Skip to Content

The Best Grain for 300 Ammo

This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

The best grain for 300 Win Mag is around 150gr for target shooting. Hunters and people looking for self-defense rounds should go with something a bit heavier, between 180-200gr. Generally, the most common bullet grains for this caliber are between 150gr and 200gr.

Selecting the proper grain for what you’re shooting plays a considerable role in the overall accuracy and efficiency of your firearm. Keep reading to see a breakdown of the best bullet grains for 300 Win Mag, as well as some information on other “300” rounds.

Selecting the Best Grain for 300 Win Mag

Winchester developed the 300 Winchester Magnum cartridge in 1963. Designed to fit into a regular rifle, it brought the power of a .357 magnum round and made it into a versatile rifle cartridge. Over the decades, it has become popular with hunters, target shooters, and even law enforcement and the military.

When selecting from the wide range of grain classifications for 300 Win Mag, the key is to find a good balance between power and accuracy that fits your situation. Like anything else in the world of firearms, the best grain will depend on what and where you’re shooting.

The lighter bullets have better accuracy at long distances and reduced recoil, yet they’re susceptible to being blown around by the wind. On the other hand, heavier bullets have a lower muzzle velocity, greater stopping power, and penetration, and are better for hunting in windy areas. Heavier bullets will also diminish the risk of over-penetration, potentially limiting collateral damage when defending yourself or your home.

Finding a balance between these two extremes is essential to selecting the proper ammunition.

To get an idea of what different ammo can do, check out this YouTube video about a 300 Win Mag 100-Yard Ammo Test: 

150-Grain

150gr bullets are considered a good middle ground for small game hunting or indoor target shooting with a 300 Win Mag rifle. The reduced recoil and increased muzzle velocity make this a great bullet grain for shooting accurately at longer distances. 

However, it might be a bit lacking if you want more stopping power, such as when hunting larger game.

165-Grain

165gr bullets are well-suited to hunting medium-sized game such as deer. They have similar accuracy at long ranges when compared to 150gr bullets, yet the notable difference is that the165gr are less susceptible to being blown off course by the wind when hunting out in the wild. 

However, they do have a little bit more recoil, so you might want to experiment to find out what’s best for you.

180-Grain

180gr bullets have a bit more weight to them than the 150gr bullets and are suited for all-around hunting. They have more stopping power and recoil than 150gr bullets but are more accurate at long ranges compared to a 200gr bullet. 

These are a good choice if you don’t want to limit yourself by using a lighter or heavier bullet grain.

200-Grain

200gr bullets are recommended for big game hunting and self-defense due to short engagement distances typically involved. These bullets are heavy enough to not be overcome by the wind when shooting outdoors and fly slowly enough to avoid over-penetration in a self-defense scenario.

Loaded cartridges 300 Win Mag

Are 300 Blackout Rounds Interchangeable With 300 Win Mag Cartridges?

People searching for “300” caliber ammunition may notice another popular round classified as “300” called the “300 Blackout” round. Take note, however, that 300 Blackout rounds are designed to fly slower at closer ranges, typically being fired at subsonic speeds from rifles with shorter barrels.

300 Blackout rounds aren’t interchangeable with 300 Win Mag cartridges, as the dimensions of the cartridges are smaller. 300 Win Mag is a 7.62x67mm (0.3×2.6 inch) cartridge, while the 300 Blackout is 7.62x35mm (0.3×1.37 inch) cartridge. Always take care to load the right ammo for your firearm.

Final Thoughts

When selecting a bullet grain for your 300 Win Mag, the most important things to consider are what and where you’re shooting. Target shooters will get more accuracy out of a lighter round at long ranges when shooting indoors. 

However, outdoor shooting, including hunting, benefits from a slightly heavier bullet. This is especially true if you’re shooting larger game such as moose or bear.

For a self-defense round, then heavier bullets are a good idea. You won’t need the increased accuracy for long ranges, and the heavier bullet offers more stopping power and less over-penetration.

For more, check out Bullet Grain Chart By Caliber.