I'm not new to the Browning A-Bolt, own a 270, 375 & 325 WSM, just recently purchased a 300 Win Mag.

At the range today, the 165 grain Federal Premium shot poorly.

The Winchester Super X power point 180 grain shot pretty well, maybe 1/2 - 1 inch at 100 yards.

The Federal Premium Safari, 200 grain ammo shot very well, but about 4-5 inches higher than the 180 grain ammo.

I've come to learn that the heavier grain bullet most always hits higher . . . that's just what happens.

My question is what factory ammo runs best in your Browning A-Bolt 300 Win Mag?

The composite stock is glass bedded at the recoil lug, my gunsmith is going to glass bed the rear contact point and leave the barrel free floating - how is your rifle bedded?

A muzzle break is in order - I like the one Roger Bounds in Oklahoma patented - different looking, but works well.

Any other modifications - enhancements to increase accuracy would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Mine groups well with 150 grain Hornady, even better with 180 grain Federal Premium. It has a Boss system - nice for tuning factory ammo, but a PITA when trying to find a good handload. The muzzle brake really minimizes recoil, but the noise is unbearble without major ear protection.

One more thing, the Federal Premiums that group well in mine are 180 grain Nosler partitions

Mine is pretty accurate, but I had load mine.. from light stuff to heavier than you can buy stuff...

NOT as accurate as my 338 Win Mag A Bolt.. but plenty accurate to have nothing to complain about..

I have both the factory synthetic stock, and a Boyd's Thumbhole Stock for my 300 Mag...

You are going to want to get rid of the factory Browning bedding job at the recoil lug. It is a cheap mushy rubber compound.

Also don't know how much a gunsmith charges to bed a rifle, but if you have some release agent, or wax, you can bed your own rifle for $10.00 with some Marine epoxy or JB Weld.

If I can do it, you can do it.

Thanks for the heads up on the bedding job - mine must have been re-worked with hard glass, and my gunsmith is going to bed the rear portion where its bolted to the stock also.

Took it to the range and was getting nice groups with Winchester Super X 180 grain loads, and excellent - i.e. 1/2 moa at 100 yards with the Federal Premium Safari 200 grain loads.

Also getting a good muzzle break.

I Have a 300 RUM and I didn't have to do anything to. I took to Africa and took 4 animals with it

I like the Hornady 165gr interbond. the factory loads shoot very accurately in my rifle.

I get 1 1/2" groups at 100 yds with Federal Premium 180 gr Nosler Accubonds. I have also had acceptable results with Remington 200 gr Swift A-frames.

My A-Bolt 300WM likes 180 and 200 gr bullets. Because the rifle kicks hard, I didn't shoot well until I started using a Past Recoil Shield. The Shield works well for me at the range for the 300s and 45/70.

I was going to put a recoil pad on but now I don't think I need it.

Make sure you have a good scope with lots of eye relief. Have fun!

quote:

Originally posted by seafire2:
Mine is pretty accurate, but I had load mine.. from light stuff to heavier than you can buy stuff...

NOT as accurate as my 338 Win Mag A Bolt.. but plenty accurate to have nothing to complain about..

My experience pretty much duplicates Seafire's with a .300 A-Bolt. I have a .338 A-Bolt that is supremely accurate. When I bought a .300 Mag in the same gun (Stalker), I had a rough time finding a load that shot well. I finally ended up with a 180 grain Nosler partition over IMR 4350 powder was the best. The funny thing is that my .338 load is a 210 partition at 3050 fps. The best load for the .300 Mag was a 180 Partition also at 3050 fps. I found that fact pretty interesting that they both were most accurate at the same velocity.

Do you know what the twist rate is? Not sure what Browning puts in the 300 Win...but if the heavier bullets are grouping better, might as well stick with them!

I have no experience with the Win Mag, but I had a 300 WSM, and it shot the 180's a whole lot better then the 165's (which were still pretty dang good). Power Points were actually VERY accurate.

Get a brake thats removable, practice with it, then unscrew it when you're hunting. You practice with hearing protection anyways, so no downsides.

quote:

Originally posted by MileHighShooter:
Do you know what the twist rate is? Not sure what Browning puts in the 300 Win...but if the heavier bullets are grouping better, might as well stick with them!

I have no experience with the Win Mag, but I had a 300 WSM, and it shot the 180's a whole lot better then the 165's (which were still pretty dang good). Power Points were actually VERY accurate.

Get a brake thats removable, practice with it, then unscrew it when you're hunting. You practice with hearing protection anyways, so no downsides.

Browning 300wm barrels are 1:10"

I shot a bull moose in 2007 with 200 gr TSX and the bullet didn't exit. My first recovered bullet. Barnes advised me to step down to 180 gr TSX to gain speed and therefore deeper penetration. Not sure I am totally convinced.

I always shoot the heaviest bullet for each calibre providing my rifle likes them. I will leave the 180gr for my 308.

Man I really appreciate all this input and experience . . . sincerely.

Danny Boy - Barnes says that because monometal bullets are long for caliber. Put a 180gr Barnes TSX next to....well, any normal 200gr bullet, same length. Just like a Barnes 165, would be the same length as a cup and core 180gr bullet.

quote:

Originally posted by MileHighShooter:
Danny Boy - Barnes says that because monometal bullets are long for caliber. Put a 180gr Barnes TSX next to....well, any normal 200gr bullet, same length. Just like a Barnes 165, would be the same length as a cup and core 180gr bullet.

I am staying with the 200gr TSX for 300WM. It worked - one shot one kill (bull was quartering away) and dropped within 10 feet. There is no reason to change.

For years I hunted with Partition. In 2007, the notion of lead bullets fragment effects got my head and I developed TSX loads for my hunting rifles. So far I am reasonably happy with the results.

Cheers!

I have a 300 WM in a stainless stalker. I've always found I need a 180 gr mininmum to get best results. The trade off becomes as the distances get longer. For me the winchester xp3 in 180 is all I use. I shoot sub 1 inch groups consistantly and the bullets work great. Why mess with what works.