What .300WM load for shorter range whitetail?

TacticalReload · September 5, 2002, 12:02 PM

I realize that a .300 Win Mag might a bit too much for PA Whitetail since the deer are usually smaller and the ranges are shorter. So what load would you folks use?

If I was going with a factory load, what weight/type of bullet should I go with?

Also, I will be reloading but I'm not positive that I'll have time to work up a proper load by the time the season is on us since I will just be starting out with this particular caliber/rifle (Remington 700LSS). However, assuming that I do... what bullet/powder combo would you suggest as a good starting point?

Thanks in advance for you help!

Art Eatman · September 5, 2002, 01:51 PM

Handloading, I'd just go by the book's starting load with a 150-grain bullet. That would probably give you a .30-'06 performance.

Commercial, I'd venture the 180-grain bullets are less likely to blow up at close range, and so won't ruin as much meat if you make a bad shot.

If you shoot 'em in the white spot, it won't matter.

, Art

Mannlicher · September 5, 2002, 08:26 PM

For Eastern Deer, I would hand load down to .30/30 performance............... NOT. I would just use a Marlin 336 in the first place.

Zorro · September 5, 2002, 10:19 PM

Handload a 165 grain bullet to 2500 Fps and you will do fine.

Also will shoot flat enough for 300 yards too.

dakotasin · September 6, 2002, 05:22 AM

i think i'd look for the heaviest bullet that my rifle shot accurately. this will bring velocity down some, and hopefully prevent fragmentation.

Dogjaw · September 9, 2002, 07:58 PM

Timing is everything. I was just reading an article in Shooting Times Magazine on terminal performance of hunting bullets (October 2002 issue). The test used a .300 Winchester Magnum using low and high velocity impact into animal glue expansion medium AT 30 FEET. Bullets were all 180 grain. I think this will answer a few questions. Here's some of the results:

High Velocity Impact

Swift A-Frame
impact velocity = 3048 fps
Retained weight = 163 (91%)
Penetration = 12"

Winchester Fail Safe
I V = 3143 fps
Retained weight = 144 (80%)
Penetration = 19"

Barnes X
I V = 3031 fps
Retained Weight = 134 (74%)
Penetration = 18

Nosler Partition
I V = 2923 fps
Retained weight = 123 (68%)
Penetration = 15"

Hornady SP Interlock
I V = 3055 fps
Retained Weight = 104 (58%)
Penetration = 10"

Speer Grand Slam
I V = 3107 fps
Retained Weight = 104 (58%)
Penetration = 10

Sierra Spitzer BT
I V = 3081 fps
Retained Weight = 78 (43%)
Penetration = 9
--------------------------------------------------------
Low Velocity Impact

Swift A-Frame
impact velocity = 1995 fps
Retained weight = 179 (99%)
Penetration = 14"

Winchester Fail Safe
I V = 1997 fps
Retained weight = 180 (100%)
Penetration = 18"

Barnes X
I V = 1930 fps
Retained Weight = 180 (100%)
Penetration = 10

Nosler Partition
I V = 2021 fps
Retained weight = 171 (95%)
Penetration = 14"

Hornady SP Interlock
I V = 1991 fps
Retained Weight = 174 (97%)
Penetration = 12"

Speer Grand Slam
I V = 2010 fps
Retained Weight = 173 (96%)
Penetration = 13

Sierra Spitzer BT
I V = 2017 fps
Retained Weight = 175 (97%)
Penetration = 11

September 5, 2002, 12:02 PM	#1
TacticalReload Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2001 Posts: 119	What .300WM load for shorter range whitetail? I realize that a .300 Win Mag might a bit too much for PA Whitetail since the deer are usually smaller and the ranges are shorter. So what load would you folks use? If I was going with a factory load, what weight/type of bullet should I go with? Also, I will be reloading but I'm not positive that I'll have time to work up a proper load by the time the season is on us since I will just be starting out with this particular caliber/rifle (Remington 700LSS). However, assuming that I do... what bullet/powder combo would you suggest as a good starting point? Thanks in advance for you help! __________________ ------ Steve Fuller [email protected]

September 5, 2002, 08:26 PM	#3
Mannlicher Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2001 Location: North Central Florida & Miami Posts: 3,209	For Eastern Deer, I would hand load down to .30/30 performance............... NOT. I would just use a Marlin 336 in the first place. __________________ Nemo Me Impune Lacesset "The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.".........Ronald Reagan

September 6, 2002, 05:22 AM	#5
dakotasin Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2002 Location: south dakota, U.S.A. Posts: 136	i think i'd look for the heaviest bullet that my rifle shot accurately. this will bring velocity down some, and hopefully prevent fragmentation. __________________ Hunting is not a matter of life or death. It is much more important than that.

September 9, 2002, 07:58 PM	#6
Dogjaw Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2001 Location: S.W. Michigan Posts: 560	Timing is everything. I was just reading an article in Shooting Times Magazine on terminal performance of hunting bullets (October 2002 issue). The test used a .300 Winchester Magnum using low and high velocity impact into animal glue expansion medium AT 30 FEET. Bullets were all 180 grain. I think this will answer a few questions. Here's some of the results: High Velocity Impact Swift A-Frame impact velocity = 3048 fps Retained weight = 163 (91%) Penetration = 12" Winchester Fail Safe I V = 3143 fps Retained weight = 144 (80%) Penetration = 19" Barnes X I V = 3031 fps Retained Weight = 134 (74%) Penetration = 18 Nosler Partition I V = 2923 fps Retained weight = 123 (68%) Penetration = 15" Hornady SP Interlock I V = 3055 fps Retained Weight = 104 (58%) Penetration = 10" Speer Grand Slam I V = 3107 fps Retained Weight = 104 (58%) Penetration = 10 Sierra Spitzer BT I V = 3081 fps Retained Weight = 78 (43%) Penetration = 9 -------------------------------------------------------- Low Velocity Impact Swift A-Frame impact velocity = 1995 fps Retained weight = 179 (99%) Penetration = 14" Winchester Fail Safe I V = 1997 fps Retained weight = 180 (100%) Penetration = 18" Barnes X I V = 1930 fps Retained Weight = 180 (100%) Penetration = 10 Nosler Partition I V = 2021 fps Retained weight = 171 (95%) Penetration = 14" Hornady SP Interlock I V = 1991 fps Retained Weight = 174 (97%) Penetration = 12" Speer Grand Slam I V = 2010 fps Retained Weight = 173 (96%) Penetration = 13 Sierra Spitzer BT I V = 2017 fps Retained Weight = 175 (97%) Penetration = 11 __________________ There are three kinds of men: 1) The ones that learn by reading. 2) The few who learn by observation. 3) The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves..........

September 5, 2002, 01:51 PM	#2
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Handloading, I'd just go by the book's starting load with a 150-grain bullet. That would probably give you a .30-'06 performance. Commercial, I'd venture the 180-grain bullets are less likely to blow up at close range, and so won't ruin as much meat if you make a bad shot. If you shoot 'em in the white spot, it won't matter. , Art

September 5, 2002, 10:19 PM	#4
Zorro Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2000 Posts: 1,072	Handload a 165 grain bullet to 2500 Fps and you will do fine. Also will shoot flat enough for 300 yards too.