Best 300 Win Mag Ammo for Deer: The Belted Freezer Filler

The 300 Winchester Magnum (Win Mag, or WM) has been the gold standard big game hunting round for generations. It can topple moose and great bears. It can easily vanquish venison past 1,000 yards as well. It'll slap any hog into instant submission, and will all but vaporize a coyote to boot. That versatility has made the 300 Win Mag a perennial favorite among all kinds of hunters since 1963.

We're keeping our sights set on deer in this article. Any 300 Win Mag cartridge could kill one, but some are better suited to the job than others. We sense that you're cool, which is why we're going to give you our top 5 picks for the best 300 Win Mag ammo for deer. We're considering accuracy. We're considering terminal ballistics. We're considering price and availability, too. It's an all-out overanalysis that will leave you with zero misunderstanding of what a good 300 Win Mag elk cartridge should be: specifically, loaded with a 150+ grain bullet that is designed for terminal expansion, and preferrably by a reputable manufacturer.

If you’re in a hurry, grab a box of Federal Premium 180 grain TSX ammo. It. Will. Ruin. Bambi's. DAY. If you want to continue reading fascintating ammo recommendations, then by all means, please do.

If you’re new to hunting deer with a 300 Win Mag, check out our Buyer’s Guide HERE to learn more about how to choose the right hunting ammo for your rifle.

The Top Five Best 300 Win Mag Ammo for Deer

• Federal Premium 180 Grain TSX
• Remington Core-Lokt 180 Grain PSP
• Winchester Copper Impact 150 Grain Extreme Point
• Barnes VOR-TX 165 Grain TTSX
• Hornady American Whitetail 150 Grain Interlock SP

The Best 300 Win Mag Ammo for Deer Overall

Federal Premium 180 Grain Barnes TSX

Federal 300 Win Mag Ammo - 20 Rounds of 180 Grain TSX Ammunition

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Specs

• Case: Nickel-Plated Brass
• Bullet Type: Barnes Triple-Shock X (TSX)
• Bullet Weight: 180 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,960 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 2,752 ft-lbs

Pros

• Controlled expansion
• Exceptional weight retention
• Availability
• Lead-free copper alloy bullet

Cons

• A little pricey

Why We Chose It

If you're looking for 300 Win Mag ammo that does it all, look no further than Federal Premium 180 grain TSX. This hunting cartridge offers superior terminal ballistics, is compliant with certain jurisdictions' bans on lead projectiles, and is manufactured to Federal's highest standards for quality.

This round hits hard, has a nice flat trajectory, and is easy to find. What more could you ask for?

The Barnes Triple-Shock X (TSX) bullet line offers all of the features you want in a premium hunting bullet. The monolithic (i.e. all-copper) projectile includes a tapered, monolithic design that helps to increase the ballistic coefficient and reduce wind deflection.

The Barnes TSX 180 grain bullet has a deep hollow point nose cavity. It triggers rapid expansion after penetration, creating a broad wound column as it unfurls four "cutting petals." The TSX's all-copper construction also equips it for deep penetration, thus increasing its chance of striking a lung, or the ticker itself.

While some other options on our list are slightly more affordable, Federal 180 grain TSX is trusted and effective hunting ammo that puts down big game quick through the power of controlled expansion. That's worth a few extra bones in my book!

Honorable Mention

Hornady Precision Hunter 200 grain ELD-X - The ELD-X projectile features the Heat Shield tip, which DOES NOT deform under aerodynamic friction, as well as multiple other accuracy-enhancing features. The ELD-X's devasting short- and long-range terminal ballistics seal the deal under a wide range of conditions.

The Best 300 Win Mag Ammo for Deer for Versatility

Remington Core-Lokt 180 Grain PSP

Remington 300 Win Mag Ammo - 20 Rounds of 180 Grain PSP Ammunition

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Specs

• Case: Brass
• Bullet Type: Pointed Soft Point (PSP)
• Bullet Weight: 180 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 2,960 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 3,501 ft-lbs

Pros

• Affordable
• Perfect for all types of big game hunting
• Excellent expansion

Cons

• Not legal for hunting in California

Why We Chose It

Next up on our list is the versatile Remington Core-Lokt 180 grain PSP. If you’re looking for another hard-hitting hunting round that’s easy to find and won’t disappoint, then you can't go wrong with Big Green. The 180 grain bullet is versatile enough for medium game like whitetail deer, while powerful enough to take down larger game animals such as elk and black bear. 

