smk, berger, or Amax

shooterpunk2 · #1 11-30-2009, 12:03 PM

I am going to be doing some reloading for my 300 Winny for elk hunting next year. This is my long range rig right now and I am want to load with the better bullet for 600-800 yard elk hunting. I am thinking either the 208 gr Amax, the 210 Berger, or 220 SMK. Which of these three do you think would be the better bullet for this?

Also I have some 190 SMK's loaded up, would I be ok for hunting elk in the 600-700 yard range? If so, I'll just stick with these. Thanks a ton guys!

Tumbleweed · #2 11-30-2009, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shooterpunk2

I am going to be doing some reloading for my 300 Winny for elk hunting next year. This is my long range rig right now and I am want to load with the better bullet for 600-800 yard elk hunting. I am thinking either the 208 gr Amax, the 210 Berger, or 220 SMK. Which of these three do you think would be the better bullet for this?

Also I have some 190 SMK's loaded up, would I be ok for hunting elk in the 600-700 yard range? If so, I'll just stick with these. Thanks a ton guys!

If I am to choose between one of your three choices, I would say 210 Berger for sure. However, at the distances you wish to hunt out of a 300 Win, I don't think that you'll have the velocity to get the matchkings to open up. The a-max is still iffy, and the ballistics are virtually the same as the 210VLD, so why not use the one that's proven as a long range hunting round? If it was me, I would probably drop down to one of the lighter Bergers such as the 168-190 grain. Then you can get the impact velocity up so that it will perform well on game. You should be able to run a 168 VLD to around 3100 fps or so and at that velocity at sea level you will still be at the minimum 1800fps impact velocity very close to 800 yards. Just crunch some numbers, you'll find what will work best for you ballistically.

jwp475 · #3 11-30-2009, 12:34 PM

As always shot placement is the key and all of the above choices will work IMHO

Nape.270 · #4 11-30-2009, 12:40 PM

If you have time and money I would work up a load for each and see which one shootes consistently the best.

Michael Eichele · #5 11-30-2009, 01:02 PM

Of all three, I would go with the 210 Berger provided you stayed at 800 yards or less. There will enough remaining velocity to initiate expansion. Much further and you would need the AMAX. Despite the overwhelming success of the 300 grain 338 SMK, most of the rest of them dont have a BC high enough to keep the impact velocity high enough at 800 yards to reliably expand.

IMHO a better bullet choice for the task at your hand would be the 200 Nosler AB. You will have enough impact velocity at 900 yards to open her up nicely without it coming unglued at shorter ranges.

Of course, this is only my respectfull opinion.

M

MontanaRifleman · #6 11-30-2009, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Eichele

Of all three, I would go with the 210 Berger provided you stayed at 800 yards or less. There will enough remaining velocity to initiate expansion. Much further and you would need the AMAX. Despite the overwhelming success of the 300 grain 338 SMK, most of the rest of them dont have a BC high enough to keep the impact velocity high enough at 800 yards to reliably expand.

IMHO a better bullet choice for the task at your hand would be the 200 Nosler AB. You will have enough impact velocity at 900 yards to open her up nicely without it coming unglued at shorter ranges.

Of course, this is only my respectfull opinion.

M

Plus one...

...or the 180 E-Tip, which ever shoots best. These are my choices in the 300 RUM.

Mark

shooterpunk2 · #7 11-30-2009, 01:20 PM

I have really been thinking about the 200 accubond. It still needs 1800 fps to open reliably correct?

The reason I was wanting the smk, amax, or berger is because I would love to have one load for hunting a target shooting and not have to switch back and forth.

What velocity does the A-max need to open up?

I really appreciate the responses guys, thanks.