I'm looking for a very accurate (potential long range) bullet for my .300 WM - any suggestions?

Swift Sirocco
Nosler Accubond
Hornady Interbond
Swift A-Frame
Barnes TSX
Nosler Partition
Speer Trophy Bonded Bearclaw
Barnes X bullet

I would start from the top and see what works.

I'm guessing the either the 180 or 200 grain Sierra GameKing will be very accurate plus carry more energy down range. They should perform well at the terminal velocity expected at the longer ranges. The BC for the 180 is a little over .500 and my favorite the 200 - Well click the link below. Check out the BC of that sucker!

.308 - 200 SGK

Long range (300+ yds) I prefer longer for caliber bullets. With the high BCs you don't give up much in trajectory but gain energy and terminal performance. Try running that .560 BC through a balistic calculator and see for yourself:

JBM Ballistics

oyfa

Welcome to AR. I reload for 6 different 300 win mags and the most accurate bullet in every one has been the Barnes Triple Shocks. Four like the 200 gr bullet and 2 like the 180 gr bullet.

After the TSX, the Nosler Accubond is most accurate. The only other bullets I have tried in those guns are the Scirroccos, the Partitions, and the Swift A-Frames.

OYFA The first info you need is what twist is in your barrel 30 cal's have 10,12,&14 as a rule, some imports from Europe have faster twists The faster the twist the heavier the bullet . so if you have a 1in12 twist don't try shooting 150 grain bullets and think your going to have less than 1 MOA accuracy . The reason all barrels are never the same for accuracy is that the steel that makes the barrels are never consistant so the twist can very as the button is pulled threw the barrels , so a 1in 10 may be 1in 10.5 or less so your barrel has to be fitted with mr. wright bullet , know the twist and start from there !

178 AMAX should give you the best chance for accuracy. Sub 1/2moa from a friends Sako, with 75.5-76grs. RE22. Jay

Correction for my statement 1in 12 should be 1in10 twist I'm only on first coffee of the day Sorry !

quote:

The faster the twist the heavier the bullet . so if you have a 1in12 twist don't try shooting 150 grain bullets and think your going to have less than 1 MOA accuracy .

Actually, "the faster the twist the LONGER the bullet. I once had a nice little pre-64 Win. M70 FTW in .308. These all had 1/12 twists, and mine shot the Sierra 200-grain PSPBT bullet just fine, as well as the Hornady and Sierra 220 RN - just fine too, with 48 grains of N205 or MRP.

quote:

Originally posted by Jay Gorski:
178 AMAX should give you the best chance for accuracy. Sub 1/2moa from a friends Sako, with 75.5-76grs. RE22. Jay

Interesting comment.....and yes it was not stated if the bullet should be for target or for hunting...I'd agree with this for a target bullet.

As for Hunting, I've had good success with A-Frames and Interlocks.

"EDIT"
I just redead the title and it does say "most accurate big game bullet"
pardon my error...the A-Max should be ignored IMO.

Nosler Accubonds have proven to be very, very accurate in several of my rifles.

quote:

Originally posted by Jay Gorski:
178 AMAX should give you the best chance for accuracy. Sub 1/2moa from a friends Sako, with 75.5-76grs. RE22. Jay

My Sako M-75 shoots 200gr Accubonds a little better than 1/2 MOA:




And the Accubond is actually a hunting bullet suitable for large game. I've seen a couple other posters with groups like this shooting the same bullet, I'm by no means the only one.

Todays hunting bullets like the TSX,Accubond, Scirocco and others can be made to shoot so accurately IMHO there is no justification for shooting target bullets at game...............DJ

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

quote:

Originally posted by Jay Gorski:
178 AMAX should give you the best chance for accuracy. Sub 1/2moa from a friends Sako, with 75.5-76grs. RE22. Jay

Interesting comment.....and yes it was not stated if the bullet should be for target or for hunting...I'd agree with this for a target bullet.

As for Hunting, I've had good success with A-Frames and Interlocks.

"EDIT"
I just redead the title and it does say "most accurate big game bullet"
pardon my error...the A-Max should be ignored IMO.

Well, if by Big Game we're talking about elk, moose, buffalo, the AMAX may not be the best bullet to use. But Hornady does suggest to use them on thin-skinned animals. But look at all the Longrange folks that use them(AMAX) and the MKs, and getting "One-shot" kills. Jay

P.S. Go to www.snipershide.com and check out what 155 AMAXs do to coyote.

http://www.snipershide.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=000587

quote:

Originally posted by Jay Gorski:

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

quote:

Originally posted by Jay Gorski:
178 AMAX should give you the best chance for accuracy. Sub 1/2moa from a friends Sako, with 75.5-76grs. RE22. Jay

Interesting comment.....and yes it was not stated if the bullet should be for target or for hunting...I'd agree with this for a target bullet.

