Too make a long story short I made some loads up for a friend to try out of his savage 300 WSM and it shot 165gr bullets better than it did 180gr and we came up with a great load for it with a 165gr Partition.Some guys at the range told him it wouldn't be enough bullet for elk/moose and I told him either animal wouldn't know the difference between getting hit with a 165gr or 180gr bullet and to stick with what the gun shoots best and his max distance he would shoot out to is 300 yrds.I think he's good to go whats everone else's thought's on this?
300 WSM 165gr partition
- Thread starter tecumseh
- Start date
- Nov 4, 2004
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tecumseh
Welcome to the forum.
The 165 gr PT is more than enough for elk and moose! You may lack some penetration on hard quartering shots but it is enough to get the job done!
FWIW, most range experts are legends in their own minds. If you don't believe me, just ask one of them! :wink:
JD338
Welcome to the forum.
The 165 gr PT is more than enough for elk and moose! You may lack some penetration on hard quartering shots but it is enough to get the job done!
FWIW, most range experts are legends in their own minds. If you don't believe me, just ask one of them! :wink:
JD338
6mm Remington
Ammo Smith
- Feb 27, 2006
- 5,276
- 708
+1 with JD338. The 165 gr. will work fine. That is the only bullet weight I load in my 30-06 in either the Partition form or the AccuBond. Both have worked exceptionally well and will be perfect for elk. That's a great bullet weight for the 300 WSM in my humble opinion, and if it were me and my 300 WSM did not shoot the 180's, but set the house on fire with the 165's, that is what I would use as well.
Your friend will be very satisified with them!
David
Your friend will be very satisified with them!
David
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,523
- 6,566
The 130 grain E-Tip from the 270 WSM will take down a moose right smartly. I can testify to that fact.
If this works (and it does), then you may be assured that a 165 Partition will work very well on moose. Likewise, a 165 grain Partition from a 300 WSM will drop an elk very quickly.
To echo Jims comment,
If this works (and it does), then you may be assured that a 165 Partition will work very well on moose. Likewise, a 165 grain Partition from a 300 WSM will drop an elk very quickly.
To echo Jims comment,
. Too many people are quick to offer opinions on things they have never done.
Both my 300 WSM rifles are shooting 168 grain Barnes TSX bullets and I would not hesitate in the least to take on a bull elk with them.
I prefer the 180 Partitions, but if my gun shot 165's better, that is what I would go with. Oddly enough, I have tried 165 grain Partitions in a number of 300 magnums (Winchesters, Weatherbys, WSM's) but none of them shot them well at all.
I tried the 168 Barnes just because of the stupid CA laws, and they shot great for me in several 300 magnums. You told your buddy the right thing, shoot what your gun prefers. Heck I know a guy who shot a bunch of elk with great success using 150 grain Sierra spitzers in a 300 Wby Mag. All comes down to shot placement.
I prefer the 180 Partitions, but if my gun shot 165's better, that is what I would go with. Oddly enough, I have tried 165 grain Partitions in a number of 300 magnums (Winchesters, Weatherbys, WSM's) but none of them shot them well at all.
I tried the 168 Barnes just because of the stupid CA laws, and they shot great for me in several 300 magnums. You told your buddy the right thing, shoot what your gun prefers. Heck I know a guy who shot a bunch of elk with great success using 150 grain Sierra spitzers in a 300 Wby Mag. All comes down to shot placement.
Like R flowers, I personaly like the 180gr PT in the 300's but see no reason why the 165's wouln't work as well. The 180 PT does not shoot as well as other bullets in my 300 but to kill elk or moose at reasonible ranges one does not need tiny little groups, a min of elk or a moose is a big area. Welcome to the forum.
BalisticsNut
Beginner
- Oct 29, 2010
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- 0
Curious on the loads for that 165gr PT. I would have to agree with others on this post about the capabilities of the round depending on the manufacturer. Mostly curious though, that your rifle shoots 165gr better than a 180 gr.
Are you handloading? If so, what is your formula?
I ask because my rifle does not like 165gr at all. But I can shoot the hell out of 168gr and 180gr. I have yet to do a complete ladder test of 165 gr to prove my own theory but its on my list of things to do once the weather changes.
Are you handloading? If so, what is your formula?
I ask because my rifle does not like 165gr at all. But I can shoot the hell out of 168gr and 180gr. I have yet to do a complete ladder test of 165 gr to prove my own theory but its on my list of things to do once the weather changes.
I echo what Jim and Mike say, I would have 0 reservations with a 165gr PT in any 30 caliber for elk or moose. Can't see why someone would say they wouldn't be enough? That is just crazy to me. 30-30's have killed a ton of them with their 170gr plain old copper and lead bullets! I think you took great care of your buddy and if they shoot well, he is much better off. Scotty
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DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,523
- 6,566
tecumseh,
There is a wealth of ignorance parading as intelligence at most gun ranges. Tragically, these bastions of brilliance get their education from the refugees from a yard sale that work the gun counters of too many retail stores.
There is a wealth of ignorance parading as intelligence at most gun ranges. Tragically, these bastions of brilliance get their education from the refugees from a yard sale that work the gun counters of too many retail stores.
Richracer1
Handloader
- May 12, 2005
- 2,141
- 121
tecumseh":1gi9nq6w said:
Me and friend of mine at the VAFB Gun Club use to identify them as "Sexual Intellectuals". If you want the gutter version of this let me know and I'll PM you with it.
In addition I had one of them "Sexual Intellectuals" tell me my 243 Win loaded with 100gn solid base bullets wasn't enough for them little CA blacktail deer. I just looked at him and came up with some excuse to get back to what I was doing.
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