Reloading the .300 WSM

[Justabirdwatcher]

Came across a once-in-a-decade bargain on a .300 WSM over Christmas while looking for a gift for myself. The rifle fit all my criteria and the round, while not one I was specifically looking for, seemed to be very versatile and better yet, used powders that I already keep in stock (IMR and H4350, Varget, 6.5 StaBall, etc.). I figure I can load it up or down, depending on my purpose.

Initial mid-range break in/zero loads showed a lot of promise. 150 grain cup and core soft points and Barnes TTSX over 66 grains of H4350 were good for ~3030 fps. and 3/4-1 MOA. Exactly what I wanted. Something fairly lightweight but in a short action with '06 or better performance. I know a lot of folks here will have more experience loading for the .300 WSM, so I wanted to tap into that.

Tell me what some of your favorite loads are for the round, and if you have found any reduced recoil loads that you use for practice or smaller game. I'd love to know how you're loading your .300 WSM and what you're using those loads for.

Thanks!

 

[wytex]

We jumped on the 300wsm bandwagon just after they came out.
My load is 165 gr bonded bullets and 66 gr of 4350.
Spouse likes 180 gr accubonds and 64 gr of 4350 I believe it is.

I shoot a Sako A7 Tecomate and the spouse has a Win. featherweight.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

We jumped on the 300wsm bandwagon just after they came out.
My load is 165 gr bonded bullets and 66 gr of 4350.
Spouse likes 180 gr accubonds and 64 gr of 4350 I believe it is.

I shoot a Sako A7 Tecomate and the spouse has a Win. featherweight.

Thanks. I read that the .300 WSM and H4350 was a match made in heaven. I also have a good supply of IMR 4350 and it is usually pretty easy to find. Nothing I've seen at the range would dispute that claim. Every group I shot was more than acceptable. Next I want to try 168 TTSX's and see what they do from this gun. Seem like the perfect bullet for a .300WSM. I wanted to use them in my .308 but was worried about not being able to push them fast enough.

 

[Tikka06]

Came across a once-in-a-decade bargain on a .300 WSM over Christmas while looking for a gift for myself. The rifle fit all my criteria and the round, while not one I was specifically looking for, seemed to be very versatile and better yet, used powders that I already keep in stock (IMR and H4350, Varget, 6.5 StaBall, etc.). I figure I can load it up or down, depending on my purpose.

Initial mid-range break in/zero loads showed a lot of promise. 150 grain cup and core soft points and Barnes TTSX over 66 grains of H4350 were good for ~3030 fps. and 3/4-1 MOA. Exactly what I wanted. Something fairly lightweight but in a short action with '06 or better performance. I know a lot of folks here will have more experience loading for the .300 WSM, so I wanted to tap into that.

Tell me what some of your favorite loads are for the round, and if you have found any reduced recoil loads that you use for practice or smaller game. I'd love to know how you're loading your .300 WSM and what you're using those loads for.

Thanks!

My TSX load is identical for my CA Ridgeline 300wsm. I’m averaging around .5 MOA though. It’s a lightning bolt on deer.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

My TSX load is identical for my CA Ridgeline 300wsm. I’m averaging around .5 MOA though. It’s a lightning bolt on deer.

Thanks. I have a new stock coming for this rifle that I bet will bring it into that .5 MOA range. Seems like an inherently accurate round and H4350 is one of the best powders of all time. This will be my moose and elk gun. Hoping to get a moose tag in the next year or two.

 

[Mallardsx2]

I shoot the Nosler CT 150's over 61 grains of IMR 4064.

It's been a good load for me.

 

[golfer]

Mine likes RL17. With 180AB or either 180TTSX or 165TTSX. By far my most accurate rifle.

 

[noharleyyet]

Came across a once-in-a-decade bargain on a .300 WSM over Christmas while looking for a gift for myself. The rifle fit all my criteria and the round, while not one I was specifically looking for, seemed to be very versatile and better yet, used powders that I already keep in stock (IMR and H4350, Varget, 6.5 StaBall, etc.). I figure I can load it up or down, depending on my purpose.

Initial mid-range break in/zero loads showed a lot of promise. 150 grain cup and core soft points and Barnes TTSX over 66 grains of H4350 were good for ~3030 fps. and 3/4-1 MOA. Exactly what I wanted. Something fairly lightweight but in a short action with '06 or better performance. I know a lot of folks here will have more experience loading for the .300 WSM, so I wanted to tap into that.

Tell me what some of your favorite loads are for the round, and if you have found any reduced recoil loads that you use for practice or smaller game. I'd love to know how you're loading your .300 WSM and what you're using those loads for.

Thanks!

