Remington Core-Lokt .300 Rem SAUM 165 gr Core-Lokt Pointed Soft Point (PSPCL) - The Benchmark for Terminal Performance

When serious hunters and shooting enthusiasts seek reliable, field-proven ammunition, one name consistently rises to the top: Remington Core-Lokt. For generations, this iconic ammunition has been the benchmark for terminal performance, delivering consistent, devastating results on game. Specifically, the Remington Ammunition Core-Lokt .300 Rem SAUM 165 gr Core-Lokt Pointed Soft Point (PSPCL), identified by product number 27954 and UPC 047700279548, represents a powerful fusion of time-honored bullet design and a modern, high-performance cartridge. This detailed exploration is designed to provide comprehensive answers for anyone considering this exceptional ammunition for their next big game pursuit.

Are you an ethical hunter seeking to maximize your chances of a clean, one-shot kill on deer, elk, or bear? Do you own a rifle chambered in the potent .300 Remington Short Action Ultra Magnum and want to understand the optimal bullet weight for various hunting scenarios? Perhaps you're researching the legendary performance characteristics of the Core-Lokt bullet and how it achieves its reputation. This guide will delve into every aspect of this ammunition, offering insights that address these crucial questions and more, ensuring you make an informed decision for your sporting needs.

Unveiling the Legend: The Remington Core-Lokt Legacy

For over 80 years, the Remington Core-Lokt has been synonymous with hunting success. Affectionately known as "The Original Controlled Expansion Bullet," its enduring popularity stems from a simple, yet profoundly effective design principle: reliable performance, shot after shot. This isn't just marketing hype; it's a testament to decades of engineering excellence focused on delivering predictable and powerful terminal ballistics.

What makes the Core-Lokt bullet design so effective?
The secret lies in its meticulously crafted internal structure. The bullet features a tapered copper jacket that is progressively thicker towards the base. This design is crucial for ensuring the lead core remains locked within the jacket during flight and upon initial impact. However, upon striking game, the thinner forward section of the jacket allows for rapid, yet controlled, expansion. This mushrooming effect creates a large wound channel, facilitating significant energy transfer and hydrostatic shock, which are vital for a quick and humane harvest. The locked-in lead core, meanwhile, ensures deep penetration, reaching vital organs even on larger animals. This combination of controlled expansion and deep penetration is what sets the Core-Lokt apart and why it remains a trusted choice for generations of hunters.

Choosing a Remington Core-Lokt cartridge means choosing a round engineered for:

• Deep, reliable penetration: To reach vital organs, even through tough hide and bone.
• Massive energy transfer: Maximizing the devastating impact on game.
• Consistent, controlled expansion: Creating a wide wound channel without fragmenting prematurely.
• High weight retention: Ensuring the bullet maintains its integrity for maximum effect.
• Proven terminal performance: A track record of success on a wide variety of North American and international game.

Mastering the .300 Remington SAUM Cartridge

While the Core-Lokt bullet design is a legend in itself, its pairing with the .300 Remington Short Action Ultra Magnum (SAUM) cartridge creates a formidable combination. The .300 SAUM, introduced in 2000, was Remington's answer to the demand for a compact, efficient magnum cartridge. Designed to fit into short-action rifle platforms, it offers ballistics that closely rival larger, long-action magnum cartridges like the .300 Winchester Magnum, but in a more nimble and often lighter rifle.

What are the key advantages of the .300 SAUM for hunters?

1. Compact Power: Fitting into short-action rifles means lighter, handier firearms. This is a significant advantage when navigating dense brush, climbing steep terrain, or carrying your rifle for extended periods.
2. Exceptional Ballistics: Despite its shorter case, the efficient powder burn and case design of the .300 SAUM allow it to push 165-grain bullets to impressive velocities. This translates to a flat trajectory and substantial energy downrange.
3. Reduced Recoil (Relative to Class): While still a magnum, the .300 SAUM often exhibits slightly less felt recoil than its larger .300 Win Mag counterparts, making it more manageable for follow-up shots and extended range sessions.
4. Inherent Accuracy: Many rifles chambered in .300 SAUM demonstrate excellent inherent accuracy, a critical factor for precision shot placement in the field.

The .300 SAUM is an incredibly versatile cartridge, proving effective for a wide range of game. From open-country mule deer and antelope to dense timber elk and moose, its balance of speed, energy, and trajectory makes it a superb choice for hunters who demand magnum performance without the bulk of traditional long-action rifles.

The Perfect Pairing: 165-Grain Performance in .300 SAUM

The 165-grain bullet weight is a sweet spot for the .300 Remington SAUM, particularly when paired with the Core-Lokt Pointed Soft Point (PSPCL) design. This bullet weight strikes an optimal balance between velocity, energy, and downrange performance, making it highly effective for a vast array of North American big game.

Why is 165 grains an ideal choice for the .300 SAUM with Core-Lokt PSPCL?

