Ruger Mark 2 300 WM

Beavinaz · August 31, 2018, 07:39 AM

Just joined the site, so this is my first post and first question. I have had this 300 WM rifle for some time but haven’t used it in quite awhile. Got into reloading awhile back and have loaded for my 270 and 223. I want to use the 300 this year for deer ( friends say I should just use the 270 ). The area ( Kaibab ) I will be hunting will be across canyons and ridges 300/400 yards, max 500. My question is what would be your starting point as for bullet, powder type and grains. I was using the FP VS 180G Nosler Accubond as a factory bullet when hunting with it. But I want to reload for it now. So where should I start because I was told all the experts are here.

Thanks
Rich

jmr40 · August 31, 2018, 02:01 PM

There is nothing the 300WM will do at 500 yards that your 270 wouldn't do, except have about 75% more recoil. Unless you down load the 300.

But if you just want to use the 300 then go for it. As an all around bullet for everything from deer to elk and at most reasonable ranges the 180 Accubond is a good starting point. But if deer are the biggest thing you'll hunt dropping down to 165 or even 150 gr bullets will help reduce recoil some and be more than adequate for deer. Once again the Accubond is a good place to start, although many others will work too.

As to exact loads and powders I won't offer any advice. A lot depends on which powders you already have and which you can get your hands on. There are many good options. I like to use one of the many online reloading sources. This is specific to the Nosler bullets. FWIW I used H4350 when I had a 300, but there are other good ones too.

https://load-data.nosler.com/load-da...hester-magnum/

Dufus · August 31, 2018, 02:07 PM

for killing deer, either rifle would do wonderful with the conditions you stated.

If you like the Accubonds, then reload some. That's what I do.

Also, are you talking 300 Win Mag or 300 Weatherby Mag??

As far as to the load data, you will need to find out what load shoots best in your gun.

I am currently using H1000 for powder and the 180 gr Accubond.

Beavinaz · August 31, 2018, 06:50 PM

Thanks, it’s a 300 Win Mag I have already loaded some rounds for the 270. That’s the rifle my friends tell me I should use. So with that being said it will be the 270

std7mag · September 1, 2018, 08:18 AM

Hmm, and here i was ready to say the 165gr Ballistic Tip for everything.

Still don't know why people keep saying to jump up to 180gr for elk. Not needed, and if the 308 Win is dropping them at 400 yards with 165s, then there is no reason to go 180.

Yes the 270 will get the job done, with less recoil, but if you want to take the 300 Win Mag i say do it!

T. O'Heir · September 1, 2018, 12:56 PM

"...the 165 grain..." Doesn't have to be a BT. You may want to go with a 180 with a .300 Mag though.
Your friends are right, but "I want to..." is a reason too. There's no game in North America that needs a magnum of any kind to kill, big bears included, but that doesn't mean it's wrong to use one.
Just be advised that you must know the ballistics of the cartridge. A 180 with a MV of ~2900 FPS(at or close to Max loads for a 180 SP.), sighted in 2.2" high at 200 will be on target at 250, drop about 16" at 400 and about 36" at 500. The average whitetail is about 36" from shoulder to chest. Means you need to be able to accurately judge distances to even think about shots at those distances. Long friggin' walk across all those canyons and ridges to the deer. Worse if Bambi didn't DTR.

Dufus · September 1, 2018, 01:52 PM

Quote:

The average whitetail is about 36" from shoulder to chest.

Not around here they ain't.

Dufus · September 1, 2018, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Still don't know why people keep saying to jump up to 180gr for elk. Not needed, and if the 308 Win is dropping them at 400 yards with 165s, then there is no reason to go 180.

There is when I don't like 165 gr bullets.

I know some buddies that have used 375 H&H on Elk. 338 Win Mag is a go to for Elk amongst some people.

I have seen the 243 Win used effectively.

All it boils down to, is what YOU want to use.

PaulB swears by his 35 Whelen with 225 grains. It's what he likes and feels comfortable with.

