I have a winchester xtr in 300 weatherby and love it. It shoots 180s real good i inch ioo yds. I reload. I have even shot 110 grainers in it for fun great for plinking Yes the brass is expensive have fun its a blast!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posts: 170 | Location: ky | Registered: 02 September 2007
In my opinion, the 300 Weather Magnum is the king of the .308 caliber magnums. Some, like the 300 RUM, hold more powder but they don't have a significant velocity advantage.
Brass is available from manufacturers other than Weatherby. I like Nosler brass. My powder of choice is H4831SC.
Not necessarily. Remington makes .300 WBY brass. You can buy it in lots of 100 pieces from Midway and other suppliers, for about the same price as .300 Win Mag brass.
In my opinion, there's no good reason to choose the much more expensive Norma or Weatherby brass (made by Norma, I believe) over the much less expensive Remington.
"How's that whole 'hopey-changey' thing working out for ya?"
Posts: 5883 | Location: People's Republic of Maryland | Registered: 11 March 2001
Excellent cartridge... Factory brass and ammo (yes, both are from Norma) are expensive but with the 300 Wby there are other manufacturers for brass... I have no way around it with the 338-378 but what the heck, with brass in hand it's only a bit over a dollar a shot using Barnes TSXs... Beats the 5 bucks a shot for factory ammo but that's how I've collected my brass...
The Rem and Nosler brass are from 60 cents to about a buck per case so that's not bad at all... The Weatherby/Norma brass for the 378 based cases is always over 2 dollars a case but with careful reloading you can reload anywhere from 3 to 7 times... I've heard of people going further but I don't think I would want to with that much powder being burned...
I've heard nothing bad about the Rem brass and Nosler brass is quite good... Reload and enjoy it, it's a wonderful cartridge....
Ken....
"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they are ignorant, but that they know so much that isn't so. " - Ronald Reagan
my vanguard has become a favorite. will put 3 rounds of rem. factory into .80". i use remington brass to reload and am very happy with the caliber. factory ammo is expensive, especially if you use a premium bullet. i started using nosler 2nds when handloading so i could shoot more of my hunting loads in practice. recoil is not bad, but eye relief should be a priority when you put scope on it. crawl your stock in the heat of the moment and you'll regret it! james
Posts: 74 | Location: East Kentucky | Registered: 22 June 2006
My Weatherby has been working quite well on big bull moose. None of the shots have been long, (usually less than 200 yards,)but the right bullet can be driven to excellent results.
I'm very happy with mine, and again with the right bullet I wouldn't think twicw about using it on our brown bears.
Well it sounds Good so far. I bought some brass 48 pieces and a set of dies for what sounds like a good price. I'll start with 180 grain bullets most likely as I have them and some 165's that I use for the 06 and the 308. Anyone use light bullets > then 150's? I would think it would vaporize some crows at long range. What about recoil? I have all ready spent my gun budget this year buying reloading supplies before they get higher so buying a good scope isn't a option but I have a couple weavers and lower end scopes kicking around just to play with it.
When there's lead in the air, there's hope!!!!
Posts: 428 | Location: Ticonderoga NY | Registered: 19 March 2004
Originally posted by bbruce: Well it sounds Good so far. I bought some brass 48 pieces and a set of dies for what sounds like a good price. I'll start with 180 grain bullets most likely as I have them and some 165's that I use for the 06 and the 308. Anyone use light bullets > then 150's? I would think it would vaporize some crows at long range. What about recoil? I have all ready spent my gun budget this year buying reloading supplies before they get higher so buying a good scope isn't a option but I have a couple weavers and lower end scopes kicking around just to play with it.
Just make sure whatever scope you put on it that it has GENEROUS eye relief... Weatherbys do tend to kick a bit... Granted my Accumark is heavier and the 338-378s come with the factory Accubrake but it will still push back pretty good... I crawled the stock a bit one day at the range practicing off my bipod and felt the scope tick off the top of my glasses... I had the power cranked up so it was just over 3.5 inches of eye relief (Leupold VX III)... My normal scope setting in the field is much lower and the eye relief in that case is almost 4.5 inches....
