.300 wby mag for whitetail

[1marty]

Caliber, ballistics, bullet weight-who cares. My Dad-that old Marine- taught me over 50 years ago bullet placement. I hunt with a 7-08 or the 50 year old Winchester 94 (150 gr white box) he gave me as my first deer rifle. You know something-dad was right.

[nomosendero]

Caliber, ballistics, bullet weight-who cares. My Dad-that old Marine- taught me over 50 years ago bullet placement. I hunt with a 7-08 or the 50 year old Winchester 94 (150 gr white box) he gave me as my first deer rifle. You know something-dad was right.

If it suits you where you hunt and what you hunt, why not. But I don't see what it has to do with the original post?

[rickt300]

Well then the 300 Weatherby kicks like a kiss and isn't too much for deer hunting! I have owned several 300 magnum rifles, they need a lot of barrel (esp the 300 Weatherby) but the round will kill very reliably if you can shoot it well. Try the factory load using the 150 gr. Hornady you will be impressed!

[charles p]

Friend of mine had one.  He was not a great shot, wounded and missed a lot.  Bad flinch.  Now he shoots a 7mm-08 and is much better.  His son has a 300UMag.  Wants to sell it now.  Bigger is not better when it comes to shooting whitetails.  With anything, you need to practice a lot, so pick something you enjoy shooting a lot, and don't mind paying for a lot of ammo.

[nomosendero]

Friend of mine had one.  He was not a great shot, wounded and missed a lot.  Bad flinch.  Now he shoots a 7mm-08 and is much better.  His son has a 300UMag.  Wants to sell it now.  Bigger is not better when it comes to shooting whitetails.  With anything, you need to practice a lot, so pick something you enjoy shooting a lot, and don't mind paying for a lot of ammo.

Could you PM me about that 300Umag?

[Lloyd Smale]

your dad was a wize man. What i will say though is i get an oportunity every year to shoot quite a few whitetails at long range. If you can handle the recoil the mag calibers do make it easier to place shots out past 300 yards and do tend to put them down in there tracks with more regularity then the standard rounds. Lots of guys though arent honest with themselves about being able to master a gun that kicks a bit and for them and hunters who are the type to shoot a half a box of ammo a year one of the non mags will server them  better.

Caliber, ballistics, bullet weight-who cares. My Dad-that old Marine- taught me over 50 years ago bullet placement. I hunt with a 7-08 or the 50 year old Winchester 94 (150 gr white box) he gave me as my first deer rifle. You know something-dad was right.

[rickt300]

The vast majority of my whitetail hunting is in an area that makes a 75 yard shot a long one. I did use my 300 Weatherby, a push feed model 70 as my main rifle for a bit and before I bought dies I used the Weatherby 150 gr. Factory load one season. That was all it took. The load was all I could get and I had to do some looking before the internet took over to get them, it was rough on whitetails and in the light rifle was a real bucker. I put some huge holes in deer, antelope and one elk. Very effective! Loud too. My opinion it's a pretty good elk rifle.

[mo_bio]

Shot many whitetail and a few mule deer with my 300 wby. Will kill them dead and then some. It is plenty of rifle for what you are asking. I enjoyed shooting mine.

[RevJim]

