I just checked out the Win. ballisics for their Fail-safe 180-grain load. It shows a MV of 2880 FPS, something a handloader can equal with a .30/'06! Therefore, if I owned a .300 H&H, I'd handload for it because it is possible to safely come very close to equalling the .300 Win. Mag. with the .300 H&H.



Yes, the 200-grain bullets, if of the correct configuration, will retain more downrange velocity and energy than a 180, but the advantage is only significant at ranges of 400 yards and beyond. 180-grain bullets are fine.



If I anticipate shooting at ranges beyond 300 yards, I zero my rifle to be 3" high at 200. This puts me dead-on at 275 yards or so, and gives me a point-blank range on game the size of elk of about 360 yards, depending on the MV and BC of the load I'm using. A zero of +3" @ 200 yards is a good zero for the .300 Magnums using 180-200 grain bullets. A lot of people zero at 100 yards, which is OK if you are NEVER LIKELY to get a shot at anything past that, but if you hunt in terrain where you can get shots at anywhere from 25 to 300 yards, you'll undershoot at long range. After a bullet drops below the point of aim, drop rate almost doubles compared to drop prior to dropping below the line of sight.

I just picked up a pre'64 m70 in .300H&H left hand converted, griffin and howe q/r side scope mount w/ the original 4x scope. I'm not a firearms historian but I know I'd never see it's like again so I went for it. The .300 H&H is a fairly unusual round...I read in Col. Boddington's "Safari Rifles" that it is considered a handloader's cartridge so my question is does anyone know of any firm producing high quality factory ammo or do I need to start to reload? Anyone own the caliber and have some info on it to share?

I handload everything these days, but my suggestion would be to try the Winchester 180 grain failsafe. It is an excellent bullet design and the cost is reasonable for factory loaded.

You NEED to handload, but of course, that applies to ANY caliber! However, ballistically, the .300 H&H will benefit from handloading, because the factory loads are somewhat shy of what this cartridge is capable of, using modern powders! The margin of underloading is not as marked as with the 7X57 or 8X57, but it is there nonetheless.

Congrats on the new rifle. It's said that every rifle is an individual. My buddies M70 XTR shoots WW factory 300 HH ammo very well and my pre 64 will not. So try factory loads first.

Maybe this will get you handloading. It's really a very interesting hobby.

Don't get it rechambered please.

I've got one and played around with it a little. What impresses me the most is how well it feeds. Mine's not a worked over pre-64 but a classic that was rebarreled when new.

On the velocity issue, my understanding is you can push the lighter bullets as fast as the WinMag, But when you get into the heavier bullets the WinMag and the Weatherby start to out shine the old H&H.

I just don't understand how the WinMag could make this fine round obsolete so fast. Must have been some mighty fine marketing back in 62 They tell me lots and lots of folks took thier old H&H's down and had them rebarreled when the WinMag came out.

Terry

It is an inherently accurate round that significantly downloaded by ammo makers in the 50s, but like anotehr poster said, let's not get carreid away. With good handloads, you can get a little over 3000 fps and that's about it. I love the round. I have a pre-war pre-64 that shoots just about any handload I feed through it. I think you found a real beauty. jorge

I have 2 Winchester Model 70's in 300 H&H. Federal and Winchester only offer one load each; 180 grain bullets at 2880 ft/sec mv. Not much better than standard .30-06 IMO. If you do not reload, take a look at the offerings from Conley Precision Cartridge, Quality Cartridge, or Safari Arms. Their loads give the old girl a lot more pep. Where the .300 H&H really shines is with handloads using bullets in the 180 to 220 grain range. It can easily be made to exceed the mv of the .300 Win Mag and approach that of the .300 Weatherby while using a lot less powder than either. It is a very efficient cartridge.

If you can handload, I would, otherwise the factory stuff shoots just fine. Problem is it's pricey. The Winchester and Federal ammo for the 300 H&H are both their premium lines and it's expensive. The last box of Federals I bought with 180 gr. Nosler Protected Points was about $35-$40 and it was pretty puny too. Chronographed around 2750 out of a 24" barrel. I can get 3000 fps. out of the same gun with the same bullet with handloads.

Congrats on the find. The .300h&h has always interested me. Maybe I need one to go w/ my .404. Definetly a handloader if you want the best perf., but you need another hobby anyway right?

200yds is a good zero for the H&H. I've always been partial to 180gr bullets in the .308 magnums. Mine seems to like the 180gr Hornady round nose bullets with about 69gr of H4831.

Terry

I really appreciate the responses, thank you all very much. It's REAL hard to find a decent left handed anything so I'm always looking. I only have access to a 50/100/200 yd range the ballistics for the ammo I've looked at seem to call for a 200yd zero...is that where I should start with this rifle? Are the 200+ grain bullets good performers at longer ranges(250+)? I generally shoot 160+ grain rounds from my 7mm rem mag, I've never run anything lighter through it nor have I fired at anything further away than 200yds but I like the heavy bullets. My rifle is a completely stock Rem 700. BTW My longest shot in the field was probably in the 100yd range w/ a 30-30 many moons past. All my hunting lately is w/ a shotgun for deer, turkey and upland game I'm just recently getting back to my rifles. Thanks again.

Gerhart, you are correct-for factory ammo in both calibers. A handloader can get up to 2900 FPS with a 180 grain, and at least 2700 with a 200 grain, in the .30/'06 using powders like RE 22 or H4831! The Winchester factory .300 H&H load, using the CT 180-grain Failsafe bullet, is rated at 2880 FPS. A handloader can reach over 3000 FPS with a 180-grain bullet in the .300 H&H using the powders we have today.