The signature feature of the Remington Core-Lokt bullet is the copper jacket that is physically anchored to its dense lead core. This attachment reduces core/jacket fragmentation after impact, which in turn promotes deeper penetration. The Core-Lokt also features a tapered jacket and simple yet effective soft point design which trigger up to 2X terminal expansion.

The Core-Lokt has a relatively high ballistic coefficient for a soft point. That's a fancy way of saying it excels at conserving velocity and energy downrange, as well as resisting interference from wind drift.

It's affordable, too. This is largely due to Core-Lokt's lack of a bonded jacket or polymer tip – good features in their own rights, but ones which any competent hunter can make do without.

Honorable Mention

Federal 300 Win Mag 180 Grain SP - Federal 180gr SP is designed to maximize penetration and control expansion, leading to more effective shots and keeping you from trailing wounded deer in the woods. With a muzzle velocity of 2,960 fps, it’s a great round for long-distance shooting and medium to large game animals. The soft point design controls expansion, and the tapered jacket ensures penetration. Overall, this Federal hunting round is an excellent choice for any avid hunter.

The Best 300 Win Mag Ammo for Deer for Availability

Winchester Copper Impact 150 Grain Extreme Point

Winchester Copper Impact 300 Win Mag Ammo - 20 Rounds of 150 Grain Copper Extreme Point Ammunition

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Specs

• Case: Brass
• Bullet Type: Copper Extreme Point
• Bullet Weight: 150 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 3,260 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 2,539 ft-lbs

Pros

• Specifically designed for deer hunting
• Lead-free bullet
• Affordable
• Easy to find

Cons

• Not great for big game hunting

Why We Chose It

No deer wants to find itself on the wrong side of this cartridge. Developed with the needs of deer hunters specifically in mind, Winchester Copper Impact exhibits impressive penetration and expansion characteristics.

At 150 grains, Copper Impact doesn’t pack as much weight as some of the other, heavier alternatives on our list. It still packs more than enough punch to put down any deer you lay your crosshairs on, though. This is the 300 Win Mag we're talking about, here. It doesn't pull punches.

The lighter 150 grain Copper Extreme Point bullet offers hunters an incredibly flat trajectory, plus a polymer tip which catalizes extremely injurious expansion. The massive polymer tip's appropriately massive base accelerates expansion so as to amplify energy transfer immediately following impact. The result is a round that's incredibly accurate and deadly against thin-skinned game like whitetail, pronghorn, and mule deer.

Although the 150 grain bullet is not the best choice for elk or moose, Winchester Copper Impact 150 grain Extreme Point ammo is an amazing option if you're looking to exclusively hunt deer-sized game at a price point any hunter will love.

The Best Premium 300 Win Mag Ammo for Deer

Barnes VOR-TX 165 Grain TTSX

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Specs

• Case: Brass
• Bullet Type: Tipped Triple-Shock X (TTSX)
• Bullet Weight: 165 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 3,285 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 3,120 ft-lbs

Pros

• Extremely accurate
• Exceptional terminal ballistics
• Deep penetration

Cons

• Availability

Why We Chose it

If you're a hunter who takes pride in firing the best ammo money can buy, then look no further than Barnes VOR-TX 165 grain TTSX for your next deer hunt.

Like the TSX bullet described earlier, the TTSX bullet is made of solid copper and unleashes terminal expansion in the form of four "cutting petals." It also features polymer tip that streamlines its frontal profile, and also initiates faster expansion upon impact.

The all-copper bullet effectively eliminates lead exposure risks, and also aids in weight retention to promote deeper and more effective terminal penetration. Although the 165 grain bullet is light compared to other hunting bullets on our list, its terminal ballistics really don't suffer all that much for it.

Barnes is known for producing excellent, high-quality rounds. Their price tag is commensurate with their reputation, but it's one of those rare circumstances when you actually get what you pay for. Supreme accuracy. Knockdown terminal performance. Everything you want during deer season.

Honorable Mention

Nosler Trophy Grade 180 grain AccuBond - The AccuBond is one of the greatest hunting bullet ever to hit the chamber of a bolt-action rifle. As one of the absolute best hunting rounds in the industry, Nosler's own AccuBond load offers hunters incredible terminal ballistics at insanely long ranges. Grab some if you can find it, but expect to pay a premium for it.

