Velocity/Expansion

[300whisper_newbie]

Georgel Wrote :

I've heard somewhere that one of the problems with .300 Whisper/Fireball is that velocities were too low for adequate bullet performance. Does anyone have any hard data on this. For example, how about a Sierra 220 BTHP, what's minimal terminal velocity for adequate expansion? For that matter, what's considered adequate expansion?

[300whisper_newbie]

300whisper_newbie Wrote :

I wouldn't worry about expansion. At subsonic velocities the bullet will more than likely tumble upon entering. the 220 BTHP when it turns sideways will leave a pretty good size hole

--Chris

[300whisper_newbie]

JF Wrote :

I have shot several deer and turkeys with my 300Whisper and 220gr
subsonic ammo. No, you will not get expansion - especially from the match Sierra bullets. I even tried my own lead bullets with different hardnesses on wet phonebooks. The accuracy suffers with lead and the don't seem to like my fast 1:8 twist either. Expansion with lead was also dissapointing.

If you plan to hunt with subsonic ammo, go with the heaviest bullet that you can shoot accuratly, know your distances and what the drop will be at those ranges. Take head or neck shots or don't shoot at all. The 220 sub loads will cut a neat hole through a deer skull and they will drop dead on their feet before they fall down.

If you learn to switch back and forth between heavy subsonics loads and fast light bullets, you will have better luck hunting with the 300Whisper in my opinion. For the long shots, I will switch to a fast 125 Sierra bullet and it is surprising how well they kill with properly placed chest shots.

It takes a lot of range work and practice to make this work though. I use a single shot Contender rifle so I can switch between supersonic and subsonic loads quickly in the field.