Trust me, eye relief is important with any boomer...
Ken....
"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they are ignorant, but that they know so much that isn't so. " - Ronald Reagan
Ditto on the Rem brass, it ain't that much more than 300 Win. Or you can size and fireform 375 H&H or 7 STW or 8 Rem Mag. IIRC, Rem yellow and green box ammo is reasonable too.
"Experience" is the only class you take where the exam comes before the lesson.
Posts: 11143 | Location: Texas, USA | Registered: 22 September 2003
Well I have shot 110 grainers 307 dia for the micarbine out of mine for fun and limited recoil The guy at Sierra said if you see a vapor trail you know what happened ( they were soft tip bullets by rem or winchester I cant recall. ) as I recall I think they didi2 inches at 100 yd. Need to look up the load. By the way I know this doesnt make sence as they are 307 diameter However Using 53.5 grains of H380 in my o6 Rem 700bdl I got 3 shots in 3 quarter inch at 100 yds with one flyer.
Posts: 170 | Location: ky | Registered: 02 September 2007
In my .300 Weatherby -- a Remington 700 Classic with 24 in. barrel -- I've gotten the best accuracy with 200 gr. Nosler Accubond bullets and Alliant RL 22 powder. I've gotten the highest velocity -- 3200+ f.p.s. with 180 gr. bullets, and 3000+ f.p.s. with 200 gr. ones -- using IMR 7828 powder. All loads in Remington brass with Federal 215 (magnum) primers.
"How's that whole 'hopey-changey' thing working out for ya?"
Posts: 5883 | Location: People's Republic of Maryland | Registered: 11 March 2001
I love my .300 Wby (personally built "toolless" takedown on a FN 98) have shot 150s, 165s & 180's through it (about 600 rounds now) and they are a terrific killer though muzzleblast/recoil may be a bit much for some.
I've used it in Australia (rabbits to Buffalo) and Zimbabwe (plains game) and have nothing but praise for them. Yep they use a lot of powder but if you burn a pound of powder per year hunting then you've done a hell of a lot of hunting.
I load mine with AR 2209 (Australian powder) and remember not to ignore your seating depth when you're developing loads. Mine likes bullets seated very deep. However it's worth it as mine has put 5 shots into 3/4" will developing loads.
Bit much gun for what I usually shoot (feral hogs) but nothing complains about it.
Remington cases are quite affordable. Forget the Weatherby/Norma brass unless you find a great deal on them.
Posts: 348 | Location: queensland, australia | Registered: 07 August 2007
Hands down, the best, most balanced 300! I have 2 300 wbys, 30/378's, 1 300 ultra. my wbys are the best, most comfy calibers, I guess it helps to have shot 19 animals with the wby!
Posts: 523 | Location: wisconsin | Registered: 18 June 2007
I have two 300 weatherby's. One in a 700 classic from Remington. The other one has never been shot. It is a Remington Sendero stainless. My classic is super accurate!
Keep yer powder dry and yer knife sharp.
Posts: 621 | Location: Texas City, TX. USA. | Registered: 25 January 2004
Gun came its a Vanguard with the Black stock. Seems pretty light.Should get a chance to shoot it this weekend. I think I'm going to put a 4x leopold scope on it that is not in use.I have some old 380H powder I was thinking to load with any opinions?
When there's lead in the air, there's hope!!!!
Posts: 428 | Location: Ticonderoga NY | Registered: 19 March 2004
I have some old 380H powder I was thinking to load with any opinions?
H380 would not be an optimum powder for the .300 Weatherby -- that powder is too fast burning for that purpose. But it will definitely work and go bang and propel the bullets out of the bore. It may even give pretty good results with lighter bullets. But it is unlikely to give the highest attainable velocity in this cartridge.
"How's that whole 'hopey-changey' thing working out for ya?"
Posts: 5883 | Location: People's Republic of Maryland | Registered: 11 March 2001
I've had the best luck using RL-22 powder in my 300 Weatherby (actually my father's rifle that I purchased for him).
It shoots with unusual accuracy with 165, 180, and 220 grain Noslers, all using RL22 (different loads of course).
