Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 300 WSM pet loads?

What are your favorite loads for this round?

Win Brass 62.5gr W760 with 168gr TSX, WLR primer. Just under 3000fps in my 24 inch Barrelled MRC. 1/2inch to 3/4 inch 3 shot groups at 100m.

There is another accuracy node @ 3,150 fps but brass got a bit tight to extract.

Regards
JohnT

Federal "Blue Box" 180's, I haven't found a load faster or one that'll shoot any better.

Dober

64 gr's H4350, Fed 210 primers, WW Brass and either a 180 grain Nosler Partition or Hornady.

WW brass, Fed 215 primer, 67gr W760 under the 150 NP. It goes 3275 FPS or so and shoots well under MOA in my Kimber Montana when i do my job

WW brass CCI 250 primer 69g IMR4350 (this is over book max..start low and work up) 165g tsx 3106 fps and just at 1 moa ave group size. Ruger M77 MkII stainless 22" barrel

Ditto the IMR 4350 (grains load not specified) and Sierra 165 btsp. or 150 ballistic tips (though their a bit explosive).

What'd they do for FPS Dober?

Thanks guys, I've tried IMR4350 with 150 gr bullets and IMR4831 with 165 and 180's with decent results. My best load so far has been (OVER MAX LISTED LOAD, WORK UP) 68gr of IMR 4831 under a 165 gr Partition running 3040FPS and grouping just over 3/4".

I noticed in my notes that RL19 with 165 gr bullets I just couldn't get any velocity out of my Sako. RL22 was even worse.

Any ideas on RL17?

I could never get decent speed out of R19 or R22 either.

Learning how to reload on a couple different(picky?) Sako .300WSM's(roughly 800 rounds of various cobblelations) puts H4350 in the lead for all around good powder. Brad got me started on it and it works.

N550 is a good choice for the 150/165's but it is scarce and spendy. IMR4831 goes well with 180's.

Notes show some 'better' loads at
2930-80 with 180's
3050-3130 with 165's
3075-3250 with 150's

Mostly Nosler bullets, 215's or 250's(nearly identical fps, accuracy BTW) and W/W or Federal brass.

Federal Premium Power Shok Ammunition 300WSMC, 300 WSM, Soft Point, 180 GR, 2970 fps, 20 Rd/bx
Stock # [SS68272]

So far H4350 has been doing the best for me so far mostly shooting 165 - 168 grain bullets. Got some rounds loaded up with 168 TTSX Ramshot Hunter and std WLR primers going to test out this weekend. This will be my 1st test with Hunter powder. Anyone else tried Hunter in the 300 WSM?

WW Brass, WLRM primer, 71.2gr of H4350 under 150gr Hornady Interbond @ 3,336 fps. Three shots= .571"

This load is just a little over max but shoots great out of my Winchester Ultimate Shadow SS and shows no signs of pressure.

WW Brass, CCI magnum primer, 67.5 gr IMR 4831 behind a 165 Gr Scirocco, I get 3112 fps. Groups are between 1 to 1 1/2 inches.I am working on using a Barnes 168 gr xlc in front of 71 gr IMR 4831.

Sam-just found my notes, the load ran along @ 2996 fps.

I also shot 180 Slicks (NBT's) that night and with 64.5 of H4350 it ran @ 2911 fps and was definately too warm in this rifle and needs to be backed down at least 1 grain ....


Doober

180 grain Accubond, Winchester case, CCI 250 primer, 65 grains of H4350. 2983 FPS in my rifle, accuracy about 1/2 MOA

Thanks Mark, most of the factory stuff(180's) I clocked went around 2970-2990fps as well.

2920-2950fps with handloaded 180's/H4350 is top end for sure with the Sucko.

I'm headin' out the door in a few to go launch and few 150 PT's and Horn's. Hopefully the Interlocks dupe out OK.

R the 150 Horns flat bottoms and or bt?

If flat bottoms I be 4 betting that they rock!

I a friend from the valley who's worked extensively and exhaustively with a dozen or so 300 shorts, and with the 180's he's convinced that 2900 is the top end to run them at(he know's we can push them harder). I mean this fella's probably done more load devel work than Win....grins

Have a good shoot and stay clear of those buzz tails...

