Which bullet to use for a Plains Game Hunt?

[enysse]

I take issue with anyone bad mouthing the accubond bullet....it doesn't vaporize...it expands and does it's job. It was a great invention.

I'm not surprised to blew a hind quarter up...that's what it will do....but the last time I checked we should be aiming for the heart lung area.

If we are trying to shoot through a animal from every odd angle...then use a TSX from Barnes or a GMX from Hornady.

 

[BigBullet]

I believe its important to remember what we are discussing here. "what bullet in the 300 Weatherby"?

You can get nearly any bullet to work well when your velocities are in the 2400-2600fps range. But we must remember that the higher the velocity the greater the stress on the projectile upon impact. A bullet that performs well in your 308 win may come apart on impact and fail to penetrate at 300 Weatherby velocities. So I will stand that the idea is to get a very tough bullet like the Barnes TSX or slow down velocities by going to a heavier projectile.

 

[gillettehunter]

I have read of some people having trouble with the Accubond. From what I've read it seems to be lighter weight for caliber bullets pushed over 3000 fps. Same trouble of blowing up on impact. Now having said that, it is likely the bullet that I will take next month with me to RSA. My wife bought me a new 7mm for Christmas. I'm starting to work up a load with the 160 gr accubond. That weight, in that caliber, is a relatively long bullet with a good ballistic co-effecient. That longer bullet will hold together better even when driven at over 3000 fps. It also is reputed to be a very accurate bullet.
I also really like the Barnes tipped TSX. Have killed some animals and gotten good performance. Used them in my Tika"s. Biggest problem has been copper fouling in my barrel.... Need to clean every 8-10 shots or I see a noticeable decrease in accuracy. Just my experience. May not apply to anyone else. Bruce

 

[catosilvaje]

In the larger bores at medium speeds I figure it is fine. The old gentelman that loads Johnny's ammo likes to push the bounds. No telling how fast those little rounds we going. I like Barnes bullets My AHR .416 AND Ruger #1, .416 both love the 350grn. bullet and I run them at 2650. Kills quite well.

 

[PARA45]

Thank you everyone for your responses and suggestions.

I checked the Nosler website, and this is what they list for the bullets in question.

Partition & Accubond optimum performance velocity:
Min-1800 FPS
Max - Unlimited

Based on everyone's suggestions, I think that either the Noslers or the Barnes will work. Now, to see which one will shoot better out of my rifles.

To those who made the comments about two rifles of the same caliber, not allowed. Thank you, you are absolutely correct, I checked and I can take two rifles, but they have to be different calibers. So, I'm still taking my 300 Wby, and as a back up a 30-06. I have all the components at hand, so for now to work on developing an accurate load.

Again, thank you very much for all your suggestions!

 

[Code4]

If you choose the bullet (from these 3) that shoots MOST ACCURATELY through your rifle, you cannot go wrong. Then it will just be up to you to shoot straight. Remember, bullet placement is still the most important factor.

Never a truer word was written. Find the most accurate and practise, practise, practise.

Gemsbok and Bluewildebeast are the toughest animals you list and neither are bullet proof.

 

[Calhoun]

On my 2 safari's I used 180 gr partitions on the first one & 150 grballistic tips on the 2nd one. I used a 30/06 and had great results. You should have no problems with any of the choices you have for the 300 weatherby mag!

 

[EJC]

Barnes TSX get my vote.

 

[6MM]

Though my results are out of an .06 Ackley I found that Nosler Partitions grouped better than the Barnes TSX bullets in 165 Grain weight. I used the same bullet weight, same primers (CCI BR-2), and the same powder weight. The partition group was 1/2 the size.

 

[sestoppelman]

Did you try other load combinations? One would not expect the same load to get the same result with a different bullet. Either bullet is great though.

 

[seattlesetters]

Ironically, in my 35 year big game hunting career, the Nosler Partition has consistently been the most inaccurate bullet in the vast majority of my rifles.

Why the irony, you ask? Because I've taken a vast majority of my animals with the Partition because I have confidence in it and I know it works.

I now prefer the TSX or TTSX. But I'd never kick the Partition out of bed if that's what I had.

 

[Mark H. Young]

Para45,

I've used the a 300 Win Mag quite a bit in Africa. Mine seems to have a fast barrel and gives nearly 300 Wby velocities. I had great luck with 180SAF but the 200 gr NP seemed to be about perfect. I also like the TSX although I've found them to leave poor blood trails but you can't beat the penetration.

 

[catosilvaje]

That's why the best caliber to use to kill anything over 100lbs. always starts with a .4 . The blood trail may be as long as ten feet. Usually just DRT.

 

[graybird]

Of the bullets you mentioned you might use, I'd select them in this order: 1)Partitions 2)Accubonds and 3) forget the Hornady bullets.

Personally, I'd chose the Barnes TSX or TTSX. I'd also look at the Swift A-frames, Northfork, Norma Oryx, Lapua Naturalis, Rhino, Woodleighs, etc. All of these would be before the Hornady Interlocks. Select the bullet that is the most precise and go hunting!!!

 

[RickB]

The hornady interlock is not hornadys good bullet. I would have trouble with using the interlock on anything other than a whitetail! The hornady I would recommend is the interbond. They are two different bullets, constructed in completely different ways. You can even go with the gmx as well. But again the bullet that shoots best out our your gun placed in the right spot on the animal will kill the animal every time. Big emphasis on the accuracy out of your gun!

 

[RayAtkinson]

IMO the Hornady is a great bullet, but I do also believe the velocity of the 300s stresses the Hornady bullets as I have seen a few failures, fortunatly it is the exception rather than the rule..

Based on that I have always used a super premium bullet in the big 30s. I suggest the Nosler, Swift or a monolithic HP such as Barnes or GS Customs.

 

[Rell]

I’ve used a AHR CZ actioned
300 weatherby for 4 trips to RSA, maybe 24 animals from bushbuck to eland with it.

I used 175gr Barnes LRX at about 3200fps.

I would only use Barness X or other really tough bullet. You will be shooting from sticks and shot angles aren’t always perfect. Penetration, penetration, penetration.

 

[Doug3006]

I think the caliber your going to use is more of a factor that the game you'll be pursuing. Weatherbys push bullets significantly faster than standard calibers. So I'd go with a tougher bullet, like Swift A-Frames, Barnes TSX, and others. I think in standard, non-magnum calibers, most all commercially available hunting (not match) bullets are suitable for plains game. Even the old-fashioned (but highly effective) Core Lokts do a good job IMO.

 

[machinistbutler]

That's why the best caliber to use to kill anything over 100lbs. always starts with a .4 . The blood trail may be as long as ten feet. Usually just DRT.

Most of the comments in this ten year old thread hold true today, but the quoted comment did make me laugh .

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I did not see anyone champion the Hornady FTX. And I am not suggesting anyone run out and buy a bunch. But...

On my recent initial trip to Africa I took my .338 Marlin. The only readily available factory ammo is the 200 grain FTX bullet. I once doubted it, when I first bought my rifle, but have since killed a bunch of moose and caribou so I decided to roll with it.

I killed 8 animals in 7 days, to include a couple of large bodied kudu bulls, a bull wildebeest, and a large warthog. Only the wildebeest lived more than a few moments or went any distance at all, and that was because of an extreme angle and some nervousness on my part shooting at my first animal. Most distances were 150-200 yards. The FTX killed what I shot at fast and without fanfare.

Some of the mentioned bullets are undeniably better. Though mine was a singular trip of just 8 animals (with the FTX), I think shot placement and staying within one's personal limits is a huge piece of the equation.