Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Which 300 Win Mag Load?

Second tightest group of 3 I've ever shot was with my then 20-year old 7mm RM and 160g North Fork. Group measured .262" center-to-center.

They have provided outstanding accuracy in every caliber and cartridge in which I've tried them, admittedly limited to .280 Rem, 7mm RM, ,308W, .30-06 and .300WM. On-game performance has been flawless near and far.

I tried the 350g FP in my .45-70 and sent loads to Mike Brady (the original developer of the bullets) for test. Mike sent me a note stating my loads were the most consistent he had ever tested, which matched my results as well, which, time and again, showed E.S. and S.D. both under 5fps.

Someone on this forum once criticized my choice of North Fork bullets as (paraphrasing) needlessly expensive 'boutique' bullets they wouldn't use do to the B.C. values. I thought the criticism was pretty stupid considering a) my handloads were cheaper than many low-end Remchester factory loads, and b) they worked extremely well at all ranges for my use (0-600 depending on cartridge).

When Mike sold the North Fork business he sent me a big bag of 7mm 140g Hollow Point prototypes. I drove one from ham to sternum on a buck mule deer. Although I shoot a lot of TTSX, LRX and AB in various flavors, the North Fork remain a favorite in my 7mm and .308 caliber rifles. They don't just work, they work very, very well.

Ever seen a prettier bullet? North Fork's are the bomb. 1968 vintage Sako 338, Bofors steel barrel. Shoots 0.4" groups with this bullet and RL-19, 2800 fps. It's a magic rifle in my hands.

I don't think it matters all that much what you choose. They are so similar the end result will be the same. We all like to split hairs but in reality if you find one of those to be more accurate, go with it and get some practice in.

Some good info on the ablr

https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/nosler-lr-accubonds-bc-testing-results.137554/

I'd find a quarter, and start flipping it, narrowing down to the last bullet standing - that's what I'd use.

And indeed, my method reflects how much I think it matters

Got a question about the Trophy Copper: I have looked for info stating the TC is a Nosler E-Tip with a groove cut, but can’t find anything. Where did you get that info? Happy Trails

Many moons ago I loaded some 190 BTSPs for a guy. He shot an elk with them, I guess they worked fine.

Nosler Custom Ammunition.

300 WIN MAG 165g Partition.

They’re proud of it. $65.90 MSRP / Box

Scroll down, 4th from bottom on left:

https://www.nosler.com/nosler-custom-ammunition-4


Ballistics:

https://fusiontables.googleusercontent.com/fusiontables/embedviz?viz=CARD&q=select+*+from+1C5o2xk_hWmBsTsTUWwoZ262XZOtOsNloF2QDW28+where+col4+%3D+23320+order+by+col0+asc&tmplt=1&cpr=1


MUZ: 3,100 3520 -1.5 -1.5
100: 2863 3003 0 1.4
200: 2638 2550 -2.7 0
300: 2424 2153 -10.5 -6.4
400: 2221 1806 -24.2 --18.7
500: 2027 1505 -44.9 -38.1
600: 1843 1245 -74.2 -65.9
700: 1672 1024 -113.7 -104
800: 1514 840 -165.6 -154.6

ETA: It's still off the shelf, and won't be as good as custom handloaded.
But...there is a box out there around that 168g to get a decent BC, and that the .30's seem to like.

SIL got his first elk with a ,300WM 180g WW whitebox Power Point. Instant drop. 380-385 yards.

I was referring to tightness of grouping in my “off the shelf” vs. custom handload, not whether they will kill.

I have used the 6.5 ABLR on three deer so far with no tendency to blow up at closer ranges. These were all behind the shoulder shots. I like the Barnes for less shrapnel and chance of lead in the meat.

The original Trophy Bonded Bear Claw was a great bullet, one of the best really, as good as a Partition but usually with more penetration. The TLR should be a good one too.

The problem is that there are so many good bullets now it is difficult to pick just one.

No need to pick just one. Probably nor even a good idea to do so.

I shoot at least two different bullet loads in most of my rifles. Sometimes the same weight, sometimes different. If I can't get one I get the other.

You are correct, though, about the quality of hunting bullets now available. The selection today is the best it has ever been. The Federal Edge TLR may be the best hunting bullet ever, at least for my purposes, although I've yet to shoot any. Barnes TTSX/LRX/TAC-TX, North Fork FP/SS (and HP prototypes), Swift Scirocco II/A-Frame and Nosler AB/ABLR/BT all get loaded for one or more of my rifles. Not much into match bullets, but have a lot of Hornady AMAX.

That said, I contend that for most hunting, just about any hunting bullet will work most of the time.

Any 180 that will shoot well.

I’ve killed a bunch of bull elk w 180 accubonds. It is my preferred bullet for elk. I’ve used the same bullet on numerous big African animals up to and including eland. Works perfect every time if properly placed.

Hard to beat a 180 AB or BT for that matter.

I’m with the others. Use what shoots best and get some range time in. All of the bullets will work excellent. If I were rooting for one it’d be the TLR, Great speed, good shape and it’ll handle bone with the solid base. The Bonded front end should open wide and be a darned good killing SOB. The Tipped Bear Claws have worked well for us in 270’s against elk, your 300 will hammer them.

Thanks to all for the helpful comments.

I agree all should work fine.

My top three favorites, in order of preference, were the 190gr ABLR; the 200 Fed. Edge TLR; and the 180gr Fed. Trophy Copper.

Being in town for 36 hours, I went to the 100yd range and tried them out for accuracy. Unfortunately the first two were not giving me what I want (I know it’s more than I need) out of that rifle. A Rem. 700 BDL I worked hard through my 19th summer in 1987 to be able to afford above and beyond all of my other expenses. I worked 14-hour days, instead of 12-hour days painting houses to be able to afford it.

It shot the 180gr TC in half inch groups, and, given that it was in the running, I think I will use that for now.

I will reshoot the other ones later to see if it’s an aberration, but, today, I could shoot the 180gr TC loads much tighter than anything else today. I ran five 3-shot groups through it, waiting about 4 minutes in between each shot to keep the barrel from getting crazy hot, and some of the groups were all touching, and none were over 3/4”.

My 12-yr-old son and I are heading to my Colorado property tomorrow, and I will be play with it there at longer range (up to 700 yds).