300 Winchester Magnum bullets for plains game

[Gert Odendaal]

On my first visit, I used a Weatherby Mk.5 in 8X68S caliber with the RWS 187gr H. Mantel copper hollow-point bullet. I only visited SA twice.
These performed well on every species, but after the first shot, I got the "ring of incompetence" on my forehead because it was "too much gun" for my weak frame. I forgot I had this bruiser on in the heat of the moment.

I traveled aboard a Sako TRGS during my second trip.The 180gr Nosler Partitions and 300 Win.Mag. caliber killed everything up to Kudu and Red Hartebeeste in a spectacular fashion, but each time I fired the trigger, I was not half-dead.

Yes, the 8x68S is a magnum size caliber in the German fire arm rifle world...it do have a recoil noticeable. I am currently in the process to build a second rifle stock for the 8x68S Mauser Mod 98 action with a PAC-NOR barrel 28"inch barrel in a magnum profile...to give additional weight to the completed rifle ..( first rifle stock was too light)

I now am focusing on a design to beef up the rifle stock to have a sturdy , bulky profile, keeping more wood on the rifle stock..I am lifting the comb about 30mm higher to enable a good eye relief /eye height /cheek weld on the butt stock part.....
The profile will still be like a Dangerous Game rifle stock to reduce the felt recoil .

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Rhino bullets are made in South Africa and extremely good. Have you considered those ?

We currently have quite a few bullet manufacturers here in South Africa..there is progress in regards to the variety of quality bullets being produce here in South Africa...
All we need now is a company that produces primers ....that will be just great , we really are struggling to get hold of primers here in South Africa ..

I will be trying the AXE bullets in my next reloading exercise ....there is still 50x rounds I need to re-load for the SAKO .300WM and 50x ELD-X bullets for the 7.5x55 SWISS rifle .

 

[shark_za]

I'd rather use a 180gr Interlock than a 178gr ELD-X.
Unless I was ringing gongs.

 

[Gert Odendaal]

I'd rather use a 180gr Interlock than a 178gr ELD-X.
Unless I was ringing gongs.

At this stage I am working towards getting a functional accurate load for the SAKO .300WM. As it is custom to many discussions about what the best bullet is to use for hunting /gong shooting there will always be a lot of opinions.

I am of the view that there is not one bullet manufacturing company that is manufacturing poor quality bullets in today`s advance technological environment.

It is thus up to the hunter/shooter to acquire the relevant knowledge about the properties of the bullet product /the insight to apply this knowledge to have good results in using the specific bullet for the intended purposes.

There are many hunters/shooters that used the ELD-X 178gn bullet to hunt and experienced great results . It is therefore making sense in taking in account the experience of these hunters/shooters when buying the ELD-X bullets for hunting since they themselves used this product.

Then there is the theoretical opinion of hunters/shooters about this specific type of bullet that have not used the ELD-X 178gn in their .300WM rifles.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

What do recommend as a bullet for plains game? Largest animal I’m shooting is a kudu and I may possible use the rifle for a giraffe, smallest is an impala.

@John18
To me you can't go past the Woodleighs.
Good premium bonded bullets that gets the job done and has proven itself over and over
The deciding factor for me is they are a third the price of the others in Australia.
Bob

 

[shark_za]

Then there is the theoretical opinion of hunters/shooters about this specific type of bullet that have not used the ELD-X 178gn in their .300WM rifles.

I have seen enough meat damage and injured animals amongst friends who use ELD-X to not want to shoot them at game.
Some pro cullers will benefit from the great accuracy and good for them.
The average man on the street should steer clear of them.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

Hunter, I never shoot on the shoulder, I always try to place the bullet just behind the shoulder in the crease where I usually aim at when using my bow to hunt. I only need to break the two ribs , and hit the hart and lungs as well..

At this stage I am working towards getting a functional accurate load for the SAKO .300WM. As it is custom to many discussions about what the best bullet is to use for hunting /gong shooting there will always be a lot of opinions.

I am of the view that there is not one bullet manufacturing company that is manufacturing poor quality bullets in today`s advance technological environment.

It is thus up to the hunter/shooter to acquire the relevant knowledge about the properties of the bullet product /the insight to apply this knowledge to have good results in using the specific bullet for the intended purposes.

There are many hunters/shooters that used the ELD-X 178gn bullet to hunt and experienced great results . It is therefore making sense in taking in account the experience of these hunters/shooters when buying the ELD-X bullets for hunting since they themselves used this product.

