Speaking of load data. I've gotten my hands on some Sierra 150gr FN #2000 bullets (designed for 30-30). Is there any load data for this round out there? My concerns are powder charge (don't want to over-do it) and OAL (don't want to get into the lands) as the bullet seems to have the o-give a bit further forward than most.
This isn't a very good bullet choice since it's a little too tough to expand reliably under 2000fps. I'd suggest you start with 25gr CFEBLK with a 2.155" OAL
A little too hard? Hmm, this may be what I'm looking for. To give you some background on why I'm looking I had a bad experience this year while hunting. I had a bullet that was blowing up and wounding deer, but not killing them. I would see them on the trail cams days later still walking around with a wound on their rib cage area. This was out of a .300 blackout 16 inch barrel with a handloaded 110 gr Barnes Tac-TX. I chronographed the load at 2398fps with a 4fps SD. Super accurate load. But this bullet was designed to be able to expand out of a 8 to 10 inch barrel at much lower velocities. It worked great out of the gun at 100 yards last year, the deer ran less than 20 yards and left a hell of a blood trail. This year, as with most years, the shots were more like 20-25 yards. Our food plots in the woods of Virginia are usually no larger than 50 yards across. 100 yards is a long shot and quite rare. What I need a bullet to do is be able to not blow up at 20 yards, but punch through at 100 yards, just in case. I tried the speer hot cor 130 grain but was not happy with the accuracy. The sierra 125 grain Pro Hunter shoots excellent (sub MOA) but I'm worried it's a bit light for deer. I tried the 150 grain SST and it shoots 2 MOA. I found the Sierra 150 grain bullets and thought I'd give them a try because they were designed to function at 30-30 velocities. Would the Winchester 150gr Power Point flat nose be a better bullet for my situation? In the past, I've found them too soft and even had a relative that had them blowing up on mule deer at close ranges, albeit in a different caliber. I thought about the Speer gold dots but can't find them locally. If I can't find a better bullet I may just settle with the 130 grain speer hot cor and live with the accuracy. For a hunting round it's fine. I suppose I could practice with the 125 grain sierras to satisfy my accuracy quirk (and maybe for coyote).
A little too hard? Hmm, this may be what I'm looking for. To give you some background on why I'm looking I had a bad experience this year while hunting. I had a bullet that was blowing up and wounding deer, but not killing them. I would see them on the trail cams days later still walking around with a wound on their rib cage area. This was out of a .300 blackout 16 inch barrel with a handloaded 110 gr Barnes Tac-TX. I chronographed the load at 2398fps with a 4fps SD. Super accurate load. But this bullet was designed to be able to expand out of a 8 to 10 inch barrel at much lower velocities. It worked great out of the gun at 100 yards last year, the deer ran less than 20 yards and left a hell of a blood trail. This year, as with most years, the shots were more like 20-25 yards. Our food plots in the woods of Virginia are usually no larger than 50 yards across. 100 yards is a long shot and quite rare. What I need a bullet to do is be able to not blow up at 20 yards, but punch through at 100 yards, just in case. I tried the speer hot cor 130 grain but was not happy with the accuracy. The sierra 125 grain Pro Hunter shoots excellent (sub MOA) but I'm worried it's a bit light for deer. I tried the 150 grain SST and it shoots 2 MOA. I found the Sierra 150 grain bullets and thought I'd give them a try because they were designed to function at 30-30 velocities. Would the Winchester 150gr Power Point flat nose be a better bullet for my situation? In the past, I've found them too soft and even had a relative that had them blowing up on mule deer at close ranges, albeit in a different caliber. I thought about the Speer gold dots but can't find them locally. If I can't find a better bullet I may just settle with the 130 grain speer hot cor and live with the accuracy. For a hunting round it's fine. I suppose I could practice with the 125 grain sierras to satisfy my accuracy quirk (and maybe for coyote).
One last detail, there have been a lot of bear captured on the trail cams. At least 5 have been identified on a property that is only 75 acres. Most of the time they just run off. I am a bit concerned about the one that doesn't run off. I want to have a bullet that will penetrate. This and the 300 blackout issue is why I'm leaning towards the 150 grain bullets that tend to be harder. I'm ok with the 130 hot cor but I'd like something a bit more accurate and perhaps a better sectional density. I'll report on the sierra bullets when I get a range test done. According to my ballistics charts I should be good if I keep my shots under 100 yards.