 I too have killed deer and similar sized critters with a 300 winmag, and a 300 RUM. I just wanted to experiment,ha. later, I had a couple opportunites to shoot Plains game ( up to elk size) and I wanted to use my rifle before I went over.
 My best load turned out to be the older Barnes 180 XBT, today the 180TSX is even better. However, on a Texas Hill Country deer hunt, I tried some regular Federal Blue Box 150gr in my 300WM, I thought I would get the 'bomb" effect. Turned out they acted like 180 Partitions, zipped through, lots of damage and even "syphoned" lung tissue out the 2" exit hole,ha! Surprised me, but these are small deer, 85#does to a 125# buck.
 My worst bullet on game was the aforementioned "older" 180 ballistic tip (they are tougher now). It was very destructive on a little antelope doe (but a true 344 long steps out on the prairie!) and a medium muley buck at 75yrds. I went to the Barnes then.
 There is no way we Americans, with our short seasons and opportunites will ever get much use out of "our elk/african rifles if we 'don't" use them on deer/coytoes/hogs. Sure, I would handload now if you haven't ever started, then you can make a dedicated whitetail round for it (300 savage to 30.06 level) if it kicks more than you like, a good muzzlebrake is an easy fix. I like muzzlebrakes because they help me keep my sight picture at the shot (usually) so I can call my shot/effectiveness at long range. But a good scope is always a good idea , and I always preferred Leupold. BUT, I gave a 300 RUM to a favorite uncle, no brake on it, and he wanted to use his favorite scope, a Simmons 44Mag, it is still holding up after 13 yrs! If you put a brake on it, the "airgunpistonlike" opposite force during recoil arrest will wreck most scopes. Good luck to you, and get that "magnum" ready for deer season!
 I got my first 7mmRemMag in 1973, a BAR, to use on elk 'someday" and I used it on the little East Texas deer we hunted. I used the 175gr CorLokt factory loads, and it did not mess up any more deer than 30.06 did, but boy! did I ever catch flak from all the "experts" telling me "what do you need that for"? As If..it was any of their bizness! ha. Just smile and tell them you are prepared for Sasquatch! ha

[Darrell Davis]

Thanks RevJim,
 
Just to make clear one point so that it doesn't give the wrong imprssion/information to some one, by design, the Nosler partition - 180gr or??? - does not and will not zip through WITHOUT EXPANSION.
 
They Will Not act like a solid!
 
Nope, doesn't happen.  They will however likely exit as in RevJim's info, but they will have done their job before they exit the off side.
 
I have Nosler Partitions which I have sectioned, and the nose portion is no heavier/thicker then most any of the typical cup - n - core bullets.  However, that is where the picture changes BIG TIME.
 
Bullets such as the Nosler Partition and the Swift A-Frame are designed to quickly open even at longer ranges and lower velocity, but the secret to their success is the fact that they then hold together and keep punching through.
 
A friend was telling me, yesterday, of his experience with his 7 Rem Mag and how a side to side lung shot was sending bullet fragments back to and shredding the loins.
 
That is, until he went to a bullet with a much higher level of integrity, after which the excessive meat damage ceased.
 
I Have been using, because I have a stock of them, 165gr Nosler Partitions in my 300win mag.  In fact shot some last Friday at which time they went over the chronograph at an average of about 3340fps.
 
I will use these on any whitetail that happens to come along without reservation, but only because of the quality/integrity of these bullets.
 
Do I need a 300 for whitetails?  Nope, but if I'm not carring my 45/70 with 465gr cast WFN bullets ( now there's a bullet ) the 300 is what will be in hand.
 
CDOC

[Lloyd Smale]

Like darrel said dont ever think a partition is going to zip through an animal like a tsx. Some of the largest exit holes ive seen on deer have been with partitions. Had to chuckle last year. I shot 3 does all standing in a field together with my 8mag using 200 partitions. Now if theres a partition that youd expect to pensil through a deer that would be the one. I killed all 3 deer. None even took a step after the shot. Range was about 200 yards. All three were shot just behind the shoulder and no big bone was hit. Off side chest had exit holes you could put your hand through on all three deer! Now some will say an 8mag shooting 200 grain partitions is a bit much for 90lb whitetail and i sure wont argue but the point is I ate all three of those deer and the only messed up meat was the ribs on the off side. I never had to take a step tracking them and they didnt suffer for a second. Hard to argue that it didnt work as well or better then about anything you could have used. I think most who want to preach that a mag is to much for deer hunting are guys that are poor shots and are afraid of recoil. there not to much for the deer there to much for the deer hunter.

[Darrell Davis]

GREAT ONE Lloyd!
 
I have thought about getting a "2 fer", but a "3 fer" is over the top!  WOW.
 
Most of us, no matter how many critters we have taken, fall way down the list when compaired to the real time/life experience you have gained in your situation.
 
Even if you are an opinionated Ol'Coot, - like me - I do enjoy your posts and the info I gain such at that when I was seeking a better cast boolit match up for my RUGER#1S - 45/70.
 
That 465gr WFN from Babore/Bruce sings and sure does put down the critters!  AWESOME!!
 
