I have been forced to look for a new factory ammo for my .300 WSM due to availability. I currently shoot Winchester Ballistic Silvertip, 180 gr on deer/elk and have been nothing but satisfied in accuracy and bullet/knockdown performance. All of my shots would be under 400 yards.
Looking around as to what I can get, the Federal Trophy Copper ammo popped up in my research. I see a lot of folks saying that monometal copper bullets are much better at staying together and holding their weight, so you can go with a lighter/faster bullet for bigger game.
The Federal Trophy Copper comes in 165 and 180 grains. When comparing the ballistics of both rounds to my Winchester 180 gr, there are a lot of similarities, especially with that 165 gr Trophy Copper.
VELOCITY
ENERGY
The trajectory between the Winchester Ballistic Silvertip 180 grain and the Trophy Copper 180 grain are pretty darn close. The Trophy Copper 165 grain is an even flatter shooter due to the higher velocities.
My question basically is whether or not the 165 grain solid Copper is going to pack enough punch for elk at the distances I am shooting? I am looking for one cartridge for mule deer and elk, and I am really trying to wrap my head around the idea of a solid copper bullet. I am afraid if I go with the 180 grain Copper, it would not be good for deer. I don't want to nuke the thing!
Looking around as to what I can get, the Federal Trophy Copper ammo popped up in my research. I see a lot of folks saying that monometal copper bullets are much better at staying together and holding their weight, so you can go with a lighter/faster bullet for bigger game.
The Federal Trophy Copper comes in 165 and 180 grains. When comparing the ballistics of both rounds to my Winchester 180 gr, there are a lot of similarities, especially with that 165 gr Trophy Copper.
VELOCITY
Muzzle | 100 Y | 200 Y | 300 Y | 400 Y | |
Ballistic Silvertip 180g | 3010 | 2822 | 2641 | 2458 | 2301 |
Trophy Copper 165g | 3120 | 2926 | 2739 | 2561 | 2389 |
Trophy Copper 180g | 2960 | 2780 | 2606 | 2439 | 2279 |
ENERGY
Muzzle | 100 Y | 200 Y | 300 Y | 400 Y | |
Ballistic Silvertip 180g | 3621 | 3182 | 2788 | 2434 | 2116 |
Trophy Copper 165g | 3566 | 3135 | 2749 | 2403 | 2091 |
Trophy Copper 180g | 3502 | 3088 | 2715 | 2378 | 2075 |
The trajectory between the Winchester Ballistic Silvertip 180 grain and the Trophy Copper 180 grain are pretty darn close. The Trophy Copper 165 grain is an even flatter shooter due to the higher velocities.
My question basically is whether or not the 165 grain solid Copper is going to pack enough punch for elk at the distances I am shooting? I am looking for one cartridge for mule deer and elk, and I am really trying to wrap my head around the idea of a solid copper bullet. I am afraid if I go with the 180 grain Copper, it would not be good for deer. I don't want to nuke the thing!