300WSM long range deer load.

16 June 2009, 06:20

Hey guys,

Looking for some advice please.

My 300WSM is coming back from the gunsmith end of this month and I would like to develop a suitable long range load for deer. Long range I'm talking out to around 500-600 yards, as one of the areas I hunt is very open and last couple of deer I saw on a clearing were at 550 yards. I am going back to this area in late October.

What projectiles have you had experience with for shooting deer at this range, and suitable powders?

I have seen some video of guys making extended range shots using Berger VLD's, and there are guys down here in NZ using Hornady A-Max's to do the same thing, but I also hear from some hunters that VLD's are not always relaible expansion wise.

I presume the 180gr and heavier are the ideal for long range because they have higher BC's.

Regards,

Michael.

16 June 2009, 22:33

Jon2

Kiwi

I am quite interested to see what comes back from your post as my .300 WSM comes back in a couple of weeks aswell.

I am having my Sako 85 re-barrelled with a Pac-Nor 1 in 10 #4 fluted and have got it in a McMillan.

I am hoping to get a 180 grn load working too and I will be using BT's or Accubonds hopefully.

I am also intending to use it at the ranges you talk about too.

What are the component parts of your rifle?

17 June 2009, 10:27

kiwiwildcat

Hi Jon,

Thanks for your post and maybe we can work on this together? I put another post on the 6mmBR site too, so I will advise you of any feedback (i'll pm you).

Just been doing a bit of research in the intrim and one possibility may be the Berger 190gr Hunting VLD, has a very high BC of .570. I've had a lot of luck with the Bergers before, the 35gr shoots incredibly consistant tight groups in my .204 Ruger.

My rifle is built on a Montana Rifleman action. A guy in the US was selling his 300WSM barrel (24 inch) off his Winchester Classic Stainless steel for a virtually giveaway price, and its unfired. Stock is an MPI and very light might end up being the same weight or close to a Kimber in 300WSM.

Good to see you have chosen a Pac Nor, I had one on a 6mm x 284 and it was a consistent 1/2 moa at 200 yards with 87gr V-Max's.

Cheers,

Michael.

18 June 2009, 03:59

POP

180 Accubond with RL19 or RL22. That should do you well.

19 June 2009, 00:38

hoghunting

My last shot at a hog, and he dropped after 5 steps, was a lasered 461 yds, using 165 gr Hornady Interbond and RL 19.

19 June 2009, 01:40

Jon2

Kiwi

You have a PM

19 June 2009, 04:19

Jon2

Kiwi

What I meant btw with reference to my last post was I sent you a PM but didn't get a response from you. When I looged on earlier, my profile said I had a PM (then lost connection on my Blackberry) - when I logged back in I had no PM. Just wondered if my PM function was playing up?

Thanks

Jon

19 June 2009, 12:39

Brad

A 180 Hornady would work to perfection for what you propose. Ditto a 180 Nosler Ballistic Tip.

quote:
Originally posted by kiwiwildcat:
Hey guys,

Looking for some advice please.

My 300WSM is coming back from the gunsmith end of this month and I would like to develop a suitable long range load for deer. Long range I'm talking out to around 500-600 yards, as one of the areas I hunt is very open and last couple of deer I saw on a clearing were at 550 yards. I am going back to this area in late October.

What projectiles have you had experience with for shooting deer at this range, and suitable powders?

I have seen some video of guys making extended range shots using Berger VLD's, and there are guys down here in NZ using Hornady A-Max's to do the same thing, but I also hear from some hunters that VLD's are not always relaible expansion wise.

I presume the 180gr and heavier are the ideal for long range because they have higher BC's.

Regards,

Michael.

22 June 2009, 21:46

Mighty Peace

180gr Accubonds in my Sako m75ss 300WM and Sako m75 Greywolf 300WSM. Works great at various distances on big game here in Alberta...Elk, moose, bears, whitetails and mulies.

My furthest was 554metres at a 8x7 whitetail buck...double lung pass thru - flipped over backwards dead. Moose @ 450m....dropped him.

My wife took her first bull moose with her Tikka T3 LS 270WSM with 140gr Accubonds...same results.

Accubonds are my hunting buddies and my choice of bullets.

23 June 2009, 01:37

Buff

Hi Michael,

I worked up a load for my .300 WSM: 168 Grain Barnes TSX. Man, they shot great 1 1/4 at 300 yards. That's the good news. The bad news: I couldn't get them in the magazine. The fine print on the bullet box makes note that the 165 gr TSX is better with a WSM.
I have also had trouble with the 168 gr Berger VLD.
The point is that those finer lined, high BC bullets are impossible to get close to the lands in my WSM (and still fit in the magazine). I have stuck with the 165 TSX over H4350.

23 June 2009, 10:25

kiwiwildcat

Thanks Buff,

Yes that is one issue I have thought about and one thing I need to check out. My MRC action has a very generous internal magazine length and the barrel that is currently fitted may not have a long throat (it is a Winchester barrel off a M70 Classic in 300wsm new unfired that i brought for a bargain.