I don't do much shooting with a 300 Win Mag, but one reloading practice I always adhere to is never going below the min loads listed in the manuals. There is a reason they put those numbers in there. Reduced loads can be more dangerous than max loads.
If you are that sensitive to recoil, you may want to look into other options such as a brake or better pad. Even with the 150s or 130s, that big cartridge is still going to pop you somewhat.

With my 300 win mag coming in soon, I am thinking about developing a load so that I can build up my tolerance to recoil. Eventually I plan to develop my big game load using 180 or 200 gr bullets.

I currently use H4350 powder and may just start with 150 gr bullets. Is there any point in starting with the 130 gr bullets? I hate to buy a box of 100 and use only 10 of them.

How much powder should I start with? Presumably, it would be below the min. load in the manuals. But how low is low?

Please advise!

Danny Boy

My humble advise is to invest in a few load books. I like Hodgdon, Nosler and Hornady best. Don't forget Accurate but then you need to buy their powder.

Stick with the fastest powder listed with the lightest bullet for low recoil loads. Powder weight effects recoil alot more then people think. Grap the freebie Alliant manual next tiem you are out. They had a load with 165gr. bullets and I believe a max of 65 grains of R15. Back that off just a touch for a starting load and your recoil should be almost exactly like a 7mm Rem mag. (ie. 160gr. bullet and 62.5gr. R22 in my case).

H4895 is also always a good light load alternative if you can find data using it in the .300 Win mag. I helped a guy turn his .300 weatherby that he was afraid of into about a .308 using H4895 and 165gr. Hornady bullets.

I have located info from the Hodgdon site on a Youth Load for 300 WM. It suggests to use 44.5 gr of H4895 for 130 gr bullets. H4895 can be used for 150 and 180 gr bullets as well at a later date. In that case I just may pick up H4895 powder for a try.

I have three reloading manual pus the Steven Page data.

Danny Boy

Danny,
The recoil "problem" of a 300 mag isn't on your shoulder, it's in your head. With a reasonably firm hold snugged into your shoulder you are going to be pleasantly surprised. Load manual staring loads and light bullets will get you over your fears very quickly, a 300 mag starting load is just a 30-06. I shoot mine prone with a sling in shirtsleeves for 20 rounds no problem, soon you'll be doing the same thing. Your 300 will be a very versatile gun.

Danny,

You didn't say what sort of rifle you're getting, if it's one of those super lightweights you're in for some punishment. If not, you shouldn't need too long to "enjoy" the recoil.

Hodgon's Youth Loads are a good place to start, the 130gr I tried worked best with 45gr of H4895. The Speer manual lists some soft loads. I tried 28gr of SR4759 with a 150gr ProHunter (not Speer, took a chance) and that worked well. These dropped quite a bit at 100 yards compared to the usual hot stuff.

For eventual hunting you can also try light-for-caliber "X" bullets. If you keep these at the lower end of the listed loads you should have about a 30-06 in your hands. Best thing is you can always load up a 200gr Partition when it's time for some Shock Therapy.

I do all my bench shooting with a PAST shoulder pad, even with the BOSS installed because I'd like to play golf in my old age. You'll have a lot of fun with this.

Gonzo:

I am a Browning person. The 300 win mag will be a Composite Stalker weighting around 7 lb 3 oz (13 oz heavier than the 300 WSM). I like heavier rifles with less recoil.

I have the CR option on my Stainless Stalker .243, the felt recoil is about the same or maybe just less than the Hunter in .270 win. I shot one time without my earmuffs (by accident) with the BOSS and lost my hearing for an hour.

Given that I shoot off the bench most of the time, I use a PAST magnum shield anyway. Like you said, shooting is for Saturday, I have to be in shape to play golf on Sunday.

Anyway, I should pick the rifle up to-morrow. The accessories: die, bullets, powder etc will be ordered in for next week. I look forward to my new toy.

Danny Boy

My old Speer manual listed reduced loads for the 300 WM that I used to help my step son get accustomed to the recoil/noise. If I recall I used their 110 gr. bullets and in a 9 1/2 lb. gun it was less noticable recoil than my .308 with heavier bullets. You may try to locate some of that data. The POI was reasonably close so as not to require much change in scope adjustments compared to near max loads of 180 gr. bullets. You can always find a way to use up any bullets you decide you won't use later on. If you decide you don't want whatever you won't use in your .300 trade them or make a deal to anybody with a 30 Herret or similar cartridge.

I caution you about going too low in powder charge weight. the 300 Winnie isn't a bad kicker to begin with. In my rifle 59 grains of IMR4895 and 150gr Remington Core Lokts result in nasty hangfires! Of course reduced loads with the slower burn rate powders may well result in serious damage to gun and/or shooter due to powder detonation instead of powder burn.

Minimum book loads for the 300 Winnie will place you squarely in the realm of the ol' '06. You should be able to handle that level of recoil, it not get a 30-30 and start from there.

Scott

Danny,

If your shooting from a bench make sure to hold the rifle's forend with your hand. Then rest the back of your hand on some padded rest. This will get your head up higher and back along with soaking up a lot of recoil and controlling the rise of the barrel.

You will not be able to use a butt bag this way and the rifle will wobble some. Just keep aiming and controlling the trigger. I like to shoot rifles this way from the bench as it's very good eye-hand practice.

As to the loads the 150 gr is a good start. You can carry the rifle for coyotes and other varmints this summer with such a load. Just start with the minimum suggested load for the powder that would work well with full charges.

The late gunwriter and outfitter Les Bowman found that the 300 Magnum hunters were the very worst game shots. Les led with the development of the 7mm RM for that reason. That does not mean that it's mean recoil affects everyone that much. With practice one can get used to more and more recoil when taking the appropiate precautions.

One would surmise that the great majority of those poor shots had new Weatherbys that they had not practiced with.

Goto Hodgodon.com and get ALL the youth load Info. Get a Hodgdon Manual. I will recommend that you don�t bother with light, 130-150 gr. bullets, go for the 165-168 and find out what my nephews Now believe. The 300 Mag in much more versatile than they ever thought. 2 Montana elk found out too. This combo will give you a 308,30-06 and a real 300 Mag. The combined Tech Nosler bullets can be used from Antelope UP. You could also start with a less expensive bullet from Sierra or Hornady Moly coated bullet for a solid hunting/practice load and both are very effective bullets. The H-4895 loads will take you to 90% H 4831 will give you the rest
Shoot Safe enjoy