Last week, I had an unexpected opportunity come up to hunt elk in New Mexico this season in country that is very open, with the distinct possibility of a 300-400 yd. shot. Normally, I'd take my favorite 300 Win. Mag. and its 180 Nosler load, but I have that rifle (and its serial #) committed to a Tanzania safari that's coming right after the NM elk hunt. So basically my #1 rifle and its ammo is sighted-in and waiting in the safe. Since the serial # has been committed to the Tanzanian authorities, I don't dare risk it to the hazzards of travel and the hunt before I go to Africa.

SO........I have an identical spare 300 Win. Mag. available for NM, and I've used this rifle before for mule deer, Coues deer, etc.. It shoots the same exact 180 gr. Nosler load as the #1 rifle very well, but I've decided to go with a 200 gr. premium bullet load instead, and mostly for the experience and fun of it. I have 200 gr. Swift A-Frames and 200 gr. Nosler Partitions on the shelf, plus Lapua and Winchester brass, H1000, Reloader 22, IMR 7828, WXR, etc..

Any suggestions on powders, etc? My goal is 2900 fps. or better and a 250 yd. zero.

By the way, this rifle shoots Federal High-Energy 200 gr. Nosler Partition factory ammo with superb accuracy, but I want to work up my own load for this rifle.

Thanks!!!!

AD

Why not your 338 Win Mag? That's what I prefer for those ranges.

RL19-73g @ 2958fps with standard deviation of 1 fps gave me the best group I ever fired out of a 300. A different lot of the propellant required 75g for that velocity. I use Federal 210M's for Alliant powders.

N560-77g @ 3015fps worked also.

RL22 gave good accuracy but at speeds below 2900 and with a lesser charge than RL19.

All with 200g Partitions.

Allen,

I have kept up with your posts since I have started using this forum, and to have the opportunity to offer you some information on the .300 Win Mag is a priviledge. I highly regard your knowledge and experience on the cartridge. It is always fun to play with new loads.

My load consisting of a 200 grain bullet is with the Nosler Accubond and is as follows:

Virgin W-W brass
Federal 215M Primer
80.5 grains of H1000
200 Grain Nosler Accubond seated .030 off the lands.

This load out of my 26" browning chronographed an average of 3038 for ten shots last summer. My chronograph is a Chrony F1 so these may be slightly inflated, but I am certain I am getting at least 2950. The group for the ten shots was right at 1.1" I have seen no visible pressure signs and have killed a mule deer buck and bull elk with the load.

Since you asked, if I were you, I would start out with your 200 grain partitions and H1000 and work up. I think you will be pleased.

By the way, I really like how H1000 fills the case.

Allen,

I would suggest 80-81 grains of Ramshot Magnum behind the 200 gr Nosler (~2900 fps)) if you want to try something new. I plan on using this combo for Elk in NM this year. The powder is temp insensitive, clean burning, and is proving to be very accurate in my .300 Win Mag. The top load is actually 81.7 gr in the Ramshot data. 72 gr of RL-22 is also top notch and will be in the 2900 fps ball park as well given a 24" barrel. My loads generally feature Winchester brass and Fed 215M primers.

Good Luck,

Lou

83.0 grains Retumbo, 2920, 25"barrel, 200 Nos partition.

DEADLY.

H1000 and Re22 have always been my 300wm choices, but with a 200 grain bullet, the Retumbo has shown to be superior in my buddy's rifle. We achieved easy 1/2" groups of 4 the first day.

His rifle grouped 2" at 250 but he's not the best on the bench, and he didn't let the barrel cool enough for my liking. But it was a nice clover style group, no stringing, no flyers.

I would try both 200gr Partitions and 200gr Accubonds. Load 3 sets of loads with RL-22, H-1000 and Retumbo and you are bound to find something that shoots great.
Just make sure that when you are setting seating depth off the lands the Accubonds will still fit in the magazine, they get a little longish at times.
I hope that you'll let us know what worked best for you. Good luck.........DJ

The best load I ever used in a .300 Mag was the 200 grain A-Frame in an H&H.....for the Winnie I'd stick with the 200 Grain A-Frame but work up to 80 grains of H-1000. This load is extremely deadly and unbelievably flat shooting.....

You must have a lot of time on your hands. What possible difference do you think another 20 grains of bullet is going to make? Trust me the elk isnt concerned about it. I suggest you spend the extra time carrying a very heavy backpack up as many staircases as you can find

Allen, as much as I hate to say it, I think working up a 200gr load for that rifle is a great idea. You know where you stand with the 180's and if an opportunity arises that you feel a 200 gr bullet might be warranted, grab the #2 rifle and go hunting.

I'd try the A-Frames (although 2900 fps might be a bit easier with the Partitions). There is probably enough difference in their weight retention when compared to the 180 gr Partition to justify the experiment and time. I'd also guess that powder selection is going to be your baby in the end. But, I think you're up to it.

