Bullet/factory load question

[Bigeclipse]

This may be a stupid question but I am relatively new to hunting...3 years now and only 2 rifles. First worked well with the ammo I got with it so I never changed and now I have a browning x-bolt 300WSM. I am trying to find a good factory load for shooting out to say 300 yards with decent accuracy but I do not have hundreds of dollars to try LOTS of different brands so I am limiting myself to just a hand full of the popular ones.

That being said, I have shot 2 types so far. 180 grain Super Xs and 165 grain fusions. The 180 grain super Xs grouped poorly and was evident at 200 yards....7 inch groups! while the 165 fusions grouped pretty well...about 1inch at 100 yards...even better when I really concentrated so I am guessing someone with a ULTRA steady arm could group it even better. I am using sand bags but still learning to shoot better...no leadsled to use or borrow so sand bags is the best I can do.

My question is does the 180 super X give indication that all 180grain bullet ammo including other brands will most likely perform bad or does rifle accuracy change brand to brand and even bullet weight to bullet weight within those brands? For example 180 super X sucked, but maybe 180grain remington corelocks might be good...maybe not.

 

[roninflag]

only way to tell is to shoot some. some 180s may shoot good. i always start with 165-168s in a 30 cal . bergers and other match bullets usually shoot better groups, and plastic tipped ones like the 168cbt, and the 165 accubond.

 

[Bigeclipse]

only way to tell is to shoot some. some 180s may shoot good. i always start with 165-168s in a 30 cal . bergers and other match bullets usually shoot better groups, and plastic tipped ones like the 168cbt, and the 165 accubond.

This will be for deer hunting by the way. Another stupid question...is berger, accubond,cbt "types" of bullets or are they specific bullets made by a specific manufacturer i.e. winchester/remington...
Also is it normal for a gun to shoot such a bad group (7inches 200 yards) with any load....or when people say some loads shoot better do they mean some may shoot a 3-4 inch group at 200 yards but other ammo they can get 2 inch groups? Im trying to figure out if I have a lemon rifle or if it is just picky on ammo.

 

[Canadian Bushman]

Berger is a brand but they only make one style of bullet, jacketed hollow points. Accubond is a type of bullet made by nosler, and i think ronnin was trying to use it as an example of the plastic tip expansion bullet which is a style commonly made by many manufacturers.

7 inches at 200 yds is a bit excessive. Most factory rifles will print 1-2 moa out of the box if not better.

And i agree with ronnin, ive had a little better success with 30 cal bullets around the 160 weight zone.

I personally have had good luck with hornady factory ammunition, and remington core locks for a cheaper alternative but again to agree with ronnin. You gotta shoot em to know for sure.

 

[Bigeclipse]

I thought 7inches at 200 was a bit excessive....but the 165 fusions shot very well however I have heard horror stories of bullets exploding due to the fusion design...this is my reason to continue on testing other factory rounds. maybe that box of 180 super Xs was bad because 2 of the rounds wouldn't even chamber...friend at work put a micrometer on the brass and said the top part of the brass was slightly bulged not allowing my gun to chamber them...so I wonder if the other rounds in the box had bad powder or wrong quantities....

 

[roninflag]

Big- you do not say what your other rifle is. Berger is a match grade hunting bullet ( hand made bullet) . it is available is some factory ammo. the accubond ( bonded jacket plastic tip) is made by nosler ; i believe it is available in some factory ammo. the CBT ( combined technolgy ) is made by nosler. the 168 cbt is what i shoot for deer out of both my 300short and 300win. the 168 berger is what i shoot out of my 30-06 for deer. factory rifles vary, some are known for better accuracy. tikka is one. i shoot a couple sakos and a couple of remingtons. i have shot in competition out to 1000 yards. there are some brands/ makes i have never shot against. the barrels on factory rifles are a realatively in expensive part of the total( imagine shooting a 17$ barrel vs a 300$). a 3" group at 200 yards i would consider very very good with factory ammo and a factory rifle. however , i do not have much experience with factory ammo since i reload. i agree 7" is Big at 200.