I'll check the recipe on this one, Rem 700 SA

https://flic.kr/p/2pRuLyP

182 Hammer Hunters Tipped. Was shooting 180 AB's over 3000fps...haven't chrono'd the Hammers. Nickel cases...

https://flic.kr/p/2pUScxj

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

I'll check the recipe on this one, Rem 700 SA

https://flic.kr/p/2pRuLyP

182 Hammer Hunters Tipped. Was shooting 180 AB's over 3000fps...haven't chrono'd the Hammers. Nickel cases...

https://flic.kr/p/2pUScxj

Sweet looking bullets. I shot a lot of Hammers out of my 7mm-08 years ago, with great results. Not sure why I haven't tried them since but the tipped versions do get my attention.

 

[noharleyyet]

Sweet looking bullets. I shot a lot of Hammers out of my 7mm-08 years ago, with great results. Not sure why I haven't tried them since but the tipped versions do get my attention.

Hammer builds good mousetraps...

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

Hammer builds good mousetraps...

Is tipping them tricky at all? I can't imagine it's a big deal.

 

[noharleyyet]

Is tipping them tricky at all? I can't imagine it's a big deal.

Not at all...put the tip in the provided brass inlet & tap seat into the hammer nose with a synthetic mallet...easy

 

[Sheltowee]

Not at all...put the tip in the provided brass inlet & tap seat into the hammer nose with a synthetic mallet

I usually seat the projectile in the brass, then tip by firmly pressing it in. Have had luck not dinging up the tips that way.

@Justabirdwatcher-- Vortex Nation recently did a pretty interesting podcast on what the call the .300 Super WSM, a WSM optimized for shooting the big heavies. You might check it out.

 

[millerkiller77]

Be on the lookout for Norma 180 Bondstrike ammo. It shoots almost as good as handloads in 3 platforms and the brass is excellent for reloading. I only use H4350 for the 300wsm and see no reason to tinker with other powders.
Here are a few of my random favorites out of different rifles
180 factory Bondstrike 3173fps, .85"
180 Accubond 64.6gr, 3100fps, .288"
175 Terminal Ascent 65.2gr, 3160fps, .711"
165 Accubond 68gr(comp) 3200fps, .976
175 LRX 65gr (comp) 3110fps, .856"
Berger 200.20X 61.1gr, 2875fps, .564"
The Bergers were the only bullets I tested that had a single, narrow node in the 61.1-61.4g range. Every other bullet in 300wsm had several nice nodes at various charges.
Assuming your rifle is decent quality, I think the 300wsm is a very easy round to load.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

I usually seat the projectile in the brass, then tip by firmly pressing it in. Have had luck not dinging up the tips that way.

@Justabirdwatcher-- Vortex Nation recently did a pretty interesting podcast on what the call the .300 Super WSM, a WSM optimized for shooting the big heavies. You might check it out.

Funny you mention that. I watched it as soon as I got this gun home - to get some ideas of what it could do. I appreciated the enthusiasm one of the hosts had for the cartridge. Made me feel like I had made a good choice in grabbing that gun.

Mine is in a true short action, limited to just 2.860" but that is still fine for the 150-168 class bullets. If I intended to shoot 180's I'd want to be able to seat them longer.

I think 150's at 3k would be ideal for large deer and 168's at 3k-3100 would be perfect for anything bigger. Talking monos here. If I ever decided to shoot ELD-X or Accubonds, I would look into 180's for the bigger stuff.

 

[millerkiller77]

Funny you mention that. I watched it as soon as I got this gun home - to get some ideas of what it could do. I appreciated the enthusiasm one of the hosts had for the cartridge. Made me feel like I had made a good choice in grabbing that gun.

Mine is in a true short action, limited to just 2.860" but that is still fine for the 150-168 class bullets. If I intended to shoot 180's I'd want to be able to seat them longer.

I think 150's at 3k would be ideal for large deer and 168's at 3k-3100 would be perfect for anything bigger. Talking monos here. If I ever decided to shoot ELD-X or Accubonds, I would look into 180's for the bigger stuff.

I seat all of mine to 2.86", regardless of mag length capacity. If you need 1x brass, I've got some laying around that you are more than welcome to.

 

[Justabirdwatcher]

I seat all of mine to 2.86", regardless of mag length capacity. If you need 1x brass, I've got some laying around that you are more than welcome to.

Thank you. I appreciate that. I bit the bullet and bought 100 pc. of Lapua, because it was in stock and because the other stuff in stock was actually more expensive! First time I've seen that! But I will keep you in mind. I am enjoying having this gun, but in all practicality it's a special purpose rifle that I don't expect to shoot that much. That is, until that moose tag comes in the mail!

 

[Sheltowee]

You could probably get away with the 181gr. Hammer Stone Hammers at 2.690" but the BCs aren't great. Hammer also predicts north of 3300-3400fps with their 155gr. HHT (but out of a 26in. bbl).

Pretty much all of the Noslers--even the 210gr. Accubond LR--can be loaded to 2.860".