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300 Weatherby: Found my hunting load

300 Weatherby: Found my hunting load
« on: July 10, 2021, 01:45:46 PM »
For 8 months I've been doing load tests for my Vanguard S2 300 WBY. Unfortunately with little success. Previously with 200 grain Accubonds and 178 ELD-X... the best group I could get was 1.4 inches. I got lucky over the holiday and my brother gave me his Nosler Partitions P.PT bullets in 180 grain. I only shot one group today because of the heat. But I'm really happy with it.

Re: 300 Weatherby: Found my hunting load
« Reply #1 on: July 10, 2021, 02:30:59 PM »
Not bad shooting.

Re: 300 Weatherby: Found my hunting load
« Reply #2 on: July 10, 2021, 03:46:57 PM »
My 300 wby vanguard was a little finicky too.  I ended up finding the best load with the 180 partitions and 83.5 grains of IMR 7828 ssc.  It's about .75 moa.   I tried quite a few different powders and bullets but couldn't get sub moa.  I did find one load with the barnes 180 ttsx and IMR 4831 powder that was sub moa as well. I just picked up a Mark V in ultra lightweight in 300 wby.  Hopefully the load development is a little easier for this gun. 

Re: 300 Weatherby: Found my hunting load
« Reply #3 on: July 10, 2021, 04:01:58 PM »
My 300 wby vanguard was a little finicky too.  I ended up finding the best load with the 180 partitions and 83.5 grains of IMR 7828 ssc.  It's about .75 moa.   I tried quite a few different powders and bullets but couldn't get sub moa.  I did find one load with the barnes 180 ttsx and IMR 4831 powder that was sub moa as well. I just picked up a Mark V in ultra lightweight in 300 wby.  Hopefully the load development is a little easier for this gun.

Funny enough my gun likes the same bullets your Vanguard did with the exact same powder as well.

Re: 300 Weatherby: Found my hunting load
« Reply #4 on: July 10, 2021, 08:29:44 PM »
that will work  8)   82-85gr 7828  and 180 gr partitions is a classic load for the 300 wby. Many animals have been taken with that combination over the years.

Rob

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Re: 300 Weatherby: Found my hunting load
« Reply #5 on: July 17, 2021, 08:57:47 PM »
That is a minute-of-deer/elk load. Shoot it until the sun burns out.
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Re: 300 Weatherby: Found my hunting load
« Reply #6 on: July 22, 2021, 02:17:15 PM »
That is a minute-of-deer/elk load. Shoot it until the sun burns out.

I plan to use them going forward. I still want to try the 180 grain Accubond as well. Just can't find any Nosler bullets right now.

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Re: 300 Weatherby: Found my hunting load
« Reply #7 on: July 23, 2021, 06:14:45 AM »
I have posted this story before, but l think it’s worth posting again. In 1981, l was just learning to reload, and had a 300 win mag. Stopped at small local shop for reloading supplies. No big box stores back than. Guy asked what l needed, l said l would like some 180 grain partitions, 30 caliber. He didn’t smile, laugh, nothing, but looked me in the eye and said wouldn’t we all. Reached on the shelf behind the counter and set a box of Sierra 30 caliber 200 grain boat tails on the counter.
Seems the 30 cal, 180 partition has been getting the job done long before that date.
It’s a very good choice than and today
Mike

Re: 300 Weatherby: Found my hunting load
« Reply #8 on: July 24, 2021, 10:14:05 AM »
I bought my .300 Weatherby in 2009.  The first load that I developed for it was with 168 grain Hornady HPBT Match bullets that I use for practice and fun shooting the steel gongs out to 430 yards at our range.

My first hunting bullet for it was the Barnes 168 grain TSX that I used for Texas exotics, Montana elk, and that rifle's first hunt in Africa.  I then developed a load for it with the Barnes 168 grain TTSX that I used for Montana elk and another hunt in South Africa, a hunt in New Zealand, and two hunts in Mozambique.

Then a couple of years ago I developed a load for it with Barnes 180 grain TTSX bullets that so far I have only used it for a Dagestan Tar in Azerbaijan, but I think this will be my hunting load from now on.

All of these bullets have shot one MOA or better 3 shot groups.

Here's a target with the first shot from a cold barrel with a 168 gr Hornady HPBT hitting the center of the bull, then without any scope or hold point changes, the next two shots with 180 gr Barnes TTSX bullets:
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Re: 300 Weatherby: Found my hunting load
« Reply #9 on: August 15, 2021, 08:41:11 PM »
I have posted this story before, but l think it’s worth posting again. In 1981, l was just learning to reload, and had a 300 win mag. Stopped at small local shop for reloading supplies. No big box stores back than. Guy asked what l needed, l said l would like some 180 grain partitions, 30 caliber. He didn’t smile, laugh, nothing, but looked me in the eye and said wouldn’t we all. Reached on the shelf behind the counter and set a box of Sierra 30 caliber 200 grain boat tails on the counter.
Seems the 30 cal, 180 partition has been getting the job done long before that date.
It’s a very good choice than and today

Reading old threads tonight and this cracked me up mike! That's is a classic story and so true!