I have nothing but good things to say about this caliber. Superb hunting round.
If you're going to be shooting it off the bench, get yourself one of the magnum shooting rests ("lead sleds"). It will pay for itself (in comfort) the first time you shoot.
However, in the field, I doubt you'll be able to tell the difference in recoil between it and an ordinary 30-06. I suspect it's bench shooting that makes some people flinch with the rifle.
Get used to the rifle shooting the cheaper Remington stuff. Then make a quick sight adjustment and deer hunt with the 180gr Hornady Softpoint Weatherby Factory rounds. Honestly, there's a lot of deer in one box.
You'll think you have a death ray instead of a rifle
Like a few others I have a Rem Classic in .300 WBY. It is very accuratue with IMR7828 behind 180 partitions or 200 Grain accubonds. It really likes the 200 accubonds the best. Great groups all the way out to 300 yds. Enjoy ,it is a great round.
Posts: 37 | Location: Vancouver, WA | Registered: 05 October 2002
Originally posted by bbruce: I'll start with 180 grain bullets most likely as I have them and some 165's that I use for the 06 and the 308. Anyone use light bullets > then 150's?
If you can handle the .300 Wby, it must rank among the true classics of the .300 class. But it does produce a healthy amount of recoil.
Because of the high velocity, big game hunting bullets for the .300 Wby should be chosen with care. Yes, you will be able to shoot crows with regular 150 grs, or hunt big game at longer distances with regular (cup and core) bullets, but beware if you try big game at short distances. This is where premium bullets come in such as Barnes TSX from 165-180, a 200 grs NP or one of the many the other bullets available which will hold together at high velocity. - mike
********************* The rifle is a noble weapon... It entices its bearer into primeval forests, into mountains and deserts untenanted by man. - Horace Kephart
Posts: 6653 | Location: Switzerland | Registered: 11 March 2002
First shot out of the rifle I was impressed with the recoil ouch!!!!!. But then I just had to shoot it again. Loaded up some 165's NBT's with 70 grains of IMR 4320. Shot a hole straight threw a 14" pine in my back yard. Really big hole at that. My sons thought it was really cool. Can't wait to shoot a whitetail with it next month. I will put it in a lead sled for the final sight in. I don't think I would want to bench shoot often. BB2
When there's lead in the air, there's hope!!!!
Posts: 428 | Location: Ticonderoga NY | Registered: 19 March 2004
I have a Mod. 70 XRT made in 1989, I like 168, but 150s over Rl22 really sings for whitetail sixed deer. I have not shot it since mh heart surgery, but then I have not had the chance to shoot much. The recoil is OK but after a lot of shooting at the range, I get a headach. It also heats up real quick. My Mod 70 is a real beauty, with skip line hand checkering and nice wood. It was a Pawn shop impulse purchase I have not regreted. Judge Sharpe
Is it safe to let for a 58 year old man run around in the woods unsupervised with a high powered rifle?
It's the caliber of the past, into the present and will go well into the future. A lot of shooters down it for it's recoil--but the recoil is not much if you know how to shoot and present the gun to your body--the main reason for some not liking the caliber is because they are trying to catch it but don't know how. It has no peers in the 308 class. Without a doubt a winner by ROY WEATHERBY. Be careful what you point the 300 weatherby mag. at because if you squeeze the trigger the pointed at object is dead or destroyed.
Posts: 1096 | Location: UNITED STATES of AMERTCA | Registered: 29 June 2007
I used my 300 WBY on two trips to Africa and lots of US game. Combined with Nosler 180gr. Partion bullets every head of game drops with one shot in the chest from any direction. I doubt if any of the new calibers in 30 caliber are any better. John
Update: I haven't had so much fun with a gun in along time. I sighted rifle in today and by the last shell I was shooting without a cushion. It does have alot of recoil but I sighted in with a standing rest. I also have the scope set 4" from my eye. I can't wait till I get to shoot something with this rifle. I'm going to have to experiment with some loads this weekend. You guy's are sure right on this round. BB2
When there's lead in the air, there's hope!!!!