Doober

They are the flat bottoms Dober, wanna take a wild guess where I came up with that idea? Someone here has been pimping them for years.

I'll stay out of the tall grass, hopefully it's not too muddy. Chrony won't get dusted that's for sure.

Some smarmy perro I'd imagine...

Doober

IMR4831 has worked best for me, giving the top velocities and best groups. At least in the Three 300WSM rifles I've loaded for so far.

Using WW Brass.

165gr Bullet - IMR4831 From 60.0 grains to 68.0 grains - Winchester WLR Primer



180gr Bullet - IMR4831 From 58.3 grains to 67.0 grains - Winchester WLR Primer

Junglejim
Ramshot hunter was the best powder that I had tried for my 300 WSM. Barnes 168gr TSX and 71gr of Ramshot Hunter gave 3130fps and 1/2 3 shot group.

180gr. TSX's, Norma brass, 215M's and an ample amount RL22.

A great cartridge that is most versatile and effective.

Dober, the 150 Horn's went 1.5" for two groups. Seating adjustments will probably tighten that up.

The ol' 150 PT's worked liked a charm. Don't laugh at the speed, it's all part of the plan brother(RapidZ reticle.....)

I've had my best results so far with RL 19 under the Nosler BT 168s and 180s for 3150 and 3000+ fps respectively.....sub moa for 3 shots .

I can't see why the 30wsm cartridge shoudn't safely and reliably get around 3000 fps with 180s , given the identical case capacity to the 300 H&H and also the pressure data I've seen . But H4350 ain't gonna get you there . That powder is about a perfect match for the 30/06 case ; and it's gonna be on the fast side for the WSM in my view .

I am looking forward to trying some RL17......

I load mine with 200 gr barnes tsx
WW cases and 60 gr of H4350
From my penetration tests I think it will shoot thru 2 bears...

Tested some loads today so far I like what I am seeing with Ramshot Hunter and 168 TTSX combo. But got to do some more testing. Here what I got yesterday.
Groups were 3 shots at 100 Yards.

64.0 = 1.435
65.0 = 1.940
66.0 = 2.115
67.0 = .510
68.0 = .790

Going to try a run of 67.0 thru 70.0 next week since pressure didn't seem to be an issue yet.

What surprised me yesterday was I tried some factory loaded 180 Winchester Power points in 300 WSM yesterday bolt lift was ranged from hard to very hard.

Sam what was the best velocity you could do with RL19 and the 180's??? My darn rifle likes the stuff so well in the accuracy department. I have a light load and a max load that shoot 180 hornady's and accubonds pretty good in my Kimber. I did get IMR4350 to shoot pretty good as well, but I never could get anywhere with N550.

Ramshot Hunter!

Jimmy, looking back at some poorly kept notes, the only load I could find showed 2950 for some 150 E-Tips(69.5 grs.). I don't believe I've ever shot it behind 180's.

Slightly over max book charges of R22 were always about 100 fps slower(low 2800's) with 180's than max charges of H4350.

Sam, I am pretty much sworn off RL22 as well but in a .270Win. I had a great load for my .270 with a max charge of RL22 behind a 130AB using Fed 210's, pretty accurate but folks here say that RL22 is temp sensitive, so I use H4831 behind a nosler 130grain solid base now, have not tried anything else with it cause I bought 250 of those nosler seconds. Too many guns, and not enough hunting season to use them all...

Jimmy, as to your R22 load that you went away from cause folks here say it's temp sensitive, what issues did you personally have with it?

Also in what states did you or do you hunt with it and what is their temp ranges?

I can't imagine you're only hunting your home state if you're concerned with this, right?

Thx
Dober

We've been known to have 80 degree temp changes here in OK from one day to the next. In fact we expect to hunt in chicken skins one day and T-shirts the next. A load that wasn't temp sensitive would be a good thing, even for a one state hunter like myself.

I'd spect that could happen but I'd be for bettin it's as rare as hens teeth...

Dober

80 degree temp changes in a day would probably be rare as hens teeth. Didn't mean that so literaly (kind of like I've told you a million times never to exaggerate) but we do see a wide varying temp during our deer gun season.

What kind of velocity are you getting with those loads.

