COBrad
Well-Known Member
I'm getting 3057 fps from a 300 NMI with 245 grain EOL's from a 30" barrel. 88 grains N570 and no pressure signs. Gun shoots in the .3's at medium ranges and still shooting in the .4's at a mile in calm conditions.
It's the ideal elephant cartridge, just ask Karamojo Bell!
The very same can applied to the opinions regarding the .30-06 Springfield and several other cartridges depending on the point of view and the overwhelming number of rifles chambered for these cartridges.I can't see any major advances over the plain Jane ho-hum 300wm
I'm getting 3057 fps from a 300 NMI with 245 grain EOL's from a 30" barrel. 88 grains N570 and no pressure signs. Gun shoots in the .3's at medium ranges and still shooting in the .4's at a mile in calm
300 WM is unquestionably an outstanding long range hunting cartridge… but my 300 NMI far exceeds it. I hunt marmots at loooong ranges, my furthest at 1402 yards so far. The 245 Bergers launched at 3057 from the Norma at those ranges bring capability to the table that the WM can't. Also, I've killed elk at over 1K yards. I want the energy, momentum, and high BC's at those ranges...why ! For all the expense, time and anxiety I can't see any major advances over the plain Jane ho-hum 300wm that makes either worth the effort..I hardly think any big game animals vitals will notice the difference...unless you got lots of time and $$$$ laying around and just need a tinker toy project..just an opinion.
Have you ever compared the trajectory performance of a 200 gr bullet to the 245 gr bullet at 1400 yds with your rifle?300 WM is unquestionably an outstanding long range hunting cartridge… but my 300 NMI far exceeds it. I hunt marmots at loooong ranges, my furthest at 1402 yards so far. The 245 Bergers launched at 3057 from the Norma at those ranges bring capability to the table that the WM can't. Also, I've killed elk at over 1K yards. I want the energy, momentum, and high BC's at those ranges.
The velocity and BC differences between 300LIMP/300NMI and the 300WM are pretty much the same as saying:I can't see any major advances over the plain Jane ho-hum 300wm that makes either worth the effort
I wonder if something in the middle might be the ticket for ELR use. I shot on a team that required the 33 XC, frankly I am not a fan of the 33 XC due to its terrible barrel life. I get .0065 throat death every 100 rounds with a 33 XC running 300 Bergers at 3150. I thought my 338 LAI shooting 300 Bergers at 3050 with 106.5 of RE33 was more inherently accurate over a course of fire than a 33 XC shooting the same bullet at 3150 with 115 or more grains of N565. I have switched both of my light class ELR rifles to 35* 300 NMI's built by Earl F in Montana. (I am actually loading fire forming rounds as I type this).I have designs for both. A 35 degree 300 NMI and a 40 degree 30-338 lapua imp. For most people the NMI is the better choice. The main difference is barrel wear. The lapua is much harder on barrels. This is not a problem for some things. If its strictly for hunting and minimum ballistics the lapua is the one. But if you want to shoot a lot it wears fast, its like a 28 nosler in that regard. The 338 version of my lapua imp is easy on throats and is my first choice, it checks all the boxes. But the rifle has to be built heavier. All good choices, but it just comes down to your actual use of the rifle.
Even more so than the 300 NMI, interesting.Of all of the ones discussed, in my experiance the most accurate is 100% the 338 lapua imp version. I agree with you on the xc.
I've shot groups in the .1s at 1k with both cartridges multiple times in different rifle. The 300nmi excels in hunting weight rifles.Of all of the ones discussed, in my experiance the most accurate is 100% the 338 lapua imp version. I agree with you on the xc.