Stole a post-64 M70 XTR for 330$! Wasnt the caliber, rifle or stock/finish (semi-gloss with amazing grain and sharp blue) but hey, for the price who wouldnt jump on that? I have brass and dies on the way, now just need to start researching loads and get this lil darling to the range. Put a Nikon Monarch 3-12x42 BDC scope on it. It'll be my main elk rifle. Anyone got some suggestions for load combos? I've always prefered 165's for the flatter trajectory and because I only draw cow tags.

quote:

I've always prefered 165's for the flatter trajectory and because I only draw cow tags.

You didn't need a .300 WBy to do that......a .308 would have done that as well.

Find some 180 or 200 accubonds and some RL-22 for a send off. The trajectory will surprise you

quote:

Stole a post-64 M70 XTR for 330$!

Yes you did.....congratulations.....it's one helluva rifle!

Here's some loads I've ginned up & used with good accuracy & game taking results. Like yourself I prefer 165 grain .308" bullets, too. They were all shot out of a Sauer 202.

165 gr. Nosler Partition, R-P Nickel Brass, Federal 215M, 85.2 grs. H-4831SC, OAL 3.66"
165 gr. Sierra HPBT GameKing R-P Nickel Brass, Federal 215M, 84.0 grs. H-4831SC OAL 3.60"
165 gr. Sierra HPBT GameKing R-P Nickel Brass, Federal 215M, 82.0 grs. VV N-160, OAL .360"
168 gr. CT Ballistic Silvertip R-P Nickel Brass, Federal 215M, 84.0 grs. H-4831SC OAL 3.66"

Have fun and; as always the usual caveats apply - be careful & work up.

In black timber for elk, I use Nosler 200 gr. Partitions...and have done so for 50 years.

In all other situations, I use 180 gr. Nosler Partitions, backed by 83 grains of H-4831. That is 3.0 grains over max in many books, so I most certainly do not recommend it to anyone else for any of their rifles. (Mine has a late 1940's Weatherby free-bore. It shows no pressure signs in mine, which is a pre-'64 Model 70 re-chambered by Roy Weatherby himself.)

I would say, however, that I suspect 78 grains of H-4831 and the Nosler 180 partition would be safe in most .300 Wby rifles I've encountered, and I know several people locally who are using 80 grains in theirs. For a rifle new to me, I'd start at 75.0 grains H-4831 and work up. Takes longer and is more expensive in powder, bullets, and time, but is far safer and more informative than taking any load from any other source of info, no matter who or where.

I think you'll like the cartridge. Good luck with it and your shooting.

Man does that baby ever burn powder!!!

Congrats on a good snag.

I picked up a Model 70 Classic Sporter earlier in the summer. It's a .300 Wby too. It came with a 4x12 Swift (came off immediately) for $500. Couldn't pass the deal up. I've yet to shoot it. I topped it with an older 6x18 Burris I had here. A couple nights ago I stuck a handful each of 168 gr. Match Kings over R-22 and 180 gr. Grand Slams over IMR-7828. Thought I was gonna get to loosen it up over the weekend........but no.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

quote:

I've always prefered 165's for the flatter trajectory and because I only draw cow tags.

You didn't need a .300 WBy to do that......a .308 would have done that as well.

Find some 180 or 200 accubonds and some RL-22 for a send off. The trajectory will surprise you

quote:

Stole a post-64 M70 XTR for 330$!

Yes you did.....congratulations.....it's one helluva rifle!

Forgot to mention 1 thing, the shots presented where I hunt are often considered "long range" to most hunters, 300+ seems to be the norm. Closest I've shot so far was about 250. I'm also a shoulder shooter, chasing game in my area is hell lol Hence, the magnum. Plus, it was 300$!!! *high fives all around*

Oh thanks everyone for the suggestions! Between this board and the other I frequent I'm getting a lot of suggestions for 4831 and RL22, guess they're popular choices for good reason. Can't wait to get started

I've used my .300 quite a bit on big moose here and been very happy with it. It thumps the big boys quite nicely.

Not for any particular reason I'd recommend the heavier bullets than the 165g. I use the 180g and up Barnes bullets and am very happy. I suspect you'll find the heavy bullets flat shooting in that cartridge so your longer range shooting should be fine. I hope you lke eating elk. That rig will bring them to the freezer.

