Ideal Bullet Weight for 300 WSM?

Deeznutzr6 · Jul 14, 2007

I was wondering if some of you may have any opinion on what the ideal bullet weight for a 300 WSM with a 23" barrel and a 1 in 10 twist rate would be. This is a new gun for me and I have been developing 180 grain Accubonds. But and I wondering if a 165 would be a better fit.

I will use this gun for mule deer and elk on the same hunt. I want a bullet weight that is suitable for both species while maintaining an accurate bullet flight. Which weight do you think is a better match?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Derek

JD338 · Jul 15, 2007

The 180 gr AB that you are working with is perfect for Deer and Elk.
You will get more retained energy and deeper penetration with the heavier bullet.

JD338

Deeznutzr6 · Jul 15, 2007

Do you feel that the 165 will have a flatter flight? I know a 165 will still get the job done on both species, but I wonder if the 180 grain will have a less accurate and less flat flight in a longer range shot.

Derek

JD338 · Jul 15, 2007

Deeznutzr6,

The 180 gr has a higher BC making it more effecient over range.

Take this example:

300WSM w/ 165gr AB BC is .475 MV 3100fps
200 yd Zero, 300 yd -6.1", 400 yd -17.7" vel is 2332 energy is 1992

300WSM w/ 180gr AB BC is .507 MV 3000fps
200 yd Zero, 300 yd -6.4", 400 yd -18.6" vel is 2293 energy is 2115

The added weight of the 180 gr AB will penetrate deeper with more retained velocity and energy. Elk are big and can take a lot of lead.

If I had a bull elk at 400 yds across and had a quarting shot that needed to break a shoulder, I would go with the 180 gr AB. This bullet will also open up fine on a deer.

JD338

Deeznutzr6 · Jul 15, 2007

JD338,

Thank you for the information that answers my questions better than I expected. I appreciate it very much

Take Care,

Derek

RemmyTim · Jul 16, 2007

I would stay with bullet weights under 180 grains.The 200's are better for the 300 Weatherby and Ultra Mag's(they have the case capacity and powder to burn them more efficiently).I loaded 200gr Accubonds for a friends 300 SAUM and they were a VERY tight fit,alot of powder crunching going on when I seated the bullet. Like posted before,pick a good 165 or 180gr bullet of good construction and have at it.I really liked my 300 WSM,with a 180gr Partition I knocked the snot out of a moose.

HiWall · Jul 17, 2007

I have two loads for my .300WSM Classic F/Weight. Loading 165gr NBT and 180gr Woodleigh Protected Point, both over AR2209 (H4350), excellent accuracy and terrific performance on game.

Big Squeeze · Jul 17, 2007

I would stay with the 180 gr. A/B!!!...........The stats provided by an earlier poster, comparing the 165 vs. the 180gr., tells you that the 180 gr., due to it`s better B/C, retains the better ballistics at the longer ranges!!!..........Because of the lesser case capacity, in comparison to the 300 Win. the ideal bullet weights for the 300 WSM`s are from 150 to 180 gr.....However, for moose and bears, I plan to load up some 200 gr. A/B`s for my 300 WSM, chrono them and see what velocity I can get out of my little shorty 16.5" barreled Ruger Frontier!!! Maximum? Probably around 2700 to 2800 fps.,,,,About 3 1/2 to 5% less velocity than a std 24" barrel........Ya think I`ll need my slip on Limbsaver recoil pad???? NAAAAAA!!!!