Wilson Combat Protector 300 HAM’R

Range Time

The level of consistency when it comes to accuracy has been one of this cartridge’s biggest assets. No matter the bullet weight or barrel length, it has proven to be a sub MOA performer, and more often than not, closer to half MOA. My best groups always come with the-110 grain Controlled Chaos—a bullet made specifically for the 300 HAM’R by Leigh Defense. Every group fired at 100 yards was under 0.75 inches, with my best 5-shot group measuring less than 0.50 inches edge to edge. Speer 125-gr. TNT and Sierra Pro Hunter were solid 0.50- to 0.75-inch performers at 100 yards. As a bonus, zero shift was minimal, within 0.40 inches of each other. I’ve never had anything remotely this consistent across a 40-grain bullet weight range, and it does not change at longer ranges.

Taking up the rear of the Protector Carbine is a six-position-adjustable Rogers Super-Stoc, BCM handgrip with Wilson Combat’s Starburst texturing pattern applied to it, and a Wilson Oversized Tactical Trigger Guard.

Groups at 300 yards were in the 2.70- to 3.50-inch range across the board. Both the 110-grain Controlled Chaos and 125-grain TNT put ten rounds into a 5-inch circle centered on the target pressing the trigger as fast as possible. Holding low on the 500 -and 600-yard silhouettes yielded consistent hits. Overall, it fairs much better than the 300 BLK at distance. The 125-gr. TNT HAM’R at 500 yards used a 4 mil hold, and the hold for 300 BLK using a 16” barrel would be 6 mils. Even at 300 yards, the difference is noticeable—2.5 mils for the BLK, 1.5 mils for the HAM’R. Energy with the BLK at 300 yards is 720 ft. lbs., but the HAM’R is still putting out 960 ft. lbs. Wilson Combat’s 300 HAM’R has the same energy on target at 300 yards as the 300 BLK does at roughly 150 yards, and with almost 10 inches less drop. Does everyone “need” that energy? Maybe not, but if you will see game animals (or threats) at 300 yards, the 300HAM’R is a far better choice.

Heading into the back country, the Protector carries well and is easy to maneuver inside and around trees, rocks and other natural obstacles. Most of the five or so miles the rifle was carried I used a sling, but it fits in packs pretty easily. Other tests have utilized the Law Tactical Folder without affecting reliability, making it even easier. Even using the 20+ oz. OSS suppressor the balance was still pretty good.

Thoughts

Whether up close or at distance, the 300 HAM’R fairs much better than the 300 BLK or 7.62x39mm cartridges, with healthy velocity and energy wins over both. Groups at 300-yards were in the 2.70- to 3.50-inch range with all 300 HAM’R loads tested.

This is the fourth Wilson Combat rifle/pistol I’ve tested in 300 HAM’R, and it was just as accurate, reliable, light and easy to shoot as the others. Using forged receivers keeps the cost down, (retail pricing starts at just under 2-grand). Using their billet receivers starts to run things up a bit, but they all have been excellent rifles. Wilson Combat builds all their rifles one at a time. They are custom builds and price is commensurate with your requirements.

Perceived recoil with this cartridge is about the same as a 300 BLK using stouter loads.  Run side by side with some Black Hills 125-gr. TMK .300 BLK, it’s hard to tell the difference. Using the mid length gas system helps quite a bit, as does the OSS Suppressor. It’s very manageable with the 110-grain Controlled Chaos loads, feeling more like a .223. Using the 150-gr. hard cast lead loads, you know it’s there for sure, but nothing like a similarly equipped .308 rifle.

Bill Wilson did his homework on the 300 HAM’R, optimizing the twist rate to squeeze the most downrange precision out of this cartridge. The load that performed best for the author was the Wilson Combat 110-gr. Lehigh Controlled Chaos, printing this 0.40-inch edge-to-edge group. We rest our case.

You can get some increased range out of the 6.8 SPC with the 115-gr. loads, but you will never see the consistent accuracy of the 300 HAM’R using factory ammunition.  Same in my experience with the 6.5 Grendel. Been using both of these other cartridges for a decade or more, and they can be excellent with one round, dismal with the next, and generally need to be tuned moving across bullet weights. I have loaded one each of the available .300 HAM’R offerings in the same magazine, and putt them all into 1.5 inches at 100 yards. That’s next to impossible with the other cartridges mentioned here.

Right now, this is pretty much a Wilson Combat exclusive, but along with seven different complete rifles, you can also purchase 13 different barrels and 8 different loads of ammo. Ammunition ranges from $17.00 to $30.00 a box (20 rounds) depending on bullet, and quantity discounts are available. Dies, brass, and gauges are all available and priced comparably to any similar load. The Hunting Shack is currently producing a 135-gr. HP 300 HAM’R load, while Black Hills and Hornady are looking at it as well.

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