The VERY Crusty Deary Ol'Coot   

[RevJim]

 I thought those 150 Sierras in the Federal Blue Box would explode/dump all their energy in those little 9" wide deer, but the "Partition like" expansion/total lung/heart disruption was there w/o a super huge exit hole. I always liked how the Partitions nose did the deed and the shank made a good exit. I shot about 125# yearling buck in Georgia one time, I was using the 7mm RemMag and the 150 Partition, shot about 30yds away. It worked perfect, he ran right across the road (maybe another 40yds) and rolled over, same great destruction inside, but about a 2" exit. I find Accubonds to perform in a similar way.
 Now Uncle lloyd....I know you had some bad performance with some Barnes X, but the only critter I ever had them zip through were a couple jackrabbits. I shot them with the 85 xbt out of a little 6x47mm (long bbl shot them at 243 vel) but the same bullet/load had killed a big Oryx bull and Axis buck like gandbusters. I "have" had a close shot on a Black Hawaiian Ram (35yds or so) with a 257 Weatherby 100gr TSX hit during slight "yaw" at entry and make a keyhole type wound. I have heard of this with the long Xs even in 300 mags. I think, like most long bullets, they don't "settle down to sleep" until a little further away, and not having soft lead nose, they can't open right. other than that, only problem I've had. I think the tipped version does better, but can;t prove it.
 No sir, hard to beat the new Ballistic tips/Accubond and particularly the old Nosler Partition. "Only Bushmnen and Hottentots" eat skinny deer ribs anway"! ha.

[hillbill]

jeez no reason to argue boys! the 300 is a fine cartridge for deer. and yes meat damage is dependent on where the bullet goes. ive shot deer with a lot of stuff but never seen worse damage than a shoulder shot deer with a 243.and i shot plenty of them with it and other cartridges.prob not as many a lloyd tho. as far as recoil goes, im prob a fat guy at 6' 230 lbs. i can tolerate magnum recoil and it does not really effect my shooting.i just choose not to tolerate it.mostly because i for sum reason dont need that big of a gun to kill a deer. but if it was all i had id shoot the heck out of it.the biggest reason i go with smaller rounds is economy. less lead and powder to do the same job.

[Lloyd Smale]

Jim like you said im not a big fan of barnes bullets. Not on deer anyway. I did shoot two more with them this year using the 300 wby and id have to admit in those two cases they did fine. Only reason i did it was that i fought my 300 all summer trying to find another bullet that shot as well and failed. that gun just loves those tsx bullets. It will shoot 5 into 3/4s of an in all day long and my best loads with anything else are double that. I guess i figure with a 30 cal you might get away with it a bit better if they dont open up. Id never again use them in anything smaller though.

I thought those 150 Sierras in the Federal Blue Box would explode/dump all their energy in those little 9" wide deer, but the "Partition like" expansion/total lung/heart disruption was there w/o a super huge exit hole. I always liked how the Partitions nose did the deed and the shank made a good exit. I shot about 125# yearling buck in Georgia one time, I was using the 7mm RemMag and the 150 Partition, shot about 30yds away. It worked perfect, he ran right across the road (maybe another 40yds) and rolled over, same great destruction inside, but about a 2" exit. I find Accubonds to perform in a similar way.
 Now Uncle lloyd....I know you had some bad performance with some Barnes X, but the only critter I ever had them zip through were a couple jackrabbits. I shot them with the 85 xbt out of a little 6x47mm (long bbl shot them at 243 vel) but the same bullet/load had killed a big Oryx bull and Axis buck like gandbusters. I "have" had a close shot on a Black Hawaiian Ram (35yds or so) with a 257 Weatherby 100gr TSX hit during slight "yaw" at entry and make a keyhole type wound. I have heard of this with the long Xs even in 300 mags. I think, like most long bullets, they don't "settle down to sleep" until a little further away, and not having soft lead nose, they can't open right. other than that, only problem I've had. I think the tipped version does better, but can;t prove it.
 No sir, hard to beat the new Ballistic tips/Accubond and particularly the old Nosler Partition. "Only Bushmnen and Hottentots" eat skinny deer ribs anway"! ha.

