Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire 300 Weatherby factory ammo for Whitetails

My Buddy just bought a 300 Weatherby and was asking me for suggestions for a factory load to use on Upstate NY whitetails. I have no experience with one but figured I would ask you guys. Most shots probably 200 yards or less at a 175# or less deer. I suggested a stout 150 or 165 grain bullet in a factory load but looking for some folks with personal experience. Thanks in advance. (With the shortage of factory ammo going on he will struggle to find much on the shelf.)

I don’t think 300’s should be that hard to find. But anyway, I believe 180’s group better than lighter weight bullets.

I have a lot of experience with various animals with 150 grain and 180 grain .300 Wby loads. I ended up using 180 grain Partitions for everything.

For whitetails I don't think it matters much. 150s kick a little less and therefore it's harder to flinch in the clinch. Minor accuracy differences are not important when shooting from field positions.

If your friend lives in upstate NY, ammo may well be hard to find on the shelves reliably. Because online ordering is illegal, it can be a challenge. I’d personally look at 180g spire points (hornady Interlocks). I use the 165s for mule deer but my shots have averaged 300yds+ over the years. These things regularly clover leaf. If your friend can find them, Remington made some 180g corlocks that were not quite as fast as the wby ammo but a fraction of the cost. They were deadly. Any of the premium bullet offerings would obviously work....but at $4-$5 a round, it’s over kill on the wallet as well.

I reload 180s with 7828... very tight.

But in all honesty, anything will work... they are just deer.

98% of the delivered energy from a .300 Bee will end up in the dirt mound on the backside of a deer.

300Wby since the mid 90's. Off the shelf Norma 180's, Wby factory ammo.

I think your buddy needs something bigger for 175# animal. 300 wby might not be enough....

That is what I told him - he is using a 7 Rem Mag now which also is kinda overkill for our area. I go back and forth between my 308's and 270's depending on my urge that day. He seemsto want to ue his 300, so......

Thank you All for your replies.

I try to avoid bone and try to put it thru the ribcage. They still run 100 yards DEAD and then pileup.

300 WBY 180 gr. TTSX kills every thing DRT, But it's a little much for 175# Whitetails. what ever works for you. Rio7

This is one of those cases where a bullet that opens too easily will result in softball sized exit holes, lots of damaged and bloodshot meat, and bone particles through the meat. Best to find a bullet that is more suited to heavier animals and won't open quite as fast as a deer bullet. TTSX would probably work, as would most good 180 grain bullets designed for elk sized critters.

Bob

It's too bad those 30 cal sabots for 22 cal bullets aren't available in 300 WBY factory ammo. A 45gr Barnes at Warp 5 would be the ticket.

I think what he's looking for is called 7-08.

What county/town does he hunt in? - I just want to make sure I'm nowhere nearby. There can be some nice size bucks in NY, but jeez, 300 WBY? See if you can help him find a nice 300 SAV.

Go with a 150, lot easier on shoulder. I load my 150’s to 3100 fps. Deer aren’t hard to kill. Grandkids kill the cshit out of them with 243’s

My brother had that problem with 139's and 154's out of his 7 WSM. He opted just to shoot them in the middle, basically rear of lungs/liver shots. That way the softball-sized hole didn't damage any meat. He killed several that way. It was always astounding to see those huge holes, and a bit disgusting. Then he realized that full-power loads are a PITA to shoot, and aren't required for deer.

The problem with Weatherby factory ammo is that reduced loads aren't an option, so in all seriousness, I agree that a bullet suited to bigger animals would be best, to avoid damaging too much meat. Actually what would be best would be to sell the 300 and, as someone else mentioned, get a handy little 7mm-08, or even a do-it-all Creedmoor.

This...I only shoot 180's(3200 fps) in my .300 but it's the WM not the Weatherby,not that it makes any difference IMHO...

Men don’t buy Weatherby’s to shoot reduced loads. Let er’ rip. And I agree with ya’ in that...if ya’ need to shoot a bullet suited to bigger animals to avoid meat damage, then do it.

Apparently, he isn't a member of the fire or he would have several rifles to choose from and could get this advice first hand...

Bob

Rifle loonies will be loonies.... I’ve used a 340wby on a number of deer and antelope....because I could:). I’ve also used a 7STW on NY whitetail where shots are between 200-350yds, leaving the 308, 06, 270 and 7mm-08 in camp. Remember, in most things hunting/shooting/fishing related, need is a four letter word!