.300 WSM for Pronghorn?

[Raisin Bran]

Would a .300 WSM shooting a 130 gr. TTSX be too much for pronghorn? At this time I do have other options available but if my wife or son wanted to hunt as well, I would be using my elk rifle.

I am new to everything pronghorn so please excuse my ignorance.

Sweet Mother of Jesus!! When I saw this I nearly swallowed my tongue, thinking really?? But then I reigned myself in and realized that I shoot Antelope with a .270 140 gr. Hornady SST‘s ! Like someone said on a previous thread, it looks like an IED went off inside.

Your choice will do just fine!

 

[Gunner46]

Why blast ants with a bazooka? They are NOT that big. Powder capacity & Boom will never surpass just a good old accurate shot with a '08 caliber cartridge.

 

[HiMtnHntr]

When you hunt multiple biggame species in what is sometimes even in the span of a day, it's just handy to use one rifle.

 

[Big Slick]

I’ve shot two pronghorn with a .300 wsm with 185 gr Berger’s. No meat loss. I’ve shot larger grain bullets for many years now. Is the 130 grain your go to for all game?

 

[millerkiller77]

Fun fact.

If you neck down a 300 wsm to 25 caliber, making a 25-300 wsm.

That cartridge is called the 25 pronghorn.

If you get a fast twist, you can shoot the new bigger 25's really fast. (~3200 FPS) [Berger's G1 BC is 0.65 if that matters]

134 ELD X

131 ACE

135 Berger

Or you can get a little copper bullet and shoot laser beams (~3800 FPS) [Max Point blank range of 420 yards or so]

90 CX

80 TTSX

92 Hammer Hunter

Do with this information, however you wish.

Thanks a lot, now I know how I'm going to rebarrel my Kimber.
2023 no new gun resolution almost made it a month

 

[G. McAlister]

I’ve shot two pronghorn with a .300 wsm with 185 gr Berger’s. No meat loss. I’ve shot larger grain bullets for many years now. Is the 130 grain your go to for all game?

No, I have both 168 and 180 grain loads already. As I have not hunted prongs before, I was trying to determine if a lighter load would be a better option than what I currently have available in the event I would have to shoot a .300 wsm instead of my go to 7mm-08.

 

[Big Slick]

No, I have both 168 and 180 grain loads already. As I have not hunted prongs before, I was trying to determine if a lighter load would be a better option than what I currently have available in the event I would have to shoot a .300 wsm instead of my go to 7mm-08.

I am a firm believer in shooting the bullet that shoots the best out of my rifle, no matter what I’m hunting. I caught hell for years for shooting 165 grain bullets in 30-06 for Columbia blacktail deer.

 

[EKYHunter]

I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t overkill like it would be here in a lot of KY. And who knows, if I make a 130 gr. load I like I might use it here too.

I’ve killed several deer here in Eastern Kentucky with 180 grain bullets with no issues at all.

 

[wytex]

300wsm and 165 gr bonded bullets here for everything in Wyoming.
Pronghorn have very strong bones so avoid those if possible and no giant loss of meat

 

[WyomingHunter333]

Exit wound from .300 Wby visible on the point of the shoulder. Shot was about 100 yards, 180 gr Accubond. I’ve shot my last 2 with that combo, very little lost meat.

View attachment 262771

Nice lope!

 

[3855WIN]

I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t overkill like it would be here in a lot of KY. And who knows, if I make a 130 gr. load I like I might use it here too.

Not sure why it’s overkill in Kentucky. It’s just a fast .30-06.
I’d use whatever bullet you’re already sighted in for.

 

[EastTNHunter]

Thanks a lot, now I know how I'm going to rebarrel my Kimber.
2023 no new gun resolution almost made it a month

Nah, technically it’s not a new gun if you’re just re-barreling. Resolution still intact

 

[Bigman58]

I wouldn’t feel bad using any bullet in 300 wsm as long as you shoot through the lungs. But I load 125 grain nosler ballistic tips for antelope and smaller game.

 

[Qubo]

Since I once shot a young mule deer barely bigger than a lope with a 300WM trophy copper bullet I am definitely for shoot what you got. But Did want to say there is an older video where Randy is reloading with somebody important at Nosler and I think he specifically warns against shooting an antelope with a 300WM E-tip and similar performing monos. Something about being so fast the slower opening bullet doesn’t expand fully in the narrow body cavity. Not sure what/if lighter for caliber bullets effetc that. I watched the video like 3 years ago so don’t quote me on what he says.

 

[danr55]

"Too much". I hear this a lot. I wonder sometimes if people are worried about killing critters too dead?

 

[jeremys4]

I thought it would be over kill but my buddy shot one last year and the bullet didn’t even exit. I was shocked think it was 150 corlock. 180 yards shot.

 

[phutch30]

I use my 300wsm with 180gr accubonds and it works great. I wouldnt try to hit the shoulder but Ive never had an issue with it.

 

[mtmuley]

Since I once shot a young mule deer barely bigger than a lope with a 300WM trophy copper bullet I am definitely for shoot what you got. But Did want to say there is an older video where Randy is reloading with somebody important at Nosler and I think he specifically warns against shooting an antelope with a 300WM E-tip and similar performing monos. Something about being so fast the slower opening bullet doesn’t expand fully in the narrow body cavity. Not sure what/if lighter for caliber bullets effetc that. I watched the video like 3 years ago so don’t quote me on what he says.

That important guy needed to stand next to me as I dumped an antelope buck with my RUM and 180 E-Tip. mtmuley

 

[littlebighorn]

For 17 years my go to rifle was my 300 WSM. It killed pretty much every big game critter that lives in NA, except moose and grizz.

 

[6mm Remington]

Your 300 WSM will work just fine. Personally I'd load a 165 or 180 gr. Nosler Accubond, Partition, or E-tip and not worry a bit. I'd also use any of these for all the critters I hunted the 300 WSM with. I used a 140 gr. Accubond on my 7 1/2' grizzly bear on the North side of the Brooks range. One shot is all it took. That was in a 280AI.