[RevJim]

 I think the tipped TSX might work better on deer in the smaller calibers, to initiate positive expansion. For sure, any X-type bullet I've used on thick skin/heavy muscled animal worked great. I have some 120 TTSX ammo coming for my .270, if they shoot well, I will try them on coyotes ( I didn't draw "any" deer tags!) and see how they do.
  The 180 XBT worked well for me in the 300WM on springbok(very thin skinned) and Blesbok (slightly heavier), but I'm sure high velocity played a big part in it. I do like how that nose portion of a Partition "mimics" the quick opening of a big lead tip soft nose, which is awesome, ha. I've never had any rifle that would not shoot Partitions well either, they truly are a "high standard" for the rest.

[D Fischer]

this is a hoot! I was scrolling down and got to med bore forum and the question I see is about using a 300 Weatherby on whit tail deer. Look just below on the small bore forum and the question is using a 243 on bear!

If you want to compare damage of the 243 and the 300 Weatherby, take the same shot! Either one will kill behind the shoulder without a lot of meat damage. Or you can shoot both into the shoulder and if one damages more than the other, I'm not sure yoiu could tell. Then both do a lot of damage.

recoil is something different people handle in different ways. Generally speaking, the 300 Weatherby with a 180 gr bullet hurts. A 30-06 with the same bullet hurts less and a 308 even less. So if 30-06 recoil bother's you, the 300 is gonna clean your clock, doesn't matter how big or small you are. rifle fit is gonna help and I believe it's a bit of cast off that takes the recoil away from your face making the shot a bit more bearable. But nothing you can do other than simply not shoot or going to reduced loads and lighter bullet's will change the amount of recoil. I envy you skinny guy's that recoil doesn't bother and you fat guy's it does, well, kill your deer with a 243. It will be just as dead!

[hillbill]

this is a hoot! I was scrolling down and got to med bore forum and the question I see is about using a 300 Weatherby on whit tail deer. Look just below on the small bore forum and the question is using a 243 on bear!

If you want to compare damage of the 243 and the 300 Weatherby, take the same shot! Either one will kill behind the shoulder without a lot of meat damage. Or you can shoot both into the shoulder and if one damages more than the other, I'm not sure yoiu could tell. Then both do a lot of damage.

recoil is something different people handle in different ways. Generally speaking, the 300 Weatherby with a 180 gr bullet hurts. A 30-06 with the same bullet hurts less and a 308 even less. So if 30-06 recoil bother's you, the 300 is gonna clean your clock, doesn't matter how big or small you are. rifle fit is gonna help and I believe it's a bit of cast off that takes the recoil away from your face making the shot a bit more bearable. But nothing you can do other than simply not shoot or going to reduced loads and lighter bullet's will change the amount of recoil. I envy you skinny guy's that recoil doesn't bother and you fat guy's it does, well, kill your deer with a 243. It will be just as dead!

your rite it is a hoot! caliber discussions can get more heated than than religous discussions! i love reading them.

[Lloyd Smale]

just did the most damage ive done to a deer this year. Hit a 100 lb doe right in the back bone at 400 yards last night. Load was a 120 part out of a 2506. Missjudged the distance a bit and shot high. It cut that deers back right in half. Would it have been different with a 300wby? NOPE. A 243 Doubtfully. Id guess with any of them there wouldnt be any back straps. BULLET PLACEMENT, BULLET PLACEMENT, BULLET PLACEMENT!!! by the way two more were shot one by me with the 2506 and anohter by my partner with his 257 wby using 100 sierra bts. both were shot at about 250 yards both behind the shoulder and in neither case did we loose anymore meat then the ribs.

[RevJim]

 You're killing me Lloyd! I want to "book a solid week with you", ha. What a great set-up, and a wonderful chance to try several calibers,etc. Think of what it would cost you to shoot that many animals a season in South Africa! ha. Nothing like a cull hunt, for whatever reason, and come next year...when beef is sky high...that venison will come in right handy!

[Grumulkin]

I've never taken a deer with my 300 Weatherby but it did a fine job on several pronghorn antelope.  If I remember correctly, this one was taken at about 282 yards and there was probably an 8 foot spray of blood behind it.  The bullet; a 168 grain Berger VLD.