I don't have the data on the velocities anymore- sent it along with the owners of the rifles.

One rifle, a MRC 1999 action got exceptional velocity, IMR4831 & 165gr Sierra's were darned near 3300fps. (IIRC)

The other two rifles using the same load combination were hovering right at 3200fps.

All three rifles shot sub MOA at 100 yds.

I'll see if I can get one of the fellows to weigh in here with exact figures for you.

Just put "Magic" in front of Desertsandman and you get the picture...this was when there wasn't a whole lot of stats on reloading .300wsm.

First Loads... shot at Sea Level about 40f Bulllet GK165gr Sierra shot in 2003

IMR4831 68.5grs 3220, 3234, & 3222 fps
IMR4831 69.0grs 3265, 3276, & 3305 fps. Best group < 1"
IMR4831 69.5grs 3267, 3250, & 3262 fps. DSMan and I agreed we reached ability of barrel to burn powder when more gave same or less fps.

Next batch shot on different Chrony at 6k feet in Nevada. Bullet GK165gr Sierra shot on 04/17/2004

IMR4831 69.5grs 3275, 3274, & 3270 fps. ES 5fps....group .472"

None of the load produced hard bolt.

This last set was shot with my broinlaw hurrying me up cause he was cold.

During this hurry up I also shot some 125gr prohunters. IMR4895 59.0gr for no speed (broinlaw had loaded up his chrony) I'm guessing 3250fps range and got a .501" group this was with a dirty barrel and felt good to know the .300wsm can handle light bullets!

DSM I'm still thanking you for your tutoring and can still see the smile on your face when you were writing down the results. Thanks again Bro.

As already mentioned:
64gr. H4350, 180 Partitions, Fed 215 with an OAL in my Montana at 2.850". This produces anywhere from 2935 - 2965fps. Great accuracy which is 1/2 - 3/4".

H4831, R-19 and R-22 struggled with 2850ish velocity.

Win brass, win primers, 66grs of H4350. 165gr Accubonds. Likes the bullet seated deeper. (picky little bitch) 2930fps. A little slower than I'd like but accuracy truimps speed for me anyday.

Next time out going 66.5

No just hunting in GA, summer shooting at 96 degrees, winter down to freezing or a bit lower at times. I have no idea except that I tested two rounds in October that were developed in July with RL22 last year and they shot about 1 inch low, maybe it was me but as all good gun hacks do I made a decision from exactly one real data point and two tons of innuendo. Besides I now have 220 130 solid base bullets left to shoot up now!

180 Nosler AB's and 70 grs. of Vit N560 nets 3000fps out of 24" barrel.

180 AB's 69.5 grs. Supreme 780. I am getting 3100 out of 26" barrel.

Both loads are about a thousandths off the lans.

Jimmy- a couple of thoughts for you to chew over, while we wait for the seasons to start...

Are you running a chronograph?

I'd try it again as well and see if it truly dropped one inch and if so it has to be the speed diffs/

Was it with the same lot of powder that was used in the summer testing?

Just some thoughts, also a quick question. I've always considered Ga to be a warm summer state and still pretty warm in the fall hunting time. Seriously, what temps do you run normally in the fall season?

Many thx

Dober

Winchester model 70 classic stainless w/24" barrel
168 TSX and H4350
Fed 210
WW brass
mv 3075



I've only tried 168 tsx and 180 accubonds so far. I'm using the tsx's for elk this season.

Lochsa, that's perfect! Having played with four or five 300 WSM's, I think that's exactly the top velocity to expect with a 165/68 grain bullet from a 24" bbl. I've also found better and more consistent results with non-magnum primers when using stick powders in the 300.

I forgot to mention that credit goes to Brad. He suggested using H4350 and it was the best of all powders tried.

I tried like hell to get those things to fly right. No dice.

Good shootin' BTW lochsa!

Dober, I will try it again, I think I have a few more 130 AB's to shoot. You seem to be leaning towards RL22 not being temperature sensitive. I just don't know, I had a good time developing a load for the cup and core 130 grain nosler seconds. Do you think if I shot them out of a 26 inch barrel over 60 grains of RL22 that they would go to pieces on a deers shoulder? Your right my next major reloading investment is a chronograph.

