posted
Kensco

I'll let you know when I get back in August. I'm bringing 300 WSM and handloaded 180gr Fail Safes right at 3000fps.

...Peter
 
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Go sooner Peter.

I'm leaving on August 3rd myself. I will probably have some 150 SBS and some 180 FailSafes. I 'll be interested to hear your results though.
 
Posts: 13901 | Location: Texas | Registered: 10 May 2002Reply With Quote
<Don Martin>
posted
Kensco,

I've used the .300 Winchester Premium 180 grain power-point plus(moly-coated) on a couple kudu and a couple gemsbok. I have complete confidence in that bullet's performance. I've collected about 15 other African species with it, all the way up to eland. It's also performed admirably for me in North America on elk, caribou, brown bear and moose.

I don't normally get worked up about a factory load, but it just happens to shoot brilliantly out of my .300 Win Mag.

Don Martin
 
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