The right bullet

B

bbradford

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I just picked up my new Savage 300 WSM and am completely stocked....


Now I am curious as to which load I should use for long range hunting. What bullet will be the best to drop game at 500-800 ranges?

Thanks In Advance
 
I just got through doing a load development for my nephew's Savage 300 WSM. Let me start by saying I'm not sure that would be my first choice for an 800 yard hunting rifle. Most places where you can get an 800 yard shot, the wind tends to blow rather alarmingly and will do unkind things to your bullet placement. Tracking and finding a critter that is hit poorly at 800 yards can be a lot more challenging than making the shot. Try some prairie dogs at that range and when you can consistently make first shot hits at that range, you're ready to ethically take a shot at a big game critter at that range. I know I'm not there yet, but I've only been trying for 50+ years. Maybe in my next lifetime.

The load I found to be most accurate in his Savage was the Sierra 165 grain HPBT Gameking using IMR 4350 at a little over 3000fps. It is an honest 1/2" rifle with this load and the bullet is built extra tough by Sierra. Expansion and penetration at long range would be a real issue that would probably depend on where the critter was hit.
 
bullet

I really like the 165 sierra match bullets. I shoot them out of my 308 and they are half the price of the some of the other match bullets that I have found. But also I have had really good luck with the nosler accubond and long range if you are looking for somthing to hunt with. The sierras will get the job done but they are hollow point so it would probly make a huge wound out of a big game animal.
 
Quite frankly I don't think that is the right caliber for hunting elephants at 800 Yards.
 
A-Max 208

Try Hornady 208A-Max for windy conditions. 2800-2850fps.

Peter
 
bbradford said:
I just picked up my new Savage 300 WSM and am completely stocked....


Now I am curious as to which load I should use for long range hunting. What bullet will be the best to drop game at 500-800 ranges?

Thanks In Advance
Click to expand...


The 210 Berger VLD @ 3,000 fps, hit's like a Mac Truck. From 0-600 yards, very doable. 600+ the animal could step as the trigger breaks, bad shot, and a lot of variables to contend with. I've killed whitetail to 550 yards and wild hogs to 400 yards, my cousin has killed to 600 yards, all what I would consider easy shots, bullets were a maximum of 175 grains. Your hunting environment will dictate the distance you'll kill at more so than the desire. I've been trying for a 600+ yard shot for some time now, the animals just won’t cooperate.
 
in agreement

wnroscoe said:
From 0-600 yards, very doable. 600+ the animal could step as the trigger breaks, bad shot, and a lot of variables to contend with. Your hunting environment will dictate the distance you'll kill at more so than the desire.
Click to expand...


I agree that it is doable but as stated at 600+ (even 500 yards) you have about a 3/4 second flight time. check and see how far you can move in a second. it is the difference between a good shot and a bad shot or even a miss. this calls for a lot of time watching so you can MAYBE predict what the animal is going to do in the next half sec. as for loads or bullet at long range use a well built boattail bullet that both you and your gun can shoot to 1/2 moa. i suggest something like the 180 sierra gameking then pratice till you can make the coldbore shot hit everytime. remember with 1/2 moa 600 yards is the max (6 inch kill zone, 3 inchs from center = 1/2 moa). i know i am going to take some flack over this from both sides but it is just MHO

gary
 
I've always worried about wind when I've had long shot opportunities and have never tried one. I have killed mule deer and elk out to 400 yards, which is my self imposed limit due to lack of wind doping skills. As stated, time of flight for the bullet is something else that must also be considered . If the animal is on its feet, there is the possibility the animal may take a step resulting in a paunch hit instead of a heart/lung hit. I don't see how an 800 yard shot at an animal on its feet could be ethical. A bedded animal, OK, if the shooter has the required skills and equipment.
 
Try the 180 grain Win Supreme Accu-Bonds. I wish I could find some old 180 grain Fail Safe ammo.

My comfort and confidence zone is 350 yards.
 
Aw Heck, it's just a deer. If he humps up and runs off, just get back in the truck and go find another. Who's to know. You don't expect me to be able to find where a deer was standing or find blood spots at 600 yards do you? Get real! Of course I ain't gonna tell nobody about those shots. ;)
 
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