A little too hard? Hmm, this may be what I'm looking for. To give you some background on why I'm looking I had a bad experience this year while hunting. I had a bullet that was blowing up and wounding deer, but not killing them. I would see them on the trail cams days later still walking around with a wound on their rib cage area. This was out of a .300 blackout 16 inch barrel with a handloaded 110 gr Barnes Tac-TX. I chronographed the load at 2398fps with a 4fps SD. Super accurate load. But this bullet was designed to be able to expand out of a 8 to 10 inch barrel at much lower velocities. It worked great out of the gun at 100 yards last year, the deer ran less than 20 yards and left a hell of a blood trail. This year, as with most years, the shots were more like 20-25 yards. Our food plots in the woods of Virginia are usually no larger than 50 yards across. 100 yards is a long shot and quite rare. What I need a bullet to do is be able to not blow up at 20 yards, but punch through at 100 yards, just in case. I tried the speer hot cor 130 grain but was not happy with the accuracy. The sierra 125 grain Pro Hunter shoots excellent (sub MOA) but I'm worried it's a bit light for deer. I tried the 150 grain SST and it shoots 2 MOA. I found the Sierra 150 grain bullets and thought I'd give them a try because they were designed to function at 30-30 velocities. Would the Winchester 150gr Power Point flat nose be a better bullet for my situation? In the past, I've found them too soft and even had a relative that had them blowing up on mule deer at close ranges, albeit in a different caliber. I thought about the Speer gold dots but can't find them locally. If I can't find a better bullet I may just settle with the 130 grain speer hot cor and live with the accuracy. For a hunting round it's fine. I suppose I could practice with the 125 grain sierras to satisfy my accuracy quirk (and maybe for coyote).
I wouldn't be satisfied with 2" accuracy either. First, verify that your shooting the #30303 bullet designed for the .300 Savage? The std 150gr SST isn't compatible with the HAM'R for various reasons. Try varying you powder charge +/- .1-.2gr and you will probably find the accuracy node. The 130HC and 150SST both shoot 1.25" or less in my rifles, but you have to find the accuracy node which isn't necessarily where you get the best ES/SD #s. Any of the following bullets will cleanly kill any deer and will NOT blow up and are my personal GO TO loads.
A little too hard? Hmm, this may be what I'm looking for. To give you some background on why I'm looking I had a bad experience this year while hunting. I had a bullet that was blowing up and wounding deer, but not killing them. I would see them on the trail cams days later still walking around with a wound on their rib cage area. This was out of a .300 blackout 16 inch barrel with a handloaded 110 gr Barnes Tac-TX. I chronographed the load at 2398fps with a 4fps SD. Super accurate load. But this bullet was designed to be able to expand out of a 8 to 10 inch barrel at much lower velocities. It worked great out of the gun at 100 yards last year, the deer ran less than 20 yards and left a hell of a blood trail. This year, as with most years, the shots were more like 20-25 yards. Our food plots in the woods of Virginia are usually no larger than 50 yards across. 100 yards is a long shot and quite rare. What I need a bullet to do is be able to not blow up at 20 yards, but punch through at 100 yards, just in case. I tried the speer hot cor 130 grain but was not happy with the accuracy. The sierra 125 grain Pro Hunter shoots excellent (sub MOA) but I'm worried it's a bit light for deer. I tried the 150 grain SST and it shoots 2 MOA. I found the Sierra 150 grain bullets and thought I'd give them a try because they were designed to function at 30-30 velocities. Would the Winchester 150gr Power Point flat nose be a better bullet for my situation? In the past, I've found them too soft and even had a relative that had them blowing up on mule deer at close ranges, albeit in a different caliber. I thought about the Speer gold dots but can't find them locally. If I can't find a better bullet I may just settle with the 130 grain speer hot cor and live with the accuracy. For a hunting round it's fine. I suppose I could practice with the 125 grain sierras to satisfy my accuracy quirk (and maybe for coyote).
One last detail, there have been a lot of bear captured on the trail cams. At least 5 have been identified on a property that is only 75 acres. Most of the time they just run off. I am a bit concerned about the one that doesn't run off. I want to have a bullet that will penetrate. This and the 300 blackout issue is why I'm leaning towards the 150 grain bullets that tend to be harder. I'm ok with the 130 hot cor but I'd like something a bit more accurate and perhaps a better sectional density. I'll report on the sierra bullets when I get a range test done. According to my ballistics charts I should be good if I keep my shots under 100 yards.
