Just got a new 300 Weatherby Vanguard. I plan on useing it in a couple of weeks to hunt deer with. I have tried 165, 150 and 180gr bullets. It seems to shoot them all very well, But at different points of impact. I want to chose one for deer. Looking for any help I can get. Also pros and cons.

you'll be undergunned.

180gr Barnes TSX, but I'd try to get several lined up for the shot.

TSX ? I still have not got on the copper band wagon as of yet.
I tend to like traditional pointed soft points and some plastic tips.

Loaded some 150 SST's at 3500fps, Thought it might be a bit much. Down loaded them to 3228 fps,
Have a few 180 Remington core-lokt ultra bonds left. Looking for an opinion of what weight in a standard 30 cal soft point would be better. Shots would be 175 to 350 yards.

My 358 won't quite reach that far. Got the gun cheap and it is all I have to work with this season.

180 grain Hornady SP over 81 grains of H4831 for 3150 fps. Or 83 grains of IMR7828. Great deer load, but it will mess up a shoulder.

For a better all-around load, listen to what Steelhead said. Load the 180TSX to 3150 fps and you're good to go for deer to bigfoot.

Generally anything fired from a .300 Wby will take a deer with a degree of authority. With my two .300 Wby's I use 165 or 168's on deer and hogs. It is the best of both 150's and 180's and if you use a Barnes, you are covered up to dangerous game. I have never used a Vanguard, so I have no idea how much free bore you are working with. My old Mark is a West German with about 3/4 of an inch of free bore, the other is an Accumark USA that has only about 1/4 inch of free bore. Both have 26 inch barrels, the old Mark (a 1 in 12) requires a hotter load to hit it's sweet spot. In my rifles I use a standard bullet, I shoot the 165 gr Sierra Game King HPBT. It will shoot about a 1/2 inch group everyday, if I do my part.

I use this load out to 500 yards. Old Mark: .300 Weatherby - Sierra 165 gr Game King HPBT, 79 grs of IMR-4350, Federal GM215M primer, Weatherby/Norma brass, Velocity - 3300 fps - checked with my Oehler 35P. (might be a little hot in yours)

Accumark: .300 Weatherby - same load, except 77.5 grs of IMR-4350, Velocity - 3225 fps - checked with 35P. (should be OK)

There a lot of good bullets that work in a .300 Wby, over the last 40 years I have loaded everything from a 110 gr to a 220 gr bullet, most shot well. The best group I ever got from the old MK was with a 180 gr Remington Bronze Point around 200 rounds down the barrel. The best group I have gotten out of the Accumark was with a 165 gr Swift Scirocco with a 150 passes down the barrel. Best of luck to you!
Good shooting,
Marcus.

I always preferred the 165s and killed a lot of deer with 165 Ballistic tips and X bullets. I got tired of all the messy capes and meat and have long since ditched the BTs.

I mostly load 165 Hornadys and Partitions. I use 84 grains of H4831.

Most recently, I have used 150 grain Partition Golds. I got a complete pass-through on my Kodiak Island buck as well as a couple of bulls. I shot my antelope last year with a 150 SST load at 3600 fps. I carried 150 Accubonds for two seasons but didn't get a chance to kill anything bigger than coyotes with it.

I rarely can keep a 165 in the carcass so have felt no reason to switch to 180s. One thing about the TSX is you gotta make sure what's beyond your target because you are hitting it!

About anything that travels down the bore of a 300 Weatherby will work on deer,but I like what Dennis says about 165 Partitions.If I were loading the cartridge for a deer hunt I would not look much beyond a 165 or 180 Partition,depending on factors such as which shot best in my rifle.

Friends and I have used both these bullets from the 300 Winchester and 300 Weatherby magnums with very good success.

I'd still load 180's but I'm goofy that way. Not one to have 7 different loads for a rifle. A good 180gr bullet out of the 'Bee will cover it all.

Running 168 TSX's out of mine ...shoot very accurately and stomp deer

SH: I agree;one bullet...shoot everything.Hard to find anything better than a 180 in the 300.

can't see the 168TSX failing on any game animal in this continent.....