As far as recoil goes, I'm not sure the shooters size has a lot to do with recoil tolerance.  When I started shooting, I thought the recoil of a 7X57 Mauser and a 308 Winchester was pretty bad.  After working up over the years, I tolerate shooting an unbraked 378 Weatherby and 458 Lott off the bench quite well and that's not using reduced loads, extra padding or a Lead Sled.  I go about 300 lbs. and am not really fat.  Interestingly, in South Africa one year, I met another hunter who was on his way to hunt elephant.  I would say he went about 5' 4" tall, weighed probably no more than 150 lbs. wet (probably more like 125 to 135 lbs.) and was going to be doing his hunting with an 8 bore.

[Lloyd Smale]

had to laugh. I shot 3 does one evening with the 8mag using 200 partitions and they all  had exit holes just like that. I think your right on with recoil too. Its not size that matters its a mental thing. Ive watched a 14 year old girl shoot my 500 linebaugh with full power load and giggle between shots. She easily shot 25 shots out of it that day. Ive seen grown men run and hide from loads like that. Its not how big or small you are but how much time your willing to put into a gun to really master it. If your a half a box of ammo a year shooter your best bet is to stay away from mags and even light standard velocity guns. Bottom line is you probably shouldnt even be hunting! Anyone who is willing to put in some time and isnt afraid of his own shaddow can master them. You just have to know that they buck alot but really dont hurt

I've never taken a deer with my 300 Weatherby but it did a fine job on several pronghorn antelope.  If I remember correctly, this one was taken at about 282 yards and there was probably an 8 foot spray of blood behind it.  The bullet; a 168 grain Berger VLD.


As far as recoil goes, I'm not sure the shooters size has a lot to do with recoil tolerance.  When I started shooting, I thought the recoil of a 7X57 Mauser and a 308 Winchester was pretty bad.  After working up over the years, I tolerate shooting an unbraked 378 Weatherby and 458 Lott off the bench quite well and that's not using reduced loads, extra padding or a Lead Sled.  I go about 300 lbs. and am not really fat.  Interestingly, in South Africa one year, I met another hunter who was on his way to hunt elephant.  I would say he went about 5' 4" tall, weighed probably no more than 150 lbs. wet (probably more like 125 to 135 lbs.) and was going to be doing his hunting with an 8 bore.

[RevJim]

 Thats what my antelope looked like when I used the early Nosler 180 BT! ha. I made a "Brain "F--t" on the 270 ammo, its the new 110 TTSX , not the 120 I quoted...surely I'm not getting old! ha anyways, a 110 TTSX going 3400 should work fine, if my rifle will handle them.
 Worst kickers I've shot all had stocks that did not fit me right. My FIL's old Sears Ted Williams 30.06 (M70 copy) kicked as bad as a friends Mod 70 338WM, a 1984 model, whew! Both were nasty, not to mention a Weatherby Mark V in 416 Weatherby I shot once.
 300 mags are awesome way out there , for sure.

[Darrell Davis]

I'd like to shoot a Weatherby .416, .378, .460, .458 Win, 505Gibbs, etc. ONCE.
 
After once I'll decide if I want a repeat.
 
CDOC

[Lloyd Smale]

with the exception of the 505 and the 460 there pretty much a piece of cake if you go about it with the right attitude. Those two though are a bit much even for me.

I'd like to shoot a Weatherby .416, .378, .460, .458 Win, 505Gibbs, etc. ONCE.
 
After once I'll decide if I want a repeat.
 
CDOC

[Darrell Davis]

Lloyd,
 
Afraid I'll need to take your word for it, as not likely I'll have the chance to try those calibers.
 
When I first got the #1 and tried to shoot it with the iron sights, my head position was so low I wondered if I was man enough for the 45/70.  GREAT PAIN in the cheek and face!!!!
 
Thank goodness I went ahead and scoped it as planned!
 
Tried some 550gr +/- cast awhile back that a forum friend sent my way.
 
AS you said, Piece of cake! I need to boost the powder charge up a bit so I know I shot something.
 
Took the loads along on a shoot with some friends.  Thought I'd WOW them.  Not!  Need to try again!  MORE POWDER, LOTS MORE POWDER!           
 
