[scott fisher]

So I worked up some new loads. 300 grain speer @ around 2200 fps. Speer manual suggests that shots up to 150 yards can be taken. 150 yards velocity would be 1660 with 1800 ft pounds of energy. 200 yard velocity would be 1504 with 1500 ftpounds of energy. I think a 150 yard shot on a elk would be ok. would 200 yards be pushing it? What type of game are you guys taking at long ranges with a 300 grain load?

 

[Halwg]

What powder are you using? I can't get 2200 from the 300 gr bullet in my gun. Right at 2100 fps is what I am getting with H-4198.

 

[scott fisher]

Starbow gave me some reloading data. He gets 2250 fps with 49 grains of RL 7. I havent chronyed these loads yet. I hopping to get at least 2200 fps.

 

[Dawei]

So I worked up some new loads. 300 grain speer @ around 2200 fps. Speer manuel suggests that shots up to 150 yards can be taken. 150 yards velocity would be 1660 with 1800 ft pounds of energy. 200 yard velocity would be 1504 with 1500 ftpounds of energy. I think a 150 yard shot on a elk would be ok. would 200 yards be pushing it? What type of game are you guys taking at long ranges with a 300 grain load?

Well I am loading something very similar to you. I'm using a Beartooth® 290gr LFNGC (296gr total weight), and shooting Roosevelt Elk & Black Bear out to 250yds. If I was using the 300gr Speer® you prefer I wouldn't hesitate to take a 200yd shot. That is the bullet Olle' (WCF405) raves about & he slays a lot of Moose every fall and winter.

 

[Dawei]

What powder are you using? I can't get 2200 from the 300 gr bullet in my gun. Right at 2100 fps is what I am getting with H-4198.

How many grains of H-4198 Hal?

 

[Mactavish]

? can you still buy the 300 grain speer in the U.S.A

 

[Dawei]

? can you still buy the 300 grain speer in the U.S.A

Yes, need me to mail a box to you? Will Canadian law allow me to do that?

 

[Mactavish]

Yes, need me to mail a box to you? Will Canadian law allow me to do that?

Well Dawei we can bring so much across the border but I'm not sure what you are allowed to mail from the states.

 

[scott fisher]

? can you still buy the 300 grain speer in the U.S.A

Yes at midwayusa.com

 

[scott fisher]

Well I am loading something very similar to you. I'm using a Beartooth® 290gr LFNGC (296gr total weight), and shooting Roosevelt Elk & Black Bear out to 250yds. If I was using the 300gr Speer® you prefer I wouldn't hesitate to take a 200yd shot. That is the bullet Olle' (WCF405) raves about & he slays a lot of Moose every fall and winter.

What powder and what kind of velocity?

 

[Starrbow]

IMHO that load at 200 yards will work fine, I would limit myself for almost perfect conditions, not to much wind, no small brances in the way, very solid rest, and a broadside shot if possible. That Speer 300gr bullet is the best made on the cheaper side of bullets, and as long as you push them in 1-38MG's are real accurate!

 

[Mactavish]

IMHO that load at 200 yards will work fine, I would limit myself for almost perfect conditions, not to much wind, no small brances in the way, very solid rest, and a broadside shot if possible. That Speer 300gr bullet is the best made on the cheaper side of bullets, and as long as you push them in 1-38MG's are real accurate!

I got a micro groveI sure like to try some. ;D ;D ;D ;D

 

[NFG]

Sighted in ~2" high at at 100yd you would be down ~5 - 5.5" at 200 with the Speer bullet. The Hornady 300gr XTP has a slightly higher BC so the drop will be less...~4 - 4.5".

You might try AA2015...it has a slightly better pressure/velocity ratio with the 300 grXTP, 0.430" bullets.

200 yds isn't all that far and an elk is fairly large. Depends on your sights, how well you can estimate range and hold...shouldn't be a problem if you practice on sage/ground rats during the off season. ;D

You can also practice aiming on cattle and horses with an EMPTY GUN and make sure no rancher sees you. : ;D

LUCK

 

[Halwg]

How many grains of H-4198 Hal?

43.0 gr. Use this with caution, and work up to it. But it shoots quite well in my gun.

 

[jeepster360mag]

That load is 4grs over max in the speer #14 manual...............just sayin

John

 

[NFG]

Hodgdons lists 42.5/H4198, 300 gr Swift, 24" bbl, 2.62" COAL, 2082fs/42.5KCUP, 1/38T.

Lyman #48 lists 41.5/H4198, 300 gr Horn XTP, 18", 2.57" COAL, 1777fs/no pressure...39IMR4198, same bullet, barrel, twist and COAL, 1798fs/no pressure.

You can see the difference a change in a different brand of powder makes and what can happen if you get the powders switched around... using a heavier amount of the IMR4198 could get you into trouble just by mis-reading or mixing up the two.

One very good example of why I quit posting my reloading data. Mixing up powders, bullet brand or types or COALs can take you from mild to dangerous in a NY second and what works safely in my gun might not work so well in yours.

LUCK

 

[preacher]

I feel comfortable with 200 yd shots with 30-30 and my 45-70. I practice until a 250 yd shot is 'doable" with the 30-30 and the 444, depending upon load of course. My 30-30 with the LE ammo is actually "doable" at 300 yds (6" groups) My BIL's brother used his 444 and 240 factory on deer in Texas for close and even out to close to 300 ( on a pipeline ROW). I think a 300 anything is the way to go for long shots. You will get plenty of "ooomph" out as far as you can hit him, so range is dependent upon your skill really. Good luck.

 

[Plundering Bill]

"So I worked up some new loads. 300 grain speer @ around 2200 fps. Speer manuel suggests that shots up to 150 yards can be taken. 150 yards velocity would be 1660 with 1800 ft pounds of energy. 200 yard velocity would be 1504 with 1500 ftpounds of energy. I think a 150 yard shot on a elk would be ok. would 200 yards be pushing it? What type of game are you guys taking at long ranges with a 300 grain load?"


About 130 years ago, hunters were taking buffalo at twice that range with lead projectile moving 1000 fps slower. Moral of the story is to only shoot at game when you are comfortable with the accuracy of your shot.

I have dropped large game with 1000 fps 44 loads (300 gr XTP 44 mag). At 1500 fps, unless you hit some serious bone, the load will drill through an Elk (they are usually less than 2' wide). As a general rule, a large gaping chest wound typically results in near future critter death.

 

[Dawei]

What powder and what kind of velocity?

Remington® Nickeled Case trimmed to 2.215"
Remington® 9½ large Rifle Primer
45.0gr H-4198 Powder
290gr Beartooth® LFNGC (296gr total weight) Boolit
COL: 2.620"
Average Velocity is 2247fps
This load is safe in my two Marlin® (1966 & 1988) Microgroove™ barreled rifles. That does not mean it will be a safe load in your 444Marlin® rifle! I began with 41gr of H-4198 powder and worked up in ½gr increments. I had no over pressure signs with 45.5gr; but definite over pressure (Flattened & flowing primer; sticky case extraction) with 46gr. I backed off a full grain and settled at 45.0gr as my "Go To" thumper load.

 

[Flinch]

I would have no problem shooting elk at 300 yards with that load. Many guys I know shoot elk each year with .45 long colts and 300 grain cast bullets at 1,100 fps. They get complete pass through shots 95% of the time. The load you listed here has more energy and velocity at 300 yards than their .45 LC has at the muzzle. I love shooting my rifle at 250-400 yards. Sure, it isn't the flattest shooting round, but it still does the job. It is still a hammer and no elk is going to shrug it off at 300 yards. Flinch