There was a time, long ago… Sounds like the intro to the TV show “Merlin”, when the world’s general awareness of 308 caliber Magnums included the 300 H&H, the 300 Weatherby 
Magnum and the 300 Winchester Magnum. The venerable 300 H&H was clung to by mature traditionalists, the 300 Weatherby was the round of the ostentatious middle class and the 300 Winchester Magnum was the populace choice, within the U.S. and abroad. Each offered/offers a decisive velocity improvement over the 30-06 Springfield.
Often lumped in as a late arriving component of Winchester’s 30-06 Springfield length magnum initiative, the 1958 introduction of the 458 Winchester and 338 Winchester Magnums, 1963’s 300 Winchester Magnum is actually quite different. It has raised shoulders, a short neck and a case length (2.620″) that falls between 30-06 Springfield (2.500″) and 375 H&H (2.850″) full length magnums.
The 300 Winchester Magnum remains a favorite with big game hunters, competitive shooters and for tactical assignment, however, it was almost rendered extinct by some marketing efforts initiated by a number of manufacturers.
The firearms industry must always create a catalyst for change, a reason for a gun owner to let go of an existing firearm and replace it with another. The pronouncements of “New” and “Improved” work well as folks love to reject the choices of those who came before. Products billed as bigger, or smaller, or better, or technologically advanced grab attention. Enough so that the 7mm WSM, 300 WSM and 325 WSM pushed the 7mm Remington Magnum, 300 Winchester Magnum and 338 Winchester Magnum off the front page and got the gun buying public buzzing. Belted cartridge were declared passé and, once they got gun buyers speaking French, there was no telling where it would lead.
Apparently, it ended up in a tie as many new gun owners, and others stepping up to a magnum, went with the 300 WSM and its promoted attributes. However, lots of seasoned buyers with a high investment in firearms, a good deal of shooting experience and a truck load of reloading components opted to remain with the venerable 300 Winchester Magnum. Browning, in its wisdom, gives customers the choice of either. So new wave firearm aficionados can take to the fields with their short squat WSM magnums and curmudgeons like myself can still shoot the much more… aesthetically pleasing 300 Winchester Magnum.
Context means a lot…
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300 Winchester Magnum bullet selection
Bullet selection was without specific intent. These are all good bullets and I did want to see how the 26″ barrel performed compared to the 24″ BAR data we assembled previously. All are excellent hunting bullets and, in the case of the Berger bullets, a little bit more. In truth, I could have substituted bullets from Speer and Sierra and gotten to the same place.
Handloading the Browning X-Bolt 300 Win Mag
Warning: Bullet selections are specific, and loads are not valid with substitutions of different bullets of the same weight. Variations in bullet length will alter net case capacity, pressure and velocity. Primer selection is specific and primer types are not interchangeable. These are maximum loads in my firearms and may easily be excessive in others. All loads should be reduced by 5%, and developed following safe handloading practices as represented in established reloading manuals produced by component manufacturers. Presentation of these loads does not constitute a solicitation for their use, nor a recommendation.
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Cartridge: 300 Winchester Magnum |
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| Rifle: Browning X-Bolt Hunter | Max COL: 3.340″ |
| Bullet Diameter: 0.308″ | Primer: CCI 250 |
| Barrel: 26″ | Reloading Dies: Lee Precision |
| Max case length: 2.620″ | Group distance: 100 yards |
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Maximum Loads – Not Starting Points |
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| Bullet | Bullet Weight Grains |
Net Water Capacity H2O |
COL” | Powder Type | Powder Charge Grains |
Muzzle Velocity FPS |
Muzzle Energy Ft-Lbs |
100 Yard Group Size 3 Shot “ |
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| Barnes TTSX | 150 | 83.0 | 3.330 | RL19 | 79 | 3375 | 3795 | 1.2 | |
| Barnes TTSX | 150 | 83.0 | 3.330 | H414 | 74 | 3309 | 3648 | 1.1 | |
| Berger VLD Hunting | 168 | 84.0 | 3.340 | RL22 | 80.5 | 3245 | 3928 | 0.7 | |
| Berger VLD Hunting | 168 | 84.0 | 3.340 | IMR7828SSC | 80.0 | 3234 | 3902 | 0.8 | |
| Berger VLD Hunting | 175 | 83.6 | 3.340 | MagPro | 84.0 | 3221 | 4032 | 1.0 | |
| Berger VLD Hunting | 175 | 83.6 | 3.340 | IMR7828SSC | 79.5 | 3199 | 3976 | 0.5 | |
| Nosler Partition | 180 | 83.6 | 3.340 | MagPro | 83.0 | 3164 | 4002 | 0.9 | |
| Nosler Partition | 180 | 83.6 | 3.340 | RL22 | 79.0 | 3149 | 3964 | 1.1 | |
| Hornady BTSP | 190 | 82.0 | 3.340 | H4831SC | 75.5 | 3019 | 3845 | 1.2 | |
| Hornady BTSP | 190 | 82.0 | 3.340 | IMR7828SSC | 77.0 | 3081 | 4006 | 1.2 | |
| Nosler AccuBond | 200 | 79.6 | 3.340 | IMR7828SSC | 74.5 | 2999 | 3995 | 0.8 | |
| Nosler AccuBond | 200 | 79.6 | 3.340 | RS Magnum | 80.5 | 3013 | 4031 | 1.1 | |
Conclusions
The Browning X-Bolt Hunter is a high quality 300 Winchester Magnum at, for the materials used and the quality of assembly, a more than fair price. Loaded with light bullets this would be great for long range antelope hunting. Loaded with 200 and 200+ grain bullets it would be excellent for moose and bear. The 26″ adds a considerable boost in velocity and, of course, kinetic energy.
The Browning X-Bolt is a comfortable magnum to shoot. It does an excellent job of absorbing and dispersing recoil, and the long barrel puts muzzle blast well out in front of the shooter. The trigger is excellent, which contributes a good deal to the rifle’s accuracy. Cycling the bolt is smooth, the center feed rotary magazine makes chambering a round a light effort. Nice rifle. For more details check outwww.Browning.com.
Browning’s X-Bolt Hunter in 300 Winchester Magnum Part 1
Browning’s X-Bolt Hunter in 300 Winchester Magnum Part 2
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