I have tried the Sierra 165 HPBT with 76grs of IMR4350. Very accurate indeed. I was concerned about the bullet being to "hard" for small deer size game. I clocked these at 3220 out of mine (24" barrel). I think I will take your suggestion and load the 165 Sierra 165 SBT and try that.

too "hard"?

Yes I was told by Sierra that the 165HPBT in a lung shot may not have enough "media" to expand the bullet. He advised to take sholder shots with that bullet. He stated that even though it was a hollow point, it is a VERY tough bullet designed for bigger game such as elk or moose.

Shoulder shots at 3200 fps with a standard construction lead bullet? Yeah...sure. It's not like anyone actually eats venison, right?

One constant with Sierra advice, you always need multiple bullets to perform multiple shot presentations, distances and animals. Use a good bullet like the NP or TSX and you don't need to worry about it.

Yeah, this one confused me as well. I read the reviews on Midway's web site about these bullets and out of 28 reviews, most claimed alot of expansion, Sierra says just the reverse. Not having tried these on game or knew of anyone using them on game at these speeds I droped them from my list.

I do know someone using plain jane 180 remington core-lokts with 76gr of IMR4350 and he gets pencil size hole going in and about a tennis ball comming out with boiler room shots.

I want something just a little less distructive.

In my experience, though I haven't used the Sierras in almost 20 years, unless they have changed considerably, they are among the more destructive bullets.
But they kill in a spectacular manner.

I have shot them....ALOT but only at paper. On game I have tried the ballistic tips with mixed results, Partitions (not sure they are worth the cost for deer) winchester power points, worked ok. And I have taken many a deer with plain old remington core-lokts 180gr pills out of a 30-06. Out of 70 or so deer taken with that load. Almost all went 40 feet or so and realized that they were dead and fell over. These were factory loads. But I know that bumping up the horse power by 400fps changes everthing. I'll admit, ultra fast 30 cal's are new to me.

A different 300 maybe?

Barnes TSX

Yep,

I would love to have a plain old 30-06 again. My work has been cut to 32 hours a week since the begining of the year. So green backs are on the protected species list at my house. I traded some work for this weatherby. Shoots great, smooth action and really does not kick all that much. No more than my 358 winchester. I guess when hunting season gets here OCT 10th I will find out first hand just what I am dealing with. I would like to "flip-um over" with this rifle, don't eat ribs anyway.
All in all, I guess over kill is a minor sin....Isn't it?

Of the bullets you apparently have I would run the 180gr Remington Bonded bullet.

I have some loaded to 2800 74gr of IMR4350 in weatherby cases. They shoot about 4" left and 6" lower than the 165's I have it sighted in for. I will have time to make the adjustments before the season is here. I would not have to go out and but any more if they will work. One note. These are bonded bullets, not the standard cor-lokts. I could load them to 76gr for 2927fps. Or do you think 2800 is ok at that range (175-350)

I know they are the bonded bullet that's why I said use the Remington bonded bullet in my previous reply.

If they shoot I'd leave them as is.

Upps, should of read more carefully sorry. Thanks for your opinion!

I would absolutely load 180s to the lightest published data you can find. Should be ez to duplicate that 30-06 you wish you had.
I have found nice 150 grain loads at about 2700 fps for my 300 win. That is what I will use for our Wis deer hunting if I take it. That is what reloading is all about....flexibility!!

I've used the Remington Ultra's (140's in a 270) and they worked just fine.

I know I speak heresy to the Campfire TSX mindset but I have used the 165 grain Sierra BTSP to whack a bunch of deer with both the .300 Winny and the .300 Roy.