If I was picking a bullet for a bear hunt it would be the Speer 150gr Gold Dot #308150BLKGDB. I killed all kinds of African game up to 800# with this bullet last July. I got full penetration on most broadside shots.
I have no where near Mr. Wilson's experience with the various bullets, but I can relate to your desire for accuracy in a bullet that will perform with whitetails and bear. The 130 HotCore has become my bullet of choice ONCE I found its sweet spot for my rifles. As stated, it only takes a +/- of a few tenths of a grain to go from so-so to good accuracy. To a lesser degree, seating depth also plays a part. But once you find that perfect pressure node for a given rifle it seems to stay consistent. To date, my hunting group has had shots of 20 yards (black bear) to 130 yards on whitetail, and the 130 HC performed well. I've been a bad influence on them and they all hunted with HAM'Rs this season. Only one bullet did not go through and through, and even it had substantial penetration at 130 yards. (the deer was quartering towards the hunter and entered in front of the right shoulder. I found the bullet just under the skin on the back of the left flank.) Prior to the HAM'R, we used the Sierra 125 PH in 7.62x40WT's since 2011 and always had good results, but looking at the various wound channels convinced me to go with the 130 HC. I have also learned not to judge accuracy until I have fired 100-200 rounds through a rifle. Some shoot great from the first shot and some take a while to "break-in." I will say that rifles fitted with the Wilson Combat barrels usually require a lot less shots to get going.
First, I want to thank everyone for the responses. I did shoot some today and I wanted to share the results.
After testing, I'm not happy with the SST factory ammo and I don't intend to pursue it as a handload. I'm going to continue testing with the 150 Sierra FN. I feel like if I can get 2300fps and get to the next accuracy node (it seems I already hit one) then I should be in good shape. If it doesn't work out I will have to order some of the Speer Gold Dot 150gr. I was hoping to find the bullet locally as I am a big supporter of buying from local businesses, but if it isn't working out then I need to use all my resources. I'll send an update when I get my next range trip in. On a side note, this range trip puts the round count up to 245 through this barrel.
Note to self, next time use larger text! LOL!
Last edited by sage3155; 12/26/1908:10 PM. Reason: added a note
First, I want to thank everyone for the responses. I did shoot some today and I wanted to share the results.
After testing, I'm not happy with the SST factory ammo and I don't intend to pursue it as a handload. I'm going to continue testing with the 150 Sierra FN. I feel like if I can get 2300fps and get to the next accuracy node (it seems I already hit one) then I should be in good shape. If it doesn't work out I will have to order some of the Speer Gold Dot 150gr. I was hoping to find the bullet locally as I am a big supporter of buying from local businesses, but if it isn't working out then I need to use all my resources. I'll send an update when I get my next range trip in. On a side note, this range trip puts the round count up to 245 through this barrel.
Note to self, next time use larger text! LOL!
2300fps WITH EITHER OF THE SIERRA 150gr BULLETS WILL BE WAY OVER PRESSURE, THOSE BULLETS BUILD PRESSURE MUCH MORE THAN THE SPEER OR HORNADY 150gr BULLETS. I CONSIDER 2250fps AS MAX WITH THOSE BULLETS. The HSM ammo we sell with the Sierra 150gr FP is loaded to 2240fps.
Why not shoot what the gun is telling you it likes? According to your targets the 125 Sierra is pretty salty.
The 125PH would not be adequate if I had to shoot a charging bear while hiking into my stand in the dark. I have no intention of hunting black bear with this cartridge but you never know what's going to happen while hiking into your stand in the dark. Accidentally get between momma bear and her cubs and you have a recipe for disaster. I want a bullet that is adequate for deer and won't blow up on a black bear in an emergency. At this point I have a box of 80 bullets left and I'm not just going to let them sit around and gather dust. It doesn't hurt to experiment a bit. If it doesn't work out at least I got some shooting practice in freezing cold temperatures.