Posts: 428 | Location: Ticonderoga NY | Registered: 19 March 2004
Originally posted by bbruce: Update: I haven't had so much fun with a gun in along time. I sighted rifle in today and by the last shell I was shooting without a cushion. It does have alot of recoil but I sighted in with a standing rest. I also have the scope set 4" from my eye. I can't wait till I get to shoot something with this rifle. I'm going to have to experiment with some loads this weekend. You guy's are sure right on this round. BB2
Yep, I suspected you would be having fun with this round... Lot's of boom for sure... Even though deer are light you might want to make sure you use a bullet that can handle the impact velocities that you are looking at... I would be concerned about a BT "blowing up" if it hits anything substantial before getting to any vitals...
Ken....
"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they are ignorant, but that they know so much that isn't so. " - Ronald Reagan
Originally posted by bbruce: Just won a 300 weatherby mag in a raffle. Not to familier with the cartidge. I would like some opinions, I've been pricing brass, it's not to cheap.
Wow! That's a great prize!
IMHO the .300Wby is the next best .300Mag to the original .300H&H.
Posts: 828 | Location: Whitecourt, Alberta | Registered: 10 July 2006
Just to keep the recoil issue in perspective, the 300 Weatherby Magnum is my fathers favorite deer rifle (he occassionally uses his BAR 30-06 for deer, but not often).
You will not shoot to the same point of impact from a Lead Sled as shooting off a benchrest yourself, or for that matter, shooting off a benchrest and from any field position. The recoil moves the rifle significantly while the bullet is still in the bore, and the rifle's support is different in each of these cases. Won't shoot to the same impact if another shooter sights it in for you, for that matter. Practice with it the way you're going to use it before you shoot at live game.
I love my .300 Weatherby Vanguard, BTW. It's a black plastic stocked Wal-mart one, that I put a Boyds' JRS Classic laminate stock taken from a Howa 1500 Deluxe on.
"A cheerful heart is good medicine."
Posts: 1325 | Location: Bristol, Tennessee, USA | Registered: 24 December 2003
I have an original SouthGate 300 Weatherby Deluxe FN, which I bought new when I was 16 years old, a long, long time ago. It has a 4 digit serial number.
My dad took me to Weatherby's SouthGate store and I picked the rifle from a floor rack of "seconds" that had minor flaws either on the stock or the metal. The fact that a 16 year old kid wanted a 300 made such a fuss that Roy Weatherby himself came out from his office and made the sale. I have an old, torn black and white photo of me holding the rifle, along with my Dad and Roy Weatherby.
I have shot all kinds of game with it over the years, from throughout the lower 48, to Alaska to Canada to Africa. Recoil has never bothered me. The stock broke at the grip on a horseback hunt in the Yukon in 1985, but other than that, it has been trouble free and maintains .75 inch accuracy with a variety of reloads to this day.
I have lots of other rifles today, and use them all, but I will be buried with my 300 Weatherby Deluxe.
114-R10David
Posts: 1753 | Location: Prescott, Az | Registered: 30 January 2007
Originally posted by TWL: I have an original SouthGate 300 Weatherby Deluxe FN, which I bought new when I was 16 years old, a long, long time ago. It has a 4 digit serial number.
My dad took me to Weatherby's SouthGate store and I picked the rifle from a floor rack of "seconds" that had minor flaws either on the stock or the metal. The fact that a 16 year old kid wanted a 300 made such a fuss that Roy Weatherby himself came out from his office and made the sale. I have an old, torn black and white photo of me holding the rifle, along with my Dad and Roy Weatherby.
I have shot all kinds of game with it over the years, from throughout the lower 48, to Alaska to Canada to Africa. Recoil has never bothered me. The stock broke at the grip on a horseback hunt in the Yukon in 1985, but other than that, it has been trouble free and maintains .75 inch accuracy with a variety of reloads to this day.
I have lots of other rifles today, and use them all, but I will be buried with my 300 Weatherby Deluxe.
That kind of history would certainly qualify a gun for achieving "PRICELESS" status.
I vote overwhelmingly vote the 300WBY as the cartridge that made Weatherby.
Richocet, that IMHO is the thing to do with a Vanguard Action.
for factory ammo but that's how I've collected my brass...
