Help with 300 WSM Bullet

archp625

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Hey guys and gals. I am in the process of building a 20” 300 WSM that I will run suppressed. What would be your bullet of choice for elk? I have some time before all the parts get here so thought I better start looking for components.
 

B23

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Unfortunately, which bullet/s you, want, to use and which bullet/s are currently available may not be in the same sentence.

The availability of 200-200+ gr 30 cal bullets is pretty slim pickens right now. Although I did see some Hornady 200gr ELD-X recently.
 

ID_Matt

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215 berger would be my choice if you have the space for it. Ryan Avery is trying the 200.20X I think?
 
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archp625

archp625

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215 berger would be my choice if you have the space for it. Ryan Avery is trying the 200.20X I think?
I do. I’m building this on a tikka action. I worry the +200 grain bullets will be super slow. I’m wondering if I should drop down to the 168-180 to gain a little speed.
 

ID_Matt

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I do. I’m building this on a tikka action. I worry the +200 grain bullets will be super slow. I’m wondering if I should drop down to the 168-180 to gain a little speed.
You might be surprised by the velocity with certain powders. The bigger bullets might win in ballistics for longer shots but for shorter stuff you may be better off picking the lighter, faster bullet.
 

Rusty85

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I run 215 Bergers out of my HCA built Tikka, Mike throated it specifically for the 215’s. With a 25” barrel I’m getting 2920 FPS with Norma brass and RL26.
 

Legend

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Acubond or Hammer are my choices. Eldx works great for killing paper...not so great at elk inside 200yds.
 

Mosby

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I shoot 130 gr Barnes TSX in my WSM for whitetail. Absolute tack driver in my rifle and it screams. No reason it wouldn't work for elk but I would load something in the 165 to 180 grain range. The 175 gr Barnes LRX are what I use in my primary elk rifle, which is a WM.

If I am going bigger, then I normally shoot 200 grain Partitions or the 210 gr. Accubonds.
 
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I run 215 Bergers out of my HCA built Tikka, Mike throated it specifically for the 215’s. With a 25” barrel I’m getting 2920 FPS with Norma brass and RL26.
What kinda groups are you getting. I have mike building me a rifle now
 

Rusty85

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They shoot great! Groups in the .2-.3’s are not uncommon. Mike has finished 2 rifles for me and has a third one at he’s shop now. One 700 in 33 Nosler, one Tikka in 300 WSM and the new one is a full custom in 300 HCA (Norma Imp).
 

Wrench

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I struggle when guys suggest super tough, heavy bullets for a slower setup.

I'm building a very similar setup and it will spit 200.8 bergers. I wouldn't consider a 200 accubond as your impact velos could be in the 1500fps neck of the woods. Having smashed a binch of match type bullets into deer and elk in the 1700 fps area.....I wouldn't hesitate.

Think about how that bullet will upset at your predicted velocity..... then worry about BC. You have to do the math regardless, so if it takes 3 more clicks....so be it.

You can get a thinner skinned bullet to do everything except stay together a warp speed....but you can't make a tough bullet work at a loping pace.
 
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I have a 18" 300WSM built on a Savage Striker 510 action, her favorite hunting bullet has been the Berger 185gr VLD-H and I have used it on everything from Squeekers and Yotes up to Pigs and Elk. Performance on game has been very good and my SP absolutely loves it.
 

Maclowry

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I’m running 215’s under RL26, shoots great.
I have some lighter 150-180g TTSX i want to do load work up for.
 
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archp625

archp625

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I have a 18" 300WSM built on a Savage Striker 510 action, her favorite hunting bullet has been the Berger 185gr VLD-H and I have used it on everything from Squeekers and Yotes up to Pigs and Elk. Performance on game has been very good and my SP absolutely loves it.
What kind of speeds are you getting with that 18" barrel. Also what powder are you using?
 
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