The Best 300 Win Mag Ammo for Deer Hunting on a Budget

Hornady American Whitetail 150 Grain InterLock SP

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Specs

• Case: Brass
• Bullet Type: InterLock soft point (SP)
• Bullet Weight: 150 grains
• Muzzle Velocity: 3,275 fps
• Muzzle Energy: 3,572 ft-lbs

Pros

• High ballistic coefficient (for an SP)
• Excellent terminal ballistics
• Affordable

Cons

• Not ideal for big game hunting

Why We Chose It

If you're looking for a round that's affordable and easy to find, then you cannot beat Hornady American Whitetail 150 grain Interlock SP. It doesn't break the bank, and it's more than capable of bringing home the venison.

The InterLock SP is the heart of Hornady's American Whitetail ammo line. Designed with a belt on the interior surface of its jacket, the InterLock allows rapid and deadly expansion while avoiding core/jacket separation. This allows the lead core and the copper jacket of the bullet to remain as one cohesive projectile and transfer almost all of their combined kinetic energy into the target.

Although not the best choice for large game like elk or brownbear, the 150 grain bullet is more than sufficient for felling any whitetail or mule deer that dares walk past your tree stand.

At a price that most every hunter can afford, Hornady American Whitetail 150 grain Interlock SP ammo is a staple at deer camps across the nation and will deliver the terminal performance you need to fill your bag limit this fall.

Parting Shots - Picking the Best 300 Winchester Magnum Cartridge

The 300 Win Mag has cemented its legacy as one of the gold standard cartridges by which all other big game calibers are measured.

It's proven itself time and time again in the field against deer, hogs, pronghorn, elk, moose, and bear, and is more than capable of bringing home the trophy buck you've been stalking during the off season.

We’ve listed our top five choices for the best 300 Win Mag above. We have zero doubt that any of these rounds would serve you well.

If you'd like to learn more about the 300 Win Mag, keep scrolling and check out our buyer's guide below. Otherwise click HERE to go back to the top 5 list and make your selection!

300 Winchester Magnum Buyer's Guide

Since the 1960s, the 300 Winchester Magnum has dominated long-range competitive shooting, hunting, and is a popular choice for police and military snipers. The caliber is well-known as a hard-hitting cartridge with blazing muzzle velocity and a flatter trajectory than the 308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor.

Without question, there are a lot of different types of 300 Win Mag ammo available, and for some shooters it can be difficult to understand the difference between match-grade ammo and hunting rounds.

In the sections below, we are going to explain what makes for a great hunting round and what you should be looking for when you buy ammo for deer season.

Bullet Weight

You’ll hear a lot of shooters talk about grain weight. You’ve probably noticed the 300 Winchester Magnum ammo we listed above comes in various weights, from 150gr all the way up to 200gr.

So, how does a bullet’s weight play into which ammo you choose?

Well, there’s a lot to it. But ultimately, it’s important to remember that shot placement is going to make for a more effective hunt than having a bullet that’s just the right grain weight.

However, that doesn’t throw out the discussion entirely. We have some general guidelines for bullet weight and hunting in the industry. Take a look.

Medium-Sized Game Animals

If you’re hunting animals that weigh between 50-300 lbs, you’re hunting what we call medium-sized game . Deer, antelope, hogs, and pronghorns all typically fall into this category.

For these animals, it’s often recommended to use a 150gr-165gr bullet. Not because we’re worried about over-penetration or meat waste but because that grain weight is sufficient enough for those creatures.

A lighter bullet has a higher velocity which is more flat-shooting than some heavier rounds. So, lighter bullets tend to be a little more forgiving of ranging mistakes, making them great for hunting.

Larger Game Animals

Animals like bears, moose, and elk, typically weigh over 300 lbs, and we consider these large game creatures. If you’re after bigger game, then you'll want to shoot heavy bullets like 180 gr or 200 gr because they transfers more kinetic energy and have adequate expansion to ensure a clean kill.

Bullet Design

Another aspect to consider is the bullet’s design. If you've ever been to a sporting good's store, I'm sure you've seen a lot of different bullet name abbreviations that can be confusing if you aren't familiar with them.

Different metals, shapes, and composites affect trajectory and terminal ballistics. For example, some 300 Win Mag rifle cartridges, like the Sierra Matchking, are great for long-range shooting but are inappropriate for hunting since they don't expand. 

So, which designs are best for deer hunting with the 300 Win Mag? Let's take a look!

Soft Points

Soft Point bullets, typically referred to as SP on your ammo box, are have a metal jacket and soft lead cores. Similar to Jacketed Hollow Points (JHPs), soft point bullets have exposed lead at the tip. This exposed tip allows the bullet to mushroom when it encounters soft tissue, creating a large wound channel and increases the chances of an ethical kill. Traditional soft points are is one of the oldest hunting bullet designs.