Then there is the theoretical opinion of hunters/shooters about this specific type of bullet that have not used the ELD-X 178gn in their .300WM rifles.

I have had great success with my .300 WM using AccuBonds in both both 180 and 200 grains. Very accurate and lethal on everything I've shot at.

 

[MacJenkins]

I have seen enough meat damage and injured animals amongst friends who use ELD-X to not want to shoot them at game.
Some pro cullers will benefit from the great accuracy and good for them.
The average man on the street should steer clear of them.

I agree. I shoot lots or Barnes, A-frames, CEB's for hunting. My daughter has wanted to do some long range shooting so she is using a 7 PRC. I loaded her a fantastic shooting load of 175 ELD-X since that's what many on the forums are shooting out of thier 7 PRC's and claim good performace on game.

Anyway we got her set up last year on a decent 6x6 elk at 180 yards. She shot it just behind the shoulder and the damage that bullet did was astounding. The base of the bullet was found under the skin on the offside and weights around 40 grains. Scattered bits of jacket and lead made a mess.

Yes the elk died about 20 yards away. Just made the cleaning of the animal a mess and don't want to do that again.

I'm sure a 600 yard shot the bullet would stay together better.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I used a hire rifle on my management hunt. It was the PH own rifle a 7mmRM using Hornady SST . 10 one shot kills. The Blue Wildebeeste to a short run a Kudu cow went straight down and a decent Kudu Bull did not go far .
I would vote Woodleigh being Australian but I have used Nosler.
Barnes, Woodleigh and Swift will all do it I’m sure.
I would like another .300wm and would consider it a PG rifle. My PH seconded that in discussions
Shot placement as always is important.

@CBH Australia
The SST is a very underrated bullet in my book.
Some say it blows up to easy but my personal experience on pig, goat and deer is they work well. In all the years I've been using them my son has only ever recovered 2 projectiles. Usually leaves an exit depending on the angle.
Some say the bullet failed if it fails to hold together like the pretty pictures but if'n it kills game and I don't have to track it the bullet performance was fine. It killed the game.
Top that off they are reasonably priced along with good in game performance.
If they made a 225 or 250gn in 358 I would use them. Unfortunately they only make them upto 338.
Bob

 

[mdwest]

All of my rifles from 223 to 416 fall somewhere between “like” and “love with Barnes TSX and TTSX in terms of accuracy and reliability… so that is my go-to for almost everything… it keeps loading simple that way..

That said.. if you’re talking about a rifle with some speed on it (a 30 magnum, etc..), that where I’ve found Barnes to really excel performance wise…

So that is what we exclusively shoot at the mdwest house in our 300 win mags, 300 PRC, and 300 H&H…

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

@Ryan
DISCO ISN'T DEAD MATE, it just taking a nap and still appreciated by many tho they won't admit it.
Admittedly there's only two kinds of music COUNTRY AND WESTERN but I'm still partial to a bit of 70s disco when reminiscing my misspent youth.
Back then you don't need gyms, hard work built you up, girls were girls not god knows what now with boys will be girls and girls will be boys.
Guns and hunting was a social norm
People actually cared about things like respect, marriage and lifelong friendships.
Enough of the reminiscing but yes good old fashioned cup and core are still killing game as well as fifty years ago.
Bob

If you aren't reloading go with the factory 180s and you'll do great. I dropped an eland dead as disco with 180 grain PMP factory ammo (probably cup and core) out of a 300 Win Mag and several animals including two kudu and a zebra with 168 grain Barnes TTSX bullets out of a 30-06. So it's safe to say the 180 A-Frame or TTSX out of a 300 WM will do the job well. If you use it on giraffe I'd go for a neck shot, which I did on mine per my PHs suggestion. It's a big target and it will drop right there.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I have used the, Barnes 180gr partition, and Nosler TSX, on Elk with good results. Elk are bigger than most African plains game, with the exception of Eland and Giraffe.