Black bears aren't as tough as you might think. My first one came with a 7.62x40WT using my standard load of a 125 Sierra ProHunter over 1680. The distance was only 20 yards. It was a "young and dumb" male that came into my yard to pick a fight with my Australian Shepherd. My dog had backup and the bear traveled only about 20-30 yards before being out for good. We have a good number of bears coming by each year and most of the time there aren't any problems. I enjoy seeing them and really don't like it when I'm forced to shoot one but I never felt under-gunned with either the 7.62x40 or the 300 HAM'R.
While setting in camp this afternoon my kids told me the they were turkeys by the camp feeder. I took this one with 130gr Hotcore. Perfect fit with not major damage to the best parts. My family loves turkey nuggets!!!
Black bears aren't as tough as you might think. My first one came with a 7.62x40WT using my standard load of a 125 Sierra ProHunter over 1680. The distance was only 20 yards. It was a "young and dumb" male that came into my yard to pick a fight with my Australian Shepherd. My dog had backup and the bear traveled only about 20-30 yards before being out for good. We have a good number of bears coming by each year and most of the time there aren't any problems. I enjoy seeing them and really don't like it when I'm forced to shoot one but I never felt under-gunned with either the 7.62x40 or the 300 HAM'R.
I feel the same about black bears. Not really interested in hunting them and I try and avoid having to shoot one. However, it is necessary from time to time. I would feel under gunned with a 300 lbs+ black bear charging at me if I was shooting the 125 grain pro hunter. I have seen large bear like this shot with 30-06 and still run over 100 yards. My saving grace with the 300 HAMR is that I can shoot multiple rounds rather quickly if I need to. I would give you guys some of the trail cam footage but it's not directly related to this thread.
A little too hard? Hmm, this may be what I'm looking for. To give you some background on why I'm looking I had a bad experience this year while hunting. I had a bullet that was blowing up and wounding deer, but not killing them. I would see them on the trail cams days later still walking around with a wound on their rib cage area. This was out of a .300 blackout 16 inch barrel with a handloaded 110 gr Barnes Tac-TX. I chronographed the load at 2398fps with a 4fps SD. Super accurate load. But this bullet was designed to be able to expand out of a 8 to 10 inch barrel at much lower velocities. It worked great out of the gun at 100 yards last year, the deer ran less than 20 yards and left a hell of a blood trail. This year, as with most years, the shots were more like 20-25 yards. Our food plots in the woods of Virginia are usually no larger than 50 yards across. 100 yards is a long shot and quite rare. What I need a bullet to do is be able to not blow up at 20 yards, but punch through at 100 yards, just in case. I tried the speer hot cor 130 grain but was not happy with the accuracy. The sierra 125 grain Pro Hunter shoots excellent (sub MOA) but I'm worried it's a bit light for deer. I tried the 150 grain SST and it shoots 2 MOA. I found the Sierra 150 grain bullets and thought I'd give them a try because they were designed to function at 30-30 velocities. Would the Winchester 150gr Power Point flat nose be a better bullet for my situation? In the past, I've found them too soft and even had a relative that had them blowing up on mule deer at close ranges, albeit in a different caliber. I thought about the Speer gold dots but can't find them locally. If I can't find a better bullet I may just settle with the 130 grain speer hot cor and live with the accuracy. For a hunting round it's fine. I suppose I could practice with the 125 grain sierras to satisfy my accuracy quirk (and maybe for coyote).
And this was out of your 300 blk out and not the 300 hamr. I can maybe start to understand your hesitance for the sierra 125 PH bullet. Do you have a lot number on that bullet?
As I was reading on further, you had some pics and load data from a 300 hamr? a 2" MOA at 100-200yrd range with iron sights is respectable. (nothing was mentioned either way, so I just assumed as to my own preference/use for this weapon range/application.)
Honestly, I would take on a charging Boo Boo 300lb black bear with the 125 PH round with my 20" 300 hamr'. Nothing is fool proof, so my EDC is a 454 casull as a just in case momma bear steps out.