CDOC

[alan in ga]

A 300 Weatherby would be a fun round to use for deer. Use anything you want but be able to place the bullet and use a good bullet for the game.
I "had to know" and used a .458 Win Mag in a Ruger Tropical 77R for a couple of deer at 35 yards or so. Used 300 gr bullets over handloads. Dead deer. Enjoyed it enough to build my own Ruger 77 Mark II in .458 American [.458 x 2"]. Finding a like new take off Ruger #3 barrel in .45/70 kicked that project into gear and completion. Fun gun and a great defensive rifle to "carry" in Montana where bear might think you are 'cattle' and 'edible' [friends own a cattle ranch in Wilsall, MT]. I made it as a 'carry rifle' because it is a short action Ruger 77 and still spits a .458" bullet with authority. Not fun to shoot really heavy loads but a "carry rifle" is going to be carried more than shot [at bear].
Shoot deer with whatever you want but as many outdoor hunter writers have said for years..."a miss with a MAGNUM is still a miss" [or a wounding shot].
 
PS- 500 grain 'solids' out of a .458 Win Mag will penetrate a very large pine OR oak tree! Those bullets may still be going somewhere!!
PPS-when I'm not bow hunting, I use a little .250 Savage Ackley Improved.....sweet little rifle that seems to kill as quickly as the .458 did : )

[Bingo]

  I had a Rem. 760 in 30-06. I put 180 core lock rounds in it for deer season and hated to pull the trigger. That old gun kicked like a mule.
  The 300 Wby is no different. Very powerful and versitile. It is also overkill for white tail with big bullets.
  You have been using a 243. IMO a little light for whitetail but light to carry and very light recoil. This 300 is a big change from that. The answer to the "Big Blast Therey" is Newtons Law. For every action there is an equal and oppisite reaction. Basiclly, the heavier the bullet the heavier the kick. In 30 cal., I never load anything heavier than 130-140 grain. The 163-165 is supposed to be the best in 30 cal. but I have take deer from 15 ft to 300 yrds,. and never had to track one. The light recoil make the gun a little more fun to shoot. When you know the gun isn't going to take your sholder off, you are less likely to Pull the trigger and there in "Flinch".
   IMO lighter recoil= more accuracy.
 
 Enjoy your new toy!!

[hillbill]

  I had a Rem. 760 in 30-06. I put 180 core lock rounds in it for deer season and hated to pull the trigger. That old gun kicked like a mule.
  The 300 Wby is no different. Very powerful and versitile. It is also overkill for white tail with big bullets.
  You have been using a 243. IMO a little light for whitetail but light to carry and very light recoil. This 300 is a big change from that. The answer to the "Big Blast Therey" is Newtons Law. For every action there is an equal and oppisite reaction. Basiclly, the heavier the bullet the heavier the kick. In 30 cal., I never load anything heavier than 130-140 grain. The 163-165 is supposed to be the best in 30 cal. but I have take deer from 15 ft to 300 yrds,. and never had to track one. The light recoil make the gun a little more fun to shoot. When you know the gun isn't going to take your sholder off, you are less likely to Pull the trigger and there in "Flinch".
   IMO lighter recoil= more accuracy.
 
 Enjoy your new toy!!

a buddy of mine had a 760 and some 200 grn rounds he came up with somewhere years ago.it shot fine but dang it would rattle your teeth every time. must of been the stock all i can figure. i was jus a kid but it did make me choose the 243 as my first real deer rifle.that was a decision ive never regreted.

[tomtomz]

I have a few Weatherbys. I like my 257 WBY for deer.
I have the 30/378 WBY, which is similar to the OP's 300 WBY.
Both are too big for deer, but a 168gn Sierra Game King
over 50gn of H4350 with a Magnum primer  will shoot
the same in a 30-06 with similar recoil. And it is a powerful
deer slayer if it doesn't knock you out of your tree stand
or blacken your eye from too little eye relief. Choose
your scope carefully, and skip the 50 mm objective, the
higher mount will ruin your cheek weld with the stock.

Reloaders may need good old cornmeal to fill up that
half empty case, but you can and should develop some
lighter loads before that 300 beats you into a flincher.