As for Hunting, I've had good success with A-Frames and Interlocks.

"EDIT"
I just redead the title and it does say "most accurate big game bullet"
pardon my error...the A-Max should be ignored IMO.

Well, if by Big Game we're talking about elk, moose, buffalo, the AMAX may not be the best bullet to use. But Hornady does suggest to use them on thin-skinned animals. But look at all the Longrange folks that use them(AMAX) and the MKs, and getting "One-shot" kills. Jay

P.S. Go to www.snipershide.com and check out what 155 AMAXs do to coyote.

http://www.snipershide.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=000587

I'm well aware of the use of target bullets such as the A-Max and matchking for deer hunting.....and I agree that a lot of deer are killed with such bullets.

As a matter of fact the longest thread ever on AR is exactly about this subject.....

Please understand that deer are truly not big game.....more like big varmints.

Woodleigh 200 gr. Protected Point, good BC too.

The Nosler Accubond from 30-06 up to my .375 H&H all less than MOA and an excellent hunting bullet.

Roland

If its for hunting, the Accubond. If for target shooting, the Lapua Scenar.

In my 300 Win Mag, the Nosler Ballistic Tip, 180 grains, with a max load of slow burning powder, bullet just touching the lands, gave the best accuracy. Reload a few different recipies and see what you and your gun likes!!!

quote:

Originally posted by concho:
OYFA The first info you need is what twist is in your barrel 30 cal's have 10,12,&14 as a rule, some imports from Europe have faster twists The faster the twist the heavier the bullet . so if you have a 1in12 twist don't try shooting 150 grain bullets and think your going to have less than 1 MOA accuracy . The reason all barrels are never the same for accuracy is that the steel that makes the barrels are never consistant so the twist can very as the button is pulled threw the barrels , so a 1in 10 may be 1in 10.5 or less so your barrel has to be fitted with mr. wright bullet , know the twist and start from there !

Actually the "usual" twist in most 30caliber rifles is 1:10" which is original to the
30-03 springfield and it's long roundnosed 220gr bullet.

1:10" is FINE for 150gr bullets, though if you use cheap ones this rapid twist rate will exaggerate any flaws in the concentricity of the bullet being used.

Note: I cannot imagine the "core" of a Barnes TSX being non-centered in the "jacket".

Though if building a custom rifle in a 30cal cartridge (other than a 300H&H which is to be used with 250gr solids) I'd personally go with a 1:12" twist which is adequate for any 30caliber bullet up to 190-200grs, but won't spin the lighter bullets excessively.

Out of a 300WinMag you can get a 165gr accubond to 3300fps out of a 26" barrel or 3150-ish out of a 180gr. 165's actually have more energy through 500yds and exactly the same energy at 600yds

This is of course providing you can drive them 150-200fps faster as the tables indicate.

And this effect only gets worse with 200gr bullets in a 300mag.


AllanD

oyfa,

The reason I recommended the Sierra GameKings are:

1) Cost are much less than other premimun bullets.

2) They will work for paper and trophy targets.

3) Having one load for both target practice and hunting will improve your skills and eliminate resighting-in cause your not switching loads.

The reason I don't reccommend Sierra Game Kings is that they are NOT a premium game bullet. They are a standard cup and core bullet that tends to loose said core.
Trying to save $50 on bullets on a $5,000 Elk hunt is poor economy. Bullets are about the cheapest part of the hunt. Save the Game-Kings for Deer, Varmints and other easy to kill stuff and use Premiums on tougher game............DJ

100 yds, 3 shots from yesterday...

Browning A-bolt Syn. Stalker with BOSS
.300 win mag, 200 gr. TSX, 80 1/2 grains of H-1000.
Thanks to everyone on the reloading forum.

quote:

Originally posted by djpaintles:
The reason I don't reccommend Sierra Game Kings is that they are NOT a premium game bullet. They are a standard cup and core bullet that tends to loose said core.
Trying to save $50 on bullets on a $5,000 Elk hunt is poor economy. Bullets are about the cheapest part of the hunt. Save the Game-Kings for Deer, Varmints and other easy to kill stuff and use Premiums on tougher game............DJ

Your right bullets are one of the cheaper aspects of going on a Elk hunt. But my experience has varied from your's I've been using Sierra GameKings since the 70's and have never had a jacket/core seperation. I'm using the 160 Gr version in my 7MM Mag right close to 3000 fps and in my 300 Weatherby a 200 Gr near 3000 fps and lastly in my 8MM Remington Mag a 220 Gr at 3000? Loaded them for my Uncle in his 06 the 180 Gr version at 2700 fps no problem. These were all used to harvest several Elk all expanded relialby? No lost cores.

Here's my 2 cents.

Test shooting will give you the answer, because rifles, even from the same manufacturer, sometimes likes a special bullet and weight better than another.

