Twin Loads - Bush and LR

Looking at loading up a bush load for my 300wsm. Quite like the idea of it as more often than not the zeros normally line up pretty well and I enjoy tinkering with reloading. Currently shooting 168gr AMAX (2850 fps), having gone away from 178 ELDX after chopping barrel down to 18”.
Hunting a thick shitty block this roar where we’ll struggle to shoot past 50 yards and was thinking about going to a heavy soft point. I’ve got about 80 odd ELDX left (possibly open to swaps), am I best to down load a few of those to limit expansion or try find a few 180 gr soft points?
Was thinking it’s a bit of a waste using the ELDX ( I’m sure someone else would benefit from them) when a cheap cup and core would do the trick. Thoughts?

Haven’t shot anything up close with the 178s but I know those simple soft points flatten stags. Watched plenty stopped in their tracks while following dad around with his trusty .270 shooting Sierra 130gr BTSP in Hihitahi years ago.

Assuming your zero is 200m+ with the AMAX, I'd go heavier and slower for the bush load aiming for a 100m zero without having to adjust the scope. Maybe something in the 200-220gr range?

Just checked the Gunworks website and it looks like they have 220gr round nose projectiles in stock. Those should hit like the Hammer of Thor even going slowly!

I’d use the ELDX - they seem solid to me and you have them. I’d have no issue shooting close into the boiler with ELDX

Use a different projectile, that way you won’t get them confused. I’ve done this with a couple of rifles. Zero for the long range load then see where the bush load hits. So long as it is within an inch or two at 100 you’ll be fine.

Speer Hotcore or there's some Nosler 168gn LR ABs 4 sale on here or 150gn Barnes TSX or TTSX.

One load for everything means less chance of MrMurphy popping his head up!!

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Originally Posted by mikee

One load for everything means less chance of MrMurphy popping his head up!!

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I'm with @mikee on that one
One load per gun
A long range or mid range option will always work in close
But a close load might not be ideal at mid or long range

I do have multiple guns though and try and always use a 200m zero
But even this has now been complicated by the G2 contender being 100m zero and lots of muzzleloaders

Could try something like a 180gr nosler ballistic tip and that will take care of everything. Possibly a 150 If you don't drive it at break neck speed could be a good upclose out to 5-600m range. Mine are doing 2850 from a 308 and max load

180grn hornady ROUND NOSE...loaded down to 308 type speed...you only want one up spout while bush bashing,whatever is up next wont matter if you needing to shoot in a hurry chances are placement wont be perfect either.... round nose mean no chance of getting them mixed up.

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

180grn hornady ROUND NOSE...loaded down to 308 type speed...you only want one up spout while bush bashing,whatever is up next wont matter if you needing to shoot in a hurry chances are placement wont be perfect either.... round nose mean no chance of getting them mixed up.

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I’ve been looking for some of those but not much about. My mate has some 165 gr Interlocks, they’ll do the trick. Zero should be pretty bloody close as well. Another option was to grab some 208 ELDM off a target shooter mate, running nice and slow they’d be bloody deadly. Used to shoot them for long range and they’d punch through out at 600m and make a fist sized hole. But too easy to mix them up.

sounds like a plan Stan.......I used the hornadies as were closest thing I could find terminal wise to winchester 180grn factory loadings. sure couldnt complain about how they worked.have heard good things about the 200plus softies you speak of..... heavier =slower so not so explody.....as long as you can tell them apart easy enough,a vivid pen is your friend here.....but not so good loading in the dark (shooting wallabies with TTSX loads NOT recomended) keep us posted as to what you end up using and how they go please.

I use a round nose for bush hunting ,pointy bullet for longer range shots,then you can’t mix up the rounds,

In the name of science I’ll do both. Peaked my interest now. Anyone else shooting 208s through short barrel, let me know what kind of speed you’re getting.

Use the 178

if only shooting 50-100 mtr then round/flat nose bullet loaded down slow will save ears and shoulder. ok so it may be shooting a few inches low at 100 mtr but for boiler room shoots ni deer will notice. keep 3 of your normal loads in a pocket just in case a longer shoot come up.
at shorter ranges and lower velocities you don't even need a heavy bullet.

ps those eld-x are at their best a bit closer in than the Amax or eld-m. loading a dozen or so with a min charge would be a good 50mtr load.
Z

If you already have a load for the 178 then I'd use that. I'm running an 18" WSM with 178s, they work fine from 8yds to 550+.

If you enjoy reloading and have the components I see no problems with 2 different loads.
If the bush load shoots close enough POI and a you are shooting within 200m then it'd be easy as.

As others have mentioned if you are currentlt shooting ELD-M/X/Amax's then going for a round nose or soft point makes it easy to tell which bullet is which.

I run 208's @2820 from 22" barrel for everything near or far. It's a pretty mild load and could get 100fps on that if i stoked it up a bit so would guess you could get 2650-2700 with the 18" barrel.
The last stag i shot (a large bodied 10 point red) was at 16yards front on centre chest, the 208 travelled the length of his body and lodged in his pelvis, he wobbled about 10-15 yards before tipping up.

I run the 200gr eld x through my 300wsm. 22in barrel 100mtr zero 2960fps, works from 10-700mtrs without any issue. It is fun to play but sometimes one load is all that is required.