I use 150 Accubond in 270 Win.

disseminator · September 1, 2018, 02:48 PM

I'd stick with a 180 or a 200 grain bullet in the magnum. I shoot both in my 300 WSM and they are a good bullet weight for the magnums. The thing I don't like about lighter bullets in a magnum is that they are to fast IMO. A 165 will be about 3200 FPS and will have more drop, more muzzle blast, and the same recoil energy as the heavier bullets.

I shoot the 180 Federal Trophy Bonded Bullets that I load into Norma Brass over Ramshot Hunter for about 3000 FPS, and the 200 Barnes LRX over Hunter for about 2900 FPS. They shoot well for me but since I usually hunt with my 308 or my new 280 Rem, they don't get much use sadly.

std7mag · September 1, 2018, 07:08 PM

Sorry T.O. you must have done a typo...
Deer around here, PA are typically about 16" chest to back.
Even allowing for you being in Canada and using CM, you'd still be off.
That and the rule of the closer to a pole you go the larger the mamal.

You need more than known MV. Are you using a bullet with the BC of a barn door?
Elevation, temp, humidity. So many variables.

Ben Dover · September 1, 2018, 07:16 PM

Deer are not tough critters. I can see no reason for spending the money on a vpremium bullet vlike the Nosler for deer. It just isn't needed.

A good Speer, Sierra of Hornady 150 or 165 grain soft point is more than adequate

I use 150 gr Speer JSP bullets in my .30-06 for deer, elk and moose. I've taken 2 moose, half a dozen elk and countless deer and antelope with this load,

disseminator · September 2, 2018, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Deer are not tough critters. I can see no reason for spending the money on a vpremium bullet vlike the Nosler for deer. It just isn't needed.

It depends.

I use premium bullets in all my rifles because it's not like that extra few cents per bullet is gonna ruin me, and why not? But the main reason is: the bonded and mono bullets keep more lead out of the game meat.

If you look at x-rays of game that have been shot with cup-n-core bullets its very eye opening to say the least.

So, there are at least a few reasons to use 'em.

huntinaz · September 2, 2018, 03:18 PM

The 180gr or 200gr Accubond and H1000 or RL22 is probably where I'd start if it was me. Good luck on your hunt

Beavinaz · September 4, 2018, 09:27 AM

I will be headed out to do some shooting tomorrow. I loaded up for the 270 with the 140 Hornady Interlocks in various powder charges of Varget and 4350.

August 31, 2018, 07:39 AM	#1
Beavinaz Junior Member Join Date: August 30, 2018 Posts: 5	Ruger Mark 2 300 WM Just joined the site, so this is my first post and first question. I have had this 300 WM rifle for some time but haven’t used it in quite awhile. Got into reloading awhile back and have loaded for my 270 and 223. I want to use the 300 this year for deer ( friends say I should just use the 270 ). The area ( Kaibab ) I will be hunting will be across canyons and ridges 300/400 yards, max 500. My question is what would be your starting point as for bullet, powder type and grains. I was using the FP VS 180G Nosler Accubond as a factory bullet when hunting with it. But I want to reload for it now. So where should I start because I was told all the experts are here. Thanks Rich

August 31, 2018, 02:01 PM	#2
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,805	There is nothing the 300WM will do at 500 yards that your 270 wouldn't do, except have about 75% more recoil. Unless you down load the 300. But if you just want to use the 300 then go for it. As an all around bullet for everything from deer to elk and at most reasonable ranges the 180 Accubond is a good starting point. But if deer are the biggest thing you'll hunt dropping down to 165 or even 150 gr bullets will help reduce recoil some and be more than adequate for deer. Once again the Accubond is a good place to start, although many others will work too. As to exact loads and powders I won't offer any advice. A lot depends on which powders you already have and which you can get your hands on. There are many good options. I like to use one of the many online reloading sources. This is specific to the Nosler bullets. FWIW I used H4350 when I had a 300, but there are other good ones too. https://load-data.nosler.com/load-da...hester-magnum/ __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

September 1, 2018, 08:18 AM	#5
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	Hmm, and here i was ready to say the 165gr Ballistic Tip for everything. Still don't know why people keep saying to jump up to 180gr for elk. Not needed, and if the 308 Win is dropping them at 400 yards with 165s, then there is no reason to go 180. Yes the 270 will get the job done, with less recoil, but if you want to take the 300 Win Mag i say do it! __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

