Picked one of these up the other day and would like some suggestions on bullet contruction and weight in this caliber for whitetails. I purchased this rifle with the vision of taking it to Alaska next year but I want to hunt with it this year.

I have considered:

Hornady 150 SST

Nosler 150 Ballistic Tip

Nosler 180 Ballistic Tip

Nosler 150 Partition

220 OR 200GR Matchking's.Yes I know they are a so called MATCH bullet.I have 2 300 RUM's and won't shoot anything else......JMHO.....

my choice would be the 165gr ballistic tip

180gr Partition or Scirroccos at 3250-3300 fps with 96 gr of Reloder 25. I have a Sako 75 300 rum and shoot everything with this load even antelope!

I have used the 180 balistic tip at 3435,the 165 game king at 3550,the 150 gameking at 3650.killed 3 or 4 with each of those and they all went straight down.
all in all though for deer sized game the 165 Sierra Gameking SBT at 3550 is gonna be hard to beat.

mr.big

Uhhhhh......do ya think it really matters?

Seriously the 150's or any of the Btip types will be like a bomb. I guess the 180 NP would be the least destructive of meat, unless you were to back down your loads quite a bit.

I used the 150 NP (via a 300 wby) on a couple of unfortunate mulies. They were REALLY REALLY DEAD.

JimF

Thanks for all the replies.

I'm waiting on dies and brass and decided to start off with the 180 NBT's and 180 grain Speer Mag Tips once everything arrives.

Go with a 180 grain bullet that's construction limits over-expansion. Quality bullets like Nosler Partition, Swift A-Frame, Barnes-X, Speer Grand Slam, etc. will not usually explode on game at closer ranges (-100 yards) like thinner jacketed plastic tip bullets. I have also had good accuracy and ranging capabilities with these bullets. The BC is usually lower on these than plastic tip bullets, but are still plenty good for accurate hunting loads. Just my 2 cents.

If you plan to bring that baby to Alaska get the toughest bullet you can find. I shoot the Short Action Ultra Mag and I think 180 Barnes X or Failsafes would be the ticket to take everything in north America (with the exception of the Brown Bear). But then again, that's my opinion.

Howdy,

Before you make your decision, read the latest issue of "Shooting Times." Rick Jameson has a wonderful article about terminal ballistics with different bullets which is or should be required reading for all reloaders.
If it were my RUM, I think I would use the Scirroco's in 165gr. My opinion because I've had such good luck with them.

Coach

Hey what are you doing away from Tn.deer?
I have one also and I'am working on some loads for it now.Will likely use 150 gr Nosler Partition's,or Sieera Pro Hunters,might also have to try out the Remington Factory with 150 gr Scirocco's.
Good Luck,God Bless and Great Hunting.