In fact, I have a bone stock Weatherby Vanguard Synthetic in .300 Wby I am going to use some this year for deer. I'm running 87.0 grains of Ramshot Magnum with the 165 Sierra for around 3150 fps and 3/4 inch groups.

i use 83gr of h4831 and a 150gr hornady sp in a weatherby vanguard in a remington case with cci 250 mag primer to much meat damage now messing with 165 gr hornady interbond and 180gr nosler balistic tip with h4831 and imr 7828. did not have good luck with imr 4350 hope this helps

20-odd years ago, we all ran SGKs in our 300 WBYS. We had way too many ruined capes and complete loss of meat in areas stuck so gave up on them. I think I quit them the year before Barnes came out with the X bullet. My first 300 loved them so I shot them for years. I haven't had a rifle since that would shoot them very good so I haven't used them much in recent years (X bullets)

The Sierras are pretty explosive from a 300 WBY at less than 400 yds.

180 gr (good bullets that will NOT come apart) is my recommendation. Regular cup and core will be bombs up close.

There is a reason WBY loads premiums in their ammo.
I would use 180 Partitions. My current 300 is a WBY and it dotes on R22 and any 180.

I just plain like 180's in any 30 cal starting at the -06

If you put ANY 180 in the lungs it will be lights out. No worry...

It seems that the 180's are the way to go for one load for everything. I have talked to a few friends in CO. They say the same thing. Now all I have to do is choose one!

I simply got better accuracy and far better velocity when I was playing with 165s. In the days before affordable range finders, this was a big deal. Not so much a big deal anymore.

I have tried a few different bullets and weights threw my gun to get a "feel" for what she likes. The 165 Sierra BTHP at 3200 fps got .750 groups on average at 100 yards. The 150gr Sierra BTSP at 3300 fps got .470 at 100 yards on average. The 180's from Remington at 2812 or 2910fps got around .870 at 100 yards on average. Each of these loads was fired at least one box (20 rnds) from a cold barrel and limited to 3 shot strings and a complete cool down before the next sting begain.

I have not "pumped up" the 180's to see what happened at a faster velocity. I have only one real gun shop around who supplies reloading equipment. So my choices would be from Nosler, Sierra and Hornady.

Then get some 180 Partitions load them to 3200 fps and do not look back. Use them for everything.

Thanks,
I will let you know how they worked. I would really like to think everyone for there input. It has been most helpful.

H1000 and IMR7828 are also good powders to look at with 180s, either will get you to 3200. I'm loading 180 Partitions over H1000 for everything right now.

What lenth is your barrel?

24 on the Vanguard and 26 on my Mark V.

Mine is 24 as well. I seem to get 100fps faster using IMR4350 rather than IMR 7828 in the 24" barrel. Max loads with lighter bullets seem to be with in 50 to 25 fps of the book. (there using 26") and almost 100fps less with 180's

With max loads od IMR7828 it is almost 200fps slower with the 180's

35 grains of SR 4759 and a 150 grain Ballistic Tip...

or did you want to knock them over with the muzzle blast in case the bullet misses them?

My Vanguard runs 180s at 3217 avg with 84.5 grains of 7828.

Bingo! We got a winner......everything else is conversation............IMHO of course

What brand of bullet are you using?

168gr TSX .300 Weatherby....

That was Nosler BTs, Sierra Prohunters were right there with it with 83.5 IIRC, it was the max load listed in the Sierra manual. Accuracy in my Vanguard is great with IMR4350 but I can't get past 3000 with it. The Mark V just plain shoots everything well, it's just boring like that

I'm buying 180 NBT's and Sierra 180 SBT's and heading to the range this weekend. They are both readly available in my area and I like the bc's on both of these rounds. A friend has about 1/2 a pound of IMR7828 and I have plenty of IMR4350. I will see which one it likes the best with these loads.

84.5 gr's Imr7828 pushes 180's to 3200 fps in my 300 Wby.

Ok, Worked up 3 loads
1)180 Remington Core - Lokt Ultra Bond, 74.0gr of IMR4350 3000fps
2)180 Hornady RN 72.2gr IMR4350 3000fps (Hornady max load)
3)168 Hornady A-MAX 76.0gr IMR4350 3300fps (over max listed in hornady manual)

All three shoot .700 or less at 100 yards and all three shoot the exact same point of impact.

