Federal Terminal Ascent For Plains Game

[WI-2021]

Greetings Everyone. I've been lurking this forum for quite some time and finally decided to register.

I'm in the very early planning stages of my first plains game safari (probably in 2025) and planning to take my own rifle due to being left-handed. I've decided that the rifle will be a .300WM, which I'll be building in the next several months. Most parts are ordered, just waiting for them to show up. FWIW, the rifle will be a Rem-clone with a 1:9" twist 22" Carbon Six barrel.

My question regards ammunition choices. It seems that heavy for caliber premium bullets are almost universally recommended for Africa, so I'm looking at 200 grain options. I don't handload, so a readily available factory option is essential. I'm finding that the Federal Terminal Ascent seems to be the most readily available 200 grain 300WM load. The specs and bullet construction look promising, but does anyone have experience with this load on plains game? I'd also like to hunt elk/moose someday and would prefer to stick with one load for this rifle, if possible. Obviously this choice is contingent on the rifle shooting them well.

The exact species I'll be hunting are still up in the air, but almost certainly Impala and Sable. Kudu is also a strong possibility. I'm open to other suggested loads as well.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Puddle]

I've not used them anywhere. It's a bonded bullet, so IMHO that's a good thing.

When partnering with a gunsmith on a build I make sure the 'smith is aware of the ammo I'll be feeding it. Better yet, supply the 'smith with the intended factory ammo you've chosen so the build can be tested with the ammo.

Good luck with your build, and good hunting!

 

[Randy F]

Welcome aboard!

 

[D-Orcutt]

Greetings Everyone. I've been lurking this forum for quite some time and finally decided to register.

I'm in the very early planning stages of my first plains game safari (probably in 2025) and planning to take my own rifle due to being left-handed. I've decided that the rifle will be a .300WM, which I'll be building in the next several months. Most parts are ordered, just waiting for them to show up. FWIW, the rifle will be a Rem-clone with a 1:9" twist 22" Carbon Six barrel.

My question regards ammunition choices. It seems that heavy for caliber premium bullets are almost universally recommended for Africa, so I'm looking at 200 grain options. I don't handload, so a readily available factory option is essential. I'm finding that the Federal Terminal Ascent seems to be the most readily available 200 grain 300WM load. The specs and bullet construction look promising, but does anyone have experience with this load on plains game? I'd also like to hunt elk/moose someday and would prefer to stick with one load for this rifle, if possible. Obviously this choice is contingent on the rifle shooting them well.

The exact species I'll be hunting are still up in the air, but almost certainly Impala and Sable. Kudu is also a strong possibility. I'm open to other suggested loads as well.

Thanks in advance!

I just got back in may I used a M18 .300 win mag with the federal terminal ascents. I killed kudo at 340 yards dropped dead on impact, waterbuck 200 ish yards dead on impact and blue wildebeest around 150 dead on impact same with impala x 2 and blesbuck. I did have a zebra run 80 yards then fell over dead and my second blue went 30 yards then died. I plan on using this round on my next trip as well

 

[BeeMaa]

First, allow me to be the 2nd to welcome you to AH.

Second, I just read an article in Safari magazine (from SCI) where one of the authors used a 200 grain bullet Federal TA on his PG trip with excellent performance. Of course he was on safari with members of Federal Ammunition, so I'd expect a good report. Other good options are the Swift A-Frame, Barnes TSX, Norma Oryx and Federal TBBC in weights from 150 to 220 grains.

Do your practice from sticks and practice often. Placing the bullet in the proper location is the key. An error on your end will not be made up for with whatever bullet you choose to use.

 

[chashardy]

I used a Model 70 300 winmag in 2018 on plains game with Federal's 200gr Nosler Partition ammo. Worked great with one shot kills on sable, zebra, gemsbok, and waterbuck. Worked great. I bought the Terminal Ascent ammo for my 270 win, but haven't had a chance to use it on game, yet.

 

[R.M.C.]

I think it's pretty similar to the trophy bonded tips Federal offers, should be great. Welcome to the forum!!

 

[WI-2021]

Thanks to all of you for the advice and warm welcome. I'll try to address several of the comments:

-I already made up a set of tripod shooting sticks using 6' garden stakes and paracord. I've messed around with them a little in my garage and am not quite happy with them yet. I'll get them to a functional state and start practicing, starting with a .22, and working my way up to the .300. I may take them squirrel hunting next year for a bit better real-world practice. (with the .22, not the .300!)

-The rifle build will be a DIY affair, due to the magic of shouldered pre-fit barrels. Of course, if I run into any issues it will go straight to my gunsmith to get sorted out. This is part of why I'm starting so early. Hoping everything comes together properly, but allowing time in case it doesn't. This will be my first attempt at assembling a bolt-action rifle, but I've done plenty of work on various other types of guns.