@Brent in Az
Don't you mean Barnes tsx and Nosler partition.
Bob

 

[Surgeon1]

In a 300 Mag (RUM,WIN,WBY) a 200gr A-frame has been stellar for me! I not only detest Barnes
bullets I hate them, can't stand the copper fouling and almost any premium bullet is more accurate!
Some barrels will foul in 10 rounds to the point all accuracy is lost.
Break off a pedal or two and the bullet may go in any direction on penetration.
I know this is all contrary to what most people think but I've personally seen their failures and have purchased enough used guns with very few rounds thru them that won't shoot and when all the copper fouling is removed, accuracy returns more than 50% of original owners will admit to shooting Barnes or monolithe bullets even if only a few

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

@One Day... Good write up written clearly. I’ve been told similar but this puts it into context and is coming from an experienced Hunter not someone using a sales spiel.
There is a company in Australia called Outer Edge that make mono metal and promote the same principle but you have give s some excellent information in examples that we can relate too.
The salesman at the shop said Outer Edge recommend a bullet weight to a twist rate etc but that’s all relevant anyway if we get into heavy bullets.
I researched some low recoil options for my brother in a lightweight .308 as he had some neck issues one trip. We never resolved if it was the shooting or other.
I decided on was Barnes TTSX as they are known for expansion and weight retention and from what I found they still perform a ton lower velocity within reason.
Thanks for some clearly written explanation and examples.

@CBH Australia
Chris outer edge are a great projectiles.
My son used 140gn outer edge in his 308. The performance was outstanding even in zebra with massive internal damage and good exit wounds.
Unlike the Barnes the form the classic 1.5-2 X diameter mushrooms.
Atomic 29 are another brilliant mono bullet
The beauty of them is they are Australian made and 1/3 the price of Barnes.
Bob

 

[Bill_D]

I used 175 Barnes LRX in Namibia last year out of my 30-06 at 2800. Kudu, Oryx, Zebra, Eland all exited, bullet worked amazing. Also dropped a spring buck like it was hit with a truck.

I have took a bull elk in Colorado at 300 yards with this same 175 LRX out of my 300 wsm at 3100, complete pass threw with lots of destruction.

For Non Dangerous game I don’t think you are sacrificing anything in terms of toughness or penetration by switching form TSX to LRX but you get flatter shooting/better BC and they seem to open up a little more like a traditional lead bullet for more initial energy dump. Just my opinion if using them. Oh and they shoot amazing like most Barnes bullets.

 

[Brent in Az]

@Brent in Az
Don't you mean Barnes tsx and Nosler partition.
Bob

I get things backwards sometimes

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Of the three you listed, I picked the A-Frame. I'd use either 180gr or 200gr variety whichever is more accurate. I haven't hunted personally with the bullet, I'm a North Fork guy, but A-Frames would be my 2nd choice.

I did hunt with @AZ KJ last summer. He used 160gr in his 7mm Mag. Just devastating performance, I'd hunt confidently with them.

That said, your other choices of Woodleigh and Barnes have had lots of success too. If you choose Woodleigh go heavy and slower versus lighter/faster. They don't like high impact speeds.

@PHOENIX PHIL
I've had no issues with Woodleigh impacting at higher the recommended impact velocities but they were the 35 cal 225gn PPSP.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Would you mind sharing your load ? here or by PM is fine

I have purchased a Tikka .300wm as I had components From one I sold.

I used Hornady SSTs in the Outfitters 7mm rm in South Africa with great success,

By chance i have 180gn SST that I plan to use and I got a recipe from Uncle Bob who uses load from a disk so he put in 24” Barrel and 180gn SST and AR2213sc being what I have and had purchased previously . I will load some today awaiting a permit to acquire of course.

I have other ADI powder and will try stick with those for availability.
I would probably look at Woodleigh as I replace ammo.

I mostly shoot pigs , foxes , pests. If the .300 goes OK I will try test my skills past 300 pending rifle and target, situation.

Camel may be in my future. I hope. New Zealand maybe,

@CBH Australia
How did those loads go I gave you mate
Bob

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

@PHOENIX PHIL
I've had no issues with Woodleigh impacting at higher the recommended impact velocities but they were the 35 cal 225gn PPSP.
Bob

I'll take your word on that, still I don't think I'd go against Woodleigh's advice. I've not been to their website in quite awhile, but as I recall they listed recommended velocities and I'd be inclined to follow that myself.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

What do recommend as a bullet for plains game? Largest animal I’m shooting is a kudu and I may possible use the

Swift A Frame 180 grain

Barnes "TT"SX not TSX, that's more for dangerous game IMO. TTSX

Nosler 180-190 grain Accubonds

Whatever your rifle likes best you will be fine with any of them with proper shot placement.