I have a Browning 300 WSM that shoots Hornady 150gr Interbonds into a clover leaf. Here’s my dilemma. Interbonds are no more and my gun does not like the Accubonds. I need to start working on a new load for deer, but don’t want to buy a bullet that won’t hold up to the 300 WSM velocities at close range. Will the Nosler Hunting Ballistic Tip withstand bone impact at ~3200 fps? Thank you in advance for your input. BASSHAWK
300 WSM Bullet question
- Thread starter BASSHAWK
- Start date
- Nov 4, 2004
- 26,616
- 12,464
I'd give the 150 gr BT a try. My buddy uses them in a 300 Win Mag and they flatten deer. You might also consider the 165 gr BT/ AB/ SB or the 168 gr BT.
JD338
JD338
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 38,029
- 7,970
I developed loads on thirty plus 300 WSMs, including a couple of my own. My "go to" load for testing sent 180 grain HDY SP downrange. The bullet always gave results rated from acceptable to excellent. I agree with Jim on trying the BT. It will deliver what you need on deer. For deer-size game, about any of the 150 to 168 grain pills can give you fine performance.
Blkram
Handloader
- Nov 25, 2013
- 3,275
- 3,959
If for deer only, just about any 150 gr cup and core bullet is going to perform fine for you, if your rifle likes the load you develop; Sierra SGK and GameChangers, Hornady Interlocks and SST's, Remington Corelokts, Speer Hot Cors, etc. I have used some of these out of the 300 WSM and other faster cartridges (7MM Rem Mag and STW), with reliable on-game performance (deer, mtn sheep, mtn goats, black bears)...even at ranges as close as 5 to 35 yards.
There a also a host of other bonded and monometal 150 gr bullets for you to try too; Swift Sciroccos, Barnes TTSX, Nosler E-Tips, Hornady CX, Tipped Fusions, Speer Deep Curls, etc.
As mentioned above, you could also look at 165/168 gr bullets too. And with the bonded or monometal bullets, may be a better choice if you are looking for more reliable controlled expansion due to velocity at short distances.
I typically use 180 gr bullets in my 300 WSM as I hunt deer on up to elk with this rifle, and often use other less powerful cartridges on deer only. (But my average shot distance on all big game over the last 38 years is just 132 yards)
A question would be what is the typical range at which you shoot deer, and/or the distance you may be required to shoot on longer shot opportunities where you typically hunt deer?
The average accepted retained energy of any bullet required to cleanly harvest deer sized game is 1,000 ft.lbs. This means that the 300 WSM is capable of cleanly taking deer out to a great distance with this level of retained energy (with several different bullet weights).
In the end, find a bullet that will give you the performance you are looking for, that will shoot accurately in your rifle.
And only experimenting will let you determine what that bullet will be.
After that, sight in and go forth hunting!
There a also a host of other bonded and monometal 150 gr bullets for you to try too; Swift Sciroccos, Barnes TTSX, Nosler E-Tips, Hornady CX, Tipped Fusions, Speer Deep Curls, etc.
As mentioned above, you could also look at 165/168 gr bullets too. And with the bonded or monometal bullets, may be a better choice if you are looking for more reliable controlled expansion due to velocity at short distances.
I typically use 180 gr bullets in my 300 WSM as I hunt deer on up to elk with this rifle, and often use other less powerful cartridges on deer only. (But my average shot distance on all big game over the last 38 years is just 132 yards)
A question would be what is the typical range at which you shoot deer, and/or the distance you may be required to shoot on longer shot opportunities where you typically hunt deer?
The average accepted retained energy of any bullet required to cleanly harvest deer sized game is 1,000 ft.lbs. This means that the 300 WSM is capable of cleanly taking deer out to a great distance with this level of retained energy (with several different bullet weights).
In the end, find a bullet that will give you the performance you are looking for, that will shoot accurately in your rifle.
And only experimenting will let you determine what that bullet will be.
After that, sight in and go forth hunting!
Last edited:
300WSM
Handloader
- Dec 24, 2011
- 1,293
- 908
YES..
I can attest and my crew I hunt with all use the WSM ..300 of course....
And it begins and ends with the 180 ballistic tip.
I personally use the ballistic silvertip as it reduces fouling for me.
Rather....
It makes it easier to remove the fouling is a better way to put it.
They work great on the PA whitetail!!
25 yards or the last one I shot was 468 yards.
Took 6 steps and was all over.
We run those 180's @ 3060-3100 fps pending who's rifle...
No pressure signs and they group great.
One model 70 of ours can no longer hold the group it once did after about 800-900 rounds through it...
But at one time that rifle was a 5 shot inside a nickel sized hole group all day long.
Imr 4831
Imr 4350
Both work ridiculously well in the accuracy part.
