300wsm ? New to reloading

[Joshuajosh]

The only other round I’ve reloaded for is the .17 hornet… what brass, primers, and powders should I pick up? Looking at bullet options as well, this rifles intended use is long range hunting. Species will be elk, black bear, whitetail, and antelope. Was looking at the 180accubond

 

[Gstew1930]

Right now ADG makes the best 300 wsm brass. i wouldnt shoot the 180 accubond for long range. i like the berger 200.20x mine. works well in a short action. i've had good luck with RL16, Staball 6.5 & N560

 

[Joshuajosh]

Right now ADG makes the best 300 wsm brass. i wouldnt shoot the 180 accubond for long range. i like the berger 200.20x mine. works well in a short action. i've had good luck with RL16, Staball 6.5 & N560

Sweet, I’ll check the Berger out, I’ve used the Berger factory ammo for my 6.5, stuff shoots great and uses lapua brass

 

[jimh406]

A lot of people use H4350 for 300 WSM. What distance are you calling “long range”?

The Accubond is generally considered one of the best choices from close to 400 yds or so.

On the other hand, the faster expanding bullets don’t have a great reputation at closer ranges. Berger is one of those. Some say that the Accubond LR is one of those, but maybe you’ll never take a close shot. In that case, it may not matter.

Finally, there are a lot of 300 WSM threads here. You might search for those to get more opinions.

 

[Joshuajosh]

A lot of people use H4350 for 300 WSM. What distance are you calling “long range”?

The Accubond is generally considered one of the best choices from close to 400 yds or so.

On the other hand, the faster expanding bullets don’t have a great reputation at closer ranges. Berger is one of those. Some say that the Accubond LR is one of those, but maybe you’ll never take a close shot. In that case, it may not matter.

Finally, there are a lot of 300 WSM threads here. You might search for those to get more opinions.

For hunting 5-600 for me is entering long range, beyond that is certainly long range for hunting I would think… steel 1000+

 

[idig4au]

I’m a dinosaur but I’m partial to Norma brass and RL17 for my 300 wsm. I prefer the 168 gr Barnes TTSX bullet which goes against the current trends of bullet weights. That said my definition of “long range“ is 600 yards max with this setup. Its generally fit for purpose for my needs and is tried and trued combination that my rifle likes.

 

[Hoggetter]

I have great results with cheap winchester brass and win lrg rifle mag primer and R17 and 200gr ELDX for elk and deer. I dont know why that 200eldx hammers so hard on elk, but it does. The Hornady tech said they use the same cup as the 212eldx but since it is shorter the frontal jacket is thicker. Also the same set up with 180gf CX

 

[Dmoua]

Norma brass, Fed 215M, H4831sc, and 185gr Berger VLDH is what I shoot in mine.

 

[Roofer1]

I’m a dinosaur but I’m partial to Norma brass and RL17 for my 300 wsm. I prefer the 168 gr Barnes TTSX bullet which goes against the current trends of bullet weights. That said my definition of “long range“ is 600 yards max with this setup. Its generally fit for purpose for my needs and is tried and trued combination that my rifle likes.

Out of curiosity, did you put this together based on the load charts from Barnes' web site? I was going to give it a try for a 2025 sheep hunt with the possibility of running into Griz.

Sorry to the OP, didn't mean to hijack the thread. I've had good luck with the ADG brass, 65 grains of RL23, large magnum primers, and the ELD-X 200 grain bullets. Pretty solid out to 600 yards, haven't shot past that.

 

[eightyeight mag]

Norma brass, rl17, and 180gr Accubonds for my 300 wsm.
Been running this setup for years.
Elk hate it

 

[idig4au]

Out of curiosity, did you put this together based on the load charts from Barnes' web site? I was going to give it a try for a 2025 sheep hunt with the possibility of running into Griz.

Sorry to the OP, didn't mean to hijack the thread. I've had good luck with the ADG brass, 65 grains of RL23, large magnum primers, and the ELD-X 200 grain bullets. Pretty solid out to 600 yards, haven't shot past that.

No, I had my rifle built around this bullet. The gunsmith developed the load. I’ve shot Barnes for years with great results in all my rifles.

Norma brass, 64.5 gr RL17, 215M primers, 168 gr TTSX 0.025 off lands. I’m getting 3150 fps with effective spread of 12 fps.

 

[BCsteve]

Winchester brass, Fed215, H4350 and 175 LRX is accurate and works on moose in mine

 

[wirehead]

Factory Tikka 1:11" twist. The twist rate plays a roll here... the 200 ELDX required 1:10" or faster.

My loads:
Norma Brass
Fed215s
175 Barnes LRX with 68.3 gr 6.5 Staball: 3125 fps
205 Berger Elite Hunter 65.0 gr Staball: 2850 fps (this is my go-to)
Both should ragged holes.

I previously used Win brass. Norma brass seems soft compared to the Win brass... I get pressure signs sooner with Norma compared to win. The only reason I'm not using ADG is because it was not available when I started load development.

Your rifle/magazine cartridge length restrictions also play a roll. My tikka magazine will not allow the 205 EH loaded 0.030" off lands and with bullet boat tail transition seated to the brass neck/shoulder transition. However, the 175 LRX would fit in the stock Tikka WSM magazine loaded at 0.050" off lands. I had to use a Hells Canyon magazine for the 205 EH.

What I've seen the most in my searching:
some amount of H4350 with berger 200.20x - should get between 2730 and 2800 fps. Some have gotten close to or >3k fps with higher energy powders like Alliant Reloader powders or vihtavuori. 2750 with the 205EH or 200.20x is >1800 fps out to >700 yards.

Also see a lot of folks running 180 / 185s - I think the berger 185 VLD hunting bullet looks great.

I do not recall what the min terminal velocity for the 200.20x or 205 EH is - I'm assuming its 1800 fps. if someone has this info, please share.

Good luck!!! Its a great round...