Rookie question - good all around bullet choice for 300 win mag?

[Uncle Zeek]

Howdy all, it's been awhile since I've posted on here. Looks like I'll be headed up to Alaska in the next year or so to finally do some hunting. I have a good Browning 300 win mag rifle, and was wondering if there's a single bullet type that I can buy which will be useful for whatever I might get to go after (elk, moose, brown bear, etc). Was thinking that 200 grain soft points might be useful, but am prepared for y'all to tell me that I'm wrong.

Thank you in advance.

*edit* oh, I do have my reloading gear out in the garage, so I can put together whatever loads might be best

 

[k broderick]

This is a topic that's been discussed many times over the years. If you run a search through the archives, you'll find dozens of threads with helpful information.

Most people would suggest a medium-heavy weight bullet that will penetrate. 180-220 grains with a Barnes X, A-frame, or partition style bullet would work well. You'll get expansion and minimal fragmentation. Most importantly... pick the setup you're confident in and groups well down range.

Good luck!

 

[kwackkillncrew]

i shoot 180 barnes ttsx mostly because they shoot great out of my gun. deer, moose, caribou, black bears all seemed to die plenty fast. I would assume if you are brown bear hunting you are going with a guide or immediate family member?

 

[stillapa12drvr]

Don't use the gun anymore, but when I had a 300 Winny, I seem to recall using a 200gr Nosler partition of some variant that (again, decades ago) accounted for 3-4 caribou under 200 yards, a couple of caribou at circa 300, a moose or two around 200 yards, and 4-5 blacktail at 100 yards or less. Can't recall any of the load data other than the bullet weight, but that bullet and weight seemed to hit the sweet spot for my then-rifle, mass retention, and penetration. FWIW, in more recent decades, I've had good luck with Barnes bullets in my 338.

 

[SmokeRoss]

I ran 165 grain Speer boat tails for decades in my .300 win mag. Now I'm using Barnes X bullets for all but the longest shots.

 

[4merguide]

Howdy all, it's been awhile since I've posted on here. Looks like I'll be headed up to Alaska in the next year or so to finally do some hunting. I have a good Browning 300 win mag rifle, and was wondering if there's a single bullet type that I can buy which will be useful for whatever I might get to go after (elk, moose, brown bear, etc). Was thinking that 200 grain soft points might be useful, but am prepared for y'all to tell me that I'm wrong.

Thank you in advance.

*edit* oh, I do have my reloading gear out in the garage, so I can put together whatever loads might be best

If I recall, you won't be going after elk in AK. unless you draw a permit. And unless you can afford the big $$$$$$ for a brown bear guide, or you have kin up here to take you, you probably won't be hunting them either. That said, it doesn't hurt to come prepared. Personally I believe a 200 grain quality slug is a good overall choice provided they shoot well from your gun. I don't shoot a 300wm, but I have been shooting 200 grain Nosler Partition handloads for decades.

 

[snowwolfee]

My personal picks would be a 180 grain Partition or a 168 grain TTSX. I see no use going any heavier.

 

[retired_dallen]

200 grain nosler partition has served me well for everything I’ve pursued in AK………and ID and MT…..and my rifle really liked that bullet.

 

[tlingitwarrior]

Before moving to my 325WSM, I took almost every species in Alaska with my 300 Win pushing out 180 grain Barnes. Flawless results. The only other bullet that ever saw that gun was the old Winchester Fail safes. Man I loved that bullet.

 

[Daveintheburbs]

My 300 WM Tikka is my go to rifle for most of my hunting .
I have evolved to 180 g barnes as my all around compromise. At one point i loaded 165 and 200 g loads and would swap. Decided it was unnecessary.
That said, anything north of a moose gets a bigger caliber.

 

[catchfish]

180 grain accubonds for me

 

[Alaska Bush Hunter]

Howdy all, it's been awhile since I've posted on here. Looks like I'll be headed up to Alaska in the next year or so to finally do some hunting. I have a good Browning 300 win mag rifle, and was wondering if there's a single bullet type that I can buy which will be useful for whatever I might get to go after (elk, moose, brown bear, etc). Was thinking that 200 grain soft points might be useful, but am prepared for y'all to tell me that I'm wrong.

Thank you in advance.

*edit* oh, I do have my reloading gear out in the garage, so I can put together whatever loads might be best

180 Nosler Partitions
180 Swift A Frames
180 Speer Hot Cor

Now if Brown Bears are on the menu same bullets but in 200gr

 

[SusitnaAk]

.300 Winchester Magnum

The .300 Winchester Magnum, history, factory loads, hand loads and performance on game.

www.ballisticstudies.com

Interesting read, my rifle a, Mid 70's tang safety Ruger 77, doesn't like 150's or 165's gr. don't know why, rate of twist or speed, 180's -200's gr, going 2900to 3050 using 4831 or 4350, powder the rifle is a tack driver. My go to round ,,, I got hold of 100 blemished 200 gr, Nosler's and sighted the rifle with them, and never really shot much else since. You can get into B.C. S.D. Blah, Blah ,Blah...But, in my experience and opinion what ever a 180 gr will do, from bears at 10-15 feet to moose 300 yards the 200 gr, does it better,

 

[Uncle Zeek]

i shoot 180 barnes ttsx mostly because they shoot great out of my gun. deer, moose, caribou, black bears all seemed to die plenty fast. I would assume if you are brown bear hunting you are going with a guide or immediate family member?

Yes, my brother lives up there in moose territory.

 

[SmokeRoss]

The reason I use 165's in my .300 is because I have always considered it a long range caliber. The 165 has great ballistics for long shots in that cartridge. If you want more close range knockdown, get a thumper like the .375 and use some 300 grain Barnes. Or go even bigger and use the .416 with 400's.

 

[AK Troutbum]

165gr. Barnes TTSX all day long, but that's just me.