300WSM 20inch Suppressed

[mwf008]

I’ve got the new Christensen FFT on order. I’ve got 100 rounds of the Norma Bondstrike to get me through break-in, but plan to reload the Norma brass after they’ve been once fired. Currently loading for 280AI and 7RM, so I’ve got some appropriate powders on hand — RL26, H4350, 4831SC, and Imr7977. Bullets I’ve seen available locally are 200 EldX and 190 gr Barnes Lrx. I’ve had great luck with my current 7mm’s shooting Berger VLD’s and 145 Barnes LRX. I’ve read good stuff about the 200, 210, and 215 bergers, but haven’t seen any locally.

If you were me, which direction would you go? Im also curious to try hammers. Anyone having success with those in 300WSM? I’ve already done research online and in various reloading manuals, just looking for some first hand experiences.

I’ll be shooting suppressed, targeting deer and elk in Montana. I’d be comfortable shooting game to 600 yards with favorable conditions.

 

[chizelhead]

What suppressor do you plan on pairing with your new rifle if you don't mind me asking?

 

[mwf008]

Omega 300. I’ve been shooting it on my 308 Cross and love it. I’d love to keep hunting with the Cross, but it’s got a lack of energy at distance due to the 16inch barrel. Im only getting 2435 with the 178 gr factory Hornady precision hunter rounds.

 

[bruceleroy]

Ouch. My reloads are getting 2600 with 178s. Thats below max too..

 

[Legend]

Unless you have a custom throated barrel the larger bullets just take up case capacity in the 300wsm. I stuck with 166gr hammer hunters and I am impressed.

 

[BjornF16]

Planning on 175 TMK for my 300 WSM.

 

[MHWASH]

I’m running Berger 205 EH out of a 22” Tikka @2850.

 

[Brightwhite]

I have a few kills out of my wsm with the eldx 200gr. I have a 22” and shoot with a 7” ultra 7.

I’m thinking of going back to the 180 accubond with the elk on the list. I actually lost a cow with the 200 ELDX that I thought I bang flopped, watched her kick and spew blood for 10-15 seconds and then she was gone (was in an open patch in thick brush). Blood trailed her for a couple miles and then it just dried up.

I love the 6.5 143 ELDX and have nothing but 1 shot kills with that bullet (knock on wood) so I am really trying not to just take that 1 experience as gospel. But I have several elk kills with the .30 cal 180 accubond and have had zero issues.

I think with the shorter 20” I would lean back more towards the 180’s or even the 178 ELDX. But ballistics programs will be something to tinker with and look at the energy and drift with heavier bullets.

 

[Wright406]

I have a 20" as well. Using thw 178 eld at around 2875 with H4350

 

[mwf008]

Good info everyone, thanks. I’ve got a big box of 178 A-Max’s from reloading .308 Win years ago. How do y’all think the AMAX would do compared to the ELDX?

 

[BjornF16]

Being thinner jacket than the ELD-X, the A-Max might be a bit splashy at close range, or until below ~2700 fps.

If a worry, you could always have a close range bullet at the top of your magazine.

Once below that threshold, that A-Max would be solid performer imo

 

[WeiserBucks]

Good info everyone, thanks. I’ve got a big box of 178 A-Max’s from reloading .308 Win years ago. How do y’all think the AMAX would do compared to the ELDX?

Amax is a great deer bullet, but I've never seen an elk shot with one.

 

[skip189]

I have shot alot elk and deer with my 300 wsm 180 accubonds and love them. Have been curious about the 166 Hammers but don't know if I want to switch to a monobullet. RL19 and 180 accubonds are shooting under a moa in my Cz Mdl 3.

 

[mwf008]

Haven’t started load development yet, but thought I’d update everyone that the factory Norma 180s are averaging 2975 out of the 20 inch barrel.

 

[axeforce6]

Haven’t started load development yet, but thought I’d update everyone that the factory Norma 180s are averaging 2975 out of the 20 inch barrel.

Wow. I just may get me 5 boxes to try in my new build. It’s a 20” suppressed 300wsm as well.

 

[Formidilosus]

I’ve got a big box of 178 A-Max’s from reloading .308 Win years ago. How do y’all think the AMAX would do compared to the ELDX?

The 178gr Amax is a very terminally effective bullet. One of the most destructive available. I have killed hundreds of big game animals, including elk with them, and they work.

 

[Johnc427]

I’m running Berger 205 EH out of a 22” Tikka @2850.

What is your load for this? I have a pile of these that I'd like to try. Powder? COAL? Etc

 

[BjornF16]

The 178gr Amax is a very terminally effective bullet. One of the most destructive available. I have killed hundreds of big game animals, including elk with them, and they work.

Out of .308 Win or one of the magnums?

ELD-M just as effective?

 

[Formidilosus]

Out of .308 Win or one of the magnums?

ELD-M just as effective?

Both. But they are something else when impacting at 2,600’ish FPS and above.


ELD-M and Amax= same/same.

 

[wind gypsy]

The 200 ELDx are splashy enough out of a WSM. I would have zero desire to use a lighter ELD out of a WSM on elk.