A little too hard? Hmm, this may be what I'm looking for. To give you some background on why I'm looking I had a bad experience this year while hunting. I had a bullet that was blowing up and wounding deer, but not killing them. I would see them on the trail cams days later still walking around with a wound on their rib cage area. This was out of a .300 blackout 16 inch barrel with a handloaded 110 gr Barnes Tac-TX. I chronographed the load at 2398fps with a 4fps SD. Super accurate load. But this bullet was designed to be able to expand out of a 8 to 10 inch barrel at much lower velocities. It worked great out of the gun at 100 yards last year, the deer ran less than 20 yards and left a hell of a blood trail. This year, as with most years, the shots were more like 20-25 yards. Our food plots in the woods of Virginia are usually no larger than 50 yards across. 100 yards is a long shot and quite rare. What I need a bullet to do is be able to not blow up at 20 yards, but punch through at 100 yards, just in case. I tried the speer hot cor 130 grain but was not happy with the accuracy. The sierra 125 grain Pro Hunter shoots excellent (sub MOA) but I'm worried it's a bit light for deer. I tried the 150 grain SST and it shoots 2 MOA. I found the Sierra 150 grain bullets and thought I'd give them a try because they were designed to function at 30-30 velocities. Would the Winchester 150gr Power Point flat nose be a better bullet for my situation? In the past, I've found them too soft and even had a relative that had them blowing up on mule deer at close ranges, albeit in a different caliber. I thought about the Speer gold dots but can't find them locally. If I can't find a better bullet I may just settle with the 130 grain speer hot cor and live with the accuracy. For a hunting round it's fine. I suppose I could practice with the 125 grain sierras to satisfy my accuracy quirk (and maybe for coyote).
And this was out of your 300 blk out and not the 300 hamr. I can maybe start to understand your hesitance for the sierra 125 PH bullet. Do you have a lot number on that bullet?
As I was reading on further, you had some pics and load data from a 300 hamr? a 2" MOA at 100-200yrd range with iron sights is respectable. (nothing was mentioned either way, so I just assumed as to my own preference/use for this weapon range/application.)
Honestly, I would take on a charging Boo Boo 300lb black bear with the 125 PH round with my 20" 300 hamr'. Nothing is fool proof, so my EDC is a 454 casull as a just in case momma bear steps out.
The bullet that was blowing up was out of a 300 Blackout. Hence the switch to 300 HAMR and larger/harder bullets. As for sights, when I have it configured for hunting I use a simple 3-9x Leupold VX-Freedom series. However, the current configuration of the 300 HAMR is a 3-18X Bushnell forge series scope. It allows a more precise hold while working up the load and usually I can see my error in the scope when the trigger breaks and the gun recoils. I don't have a lot number on the bullets as they were loaded almost two years ago. They were the Barnes Tac-TX 110 grain made for 300 Blackout. Doing some research on this bullet is why I switched to 300 HAMR. Everything made for 300 Blackout is made to function in 8-11 inch barrels at very low velocity. It's difficult to build a bullet that will open properly at those speeds but not blow up at max load out of a 16 inch barrel. I was simply trying to do something with the 300 blackout that it wasn't really built for. The 300 HAMR is much closer to what I want. 30-30 performance out of a semi-auto platform that carries easily in the woods. 300 HAMR? Perfect.
The bullet that was blowing up was out of a 300 Blackout. Hence the switch to 300 HAMR and larger/harder bullets. As for sights, when I have it configured for hunting I use a simple 3-9x Leupold VX-Freedom series. However, the current configuration of the 300 HAMR is a 3-18X Bushnell forge series scope. It allows a more precise hold while working up the load and usually I can see my error in the scope when the trigger breaks and the gun recoils. I don't have a lot number on the bullets as they were loaded almost two years ago. They were the Barnes Tac-TX 110 grain made for 300 Blackout. Doing some research on this bullet is why I switched to 300 HAMR. Everything made for 300 Blackout is made to function in 8-11 inch barrels at very low velocity. It's difficult to build a bullet that will open properly at those speeds but not blow up at max load out of a 16 inch barrel. I was simply trying to do something with the 300 blackout that it wasn't really built for. The 300 HAMR is much closer to what I want. 30-30 performance out of a semi-auto platform that carries easily in the woods. 300 HAMR? Perfect. [/quote]
Understood exactly now. I too am an avid 30-30 enthusiast that was in search of an AR-15 platform for mid to close up hunting. I am still a newbie with the 300 hamr and I am really liking what it can do so far and I really think that it will still accomplish the need with a lighter round ie the 125gr. ( I still need to play with 110gr varmint rounds for badger, yotes and big cats in my back yard )
I may look at something in the 1-6x range scope possibly to use as a more precise method for the 300 hamr. However, at the moment, 200 yds or less and the 300 hamr just nails it for me with iron sights and the 125gr ph.
All I can say is welcome to your new weapon and to this site. That is why I joined.
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