Pointed Soft Points

The next evolution of traditional soft point bullets were the pointed soft point (PSP). PSP bullets have a sharper tip giving you better penetration and higher ballistic coefficient. PSP ammo is a great middle-ground between SPs and Polymer Tipped bullets because it shares many of the aerodynamic advantages of polymer tipped bullets while still having the rapid expansion of soft point bullets. Some common PSP bullets include the Nosler Partition, Winchester Power-Point, and Hornady Interlock.

Polymer Tips

Polymer-tipped bullets are the latest development in hunting ammo and all the rage right now. These hunting bullets are essentially hollow points bullets with a pointed polymer tip. The tips are designed to plunge into the hollow point when they encounter soft tissue. This initiates expansion immediately and creates a massive wound channel.

Polymer tipped bullets are also more aerodynamic than traditional soft points, which typically translates into a longer effective range.

Of course, you’ll see different variations of polymer-tipped ammo from the Winchester Silver Tip, Nosler Accubond and Ballistic Tip, and Barnes TTSX, just to name a few. Each manufacturer has its own special recipe, but ultimately, the design concept is the same.

Designs to Avoid

Believe it or not, there are some ammo designs that are illegal to use for hunting in some areas (you want to hunt, not get in trouble with law enforcement).

One of the more popular designs that aren’t appropriate for hunting any game is the FMJ (full metal jacket). These rounds are a solid lead core surrounded by a copper jacket that won’t expand. FMJs are best for plinking, target shooting, and competitions.

Match-grade ammo is also not appropriate for hunting, even if it uses a hollow point. These bullets are designed for extreme long range shooting, and while very accurate and aerodynamic, they do not expand when they encounter soft tissue.

Effective Range

Lastly, consider the distance between you and your next target. A 300 Winchester Magnum long-range hunting rifle has a lot of power, there's no question about that. But different factory loads can perform differently in your rifle and affect your point of impact. Things like bullet drop, accuracy (measured in minute of angle or MOA), and muzzle velocity can vary from rifle to rifle.

In general, most 300 Win Mag hunting loads work great on deer within 500 yards. However, we can quantify that a bit more.

The effective range of a hunting cartridge on deer is typically defined by its kinetic energy. The accepted rule is that 1,000 ft-lbs of energy is required to ethically harvest a whitetail deer. This is not a hard and fast rule, but it gives you a general idea of how effective your chosen cartridge is on deer.

Of course, different ammo and hunting rifles act differently (a Ruger American will give you different results than the Ruger Precision). Just like how Hornady Superformance 165 gr CX might perform better in your Rem 700 as opposed to a 180 gr Nosler Partition. The best thing you can do is test your ammo in your chosen hunting rifle to determine its long range performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 300 Win Mag have more recoil than the 308 Winchester?

Yes. In general the 300 Win Mag will have around 9-10 ft-lbs of additional recoil than the 308 Winchester. 

What’s the difference between the 30-06 and the 300 Win Mag?

The 30-06 Springfield was developed prior to WWI and was the US service rifle cartridge through the Korean War. On the other hand, the 300 Winchester Magnum is a belted-magnum cartridge that was developed in the 1960's for big game hunting. Both cartridges are excellent choices for big game hunting and fire the same 0.308" diameter bullets making them great options for reloading if you enjoy making your own handloads.

What is the difference between the 300 Win Mag and the 300 Weatherby?

The 300 Weatherby Magnum and 300 Win Mag are two 30-caliber cartridges that are often compared. Although both cartridges fire the same 30-caliber bullets, the 300 Weatherby Mag is slightly longer and slightly more powerful than the 300 Win Mag.

Another major difference between the two is rifle availability, as the 300 Weatherby Mag is a proprietary cartridge and for many years you could only get a Weatherby rifle chambered in the caliber. On the other hand, virtually every rifle manufacturer has a rifle chambered in 300 Win Mag.

What is the difference between the 300 Win Mag and the 300 WSM?

The main difference between the 300 Win Mag and 300 Winchester Short Magnum (WSM) is that the 300 Win Mag fits in a long action rifle while the 300 WSM fits in a short action. Both rounds fire the same 30-caliber magnum bullets and have virtually identical ballistic performance. Check out this article if you want to learn more about the 300 WSM vs 300 Win Mag.

Back to Our Best 300 Win Mag Ammo for Hunting

At this point, it’s time to put your knowledge to good use! Click HERE to go back to our list. Click on the links to place your order, and we’ll have your next favorite 300 Win Mag hunting ammo shipped to you shortly!

Written by

Cassandra McBride