The Hornady Outfitter .300 Winchester Short Magnum (WSM) 180-grain Monolithic Copper-Alloy eXpanding (CX) Lead-Free Watertight Nickel 20-round box is an elite short-magnum hunting cartridge engineered specifically for backcountry big game hunting, elk, moose, caribou, black bear, and trophy whitetail across severe weather conditions. A primary failure point when using traditional lead-core hunting ammunition in harsh environments is bullet weight loss through jacket-core separation upon heavy bone impact, combined with moisture intrusion at the primer and case mouth that degrades propellant ignition. Hornady completely resolves these backcountry hunting failure modes by pairing a 100% lead-free monolithic CX projectile with fully watertight-sealed, nickel-plated brass cases, delivering over 95% weight retention, linear penetration through dense tissue, and absolute ignition integrity in driving rain, snow, or humidity.
The technical advantage focuses on mass-driven deep penetration paired with high aerodynamic efficiency. Launching its heavy 180-grain monolithic CX projectile at a powerful muzzle velocity of 2,900 FPS, this short-action magnum load produces exceptionally flat trajectories and massive downrange energy transfer. Mechanically, the CX bullet is machined from a single piece of copper alloy, eliminating jacket separation. Upon impact, the Heat Shield polymer tip drives backward into the engineered cavity to initiate uniform expansion into four razor-sharp petals. In flight, the heat-resistant polymer tip resists aerodynamic melting to preserve a high 0.469 G1 Ballistic Coefficient (BC), while specialized relief grooves along the bullet shank reduce barrel friction, pressure spikes, and copper fouling to maintain velocity consistency.
Slinging its 180-grain CX lead-free bullet at 2,900 FPS, this specialized .300 WSM cartridge is optimized for smooth, non-binding mechanical operation across modern short-action bolt-action hunting rifles. Assembled in premium nickel-plated reloadable virgin brass cases featuring sealed primer pockets and sealed case mouths, it effectively locks out ambient moisture, snow, and rain. The slick nickel plating actively lowers surface friction, resisting green corrosion from damp leather bandoliers while ensuring effortless, non-stick casing extraction from freezing chambers during critical follow-up shots.
Key Benefits
- 100% Lead-Free Monolithic CX Bullet: One-piece copper-alloy construction retains over 95% of its weight for deep, straight-line penetration through bone.
- Heat Shield Polymer Tip (0.469 G1 BC): Resists aerodynamic melting in flight to maintain bullet shape, flattening trajectory and resisting wind drift.
- Sealed Watertight Construction: Sealed primer and case mouth prevent moisture ingress, guaranteeing reliable ignition in rain, snow, and ice.
- Corrosion-Resistant Nickel-Plated Brass: Lowers chamber friction for smooth feeding, reliable chamber sealing, and effortless casing extraction.
Technical Specification
- Ballistics: .300 Winchester Short Magnum (.300 WSM) | 2,900 FPS Muzzle Velocity | 0.469 G1 Ballistic Coefficient | Lead-Free Backcountry Magnum Profile
- Projectile: 180 Grain | CX (Monolithic Copper-Alloy eXpanding) | Heat Shield Polymer Tip | Relief-Grooved Shank | 100% Lead-Free
- Case/Primer: Premium Nickel-Plated Reloadable Virgin Brass Case | Watertight Sealed Primer & Mouth | Non-Corrosive Boxer Primed
- Logistics: 20 Rounds Per Box | Hornady Outfitter Series
- Dimensions: .300 WSM Geometry | Short-Action Bolt-Action Rifle Configuration | SKU: 822034
- Application: Backcountry Big Game Hunting, Elk, Moose, Bear, Caribou, Whitetail, and Lead-Restricted Zones
- Standards: Non-Toxic Lead-Free Compliant | SAAMI Compliant | Hornady Factory Precision Benchmarks
Secure consistent terminal performance and environmental reliability with Hornady Outfitter .300 WSM ammunition, available from SMKW where serious hunters source proven ballistic systems.
