INPUT. 300Win Mag. 165AB Loads ELK

I have been reading alot of posts on here from guys shooting the 300 win mag with all types of bullets but it seems that the only bullets really discussed is the 180AB for elk hunting.... I sure understand that bullet placement is what brings the animal down quickly and humanly, but is 180gr really needed for that??? I'm not planning on taking any shots over 400yds.

I have worked up a load shooting the Nosler 168BT with IMR 4350 @ 69.0gr .007 off the lands and having good groups of .5-.75MOA @ 100. To save some time I would really like to tweak it alittle for the 165AB and hunt elk with that load. I have a couple quesitons and concerns, is the IMR not a good choice to hunt in WY winters and 165AB good enough? I hear alot of people talking bout H4831SC for the temps and IMR is not the powder of choice for that.

IF i can just switch to the H4831SC and shoot the 165AB that wouldn't be so bad, so what ever help you could suggest that would be cool. I just figured everyone here could give me some insite to this.

so wha tya think???? Again thanks for all your help, you guys really help me out.

I have guided colorado elk hunts on public land for three years now -- this year I had a guy that shot handloaded 165 ballistic tips in his 300 win mag. He talked to me all week about how he wasn't sure if he should have gone with these or the 180's that everyone talked about. Turns out he killed an elk with them before the end of the week -- a perfect shot, right behind the shoulder at a broadside animal. The thing went about 40 yards full sprint before it collapsed. The autopsy revealed half the heart and 2/3's of both lungs liquified. So yes, a well placed 165 at those speeds will kill an elk just fine. If you can put the bullet where it should be you'll be just fine. Also had a guy kill a 6x7 at 456 yards with a 30/06 shooting 180 grain winchester bullets -- one shot. Earlier in the season had a guy put 5 .338 mag rounds before it expired. Put the bullet where you want it and you have a dead elk -- and that bullet is far from the light end of the spectrum as far as killing elk successfully goes. Your handload questions will have to be answered by someone else... good luck!

Suggest practice shooting groups at 500 yards so that you know if you and the rifle really likes your handload.

What a group at 100 yards determines is just that....a 100 yard group.

Matt....
Last two elk shot were with the 165gr AB, and they performed fine. One through the ribs - DRT (no kicks, wobbles, etc, just bang-flop)and the second I hit high in the shoulder - knocked him down, buut he stood up so I hit him again. That ended it. Never recovered one yet. I use them b'cause the trajectory matches up better with my scope hashmarks......in a 300WSM. They shoot to almost the same POI as 165 BT's in my rifle, so I generally do load development with the BT's, then confirm/finish off with the AB's.
ELkbane

As has already been said, placement is the key. I have used accubonds exclusively from the 25 -06 / .270 / 7mm AI / .280AI / 30-06 / 30-06 AI / and .338 win mag. No questions asked and no problems and have used them to kill 5 elk so far between the wife and I since 2004. There is a definite difference in the sound of and impact on animals. If you need some load data email me... I do load for a couple of friends who do shoot 300 win mags with the 165 gr accubond. They got their elk also.

Steve D. the HP
Sage Flats Shooter

I would look at the Hodgdon Extreme line of powders which are billed as less temperature sensitive. They include H1000, H4350 and H4831. You should be able to fine a good load with one of these. I use allot of H1000 and have had good luck with it.
As far as the AB’s go my 300 just would not shoot them 165 or 180. I do load the 180 for a friends 300 win and it was cleanly taken 2 elk to date. I am a firm believer in the bigger is better when it come to elk sized animals. I would look at the 180’s or even a 200. This is my opinion so take it for what its worth.
165 AB BC .475 SD .248
180 AB BC .567 SD .271
200 AB BC .588 SD .301