.300 WSM varmint loads, with browning BOSS?

goodolmoose · Jan 26, 2012

Ive read some great posts on some varmint loads that will potenially work for coyotes with the .300 WSM. Im wondering if anybody has loaded for coyotes and shot outta of the BOSS system and can give me some ideas for a starting sweet spot.

SJB358 · Jan 26, 2012

I haven't got a clue as to what the sweet spot would be for the BOSS, BUT, if you work up your loads with the BOSS set on a 150gr Setting, you can then go back and tweak the settings for your 125/130 gr load. I haven't loaded anything lighter than 168's in my 300 yet, but I imagine some 125 BT's would just about launch coyotes!

Oldtrader3 · Jan 26, 2012

I can not find a specific setting for 125 gr bullets in the .300 WSM BOSS. However, the BOSS setttings in general seem to be down in the 0.5 to 1.0 range for lighter than 150 grain bullets in the .300 WSM on my Browning charts. You may want to start at 0.0 and move up .3 at a time with test groups and see what happens.

goodolmoose · Jan 26, 2012

thanks guys! Thats a great idea about starting by bottoming out and seeing if i can move into the sweet spot with relative ease. I hope I am going to be able to salvage these pelts with it? I really like my browning in .300 WSM with a leupold VX-L 4.5-14 on her and dont want to have to buy a .223 or something just for dogs. thanks for the ideas. now do you know of any factory 125 gr rounds out there. otherwise i was thinking of trying the Hornady 110gr v-max. thoughts?

Guy Miner · Jan 27, 2012

Salvage coyote pelts after shooting 'em with a .300 short mag? :grin: Okay... needle and thread recommended.

Have fun - but I'd expect a lot of damage. I've shot 'em with the big guns - particularly if bone is hit, there can be a LOT of damage. 'Bout ripped one poor coyote in half...

No arguing though, it's effective.

Guy

Guest · Jan 27, 2012

I'm not a seasoned coyote hunter by any means, but I'd say if you're trying to save pelts, a 30cal magnum is maybe not the best choice. I suspect you're going to get plenty of velocity and plenty of expansion, even on coyotes, and that's going to equate to pelt damage. Just about the only way I'd use a 30cal magnum on a pelt hunt is with some sort of solid bullet or fmj, so it would just bust the lungs and go straight through. Otherwise, you're asking for a lot of sewing, I think.

DrMike · Jan 27, 2012

I've dropped a few coyotes with a 7RM. When you hit bone, there is going to be a mess. I did thread the needle on one occasion, however. A female looking at me head on at ~225 yards. I hit her with a 175 grain TBBC. The bullet entered just above the sternum, passed the length of the body immediately below the spine (fully removing the vena cava) and passed out the rectum. There must not have been much expansion. Coming back from battery, there was no coyote, and I thought I had missed. Walking out into the meadow, however, I found the beast looking for all the world as though she had decided on a nap. It took a while to realise what had happened. In virtually every other instance, needle and thread would have definitely been required to salvage a pelt. One of my best shots was with a .356 as the dog trotted past me in a forested area. I shot him at ten yards. He went straight up in the air, spun as he came toward the ground and ran faster than I knew coyote could go. He actually made it about twenty yards where I found him. Again, the pelt wasn't torn up. There was a 35 calibre hold going into the chest between a couple of ribs and a 35 calibre hole coming out, again between a couple of ribs. If I were hunting for the pelts, I'd choose a less destructive bullet and cartridge, however.

Anonymous · Jan 27, 2012

I shoot coyotes with my .300WSM...don't know the ranges you're talking but I usually call them and take shots out to about 100yd or so.

I make loads using Trailboss powder and 125gr Speers. Trailboss publishes data for the .300WSM that launches a 150 at 1600fps and I get just a bit more from 125s. You could use FMJs but I found a deal on a bunch of cheap Speer Hot Cors. Too soft for full .300WSM velcoty but at reduced speed they work great.

Out ot 150yds or so they shoot pretty flat and the moderate velocity limits expansion and pelt damage. No idea what a BOSS setting would be for such a critter but accuracy isn't bad and certainly sufficient for coyote calling ranges.

goodolmoose · Jan 27, 2012

thanks for all the replies. you guys are great! I think i am going to have to check the regs and see if i can hunt varmint here in michigan with FMJ. that way i wouldnt need to worry as much about weight or speed. i could just load a normal 150 gr. to shoot 3200fps ish. i guess i could also just say screw saving the pelts and just continue to try to keep the population down.