300 Norma Magnum Hunting Load & Starting Data

Chopperguy

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 24, 2012
Messages
211
Location
Spring Branch, TX
Ive got my long range steel rifle in 300 NM that does well with the 230 loads as received from the factory.

It's making those shots over 1000 yards easy and fun!

I've also now have a hunting rifle in the same 300 Norma Magnum caliber.

I'm looking for some bullet and data recommendations for my hunting rifle. I'd prefer to use the hunting type bullets like the 212 or 220 Hornaday ELD X, not that 230 Hybrid I've been using on the range.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions and recommendations.
 
I have had by custom 300NM for about 6 weeks and will be following this thread as well.

Right now im shooting ammunition from ABM, the 230 hybrid targets.

For the Norma I think you got to start with the 220's and H1000.
 
Well, I am no expert by any means but I have shot 215 and 230 Berger's and the 208 eld-m's...My rifle likes retumbo with these three bullets. It likes around 84gr with the 230 Berger's and around 86 or so with the 215's. I'm away from my handbook right now but I'm pretty sure 89gr was about perfect with the 208's... The 230's travel about 3000fps and the 215's travel about 3150. Can't remember the velocity of the 208's but it was over 3200fps.
 
I have been told ABM using H1000. Only ABM knows for sure. I have not chronograph-ed but my trued MV is 2940 through a 26'' barrel so pretty happy with that and the ammo groups .25 at 100 yards.

Have you done any elk hunting with the 230 match hybrids?
 
I don't have a 300 Norma but I do hunt with the 230 hybrid targets out of a rum at 3000fps. Killed a few deer with them and have had excellent results. Don't count them out as a hunting bullet. They've expanded very reliably so far. Longest kill to date is 715 yds.
 
You will be fine hunting with the 215 or 230 hybrids. I've shot several animals with both bullets. My go-to load with 230's is 88gr of RE-33. It spits them out of a 27" 1-9 barrel at 2960fps. The 215 load is 88gr of N570. They're moving at 3170fps from a 27" 1-10 barrel. Both loads are max in my rifles. 4-5 reloads on brass. There is noise of Peterson Cartridge coming out with 300NM brass next year. Let's hope those rumors are true!
 
I run the 212 eld-x with RL33 out of a 23" bbl Great results.

Looking at building a short barrel 300 Norma improved for hunting with 212 eldx. Already have a 26" 300 Norma improved for 230 bergers at 3060fps.

Wanting to see what a 20-22" with 212 eldx would do with the 300 Norma improved.
 

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