September 1, 2018, 12:56 PM	#6
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...the 165 grain..." Doesn't have to be a BT. You may want to go with a 180 with a .300 Mag though. Your friends are right, but "I want to..." is a reason too. There's no game in North America that needs a magnum of any kind to kill, big bears included, but that doesn't mean it's wrong to use one. Just be advised that you must know the ballistics of the cartridge. A 180 with a MV of ~2900 FPS(at or close to Max loads for a 180 SP.), sighted in 2.2" high at 200 will be on target at 250, drop about 16" at 400 and about 36" at 500. The average whitetail is about 36" from shoulder to chest. Means you need to be able to accurately judge distances to even think about shots at those distances. Long friggin' walk across all those canyons and ridges to the deer. Worse if Bambi didn't DTR. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

September 1, 2018, 07:08 PM	#10
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	Sorry T.O. you must have done a typo... Deer around here, PA are typically about 16" chest to back. Even allowing for you being in Canada and using CM, you'd still be off. That and the rule of the closer to a pole you go the larger the mamal. You need more than known MV. Are you using a bullet with the BC of a barn door? Elevation, temp, humidity. So many variables. __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

August 31, 2018, 02:07 PM	#3
Dufus Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2014 Posts: 1,965	for killing deer, either rifle would do wonderful with the conditions you stated. If you like the Accubonds, then reload some. That's what I do. Also, are you talking 300 Win Mag or 300 Weatherby Mag?? As far as to the load data, you will need to find out what load shoots best in your gun. I am currently using H1000 for powder and the 180 gr Accubond.

August 31, 2018, 06:50 PM	#4
Beavinaz Junior Member Join Date: August 30, 2018 Posts: 5	Thanks, it’s a 300 Win Mag I have already loaded some rounds for the 270. That’s the rifle my friends tell me I should use. So with that being said it will be the 270

September 1, 2018, 02:48 PM	#9
disseminator Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2016 Location: Minnesota Posts: 960	I'd stick with a 180 or a 200 grain bullet in the magnum. I shoot both in my 300 WSM and they are a good bullet weight for the magnums. The thing I don't like about lighter bullets in a magnum is that they are to fast IMO. A 165 will be about 3200 FPS and will have more drop, more muzzle blast, and the same recoil energy as the heavier bullets. I shoot the 180 Federal Trophy Bonded Bullets that I load into Norma Brass over Ramshot Hunter for about 3000 FPS, and the 200 Barnes LRX over Hunter for about 2900 FPS. They shoot well for me but since I usually hunt with my 308 or my new 280 Rem, they don't get much use sadly.

September 1, 2018, 07:16 PM	#11
Ben Dover Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2013 Location: High up in the Rocky Moun Posts: 665	Deer are not tough critters. I can see no reason for spending the money on a vpremium bullet vlike the Nosler for deer. It just isn't needed. A good Speer, Sierra of Hornady 150 or 165 grain soft point is more than adequate I use 150 gr Speer JSP bullets in my .30-06 for deer, elk and moose. I've taken 2 moose, half a dozen elk and countless deer and antelope with this load, __________________ The soldier's pack is not so heavy a burden as the prisoner's chains. Dwight Eisenhower It is very important what a man stands for. But it is far more important what a man refuses to stand for.

September 2, 2018, 03:18 PM	#13
huntinaz Senior Member Join Date: September 21, 2010 Location: az Posts: 1,332	The 180gr or 200gr Accubond and H1000 or RL22 is probably where I'd start if it was me. Good luck on your hunt __________________ "When there’s lead in the air, there’s hope in the heart”- Hunter’s Proverb "Feed me, or feed me to something. I just want to be part of the food chain." -Al Bundy

September 4, 2018, 09:27 AM	#14
Beavinaz Junior Member Join Date: August 30, 2018 Posts: 5	I will be headed out to do some shooting tomorrow. I loaded up for the 270 with the 140 Hornady Interlocks in various powder charges of Varget and 4350.