150 to 200 Yd. Whisper "Deer" bullet

[cappi]

Thinking about reloading a supersonic deer round to cover the 150 to 200 yard distance. Do not think I want to use my 240 grain match bullets. Most likely they will pass completely thru at that distance but not expand at all and punch a small exit hole. I was wondering how the Hornady 155 or 168 grain A Max will perform. I know that at .308 velocities these bullets (especially the 155 gr.) fragment violently. I figure the extra length of these bullets is needed at that distance (reduced velocity ) to gain sufficient penetration and MAY offer some expansion as opposed to the 240 gr. match heavier constructed bullets. Any commemts/experience pro or con ? My twist is 1 in 8 and the barrel length is a 14 inch contender. Yes I am familiar with how well the 125 gr. bullets perform at the "closer" distances.

[Malaga]

Think about a 308

[m21black]

I have shot deer at 75-80 yards with the 240 SMK, it 240 grain doesn't loose much in another 100 yards velocity or energy wise... it does drop some 16" but you should be able to figure that out. All deer I have shot have been with 240 SMK traveling at 1040FPS +/- all have been one shot kills. Who need expansion when you have bullet yawl.

[cappi]

In the state of Illinous .308 rifles are NOT allowed for deer hunting. The .30 cal. Whisper round is legal for a handgun. I doubt that rifled shotgun sabot rounds will have the accuracy out at 150-200 yards, that the Whisper has. Certain handguns and shotguns are the only legal firearms that can be used to harvest some of those humongous bucks they have there.

[m21black]

no one said state gaming laws have to make sence when you look at the Commie Anti-American politicians we elect.

[320pf]

cappi-

The 125 to 130 grain bullets will all work well out to about 250 yrds. The reason that I suggest the lighter bullets is that they are designed for varmint hunting using high velocity rifles such as 308, 30-06, to the 300 magnums and have thinner jackets so the bullet literally comes apart with it hits the target. At the 300-221 fireball (A.K.A. 300 whisper(r)) velocities these bullets will penetrate and expand like the heavier bullets at 308 etc... velocities.

The 125-130 grain bullets typically have muzzle velocities of about 2100 to 2300 fps @ 1850 ft-lbs of energy. If you sight in for 200 yrd.:

-at midrange the bullet will be about 3.5 in high moving at ~2000 fps with
~1100 ft-lbs energy

-Zeroed at 200, moving at ~1750 fps with
~850 ft-lbs energy

-at 225 the bullet will be 2.5 in. low moving at ~1700 fps with ~800 ft-lbs

-at 250 the bullet will be 6 in. low moving at ~1650 fps with ~750 ft-lbs

This is basically a center mass hold out to 250 yrd.

The typical 0.308 diameter bullets with heavier jackets like the typical 150 grain and above bullets probably will not expand/mushroom as reliably as the light weight varmint bullets

This is my 2 cents, some may disagree but I think the ballistics are basically correct.

320pf

[m21black]

320pf
I'm with you the 150 grain bullets will not expand and the lower velocities. I have loaded 125 grainer up to 2400 FPS using a 16.25" barrel but have not tried them out on any deer. I prefer the 240 grainers fling subsonic into mr. deer.

[Quarterbore]

I like the single shot pistol bullets. I have to be honest that I have not shot a deer with one of these bullets yet but I have seen my father shoot three or four now with these bullets in a 30/30 contender (Pretty much the same ballistics). The bullets open up really nice and I don't think he has had any deer go more then say 25-yards. Now, all of his deer have been shot insite 100-yards and two of them were inside 50-yards so it is hard to say for sure.

I tried to get a part number but I don't see them online. I could swear he has both a Hornady (the one he likes) and a Speer bullet designated as single shot pistol. We have also use the lighter Nosler Ballistic tips and they seemed to shoot well out of my 11-inch 300-Whisper contender but I have not had the chance to try a bullet on a deer yet.