Today I chronoed a couple 300 WSM loads from my Savage model 16.

130 gr TTSX over 55 gr of RL15- 3521, 3499 fps

165 gr Accubond over 66 gr of RL17- 3144, 3159 fps

Tikka 24" 300 WSM WW case, CCI 250 primer, 200 Gr Nosler AB, RL 26 70.5 GR, 2908 FPS, 3 @ .74" 100 yards

I worked up to this load (65.5 gr H4350) in my 24" ULA. 3031 fps and 7/8" groups. I tried .050" of the lands and it shot a 7/8" group and then tried .065" off the lands. The latter group was the same size, but a bit more rounded group. What was interesting was that the .065" of the lands group had marginally higher velocity, and very low ES (3) and SD (4). And for these groups I followed Brad's suggestion and used Large Rifle primers (210 Federal Match) and not the Match 215s that I had been using.

12 year old thread

Uh
Yes and it isn’t dead yet

Maybe be old, but the info is not. I first loaded a 150 TSX over a boatload of H4350 and clocked them at 3200+.

I have a few pounds of W760 that I am loading in the 300WSM now.

(Post in thread, so I can find it again!)

Just bought a .300 WSM a 2003 or 2004 Kimber Classic wood stock....only factory ammo I could find was made by Barnes loaded with a 150 TTSX. Grouped fairly well with a 1-6x42 S&B scope...and chronographed 3325 fps.

I'm hoping at least match or top that with a handload.

I've since got together a set of Forstner dies (a micro seater and full lenght sizer)....shell holders and Wilson case trimmer dies (new and fired) and 50 new Winchester cases and some 215 Federal magnum primers and powder.

Picked up a Stoney point threaded case and looks like I can get right up on the rifling and stay in the magazine box.

I plan on starting out with a 150 gr. Nosler Ballistic tip....IMR 4064 and IMR 4198.

I'm in the process of changing scopes might be a little while but l'll keep you posted.

As someone mentioned, when loading Barnes projectiles you might find that they need a little "jump" before the rifling for best accuracy.

It might be as big as a 50 thousands jump or as small as a 20 thousands.

Your 4064 might work in sine 300WSM loads, but the 4198 won't work. The best powders I have found are RL15, W760, H4350, IMR4350, IMR4895, and Varget. By "best" I mean will produce great velocity and are accurate.

Good Luck!

I miss spoke its IMR 4064 and IMR 4831 powder that I bought....and I'll be loading Nosler bullets.

RL 16 and StaBALL 6.5 are also decent powders in the .300 WSM. I currently use 6.5 StaBALL in a load, but moving to RL16 and H4350 for new loads I’m working on.

H4350 has always worked very well for me.

Moving on from RL16 in the .300 WSM, I just could not get the accuracy I expect from it. Best to date was a 5 shot group at 1.4”. I’ve played with seating depths on the 165 gr. AB and the best accuracy was .050” off the lands.

Winchester brass, Winchester primer, 150 ABs , 70 gr of Hunter , average 3300 fps out of a 26 in barrel. Tiny groups

You going to try H4350 next? I ran a ton of 165 Hornady BTSP's in mine:


None of them ever seemed to be too finicky with H4350. Too bad that RL16 didn't work out for you. I'm going to be trying that in my new to me 300RSAUM.. Hoping it does well. I know it likes Big game as of now..

BSA,

Honestly, I think I may move to 180’s and H4350, got quite bit of both. I was reading a couple of different sites last night people claimed their Tikka T3’s either loved 165 AB or hated them, I think mine hates them. It will shoot 165 gr Barnes TTSX’s decent.

Ok new load and it shoots great out of my rifle. I’m using 62.8 gr Hybrid 100V, 178 gr ELD-X, and LR magnum primers. Confirmed it again last weekend and .84” 5 shot group. I forgot my Magneetospeed speed again. But will get velocities next time out with it.

IMR 4350 with a 150 Accubond

RL 17 with 180 Ab or Bt , and 168 ttsx

I’m having to stay at the house all weekend to take care of the wife from her surgery last week. Getting bored, I was going through my notes and found I had gotten a 3/4” 4 shot group at 100 yards using 64.0 grains of 180 gr. Accubonds, H4350 and 250 CCI’s. I had forgotten all about this load as I thought I was almost out of the 180 gr. Accubonds when working up this load, but bought some more early last spring.