I originally placed my order for the barrel with a 1:9.5" twist, but I'll be switching to a 1:9" since the 200 grain terminal ascent is longer than the Accubond I was originally planning on using. Berger's stability calculator shows a 9.5" twist as marginal for the 200 grain TA. This rifle will spend it's life, at least in the US, with a suppressor on it, so under-stabilized bullets can get expensive quickly in the form of baffle strikes. As for the rest of the rifle: Mesa Summit Stainless action, AG Composites stock, Triggertech Primary trigger, BDL, Trijicon Accupoint 2.5-12.5. In the end, since this is a DIY project, I'll have no one to blame but myself if it doesn't work out.

Glad to hear some positive feedback on the Terminal Ascent bullets. Most of what I'd previously seen online was from magazines of questionable objectivity.

As far as the hunt, it will be in the Limpopo. I have a friend who has been there twice now. He invited me on the last trip earlier this year, but I had to decline, since we already had an Alaska trip planned. Too many adventures, not enough vacation time. He's more than willing to go again, so we're going to tag along. Hunting Africa has been a goal of mine since I got my hands on Capstick's books quite a few years ago.

 

[Rare Breed]

Greetings Everyone. I've been lurking this forum for quite some time and finally decided to register.

I'm in the very early planning stages of my first plains game safari (probably in 2025) and planning to take my own rifle due to being left-handed. I've decided that the rifle will be a .300WM, which I'll be building in the next several months. Most parts are ordered, just waiting for them to show up. FWIW, the rifle will be a Rem-clone with a 1:9" twist 22" Carbon Six barrel.

My question regards ammunition choices. It seems that heavy for caliber premium bullets are almost universally recommended for Africa, so I'm looking at 200 grain options. I don't handload, so a readily available factory option is essential. I'm finding that the Federal Terminal Ascent seems to be the most readily available 200 grain 300WM load. The specs and bullet construction look promising, but does anyone have experience with this load on plains game? I'd also like to hunt elk/moose someday and would prefer to stick with one load for this rifle, if possible. Obviously this choice is contingent on the rifle shooting them well.

The exact species I'll be hunting are still up in the air, but almost certainly Impala and Sable. Kudu is also a strong possibility. I'm open to other suggested loads as well.

Thanks in advance!

Welcome! My son who is 32 is left handed. I just bought him a Ruger in 300WM left hand…a beautiful gun. He will be joining me on a PG hunt in 2024 his first to Africa with Fronteer Safaris (thanks@philipglass). I put a Swarovski Z3 on it for him. He will be shooting 180 grain soft points. My POV only…150 to light, 200 grain to heavy…180 grain there is no PG that walks this earth that this combination will not take down cleanly

 

[mikecatt13]

Welcome!

The options for bullets are almost endless, and lots of good ones (except modern winchester being trash). And can get into pretty heavy debate. I went with Swift Aframes. Between articles/reviews, FB and bullet performance threads on here, they had the least amount of poor performance reviews (actually not sure I found one. Despite many options only having a small number of less than stellar accounts, i decided on on absolute fewest), and the recovered bullets in pre-safari testing and performance on my first safari was consistent with that.

IMO 180 vs 200 doesnt matter, get what's available and what your rifle likes. If 180s are good enough for a quick and effective 1 shot on a huge bull giraffe as I've seen, it's good enough for any plains game. Study shot placement and practice off sticks, way more important than 20 grains with the right bullet selection

 

[WI-2021]

Thank you both for your input. A good 180 grain bullet will be my backup plan since there's a much wider selection of 180 grain factory loads. I'll definitely put in the time off of shooting sticks to be proficient as well. I've never used them before; another reason to get started early.

Rifle selection for lefties is definitely a challenge, especially since I'm extremely picky. I've gone through my phase of buying what was available and moved on to building what I want. The .300 will be my second custom. The first will be a .308 that a local gunsmith is building for me. Should be done soon.... I hope.

 

[Shootist43]

Welcome aboard WI2021. I like your build plan. The 300 Win Mag has proven itself to be very capable of taking African game. For an African hunt several years back, I contacted IvW (a well respected PH and AH member) to get his recommended bullet weight for that caliber. His unequivocal answer was a well-constructed 200 Grain bullet. Swift A frames and TBBC were on the "short list." Enjoy building your rifle. Please keep us posted, pics. will help.

 

[WI-2021]

Thank you for the feedback. I'll plan to start a thread on the build in a few months when all of the parts arrive, and hopefully have some good groups to post shortly thereafter.

 

[CoElkHunter]

Welcome to AH! 180gr. Barnes TTSX in .300WM is devastating on big game. On my one hunt, I took all my PG with it and one shot kills even when shot was less than perfect.

