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200, 200+ Grain Bullets in 300 Mags for Hunting

snake284snake284 Posts: 22,429 Senior Member
I have a load for my 300 WBY with both or either a 180 grain Sierra Game King or a Hornady Interlock bullets. I don't remember the powder charge but that's with RL-25 powder and a CCI Mag Primer and it exits the muzzle at right at 3200 FPS

I also have a Rem. 700 SPS 30-06 that I have a load of 200 Grain Sierra Game King over 56.5 grains of IMR 4831 with a Winchester LR Primer which gives me 2600+FPS out the barrel. I have killed a hog at a range approaching 200 yards with it and she never moved in any direction but straight down when the bullet hit it in the rear and came out the front. It appears to be a very good hunting round and I believe it would work great for elk and other larger game.

But now I'm thinking to try and switch bullets and try a 200 grain in the 300. My Speer No. 9 Manual lists a 200 grain bullet at right at 3000 FPS out of the Weatherby. That's smoking speed in my book for such a big bullet. Do you think 20 grains more bullet would be worth while? Or should I stick with the 180 grain bullet at 3200 FPS?
Daddy, what's an enabler?
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.

Replies

  • JayhawkerJayhawker Posts: 18,364 Senior Member
    Look at the 208 grain AMAX...a solid performer out of my .300 WM
    Sharps Model 1874 - "The rifle that made the west safe for Winchester"
  • BigDanSBigDanS Posts: 6,992 Senior Member
    A 180 gr bullet at 3200 fps will give you 4094 FPE, while a 200 gr bullet at 3000 fps will give you 3998 FPE.

    At those speeds I think a better question is will your bullet deform too much or too little. I have a 30-06 load with a 180 Hornady Interlock that left a bit of lead in my last pig and lost about 1/2 it's weight . That bullet was doing about 2700 FPS when it hit a 145 lb sow.

    180grscale_zps58d4622c.jpg

    If you were hunting elk, moose or bear, perhaps it would be a consideration. I bet the 180 gr Interlocks almost explode on impact at those energies.

    IMHO

    D
    "A patriot is mocked, scorned and hated; yet when his cause succeeds, all men will join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." Mark Twain
    Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.... now who's bringing the hot wings? :jester:
  • ZeeZee Posts: 28,456 Senior Member
    I run 208gr A-Max out of my .300 Remington Ultra Mag. Shot a doe with it this past season. Worked like a champ. Shocker, I know. But, the A-Max is a wonderful hunting bullet.
    "To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
  • ZeeZee Posts: 28,456 Senior Member
    "To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
  • jbohiojbohio Posts: 5,619 Senior Member
    If tough critters are on the menu, 200gr Accubond works very well for me. Stepping along at 3150 out of my RUM.
  • kansashunterkansashunter Posts: 1,917 Senior Member
    IIRC you have a mark 5 wby so it might be completely different but I tried 200 gr. accubonds in my 300 wby (vanguard) and it did not like them. I finally found an acceptable load but would have switched if I had time before the hunting trip.
  • snake284snake284 Posts: 22,429 Senior Member
    IIRC you have a mark 5 wby so it might be completely different but I tried 200 gr. accubonds in my 300 wby (vanguard) and it did not like them. I finally found an acceptable load but would have switched if I had time before the hunting trip.

    I've never had a problem with penetration from Sierra Game Kings and they are very reasonably accurate. That's not my issue here. I was just wondering if I should try the 200 grain Game Kings in the 300 WBY is all.

    I see what you're saying about the Accubonds in your rifle. I really wasn't thinking to switch from the Game Kings because I have had excellent luck with these bullets throught the years. If I tried the 200 grain Game King and it wasn't satisfactory accuracy wise, then I might try different brands. But, I am the type to stick with something that has worked and if it fails to deliver, I can always try other brands of bullets.
    Daddy, what's an enabler?
    Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.
  • BigslugBigslug Posts: 9,875 Senior Member
    The 180 grain Barnes TTSX would be ideal for what you're planning - you get the flat trajectory of the lighter weight, and being an expanding solid copper slug that isn't sloughing off soft lead as it drives through, they penetrate like a heavier weight class.
    WWJMBD?

    "Nothing is safe from stupid." - Zee
  • snake284snake284 Posts: 22,429 Senior Member
    Bigslug wrote: »
    The 180 grain Barnes TTSX would be ideal for what you're planning - you get the flat trajectory of the lighter weight, and being an expanding solid copper slug that isn't sloughing off soft lead as it drives through, they penetrate like a heavier weight class.

    Interesting. Strictly out of curousity in the past I've thought about trying me some Barnes so I might give it a whirl. I have a Barnes bullet book too courtesy of one of my sons. I've never played with Barnes but I think I'll order me 50 of these to try. Thanks Bigslug.
    Daddy, what's an enabler?
    Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.
  • MileHighShooterMileHighShooter Posts: 4,997 Senior Member
    Well you already have the bullets, the powder, and the cases....give it a shot. I have never seen the need to go above 180 with any 300's, but some people swear by them. I saw the hurtin' that 200gr Accubond put on a bull elk with my own eyes. But I've also seen a few fall down just as fast (one DRT) with 165 bullets from a 300. Not sure what level of DEAD you're trying to achieve, but heck you just might find the sweet spot with that gun and produce sub MOA groups with it. I'd rather find the most accurate load then try to figure out weight is going to be best.
  • MileHighShooterMileHighShooter Posts: 4,997 Senior Member
    snake284 wrote: »
    Interesting. Strictly out of curousity in the past I've thought about trying me some Barnes so I might give it a whirl. I have a Barnes bullet book too courtesy of one of my sons. I've never played with Barnes but I think I'll order me 50 of these to try. Thanks Bigslug.

    Many, MANY 300 Wby shooters swear by the 180gr Barnes/RL-22 combo. How many do you need to do some test loads? They ain't cheap that's for sure.
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