Chuck

200 Accubond, 76 gr RL25, Fed 215M @ 2950 fps

or

200 TSX, 74.3 gr RL22, Fed 215M @ 2950 fps

most accurate

200 TSX, 71 gr H4831SC, Fed 215M @ 2775 fps

after that depends on what your guns likes


Without guns we are subjects (or victims), with guns we are citizens

Thank you, gentlemen, for your replies. I'm going to try every load that's been suggested and provide the results later. It'll be an interesting process, and I'm really looking forward to it. bwest, I don't really know what the "gain" is going to be. That's to be found out.......

Bob, taking the 338 Win. is certainly an option that may yet be exercised, but I'd really rather take the 300, simple because it's sort of my trademark cartridge, and I'm in the mood to use it for this hunt. But then again, I may wake up one morning convinced that I need to take the 338. It's sighted-in and ready to go right now!

Chuck, your suggestion is excellent, and that's sort of the direction I'd headed in with this rifle. A 200 gr. Swift or Nosler load would also be excellent for a comb hunt (moose, caribou, sheep, and grizzly) in Alaska, which is another hunt I'm working on.

AD

Allen,

You floored me on this one, I figured if anybody had a dialed in load for a 200 gr Nosler and the 300 Win Mag you would be it. Especially when I factored in your obvious affection for this cartridge.

I am the worlds worst authority of 300 Win Mags, I scapped the whole mess years ago, but in my 30-338's the 200 gr. Noslers are great
elk round.

In reference to the one gun-one load I had my 1909 Argentine built for 200 gr Noslers. It sports a Lilja barrel with a slow twist and its one of my most accurate rifles in my safe. I don't think I have shot more than 10 rounds of different bullet wieghts in this rifle.

Anyway H4831 works well in my rifle, but velocity and accuracy are best with IMR 4831. My powder charges are defiantely a couple of grains under where your 300 Win Mag will be but 69.5 -70 grains of IMR 4831 is my sweet spot with a 200 gr Partition.

schromf, the vast majority of hunting I've done with the 300 Win. Mag. has been with 180 gr. premium bullets, with about a dozen animals taken with 168 gr. Sierra MKs (!)

I got into this 200 gr. idea because I've been flirting with the concept for a long time, plus, this particular rifle shoots that Federal High-Energy 200 gr. Nolser load like a house 'o fire.

AD

If you hunt with the A-Frames give us a field report. I have been contemplating working up a second load in a couple of rifles and the A-Frames and I am taking mental notes on these.

And I understand completely, I was pondering using one of my 30 mags this fall for deer. Then I got checking my load books and I had never shot a 165 gr bullet in either of my 30 mag rifles. I just scrapped the whole effort in the end, cause I really didn't need a 30 mag for the whitetail hunt I was planning, and I just didn't see me hunting a 165 gr on a combo hunt, so it kind of defeated the purpose in the end. If I get some time I plan on working with some 165 grainers eventually, but time is limited supply as of late, and when I get the time to do loading I am just in catch up mode lately. Seems like ever time I get a chance to reload I am out of one of my pistol caliber ammuntion supplies, and I am cranking out pistol ammo.

THink I need about a month off to get caught up with all my projects, but don't think it would fly with work.

Hey AD

Don't know if you believe in ballistic coefficient or not, but theoretically

SAF, BC .444, energy at 300 = 2705, drop at 500 = 37.4"
Nosler Partition, BC .481, energy at 300 = 2783, drop at 500 = 36.5"
TSX, BC .550, energy at 300 = 2903, drop at 500 = 35.1"
Accubond, BC .588, energy at 300 = 2958, drop at 500 = 34.6"

At 7000' altitude, 40 degrees, 2950 fps

At the close range that most Elk are shot, not a big difference. Not even a big difference at long range. But the Accubond, in my guns, has been the 2nd most accurate right behind the TSX. The terminal performance of the Accubond is engineered to be similar to the Partition in that it sheds some up front, the petals fold back, and it continues to penetrate. I always liked the traditional look of lead on the tip of a bullet rather than plastic, but the AB is proving to be a shooter for me. JMO


Without guns we are subjects (or victims), with guns we are citizens

Allen,

I'd be more inclined to try the 200gr. TBBC or the 200gr. NorthFork bullets, instead of choosing from what I have on the shelf.

While the A-frames have a solid reputation, the 200gr. TBBCs and NorthForks are slightly better bullets based on both personal experience and a few secondary sources. I would not use Partitions as they will not have the weight retention (penetration) as any of the above bullets- especially, if you are considering a Combo Alaskan hunt, with Grizzly involved, I'd opt for the Super Premiums. Wound channel will also tend to be larger with a wider surface area, heavier mushroom bullet penetrating vs. a back-end cylindrical form bullet of less weight penetrating.

In fact, I now only use Trophy Bonded Bear Claws for all of my hunting- Deer to Moose to African Plains Game. The NorthForks, when available to me, have even been more accurate and achieved slightly higher velocities than my TBBCs though, I haven't used them on Game. They are just not readily available here in Canada.

Top choices, in my order of preference, as follows:

1. 200gr. TBBCs
2. 200gr. NorthForks
3. 200gr. TSX (though I'd want to also do some expansion testing in different mediums)
4. 200gr. Swift A-Frames

You also might have a higher b.c. for the longer TBBC/NorthFork, TSX (definitely) bullets.