Reloader 17 is almost as accurate and quicker. (A problem to obtain at present. Thankfully I have two gallons remaining. )
Good luck
- Thread starter
- #6
Thanks for all of the replies and information. I have another load with 150 Barnes TSX bullets that shoot great as well. I really developed that one to take elk hunting, if I ever get to go. I’ll start looking at some of the other options mentioned for deer and see what develops. BASSHAWK
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 18,159
- 8,016
Great suggestions above. The 300 WSM has a lot of velocity potential. I see two ways to make sure the bullets do well on game at modest range:
1) Go with a no-lead bullet like your Barnes TSX, Nosler E-Tip or Hornady CX. They hold up very well to high velocity impacts.
2) Slow the velocity of conventional jacketed bullets by increasing bullet weight. Bump up to a 180 grain bullet, or at least a 165. You'll get lower velocity and better bullet performance on game at modest range.
I sold my 300 WSM to focus on the 30-06 again, but sometimes I miss that 300 WSM, it was a good rifle and cartridge. Best of luck to you!
Regards, Guy
1) Go with a no-lead bullet like your Barnes TSX, Nosler E-Tip or Hornady CX. They hold up very well to high velocity impacts.
2) Slow the velocity of conventional jacketed bullets by increasing bullet weight. Bump up to a 180 grain bullet, or at least a 165. You'll get lower velocity and better bullet performance on game at modest range.
I sold my 300 WSM to focus on the 30-06 again, but sometimes I miss that 300 WSM, it was a good rifle and cartridge. Best of luck to you!
Regards, Guy
TXbaldhunter
Handloader
- May 12, 2007
- 418
- 384
I've only used 150gr Nosler Ballistic Tip in my 308 Win with a MV @ 2900fps.They were tough bullets,leaving silver dollar size exits.I felt like they might actually perform better with a little higher velocity.I think they will work OK in the 300WSM because they are tough and not explosive.
RL338
Handloader
- Mar 23, 2017
- 4,264
- 7,445
This is wisdom at its best.
TackDriver284
Handloader
- Feb 13, 2016
- 2,922
- 3,105
What Guy said is spot on. I like the 180 weight for the cup and core in the 300 Win Mag. Should be a great bullet weight for the 300 WSM, and 165 grains at the least.
- Nov 4, 2004
- 26,616
- 12,464
Here's a 150 gr BT shot from my 308 Win at a MV 2900 fps into water jugs at 40 yards. It held up well. I've taken a few crop damage deer with this load and they were all DRT.
JD338
JD338
Attachments
- Thread starter
- #12
Thank you for the pictures. They tell the story well. I’m going to buy a box of the Hunting Ballistic Tips and give them a try. BASSHAWK
I've been following your thread as I have a 300 wsm that shoots 180g Accubonds very well. Lots of good suggestions here!
I was wondering if you adjusted your seating depth with your 150g AB and how far off the lands you started? Accubonds usually like a big jump to the lands, if you have any left you might try seating them deeper if you haven't already done so!
- Nov 4, 2004
- 26,616
- 12,464
Bass,
What weight BT are you going to try?
As a side note, my wife has had several DRT kills on WT deer with her 30 Nosler and 180 gr BT and AB bullets.
JD338
What weight BT are you going to try?
As a side note, my wife has had several DRT kills on WT deer with her 30 Nosler and 180 gr BT and AB bullets.
JD338
- Thread starter
- #15
I prefer light for caliber bullets. I want to use 150gr BT’s. The 2 loads I have developed for the rifle so far are also 150gr bullets. I’m using Hodgdon H4350 w/WLRM primers on all loads.
When my son in law bought a Winchester FWT in .300 WSM, he was insistent that I load his brass with a specific powder and bullet to a charge level I considered potentially excessive. I had him leave the gun, dies and components with me and I'd do a work up to determine if what he wanted was safe. As it turned out the load was OK so we went with it. I did think that the 165 gr. Ballistic Tip might be a bit too fragile for the .300 but he said his coworker used it on elk for a few years with no problems. This was about 6 or 7 years ago but AFAIK, he hasn't done an elk hunt yet.
300WSM
Handloader
- Dec 24, 2011
- 1,293
- 908
Yoteklr
Work, load, shoot, hunt, repeat
- Apr 19, 2022
- 335
- 705
At 3200 muzzle velocity you'll be at 3080 fps at 50 yards.
Negative acceleration (deceleration/decay ) happens faster than people think.
asherbonaventure
Beginner
- Feb 3, 2025
- 9
- 7
Nosler Hunting Ballistic Tips are great for deer, but at .300 WSM speeds, especially at close range, they tend to be on the fragile side. While they have a thicker jacket than standard Ballistic Tips, they aren’t designed to withstand heavy bone impact at ultra-high velocities. If you hit a shoulder bone at 3,200 fps, there’s a risk of fragmentation rather than controlled expansion and deep penetration.
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