Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Making 30/06 loads in a 300 Win Mag

I have a Tikka T3 lite in 300 wm and I love the idea of so much power in such a lightweight rifle, however, the full power 165's and 180's that Ive been shooting are punishing. Does anyone have any good reduced loads comparable to 30/06 ballistics that I could try until I get a brake installed? I would like to take it elk hunting this year still so any help would be appreciated.

In a 24"bbl:
Bullet- 180gr Rem Core-Lokt
Primer- Federal 215
Case- Remington
Powder- 66r IMR4350
Velocity- 2835fps

Have a brake installed and keep shooting what you do currently. It will tame it down to your 30-06 level or less.

I make them and install them so I am speaking from experience.

And yes, it will be louder.

Buddy shoots the following light 300WM load for hog hunting.
57gr H4895
150gr FMJBT

OP says he's looking for an elk load

Have you shot a rifle with a brake?

I know some like them and that's fine, but others hate them. The noise and blast is worse than any recoil I've felt.

And it is worse for anyone next to you while you are shooting.

If you don't need too high of a BC for long shots, a light to medium load with a 130 ttsx would offer less recoil I bet and still kill an elk.
I do not like brakes on my hunting rifles.

Install a limbsaver pad. You'll be amazed. I've got one on my Tikka and now is kicks less than my 30-06.

http://www.hornady.com/store/300-Win-Mag-150-Gr-SST-Custom-Lite/
http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/centerfire/managed-recoil/managed-recoil.aspx

If reloads don't work out here is another option. Would not want a 300WM under 7-1/2 lbs for sure.

Should of bought an 06

Ralphie - Not looking for a pissing match just giving a guy a possible solution.

I make them, install them, and use them - about 35-40 a year go through my shop so yes, I do know a bit about the noise they make and I stated as much in my post.

As you said, some guys love them and some guys hate them (it's clear you are one of those "some guys hate them") but I have never had a single client come back and ask to take it off - not one! To me that attests to their effectiveness as well.

It WILL reduce the recoil down below the 30-06 level and it IS an option. The trade-off is increase noise - some are much worse than others in that respect.

Just another option - most of us like options.....

Thanks for all the "options" guys. EZEARL, I'm already getting a list together for loading a batch of 180's with imr 4350 so thanks for that. I have shot a few rifles with brakes(a 338 wm most recently) and feel that it would be a great addition to the rifle. I already use ear protection while hunting so the noise shouldn't be an issue. Also a limbsaver pad might make it on there too, thanks WyColoCowboy. I've been reading this forum for years now and finally decided to register and start asking questions so thanks for the replies everyone.

If you haven't tried the limbsaver do that 1st before deciding on anything else. I'm betting after installing the pad your troubles are over.

I just found them on midwayusa. It would be awesome if that's all it took.

I have a Savage 300 WSM. It's a fairly heavy rifle but it came with a hard plastic butt plate. It didn't have any factory made way to install any kind of pad so I invented one and put on a Limbsaver. It was definitely a limb saver. Before, 15 to 20 full load rounds were more than I could handle. Now 50 don't bother me.

Are these the pads that "supposedly" got sticky?

It's a reduced load but will kill elk if it kills hogs. It's a lighter load, which is what the op asked for as I recall so quit being a drama queen Francis. ;-)

Not supposedly. They do. I had mine stick to the foam in the bottom of my gun case hard enough to tear the foam out. I still have a few foam remnants on the pad and it's been 5 years.

I'd be looking at a moderate load for the 150 TTSX. Barnes website should have plenty.

..... Very true... Also want to add, brakes suck!!!