CL, where do you get your NorthForks?

Chuck

Chuck, I bring them back with me once per year when at the SCI Convention.

It may not technically be legal, but I declare them with the TSA (Transportation, Security Administration) authorities and I have never had them confiscated. I place them in my checked baggage and it gets locked after inspection. They are expensive, but I have them shipped to my hotel down there.

Woods, high BC is desirable, no doubt about it, especially past 300 yds., for both drop and wind. In fact, I went back to 180 Nosler Partition spitzers for my #1 300 Win. instead of the 180 gr. Protected Point Partitions I've been using for the last four seasons, just to take advantage of the higher BC.

Canadian Lefty, I'll pick up some 200 gr. TBBCs as well to try, and I'll order some NFs as well. Good suggestions

Chuck, you can get them straight from the source:

http://www.northforkbullets.com

Mike, the originator and owner, is a great guy, and a very real, down-to-earth rifleman. He really impresses me. I'm using 370 gr. NF solids & softs in my 416 Rem. Mag. this season in Tanzania. You talk about fine accuracy! Man! One-hole groups are the norm, and I can mix softs, solids, and Cup-Point solids in any combination and come up with a tight group, and the same POI. At least in my 416, North Forks are my dream bullet. I won't use any other load(s) in that rifle, period, unless it's just for off-hand practice.

AD

Allen, thanks. I have no doubt that you'll do your due diligence and have some great stories to share with us. If anyone can do almost anything with a .300 mag., it's you. I look forward to hearing about your successes.

quote:

Chuck, you can get them straight from the source:

Unfortunately, we can't. At least I tried to and at the time Mike did not want to. His website also states:

quote:

We are sorry, but at this time we do not have the export license that is required to ship our products outside the USA.

Allen, you're 100% right in that Mike is a great guy. We e-mailed back and forth a few times and he really cares about his customers. I mean, I got detailed explanations on several of his bullet weights, what to try etc...

Chuck, if you really want some, I am going to Nebraska this July. I've been invited to take the B&C Club Official Measurer's course there. P.M. me for a request and we'll see what might be possible...

Sorry I don't have any 300 Win loads for you Allen, but if I had to make one up tomorrow H1000 is probably the first powder I'd try--mainly for being less temp sensitive than RL22 which I also liked a lot. I never got a chance to try Retumbo in the Win.

As for which bullet, as usual if 400 yd shots are a possibility I'd recommend accuracy testing the bullets at that range to help you choose and spend less time at 100 yds. Don't be surprised if the AccuBond wins hands down--especially if you test on windy days. An interesting point to ponder: Even when launched 200 fps slower, the 200 AB will be traveling faster at 250 yds than your old PP load will be. It's all gravy from there.

Good luck. Let us know how things turn out.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I did know and can have them shipped from the source. I just have them shipped to Montana and declare them when I drive back across the Border.

I was just hoping that they had started shipping to Canada.

Chuck

Since the hunting season is in full swing, anyone have any stories or examples to share using the .300 win. mag. and 200gr. bullets on game?

Photos would also be a plus

I use 83 grains of H 1000 with a 200 grain Speer or 220 grain Round Nose as my most commonly used load in my Browning A Bolt in 300 Mag.....

Even with the 220 grain Round Nose it is pretty flat shooting out to 300 yds.....I always set my zeroes to 3.5 inches high at 100 yds....

MV with the 220 grainers is 2975 fps.....

Tried a 220 grain Nosler SMP once and it is definitely flat shooting to 400 yds.....once again 2975 fps MV ( just didn't manage to break 3000 fps, but hey, close enough for government work!)

work up.. the loads have never given me any pressure signs or ejection or resizing problems at all....but you know the disclaimer drills....

good luck on both hunts....
cheers
seafire

I like to use NAB because it give better groupings at longer distances, but when it comes to practical hunting i tend to switch to 200grs A-Frame.

I have used 70 grs of MRP in my loads and they give <1" grouping at 200yrds.
The same bullet with VV powder did not work as well, but a lighter bullet worked fine with VV N-160 powder.

Rifle is a modifyed M70 and a 25" heavy barrel.

When it comes to target practice i use 185grs scenar with good results, even at long ranges.

Happy hunting

I have been using 200 gr. bullets in my 300 H&H and my sons 300 win. for years, ever since I shot my first elk with one....

I dote on the 200 gr. Nolser and to a lesser degree the 200 gr. Woodliegh, they both simply work...

I use old surplus 4831, no longer available in my 300 H&H and RL-19 and max loads of RL 15 in the 300 Win....

Allen, I would suggest that you add IMR 7828 and VV N-165 to your list of powders to try. These two along with H1000 and RL25 have given me the best combination of accuracy, velocity, and pressure in my .300 WM. Let us know what kind of load you end up using and how it performs. Good luck!

I use H1000 in one of my 300's in the other one I use IMR 4350 of which you don't want to use. So I get like 1/2" three shot group at 100 yds with H1000. I have some 200gr Noslers loaded to 3000 fps but haven't shot them yet with H1000.
Good shooting to you.