Author Topic: 300 Whisper is the one (Read 1891 times)

Gregory · « **on:** January 12, 2003, 04:49:36 PM »

I picked up a used 300 Whisper 10" barrel with a 1-8" twist and got it out to the range today for the first time. I had a VV six screw scope base installed and mounted a 2-7X Burris in Signature Z rings. I bought a couple of boxes of Cor Bon ammo (150 gr).

Shot one three shot group at 100 meters of 0.7" and a five shot group of 1.4". This barrel is a keeper. I'll be using it during the IL handgun season this coming weekend.

Greg

Robert · « **Reply #1 on:** January 12, 2003, 08:43:54 PM »

Get somebody to load some 90 gr. XTP's for you for Varmints. They are awesome. The 150's should be excellent for deer, also you can use 220 and 240 gr bullets with that twist.

Gregory · « **Reply #2 on:** January 13, 2003, 12:42:03 AM »

Robert,
I reload, but bought the Cor Bon ammo to give me a benchmark for loading and I got this barrel with little time before IL handgun season to work up loads. The only problem with the Cor bon ammo, is that I shot a gallon milk jug full of water set out at 100 meters and it appeared the bullet went through with very little expansion. MV of the Cor bon ammo is 1800 FPS out of this short tube. The Cor bon ammo is loaded with 19.6 gr of powder, I pulled a bullet and loaded the case with 19.6 gr of A1680 but that didn't come close to 1800 FPS, 18.0 gr of 296 with a Rem 150 gr RN bullet gave 1820 FPS. The Remington bullet, at only 1650 FPS, was devastating on a water filled milk jug at 100 meters. I'm not sure what powder Cor bon is using.
This barrel will be set up with deer in mind. I'll try NoslerBT 125 gr, NoslerBT 150 gr., and the Remington 150 gr. RN. Powder will be either IMR4227 or 296. A1680 appears to slow in the limited testing done so far.
Thanks for the input.
Greg

spinafish · « **Reply #3 on:** January 13, 2003, 09:48:29 AM »

If you ask J.D. about hand loading the .300 whisper..he will tell you put as much H-110 under a 125 BT as it will stand and seat the bullet as long as possible.
I too could not get the Cor-bon round to expand very well. The assorted Single Shot Pistol bullets do very well also. Try the load Robert was refering to with the 90 XTP..You want to talk EXPANSION...it makes a large spray when fired into liquid detergent bottles full of water at about fifty yards..would work very well with coyotes and smaller I believe... :grin:

Robert · « **Reply #4 on:** January 13, 2003, 10:39:46 AM »

....also F.Y.I....those 90 XTP's will burn right through 3/8" steel at 25 yds. The 220 Hornadys leave a good dent, but do not penetrate. However, on game animals I expect it would be different. I beleive the Hornady's would penetrate well but not expand. I need to try some of the Hornady 125 ballistic tips and see how they expand.

outkaste · « **Reply #5 on:** January 13, 2003, 04:10:26 PM »

Gregory,
I've used both the Sierra 135gr SSP w/16.5gr of H110 at 1800 fps and the Hornady 130gr SSP w/17.5gr WC-820 (very hot load) ?fps.
The Sierra took the 1st deer at 33yds thru the heart and destroyed the entire front half of the deer.
The Hornay took the 2nd deer at 108yds in the neck w/major damage.
Hornady also took the 3rd deer at 80+yds. While the deer was looking straight at me, the bullet entered just right missing the heart, expandeing and throwing a piece through each shoulder and lungs, the rest of the bullet made jello out of the insides, then travling through the stomach into the right rear thigh where it traveled along the bone and exited at the knee.
Is that enough damage for you? If you intend to use this bullet and eat the meat, head shot.
Hope this helps.

Monkeyman · « **Reply #6 on:** January 15, 2003, 04:33:28 AM »

Any of you fellas trying subsonic loads? Just wondering how accurate they'd be from a 10" barrel. I want to try a 300 Whisper but don't want to drop mucho $$$ on a new custom barrel/dies just for a toy. Were there any factory TC barrels in 300Whisper in 12" or 14"? Might look for a used one to try for a bit. If you know anyone who wants to part with one please e-mail me at greg@fleet-trak.com

HHI 812 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 15, 2003, 06:30:39 AM »

has been the most accurate load in my little 9" stainless SSK .300 whisper. I have shot more 1/4" MOA groups with this load than any other firearm. So out of a little barrel, it is accurate! Just sold my stainless 10" .300 T/C factory barrel last week, but it is a 1:10 twist. At a weak moment, also sold my little SSK 300 Whisper too, last week, along with a stainless .309 JDJ, but went to a buddy who has been wanting them for the longest time. The .300 Whisper has been my most favorite T/C cartridge.

Monkeyman · « **Reply #8 on:** January 15, 2003, 07:22:56 AM »

So what's the deal with twist rates? Will the 1:10 be OK with the 300gr MK bullet? What rates are available and which ones are best for subsonic loads? I was thinking of loading the 180gr MK at 1,050, didn't really think I needed the 300gr bullet. Thanks!

BCB · « **Reply #9 on:** January 15, 2003, 08:18:09 AM »

What parent cartridge is the 300 Whisper based on, and has anyone shot cast bullets from it with good success? Thanks...BCB

HHI 812 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 15, 2003, 09:12:53 AM »

mine also used the .357 mag, max and 360 rimmed brass. I did shoot some cast, but didn't shoot them enough to see how well they shot. The 125 BT, 150 BT and 300 Sierra MK shot so well, that I didn't want to mess up a good thing!

