Seems like everyone has the same opinion of the 300 WinMag. I used Hornady BTSP 180's for the first year. Shot an average sized doe and was not impressed with all the damage. I was using IMR4350 - 73 gr - Fed 215 - FC cases. Velocity was 3140. Accuracy was astounding, but the bullet couldn't handle the velocity on impact.
I changed tactics. I bought some 168 TSX's and some Nosler 180 Partitions. They both shoot sub minute with the edge going to the TSX. Yah, they're expensive. You also loose less meat to blood shot. One shot kills are the norm even at extended ranges, and weight retention is great. The partitions are good too, but even they lose weight when striking solid bone like the front chassis of a moose.
Anyway, I settled on two loads.
1. 75.0 gr of RL-22 with a Fed 215 primer in FC cases for the 168 TSX. It is NOT a screamer -- 3050 fps, but it is tack driving accurate -- 0.650" at 100 metres.
2. 77.0 gr of H4831sc with a Fed 215 primer in FC cases for the 180 Partition. Moves out pretty good -- 3050 and is still quite accurate -- 0.903" at 100 metres.
Both these loads shoot into the same group at 100 and 200 metres, and have both killed game at 250 metres.
Like the others have said -- in the 300 mag, do not scrimp on the price of bullets. I shoot a couple deer and maybe a moose every year which means I run as many as 3-5 rounds down range hunting. I can live with the added expense. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> For practice, I use Hornady's bullets -- they're cheap, shoot well, and I don't care how frangible they are on a paper target.
Even for deer, I like the 168 TSX. I had the misfortune of shooting at a moving deer a couple saeason ago with the 300 and the TSX. I was aiming in front of the shoulder to compensate for movement at range, and just as the shot was breaking, he stopped in his tracks. Bullet went right through the middle of the on side shoulder, broke a rib jellied both lungs and broke a rib on exit. Deer went straight down. Ate meat to within an inch or so of the entrance wound. Gotta love the Premiums in a real premium cartridge.