 

[Longdrive]

They shot very well for me also out of a Savage Ultralite 280 ackley. Definitely a good option for factory.

 

[shark_za]

I cant comment on the load itself other than it follows a perfect recipe for success.
A "solid shank" mono with bonded front core like Rhino or Bear Claw usually gives great performance.

I would even go with 180gr if you are not after Eland and meat damage is not a concern.
Either way a 180/200gr great bullet in a 300 is just sweet spot perfect.
Enjoy the hunt and the testing that leads up to it too.

 

[WI-2021]

Thanks again to all for the feedback!

 

[Andrew62]

Having been to Africa as many times as I have, I feel I can say that 180 or 200 grain bullets really won't make a difference. There are many quality ammo choices right off the shelf. My last 3 safaris have been with my .308 and I have used Swift A-frame 165 grain, Barnes TTSX 168 grain, Black Butterfly with Maker bullets in 168 grain, I took 6 zebras, 2 kudus, 3 blue wildebeest, plus many other animals, all with great success. Just pick a quality bullet and you will be good to go!!

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I’ve got a Remington 700 that shoots the Terminal Ascent lights out and a Savage Ultralite in .280AI that likes them. The round is absolutely devastating. I shot a bull elk in the Gila this fall and the guide was extremely impressed with the bullet. He commented about how he saw the shockwave ripple through the body and front legs completely give out. Double shoulder and it mushroomed perfectly retaining almost all its mass.

I know of several folks who’ve taken them to Africa with great reports as well. Multiple guides who’ve shot them on sheep and moose with excellent reviews. This will be the first bullet I try in all of my new rifles going forward.

 

[WI-2021]

Welcome aboard WI2021. I like your build plan. The 300 Win Mag has proven itself to be very capable of taking African game. For an African hunt several years back, I contacted IvW (a well respected PH and AH member) to get his recommended bullet weight for that caliber. His unequivocal answer was a well-constructed 200 Grain bullet. Swift A frames and TBBC were on the "short list." Enjoy building your rifle. Please keep us posted, pics. will help.

I suppose I'll resurrect this thread instead of starting a new one. The custom .300 (and the .308) have both made their way into my safe now. I wimped out on assembling the .300 myself. My initial reason was that I found that buying the tools to assemble it myself would have cost significantly more than having my gunsmith do it.

Turns out it would have ended up at the gunsmith anyway, since it had excess headspace when he initially assembled it, so he had to set the barrel back a bit. I didn't bother digging into whether the prefit was out of spec or the action since it was a pretty easy fix for him and didn't cost me much money.

I haven't shot it yet, hopefully tomorrow. Initial impressions are good. Other than the headspace SNAFU, fit and finish on all components is great. It weights 9.25 lbs with scope, sling, and my TBAC Ultra 5 on it. I was targeting 9-9.5 lbs ready to hunt, so I'll be right where I wanted to be on weight.

The Mesa action is pretty smooth, but no match for the Defiance on my .308. That's to be expected, considering the dramatically different price points. I cycled it a bunch of times dry when I received it to slick it up, then greased it, which helped dramatically. The only minor concern i have with it is that the bolt has a rather odd hex pattern machined into it. It looks good, but drags a bit and makes the action a little less smooth, plus it will probably be a pain to clean. I'd have preferred spiral fluting. It will probably continue to slick up with some use. I really like the 75 degree bolt lift since it lets the bolt handle clear my Trijicon Accupoint 2.5-12.5 in low rings. That scope hasn't worked in low rings on any 90 degree bolt rifle I've tried it on. I do wish a 3-position safety was an option on this action, but I decided to forego that to get a lower bolt lift.

The Mesa BDL bottom metal is very well made. Everything fits together well and the finish is great. Way nicer than the Remington bottom metal I foolishly chose for the .308. I'll probably be buying the Mesa bottom metal for the .308 too.

The AG CAT stock is also really well made. I'm not a huge fan of the relatively squared off forearm, I'd have preferred it a bit more rounded, but that's a minor quibble. It's very rigid and fits me well.

The Carbon Six barrel is, well, a barrel. I won't know about that until I shoot it. It's pretty though.

The Triggertech primary is nice. No noticeable creep or overtravel with a crisp break. I haven't checked pull weight.

I pulled the striker assembly out and cycled some rounds through it to test feeding. The Terminal Ascents fed great. That's the only ammo I have to try at the moment. I was a little concerned that the 3.8" Wyatt's box and follower would have issues with factory-length rounds, but it was no problem. I tried with the rounds pushed all the way to the back of the magazine and all the way forward; no hiccups in either case.

No decent pictures yet, I'll try to get some tomorrow when I'm at the range with it, weather permitting. Maybe a family photo of it, the Defiance .308, and my Ridgeline.

All in all, I'm happy with it so far, assuming it shoots, which it probably will.