The Rocky Mountain bolt action in .300 Win. Mag.
Test results at the range
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In all, I tested six handloads and 13 factory loads from seven different companies, with almost identical averages of 0.828 and 0.824 inches, respectively. (I dropped one factory load and one handload from the test due to signs of high pressure.) The rifle also delivered on its half-inch accuracy guarantee with factory loads at 0.305 and 0.425 inches, and one handload at 0.418.
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For hunting elk- and moose-sized game at longer ranges, Hornady’s 200-grain ELD-X Precision Hunter and Nosler’s 190-grain AccuBond Long Range would top my list. For shorter ranges or hunting in heavy cover, it would be hard to beat a handloaded Hornady 220-grain bullet with H1000 powder. All three of those loads shot into less than 0.75 inches, with two bettering 0.5.
There’s little question this rifle lives up to its billing in every respect. Not only is it a very well-made and robust rifle that would handle the rigours of any elk or moose hunt, it’s also an excellent shooter. Big game beware, the Rocky Mountain is headed your way—and it’s made in Canada!
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Complete Test Results: Factory Ammunition
BRAND | BULLET | VELOCICTY (FPS) | GROUP SIZE |
Hornady Precision Hunter | 200- grain ELD-X | 2788 | .305 |
Hornady Custom | 165-grain BTSP InterLock | 3091 | .640 |
Hornady American Whitetail | 180-grain InterLock | 2943 | .840 |
Gunwerks | 190-grain VLD | 2899 | .425 |
Federal Premium | 180-grain Trophy Copper | 2974 | .686 |
Fusion | 165-grain | 3147 | .620 |
Barnes VOR-TX | 180-grain Tipped TSX BT | 2901 | .900 |
Barnes VOR-TX | 165-grain Tipped TSX BT | 3207 | .925 |
Remington Premier AccuTip | 180-grain AccuTip BT | 2941 | 1.190 |
Sako Super Hammerhead | 150-grain | 3311 | .995 |
Nosler Expansion Tip | 180-grain | 2948 | 1.345 |
Nosler AccuBond Long Range | 190-grain | 2866 | .733 |
Nosler Partition Trophy Grade | 180-grain | 2974 | 1.002 |
Complete Test Results: Handloads
Bullet | Powder | Case | Velocity
(fps) |
Group Size
(inches) |
Hornady 220-grain InterLock | H 1000 | Hornady | 2794 | .418 |
Hornady 180-grain SST | H 4831 | Hornady | 2902 | .575 |
Hornady 165-grain InterLock BTSP | R 19 | Hornady | 2879 | .950 |
Hornady 200-grain ELD-X | H 4831 | Hornady | 2787 | 1.230 |
Nosler 210-grain AccuBond LR | I 4831 | Hornady | 2819 | .610 |
Nosler 180-grain AccuBond | H 1000 | Hornady | 3079 | 1.190 |
Note: All groups are three shots at 100 yards with velocities obtained utilizing the Garmin Xero C1 Pro chronograph and averaged. This was the first opportunity I had to utilize the new Garmin Xero C1 Pro and discovered this small, compact and very user-friendly chronograph is a marvel. It was so simple to use and accurately recorded every shot fired during this entire test.