300 win mag with 150 grain impala solids

[Christian3006]

Hello everyone
Reading through a few articles on the 300 win mag and lighter bullets the same result usually appeared, less recoil but terrible meat damage. The reason I want a 300 win mag is because my dad and I have agreed to get a rifle, but only one. The next rifle I get will have to be with my own cash which could be some time from now. I can see the sense in getting a 300, it covers all the bases, impala to eland. Keeping in mind I am a smaller frame, would the 150 grain impala solid be the answer I'm looking for, more manageable rifle with much less damage?
Thanks in advance for your valuable advice
Kind regards
Christian

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Christian,
Why don't you rather look at another one of our local brands in the GS Custom HV range of bullets. They are monolithic hollow points. They recommend the 150gr bullets for the .300 WM, and I will vouch for their quality.
I have used them for approx. 6 years, and have never looked back. You will not be sorry.

Best Regards,
Marius Goosen

 

[Christian3006]

Thanks Mr Goosen
I have heard of those before. After looking at their website they seem nicely suited. Using these bullets do you find the rifle more manageable to shoot?
Thanks for the input

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Christian,

Do you already shoot a 30-06 as your handle would suggest?

 

[postoak]

Well, I wouldn't compare the recoil of a .300 WM to a .30-06. Personally, I use Remington's Managed Recoil loads in my mag when hunting whitetails. These are about the same as the old .300 Savage, a couple of hundred feet per second slower than the .308 WCF, and very pleasant to shoot. I save the full bore loads for Africa.

 

[Christian3006]

Phoenix Phil
When I created an account I thought that a 30-06 was going to be the caliber of choice but things haven't turned out that way.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Phoenix Phil
When I created an account I thought that a 30-06 was going to be the caliber of choice but things haven't turned out that way.

Hmm well that kind of changes things. I'm a .300WM fan but I'm not inclined to advise you to even shoot 150's if you haven't shot any calibers that approach that kind of kick. If you had shot a .30-06 before than that would be different and I'd be inclined to tell you to work yourself up through full power 200gr loads before moving on to the .300WM.

In the end the purpose in my mind of the .300WM is to shoot heavy for caliber projectiles faster than the .30-06 can for 300 yard shots and under. Or to shoot lighter projectiles really fast taking advantage of the ballistics if shots are longer.

What calibers are you comfortable with?

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Thanks Mr Goosen
I have heard of those before. After looking at their website they seem nicely suited. Using these bullets do you find the rifle more manageable to shoot?
Thanks for the input

It really depends on what you are after. Under normal circumstances , without a doubt. Using GS Custom certainly reduces recoil, as well as increase barrel life, but if you are going to try and push those 150's as quick as they can go, then you will feel it on the other end. Simple law of Newton. But if you are happy pushing those 150's to around 3100 fps, then that 300 Win is going to be a baby.

 

[Christian3006]

PHOENIX PHIL

When I was 12 I shot a 270 win mag with hot 130 grain loads and that was fine. The thing is is that I want to eventually be shooting 180 or 200 grain TTSX. I know a 30-06 could do the job but where I hunt in the drakensberg its mostly open with things like wildebeest, zebra and hopefully eland. So the only reason I'm wanting to go the lighter solid route is to start out, get a good feel for the gun and not to damage excessive meat, hence the solids and as I grow into the gun, up the loads. It would also be really nice with a 300 win because I could use it for everything.
Kind regards

 

[Christian3006]

*Im 15 now.

 

[daggaboyblog]

PHOENIX PHIL

When I was 12 I shot a 270 win mag with hot 130 grain loads and that was fine. The thing is is that I want to eventually be shooting 180 or 200 grain TTSX. I know a 30-06 could do the job but where I hunt in the drakensberg its mostly open with things like wildebeest, zebra and hopefully eland. So the only reason I'm wanting to go the lighter solid route is to start out, get a good feel for the gun and not to damage excessive meat, hence the solids and as I grow into the gun, up the loads. It would also be really nice with a 300 win because I could use it for everything.
Kind regards

I shoot a .300 Weatherby Mag with 180gr Woodleigh bullets and I find it very manageable, especially when out hunting. Having said that I've seen a few people receive a brow injury from this rifle and a couple of others I won and even eye copped a big hit 12 months ago when I let the rifle free recoil on a long range head shot on a fallow spiker for meat. The shot was perfect, but the bridge of my nose and my right eye didn't like it so much! Long story.

If the .300 Mag is where you and your father are headed, why not fit it with a muzzle brake? I don't own any but have shot a couple of bigger guns with a brake and they are super-pussycats! In time you can remove the brake and work up to heavier loads. If you were comfortable with a .270WM, then the .300 Mag with a break will be easy.

Enjoy mate. Dan

 

[postoak]

Ah, so you are a teenager who lives in Africa. I would definitely have your father see if he can order some of the Remington Managed Recoil loads. It would be the perfect solution for you as it turns the .300 WM into 2 rifles, in effect.

 

[Christian3006]

Those remington reduced ammunition sound perfect. Thanks everyone for your help and input
Cheers

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Okay I'm getting the picture now. Building up some lightly loaded and shooting them offhand would be a great place to start. Over time you can increase both powder and bullet weight as well as moving to the bench.

Also using one of these will help: Limbsaver Protective Recoil Pad Shield Ambidextrous Black

I'd probably stay away from the 200gr TSX, it is a very long bullet and may not stabilize well depending on the twist rate of the rifle. The 180 TTSX in a .300WM will get the job done.

The Drackensburg eh? My first African animals were taken near Hoedspruit....beautiful country.

 

[Christian3006]

The Hoedspruit is a amazing place. So now I guess all their is left to do is keep looking for a decent second hand rifle.