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 easily vanquish venison past 1,000 yards, making the 300 Win Mag a perennial favorite among hunters since 1963.

Any 300 Win Mag cartridge could ethically harvest a deer, but some are better suited to the job than others. As you continue reading, you’ll discover my top 5 picks for the best 300 Win Mag ammo for deer.

If you’re in a hurry, grab a box of Federal Premium 180-grain TSX ammo. It will ruin Bambi's day.

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

The Best 300 Win Mag Ammo for Deer Hunting

The Best 300 Win Mag Ammo for Deer Overall

Federal 180 Grain Barnes TSX

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

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Why I 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. I love that 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 I 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, helping you be more accurate when it matters most.

The Barnes TSX 180 grain bullet offers 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 quickly through the power of controlled expansion. That's worth a few extra bones in my book!

The Best 300 Win Mag Ammo for Deer for Versatility

Remington Core-Lokt 180 Grain PSP

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

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Why I 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. I’ve found 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.

What more could you ask for?

The Remington Core-Lokt bullet's signature feature is the copper jacket, which is physically anchored to its dense lead core. This attachment reduces core/jacket fragmentation after impact, promoting deeper penetration. The Core-Lokt also features a tapered jacket and a simple yet effective soft point design, which triggers 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 primarily due to Core-Lokt's lack of a bonded jacket or polymer tip – good features in their own rights, but ones that any competent hunter can do without.

The Best 300 Win Mag Ammo for Deer for Availability

Winchester Copper Impact 150 Grain Extreme Point

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

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Why I Chose It

Developed with the needs of deer hunters specifically in mind, Winchester Copper Impact exhibits impressive penetration and expansion characteristics to quickly stop a deer.

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

What more could you ask for?

The lighter 150 grain Copper Extreme Point bullet offers hunters an incredibly flat trajectory, plus a polymer tip that catalyzes extremely injurious expansion. I’ve found the massive polymer tip's appropriately massive base accelerates expansion 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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Why I Chose It

If you're a hunter who takes pride in firing the best ammo money can buy, 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 a polymer tip that streamlines its frontal profile and initiates faster expansion upon impact.

What more could you ask for?

The all-copper bullet effectively eliminates lead exposure risks and 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, I noticed that its terminal ballistics don't suffer 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 circumstances when you get what you pay for. Supreme accuracy. Knockdown terminal performance. Everything you and I need during deer season.

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

Hornady American Whitetail 150 Grain InterLock SP

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Why I Chose It

If you're looking for an affordable and easy-to-find round, 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. I've dropped a few deer with Hornady American Whitetail loads, so I can confidently say they work.

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 bullet's lead core and copper jacket to remain one cohesive projectile and transfer almost all their combined kinetic energy into the target.

What more could you ask for?

Although not the best choice for large game like elk or brown bear, the 150 grain bullet is more than sufficient for felling any whitetail or mule deer that dares walk within range.

At a price that most every hunter can afford, Hornady American Whitetail 150 grain InterLock SP ammo is a staple at deer camps nationwide. It will deliver the terminal performance you need to fill your tags this fall.

Parting Shots - Best 300 Winchester Magnum Deer Hunting Ammo

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. I’ve listed my top five choices for the best 300 Win Mag above, and Federal Premium 180-grain TSX takes the cake as the best overall.

To learn more about the 300 Win Mag, check out our buyer’s guide below. Otherwise, click HERE to return to the top five list and make your selection!

How To Choose The Best 300 Win Mag Ammo For Deer

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 150 grain all the way up to 200 grain.

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 150 grain to 165 grain 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 animals. If you’re after bigger game, then you’ll want to shoot heavy bullets like 180 grain or 200 grain because they transfer 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 goods 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, 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 increasing the chances of an ethical kill. Traditional soft points are one of the oldest hunting bullet designs.

Pointed Soft Points

The next evolution of traditional soft point bullets was the pointed soft point (PSP). PSP bullets have a sharper tip, which gives you better penetration and a 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 point 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 grain CX might perform better in your Rem 700 as opposed to a 180 grain Nosler Partition. The best thing you can do is test your ammo in your chosen hunting rifle to determine its long-range performance.

Written by

Cassandra McBride