 

[Bigeclipse]

I no longer have another rifle just my Browning xbolt....in 300wsm. the federal fusions were shooting 3inches at 200 yards. I just wanted to try something else ...maybe I got a bad batch of super x as the groups just were terrible but I only tried one box.

 

[roninflag]

according to their site; the ammo company HSM sells some 300wsm with 168 bergers. that is what i would try. i would use 168 and under for deer. those fusion are not bad at 3".

 

[Bigeclipse]

according to their site; the ammo company HSM sells some 300wsm with 168 bergers. that is what i would try. i would use 168 and under for deer. those fusion are not bad at 3".

I know the federal fusions arent grouping too bad in my gun, especially since the 3 inch group(at 200Yards) is probably due to my lack of steadiness(I am not using a lead sled and dont have access to one. I am using sand bags and trying to be as steady as possible with little to no flinching) But I have just heard that the federal fusions expload/fragment on impact with these high powered guns so I was looking to change to another round. I have shot a coyote and the entrance hole looked fine but the exit was enormous with lots of rips and such making me believe the bullet did fragment. The coyote was about 75 yards away. I will be shooting between 100-400 yards at Deer ONLY(unless another coyote comes my way). I am thinking 165 grainers to be what I am looking at but not sure what bullet "type" for expansion and what not. I know everyone has their own opinion, but just looking for some ideas on factory loads...maybe there are some rounds most people tend to like(which I will try) or rounds people tend to hate(which I will avoid, unless the others dont work out for accuracy).

 

[roninflag]

having tried lot of different projectiles handloading. besides the (1)168 berger loads with a (3)165-(2)168 accubond. or even one with a (4)150 accubond. would be my other choices.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Big, try Nosler or Federal Premium ammo.

Nosler Custom Ammo 300 Winchester Short Mag (WSM) 180 Grain AccuBond

Nosler Trophy Grade Ammo 300 Winchester Short Mag (WSM) 180 AccuBond

Federal Premium Vital-Shok Ammo 300 Winchester Short Mag (WSM) 180

Winchester Supreme Ammo 300 Winchester Short Mag (WSM) 180 Grain

 

[J E Custom]

I would also look at the Winchester supreme with the 150 grain ballistic silver tip.

They are not expensive and seam to shoot well in the WSMs.

I use them in the 7 WSM,300 WSM and the 325 with good accuracy and performance on game.

For the distance you intend to shoot the 150 grain is perfect on everything. If you plan on an Elk,
the 180s might be better but they are not necessary.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Bigeclipse]

I would also look at the Winchester supreme with the 150 grain ballistic silver tip.

They are not expensive and seam to shoot well in the WSMs.

I use them in the 7 WSM,300 WSM and the 325 with good accuracy and performance on game.

For the distance you intend to shoot the 150 grain is perfect on everything. If you plan on an Elk,
the 180s might be better but they are not necessary.

J E CUSTOM

I had bad experience with winchester Super X 180s...2 of the 20 shells wouldnt chamber due to the brass being slightly streched at the neck...and the other 18 wouldnt group less than 7 inches at 200 yards...maybe I simply got a bad batch but the Super Xs left a sour taste in my mouth for Winchester. That being said...any reason to go with a 150 vs 165 vs 180 grains?

 

[Bigeclipse]

Big, try Nosler or Federal Premium ammo.

Nosler Custom Ammo 300 Winchester Short Mag (WSM) 180 Grain AccuBond

Nosler Trophy Grade Ammo 300 Winchester Short Mag (WSM) 180 AccuBond

Federal Premium Vital-Shok Ammo 300 Winchester Short Mag (WSM) 180

Winchester Supreme Ammo 300 Winchester Short Mag (WSM) 180 Grain

I was looking into the Federal premiums and noslers as the next ones I try but in 165 grains. The 165 grain federal fusions shot well while the 180 grain super X(winchester) shot terrible...not sure if that has anything to do with bullet weight or not but figured no need for 180 as I am not shooting anything bigger than a deer... BUT maybe ill try some as well. Maybe my gun just HATES the winchester Super X 180s lol