Hope this helps some but I would say use what you gun shoots best but if some of these thinner jacket bullets shoot well I am confident the deer will drop a little quicker.

[m21black]

The one thing that I have noticed with my TC Contender 300 Whisper is that that lighter bullets are not as accurate, 1:8 twist just does stabilize the 240 grainers at 1040 FPS but shoots sub moa at 100 yards, with the 125 grain bullets that I have tried it was hard to get anything better than a 1" at 50 yards. Plenty good for hunting deer at 100 yards. I haven't shot any 125's out of my CZ Whisper todate.

[Quarterbore]

Oh yea, I should add that my Contender is a T/C barrel so it has the slower twist barrel (1:11 I think). So, yes, my contender does seem to like the liter bullets then say my AR-15 pistol with the 1:8 twist 11.5-inch barrel.

[320pf]

Quarterbore just brought up a good point. Any bullet designed to work in the 30-30 will work for the 300-221 fireball out the distance (150-250 yrd) that were are discussing . So if you want to run 150 or 170 gr bullets use the ones that Sierra, Speer, Hornady etc... make for the 30-30

320pf

[cappi]

Thank you for the ballistics on the 125gr. bullets, they may penetrate sufficiently at 200 yards. However because my barrel has the 1:8 twist i am still thinking of a longer bullet that will take advantage of my twist, shoot more accurately and give me double lung penetration. Any expansion is yet to be determined (due to Whisper low velocities ) on the Hornady 178 gr. A MAX bullet, that i have been hearing about. I will attempt to attach a link that the manufacturer has to describe the terminal ballistics of these VERY THIN jacketed bullets. http://hornady.primediaoutdoors.com/HDstory10.html
What could be a worst case senario, penetration similar to the 240 gr. SMK ???? If you look at the cross sectional of the A MAX you will see a LONG polymer tip that goes deep into the bullet, that you would think should initiate some kind of expansion even at lower velocities. Opinions Please !

[encoreman]

I use the 150 grain Hornady BTSP WITH 14.7 grains of h110, in a 18-inch encore barrel and I can shoot sub/moa at 150 yards. I also have been testing the barnes 150 grain triple shocks with 1 inch groups @ 150 yards, the only thing is I noticed you have to keep the bullet .060-075 off the lands.

encoreman

[redtazdog]

Iwas messin around trying to find a 220 to 240grn bullet that will expand for my 300 whisper,I found my custom bullet for hunting.

16 inch tc 300 whisper 1in8 twist
sier 220gn RN at 1050 fps through my chroni

I took a 4x4x2 chunk of aluminum to my drill press,
took a 1/8 drill bit and drilled a hole all the way through then
chucked a 5/16 bit and drilled 1 inch deep dropped a 220gn bullet
in the hole and replaced the
5/16 bit with a 5/64 bit then drilled a hole in the bullet
a little less than a halve inch deep.
lost 5gn a bullet of weight.
the bullet was snug to get out, but the 1/8 inch hole under the jig
is used to tap the bullet out.
dont move your jig or your custom hollow points will all differ.
and set your deph for drilling.

I loaded up 10 rounds shot 3 through the chroni 1062 fps average,
shot 4 into the swimming pool (deep end) and had good expansion
ok lets go kill something.

went wild pig hunting 2nd day found 5 pigs at 125 yards took my shot a pig went down.
could not find bullet, exit wound hole the size of a golf ball.
3rd day found more pigs at 175 yards took my shot and a pig fell then got up and ran into the deep bushes just 20 ft away.
OH CHIT! I was thinking the bullet failed at tha yardage.
I found the pig just 10 feet into the bush, thank you hollow point.
the exit hole was still about the size of a golf ball.

Elk season last year was the test.
3rd day got my elk at 160 yards, bullet went all the way through
with a exit hole the size of a golf ball again.
The Elk only took 3 steps and fell over,double lung shot did the trick.