My thoughts are trying the 180RN on a 150 yard or less shot and the A-MAX on the 200+ shots.

If I get the opertunity to take a third deer I will try the Remington 180's

I start shoot'in deer the 17th, I will post how it turns out.

Take this advice. Add 84.5 gr of Imr 7828 & write us in the morning.

Max charge Imr 4350?? That's gotta hurt!!

I tried the IMR7828, same velicity, just did not group as well 1.25-1.50 groups, no better in velocity. I pushed the 180 to approch 3200fps but just did not get the groups I was looking for.

As far as recoil? I honestly have had 30-30's that kicked harder. I don't really know what some people are talking about unless they are just not used to shooting rifles in this class.
My rifle presently wears a cheap Pentax 4 X 12 X 40 with about 2.5 inchs of eye relief. It has never "bumped" me yet. I have a Weaver V10 on the way.

Big time! I like H4831 and or 7828 and a 180 Horn sp.

Dober

The 180g Partition factory load in my Vanguard shoots so well I'm hard pressed to do alot of load development. Expensive, well yes they are, but I don't shoot it much. And I can say that a 180g Partition will DESTROY a shoulder even at 400 yards. Little hole in.....and....well....hamburger out.

What is your load for the partitions?

I shoot mine quite abit. But will probably slow up some after I get her ironed out.
But I will still shot a min of 20 rounds a month year round as I do with all my rifles just to keep myself "in tune".

Light fast bullets make such a mess of a deer with a 300 of any kind...I shoot the 200 gr. Noslers and Woodleighs. Sometimes I shoot the 220 gr. Hornady or Nosler at 2700 FPS in my 300 H&H..

I shoot these heavier bullets on deer, elk and in Africa..I shoot 180 Noslers protected points in my 30-06..

I have recently been shooting the 200 gr. Nosler Accubond in my 06 and 300 H&H just to see how they work, and so far so good..I shot that bullet in my 300 H&H last trip to Africa on plainsgame and it really performed well.

Ok, Went deer hunting, took two does. Here are the results.

Hornady 180 RN @ 3000 fps 110lb doe. 80 yards complete broadside shot. Hit her dead in the air box missing the heart by an inch. Deer ran 40 yards and piled up. Small entry hole, hit rib on the way in, quarter size out. Hardly any meat damage.

Second doe, 120 yards quartering twards me, Remington 180 Ultra Bond @ 3000 fps. Deer also about 110 lbs. Bullet struck left side just rear of the sholder and exited just forward of the right ham. deer ran 60 yards twards me and fell over. Not so much damage in the air box but alot in the intestinal area.
About a 2" exit hole.

Here's the kicker. another hunter shot a larger doe about 120 lbs broad side in the lungs, deer took two steps and fell over dead as a door stop! Shot was 100 yards. Cartridge?.....223 Remington witha 60gr Nosler partition!,Says it about the 9th one he's took with that combo and has had the same results every time. And his buddy's confirm this. Go figure!

I like the 165 TTSX. Very accurate.

Yikes... you found a 7-year-old posting!

I've found flat base bullets give a little better accuracy. Mr. Kleinguenther liked 180 hornady spire points with 7828. Hasbeen

I'm shooting 180 gn grand slams over Re 26. I have shot 1 last year and 2 this year with it. Bucks just shake at the impact and drop. Not much meat damage at all. I like it.

Dug a couple of Kleinguenthers out, both 300 Weatherby’s, checked zero on them. He made accurate rifles!

Enjoy

Damn good shooting!!!!

If you are wanting Deer McNuggets....use a 110 grain SP.....with 80 grains of 4064.....

Hell yeah. Some guys really do love blowing their deer to smithereens. Then they get pizzed when you suggest using the right bullet... I like using 180 and 200gr partitions. Wanting to do some testing with the 175gr LRX though...

Seems kind of much for deer. Depending on range, and assuming typical distance, I would consider Lapua Naturalis over 4895 so as to adjust speed if it's overkill.