What should I expect 300 win mag 185 Berger 50 yards and out

[jessegibson1978]

What does everyone think should I get an exit with this at close range on whitetail under 200lbs. Thanks for any help.

 

[HARPERC]

I'd guess a fair split, with more exits at range. I've seen the 180-190's stopped by some small deer. I've also seen the 225 Accubond stopped a couple of times by small deer.

You don't mention which angle, and some variables exist in that regard.

 

[jessegibson1978]

Oops wasn't think about angle but I keep them in the rib cage so from last rib to front shoulder. If the angle is any steeper than that I let them walk. Thanks for any ones help.

 

[HARPERC]

I shot a Nevada mule deer, probably a 2.5 year old deer. With a 190 Hornady, 3000 fps MV, at about the 50-60 yard mark, just shy of being completely broadside, and recovered it on the off side.

Farther out, maybe exit, maybe not. A lot of variables, and you did mention Berger specifically, and I haven't shot those at flesh and bone.

 

[jessegibson1978]

Yep I have been running 180 SST always have gotten pass through's however it seems like it doesn't expand very well. My rifle doesn't seem to like anything lighter. Thanks.

 

[HARPERC]

Are you hoping for exit wounds, or hoping for it to expand rapidly enough to staying the animal?

 

[jessegibson1978]

In general I like a energy dump but there is a couple spots I hunt if they make 2 jumps you pretty much have to have a blood trail to find them. Extremely thick and steep. Also was wanting to try something different. Also playing with the Berger 215 but recoil is a bit stiff in a sub 8 lb rifle without a brake. Maybe I should invest in a brake or just make one. But I would like to run the 185 between 3000-3100 also open to other options but definitely would prefer something that opens up a bit more than the SST.

 

[Rick Richard]

I shot a Whitetail Buck this past season at 200 yards with a 300 WM and 215 Bergers. The result was as if a hand gernade went off in the chest cavity. The only draw back was that I found fragments of the projectile in various places and ruined the Tender Loins. I am sure if it would have been a shoulder hit that would have also ruined a lot of meat.

Too much gun and bullet for the situation? probably, but this was a new custom that I wanted to "bloody".

 

[toddc]

I've seen probably 200+ killed with a 185 out of a couple of 300 ultras at ranges from 5 ft to 1200 yds and very rarely will you see a passthru. Of course you will very rarely need to track one either.