I ran 64-65gr of that powder with 180gr Nosler partitions. Very accurate load. Also use CCI250's in my 300WSM's. I never shoot mine. The only one I have now is a Tikka with a wood stock. Very nice rifle and pretty good shooter. Your 178 ELDX load sounds like a good one. I've been seeing 180gr SST's quite a bit and bought a few boxes of them, along with some 175gr Sierra SMK bullets. They were on sale, so I bought 2 boxes. The 180gr SST's were $31.99/box. Hard to beat that price. Wondering how the 180gr SST compares to the 178 ELDX though. I also have some of those...

165g Sierra GameKing HPBT
64.7g H4350
CCI 250

Hey Hudge, why not just use the 165 TTSX, if your rifle likes them. Finally got around to testing my 300 RSAUM with the 165 TTSX. It likes them. Shoots them around 1 moa or less:

That will flatten any elk I've seen. Just as well as any 180gr pill. Maybe even better than most 180gr C&C'S.

I'm really liking that little rifle. Great shooter and is lightweight. It's a clunky Ruger m77 mk2, but I like it. I may end up selling my 300WSM, as this Ruger does everything my WSM does. Strange that a Ruger shoots almost as good as a Tikka, but I'll take it..

BSA,

I’m always trying to improve on my loads. The 165 gr. TTSX was ok, but honestly rushed to get a load for moose season 2 seasons ago. I used StaBALL 6.5 with my 165 gr. TTSX load, but I think velocity is lower than should/could be.

Concerning SST’s, my other 300WSM, a Rem 700, loves 165 gr. SST’s and IMR 4320. My son’s co-worker seems to want the gun more than me, so when he returns from training in AZ, I’ll probably sell it to him.

I've had a couple 300WSM's that struggled to make 2,950fps with a 165gr pill, so I know what you are talking about. That was even with H4350. That StaBall 6.5 seems like great powder, but I have only played around with it recently in a 22-250 and one of my 6.5 Creedmoor's. I've never ran the SST, but just loaded up some 180's to try in one of my new 30-06 rifles. I can also understand about improving loads, but that shouldn't take long. One range trip generally, per powder type or bullet change. Also, one of the nice things about the 300WSM is they are generally quite accurate. I remember developing a load for one of my buddies. That rifle shot just about every charge into 1/2 moa. His rifle loves the 165 TSX. Then he says, "I should load some TTSX, they will probably shoot better".. I said, you can try them, but good luck getting a load that shoots better. I like and appreciate precision, but know when "enough is enough"..

My old 300 WSM was pretty good with H4831 and 200 PTs but for some reason I have had a lot of luck with 165 ABs and RL19.

The same load works well in my buddies 300 WSM EW.







19 and 180 ABs were real decent as well.



I have a buddy that uses a Tikka with H4350 and 180 TTSXs that is also another great shooting load.

Great info beretzs. As per usual.

One of my loads; Winchester brass, Federal 210M Mag primer, 70 gr of 4831SC and a 168 Berger. Going by memory but high 3200's low 3300's.

Many moons ago 2012 time frame I had a stainless tikka in a 300 wsm. When sportsmans was selling them for $600 bucks the tikkas were a “budget” rifle. Anyhow this load shot extremely well and the 180 load shot extremely well. Sold that tikka 9yrs ago to a buddy still has it.

W-W cases
68.0gr RL19
168gr barnes TTSX
FED 215
Base to ogive 2.850
AVG velocity 2,906 FPS

64.0gr h-4350, fed 215, 180gr nosler bt or accubond
COAL 2.900
2,891 f.p.s was the avg.

Out of my model 70
178gr eld-x
69.5gr H4831sc
Rem 9 1/2 M
2.903 oal
2905 fps

Slow barrels I guess?

We were shooting our 300 Wizzums at the same time frame, but I don't recall you ever talking about it.



One thing about it. It is a hell of an "inherently accurate" cartridge..

I could never get the speeds out of it like a lot people were getting. So who knows probably was a slow barrel.

10yrs ago I was not a very active poster on here. I posted on another forum back then.