Gregory · « **Reply #11 on:** January 15, 2003, 12:39:05 PM »

Quote from: HHI 812

mine also used the .357 mag, max and 360 rimmed brass. I did shoot some cast, but didn't shoot them enough to see how well they shot. The 125 BT, 150 BT and 300 Sierra MK shot so well, that I didn't want to mess up a good thing!

Would you share your loads for the 125 and 150 BT's? I'm planning to use mine for deer mainly.
Greg

HHI 812 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 15, 2003, 01:21:33 PM »

to the new owner of my .300 Whisper last week. I was able to find some info from some tests I did with Lilgun. With the 125 BT/20.0 Lilgun/2030fps. With the 150 BT/19.5 Lilgun/1914fps, and with some Rem 150/20.0 W680/1867fps. I did get slightly higher velocities with 296 and W680 in the 125 BT, but unable to find the info? Was pretty close to JD's load sheet info though. All this info was with my cheap chrony, out of my 9" stainless SSK .300 Whisper 1:8 twist. Used 7 1/2 Rem primers exclusivly. Most groups were from 1"-1.5" at 100 yards, of a 2x4 and my little rice bag for a forearm rest, and a 2x7 Simmons scope. Hope this helps some. Again as usual, start low and work up, because all barrels are different, and not sure if you have a SSK or factory, or 1:8 or 1:10 twist. Have fun, and shoot straight! Dennis

BruceP · « **Reply #13 on:** January 15, 2003, 03:33:30 PM »

I just spoke to SSK today about the 300 whisper because I need a new expander for my dies. I had been thinking about lil gun powder for use with 125gr and 150gr bullets also. I am glad to see your test results on this, but they told me that the best powders are H110 or W296 for the 125 gr. and under and for the 150's and up W680 first and AA1680 second. I may still try lilgun though since I have it already. Can you imagine I have reloaded for about 15 years and I have never bought any H110.
How did that happen?
BruceP

thomas · « **Reply #14 on:** January 15, 2003, 04:25:47 PM »

what is the big deal about the whisper as a hunting round? formed brass is avalible for the herret so what makes the Whipser better than the herret?
I have not seen the light I guess. You could have a herret made with a fast twist also But why? for hunting with a herret or a whisper the max usable bullet weight would be in the 130 gr range.

Someone turn the light on for me

Tom

HHI 812 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 15, 2003, 04:52:32 PM »

because I can safely max out my loads and not worry about stretching the frame. I recall JD writing way back, that the Herretts have stretched more frames than most chamberings! I have matched the ballistics of my buddy's 14" 30-30, with a 125 grainer, with my little 9" barrel, and use less powder, and a whole lot less recoil. Still, 30 Herrett cases are cut down 30-30 cases, and if one doesn't have access to brass, its a lot of hassle (to me) to have to trim and form cases. With the .300 Whisper, I just expand the neck, and have shot accurate loads without even fireforming. And if you like to play with trimming cases, there is .223 brass all over the place, that can also be used! And as another option, if you add the rimmed case option to your barrel, one can use .357 Mag, Max and 360 Dan Wesson cases! The fast twist barrel is for those who want to shoot 240 Sierra MK bullets at subsonic, and most of them are for suppressed use, which the 300 Whisper was originally designed for. Seems like a lot of nice things about the .300 Whisper. Not really saying its better than the .30 Herrett, as a hunting round, but lots of reasons why I prefer it over the .30 Herrett. Different strokes for different folks, and those are my reasons for liking the .300 Whisper.

thomas · « **Reply #16 on:** January 15, 2003, 05:01:11 PM »

The 30-30 case limits the pressure to about 40.000 psi.
Formed cases are about as easy to buy as any from ea brown. No need to form them at all.
The herret is also faster in FPS than the 30-30.
Guess the Whisper is the new baby on the block. Lots of Mystice.
and the .223 case is a much higher pressure round and has streached many of frames with over zelous loadings.
And a rimmed case is much easier to use hunting in cold weather and the 223 has no rim.
Not arguiing here I just would like a REAL reason for all the hoopla.
maybe its we just gotta have a SSK barrel.
different strokes for different folks.
Maybe GB has a good answer.
thomas

Graybeard · « **Reply #17 on:** January 15, 2003, 05:10:02 PM »

Nope not me. I'm not a fan of the .300 Whisper. Had one. Didn't like it. Sold it. Moved on. I personally prefer the .30 Herrett.

GB

spinafish · « **Reply #18 on:** January 15, 2003, 05:40:44 PM »

Not all .300 Whispers come from SSK..mine is a T/C Custom Shop..also its twin....300/221..is available from Virgin Valley, Van Horn and probably alot more shops. For what is worth I love mine..maybe I'm just not hard to please..

Gregory · « **Reply #19 on:** January 16, 2003, 07:30:00 AM »

Thanks to all who replied with their load data. The 30 Herret is not an option for me for deer handgun hunting in Illinois. The max allowable cartridge case is 1.4" and it must be 30 cal or larger with 500 ft-lbs min ME.

So my choice was between a 30 Bellm and a 300 Whisper as a long range deer gun. My SSK 1-8" twist Whisper barrel is very accurate with factory Cor Bon ammo, I'm just starting to reload for it.
Greg