I would say the Accubond first then the TSX. In terms of being consistently accurate in my rifles, the rest of the premiums are a quite a ways behind.

Gabe

The 200 gr. Nosler Accubond is the most accurate bullet I've found for use in my .300 Weatherby.

XXX's and Accubonds for me too, all different weights have shot well.

Good Shooting--Don

For my .300 Winny and those of five Elk hunting buddies it is the 180 or 200 grain North Fork. Coming in second would be the 180 grain Nosler Partition. Good shooting.

quote:

Originally posted by djpaintles:
The reason I don't reccommend Sierra Game Kings is that they are NOT a premium game bullet. They are a standard cup and core bullet that tends to loose said core.
Trying to save $50 on bullets on a $5,000 Elk hunt is poor economy. Bullets are about the cheapest part of the hunt. Save the Game-Kings for Deer, Varmints and other easy to kill stuff and use Premiums on tougher game............DJ

Don't knock'em unless you've tried'em!

My experience is that the longer for caliber SGKs do stay together and make two holes. I have used 150s in my 270, 180s in .30 calibers and 220s in my 8x57. IMO - Poorer performance of the light for caliber SGKs have given the rest a bad name!

quote:

Originally posted by RaySendero:

Don't knock'em unless you've tried'em!

My experience is that the longer for caliber SGKs do stay together and make two holes. I have used 150s in my 270, 180s in .30 calibers and 220s in my 8x57. IMO - Poorer performance of the light for caliber SGKs have given the rest a bad name!

I've shot a bunch of them, my experiences are why I now prefer premium bullets only for elk. But you are right in that the very heavy for caliber bullets are more likely to hold together, and they do usually shoot accurately...............DJ

I like the Rem 180 gr bullets also. Shot them to 200 yds at 3125 FPS and they went like this
*** that close together too. .90 " They're good on game also.

Thanks a lot for interesting reading. For me, big game equals moose.

My Sauer 202 have 1-10" twist.

Still I'm uncertain of whether I'll go for the 180 or the 200 grains?

I will try some rounds with several of the bullets mentioned (accubond, tsx, a-frame..)

Thanks!

I forgot to mention before that the 200 Accubond is a very long bullet and will not shoot it's best unless you a have 10 or quicker twist. Also, don't trust what your barrel is supposed to be, measure it to be sure.

You need a true ten to make the big Nosler shine.

Gabe

Anyone having reloading data for the 200 grains A-frame (using VV N-160) ?

unlike some others here i havent had very good luck with the bonded bullets for accuracy. I shoot alot of crop damage deer and one of my favorite setups for deer out 400 yards or a little more is the 300 win mag shooting 165 ballistic tips or seirra 165s. Very flat shooting, accurate and still hit like a freight train way out there.

You simply have to try them in your rifle. I have had one that shoots one hole at 100 in one rifle, shoot no better then 3" in another. If you plan to use a premium bullet, just start with any of them and stop when you find an accurate one in your gun.
The #3070 Hornady 180 gr. flat base shoots 3/8" in my Sako. They are not a premium bullet, but have killed everything they have hit for the last 30 years that I've used them. But they may not shoot at all in your gun, just have to keep trying.

I have successfully used, 200gr NPs, 200gr Grand Slams, and 200gr woodleighs in my .300WMs. They have all killed like the Hammer of Thor and gave close to MOA accuracy. FWIW, I killed my first elk with a 30-06 using a 200gr Speer C&C bullet. It worked fine.

I have a 300WSM and the 180gn Woodleigh's a clover leaf at 100 yards with it.

I also have a mate who has a 300 WM and he shoots 165gn Woodleigh's
and reckons they are deadly accurate out of it.

A friend gave me a whole box of Remington 180gr factory loads that someone left at the range. The box was missing. The bullets were stacked inside the factory styafoam they came in, and it was crumbling. Some of the cases were pretty green on the bases.

So, yesterday I dropped my Ruger 77 MKII barreled action into a Hogue full aluminum block style, mounted a 3.5x10 scope, and went to the range. I have had that barreled action for maybe ten years, and never got around to testing it, although it is really NOS. I bought it for the action. I had it in my mind that I didn't like the 300WM, but that all changed yesterday.

Of course I was sure the ammo was factory loads, or I wouldn't have shot it. The darn rifle shot well. In fact, it's now sighted in and ready to go hunting with the other half of the box of free ammo. I shot the green ones first.

So, last night on Midway I ordered a set of RCBS dies, and a box of 180gr Barnes TSX bullets with the blue tips. My buddy says that his 300WM likes 180 gr bullets too, and H4350. It just so happens that I have about eight pounds of H4350. I plan on picking up some once-fired brass at the range. I've been leaving the stuff, but not anymore.

KB

Do you need a 1/2" rifle load to shoot something as big as a moose? Come on guys, get real.

465H&H