My condolences...

A friend uses Nosler 165gr Solid Base bullets (he has a large supply & bought many of the Nosler 2nds I told him about when Nosler was making solid base bullets for federal ) his german made 300 Weatherby & IMR 4831 for elk,mule deer & black bear.

If you can shoot well enough to discern the difference in trajectory of a 165gn vs a 180grn at 300yds... you won't care.

For the most part 180s are more wind resistant but pay attention to ballistic coefficients.

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Originally posted by MileHighShooter:
Stole a post-64 M70 XTR for 330$! Wasnt the caliber, rifle or stock/finish (semi-gloss with amazing grain and sharp blue) but hey, for the price who wouldnt jump on that? I have brass and dies on the way, now just need to start researching loads and get this lil darling to the range. Put a Nikon Monarch 3-12x42 BDC scope on it. It'll be my main elk rifle. Anyone got some suggestions for load combos? I've always prefered 165's for the flatter trajectory and because I only draw cow tags.

The 300 Wby will do the job for sure. I prefer heavier bullets for elk however. I use the 180 grain Barness TSX or TTSXs for my '06. Partitions, Barnes or any other premium bullet in a 300 Wby would be prefered. I'll be using a 338-378 Wby this year for cow elk myself with the 225 grain TTSXs. One thing you are going to want to know before loading for this cartridge is whether the rifle has the classic Weatherby freebore or not. If not, you'll hit max pressure long before you think you would.

Ken....

quote:

Originally posted by Heat:
One thing you are going to want to know before loading for this cartridge is whether the rifle has the classic Weatherby freebore or not. If not, you'll hit max pressure long before you think you would.

Ken....

HEAD THIS ADVICE! This is absolutely correct and no joke!

An excellent point Ken.

The 300 wby is my elk round. I shoot handloaded 200 grain Nosler partitions from mine. Works great! This is from last October in Colorado. I shot him from the top of the bowl. He only went a few paces before dropping.

For maximum velocity from the .300 Wby, I recommend IMR 7828. In My Remington 700 (Limited Classic) 300 Wby with its 24 in barrel, using IMR 7828 I get 3200+ f.p.s. with 180 grain bullets, and 3000+ fps with 200 gr bullets.

I think the optimum powder for the 300 Wby is Reloader 22. It gives a bit less top velocity, but better accuracy, at least in my rifle.

The best combination I ever found for the 300 Wby is the 200 gr. Nosler Accubond and RL22. I would not hesitate to use that load on anything native to North America, and almost everything in the world except for elephant and Cape buffalo.

nice bull Iron Buck! what area did you nab him from? that backround shot looks like perfect elk country. i'll see if i can find some good pics of my area, from the looks of it I probably hunt about 1500ft above you, most of our hunts are right at timberline or slightly above

Thanks for the tip on the freebore! I didn't even think about that one. I've got a feeling its not a freebore however, seeing as its not a Weatherby made rifle

they usually have the freebore, even if its not a Weatherby rifle.

just measure OAL when the bullet is seated to touch the rifling.
when i do that with a 200 partition, i get an OAL of roughly 101mm/3.98"
that rifle is a Mark V and has the freebore.

I'll have to check when my reloading stuff gets here for it, but looking from the breech it sure doesnt look like theres any freebore

quote:

Originally posted by MileHighShooter:
nice bull Iron Buck! what area did you nab him from? that backround shot looks like perfect elk country. i'll see if i can find some good pics of my area, from the looks of it I probably hunt about 1500ft above you, most of our hunts are right at timberline or slightly above

I hunt public land in unit 74 &75. BEAUTIFUL country. Here are some more pics. This area is right around 11,000' I think. I'd have to check my topo to be sure. Won't be long til I am out there again I actually left my 300 wby with a friend in Colorado so I do not have to fly with it.



Vie from where I shot this bull from.....this pic was taken 2 years ago. Lots of snow!



My bull from 2 years ago. Shot this one in the same bowl, but with an 06.



Another view of last years bull.....I'd take one like him every year if I could!




Last year my buddy & I took bulls. 2 guys in camp...2 bulls. LOTs of meat packing. But it was worth it.



Here was one of my 200 grain partitions that I recovered. It was my finishing shot. Went in justabove the tail & raked all the way into the heart lung area. The 300 wby sure does penitrate!