• High Muzzle Velocity: The 165-grain PSPCL bullet, when fired from a .300 SAUM, achieves impressive muzzle velocities, typically in the range of 3,000 to 3,100 feet per second (fps). This high speed contributes to a flatter trajectory and reduced time to target.
• Generous Muzzle Energy: With this velocity, the 165-grain Core-Lokt PSPCL generates significant muzzle energy, often exceeding 3,300 foot-pounds (ft-lbs). This immense power is crucial for delivering the necessary shock and tissue damage for a quick, ethical kill.
• Excellent Ballistic Performance: The Pointed Soft Point (PSPCL) design, also known as Spitzer Soft Point, offers improved aerodynamic efficiency compared to traditional round nose soft points. This results in a better Ballistic Coefficient (BC), allowing the bullet to retain more velocity and energy over longer distances and reducing wind drift. For a 165-grain PSPCL, a G1 BC of approximately 0.380 to 0.400 is typical.
• Optimal Sectional Density: The 165-grain weight in .308 caliber (the bullet diameter for .300 SAUM) provides a good Sectional Density (SD) of around 0.248. High sectional density indicates that the bullet is relatively long for its diameter, contributing to excellent penetration capabilities—a hallmark of the Core-Lokt design.
• Versatility for Game: This weight is heavy enough to handle larger deer species, elk, black bears, and even moose at reasonable hunting distances, while still being light enough to offer a flatter trajectory for shots on more open terrain.

When this 165-grain Pointed Soft Point Core-Lokt bullet impacts game, its exposed lead tip and tapered jacket work in concert. The tip initiates rapid expansion, while the Core-Lokt's unique design controls this expansion, preventing fragmentation and ensuring the bullet drives deep, often exiting the animal. This "pass-through" capability creates two wound channels (entry and exit), maximizing blood loss and making tracking significantly easier.

Key Features of Remington Core-Lokt 300 Rem SAUM 165 gr PSPCL (UPC: 047700279548)

Feature	Description
Caliber	.300 Remington Short Action Ultra Magnum (.300 Rem SAUM)
Bullet Type	Core-Lokt Pointed Soft Point (PSPCL)
Bullet Weight	165 Grains (gr)
Product Number	27954
UPC	047700279548
Packaging	20 Rounds per box
Case Quantity	10 Boxes per case (200 rounds total)
Jacket Material	Tapered Copper
Core Material	Lead, locked to the jacket
Application	Ideal for medium to large game hunting, including deer, elk, moose, and bear.
Performance Characteristics	Known for rapid, controlled expansion, deep penetration, and high weight retention for maximum terminal effect.

Real-World Applications and Hunter Scenarios

The Remington Core-Lokt .300 Rem SAUM 165 gr PSPCL excels in a variety of real-world hunting scenarios, proving its worth time and again for serious outdoorsmen.

Deer Hunting: For whitetail, mule deer, and blacktail deer, the 165-grain Core-Lokt is arguably one of the most effective choices available for the .300 SAUM. The combination of high velocity, flat trajectory, and the Core-Lokt's devastating terminal performance ensures clean, ethical harvests. Whether you're hunting in dense timber where shots are close and fast, or across open fields where longer shots are common, this ammunition delivers the precision and power needed. Its ability to create a significant wound channel and often exit the animal aids in easier blood trailing.

Elk, Moose, and Bear Hunting: For larger, tougher animals like elk, moose, and various bear species, the 165-grain Core-Lokt from the .300 SAUM truly shines. While some hunters might opt for heavier bullets in magnum calibers for these animals, the 165-grain PSPCL offers an excellent balance of speed and penetrating power. The Core-Lokt's deep-penetrating design ensures it reaches vital organs, even through the heavy bone and muscle of these robust creatures. Its reliable expansion ensures maximum energy transfer, bringing down large game efficiently. When hunting dangerous game like bear, quick and decisive stopping power is paramount, and this load provides it.

Versatility Across Terrains: The flat-shooting nature of the .300 SAUM with 165-grain PSPCL makes it adaptable to diverse hunting environments. In mountainous terrain or open plains, its extended effective range means fewer concerns about bullet drop. In forested areas, where shots might be closer, its rapid expansion ensures immediate results. This versatility means you can rely on a single, proven load for a wide array of hunting expeditions.

Ethical Hunting: For ethical hunters, the primary goal is a clean, humane kill. The Remington Core-Lokt 300 Rem SAUM 165 gr PSPCL is engineered precisely for this purpose. Its reliable performance minimizes the chance of wounding an animal and allows for quick, decisive outcomes, reducing tracking time and ensuring the animal suffers minimally.

Optimizing Your Shot: Ballistics and Trajectory

Understanding the ballistic characteristics of your chosen ammunition is crucial for maximizing your chances of success in the field. For the Remington Core-Lokt 300 Rem SAUM 165 gr PSPCL, its ballistic profile is optimized for flat shooting and high energy retention, making it a formidable hunting cartridge.

• Muzzle Velocity (MV): As mentioned, this load typically exits the barrel at speeds around 3,000 to 3,100 feet per second. This high initial speed is the foundation for its excellent downrange performance.
• Muzzle Energy (ME): The substantial energy, over 3,300 ft-lbs at the muzzle, translates directly to striking power on impact. This force is what causes hydrostatic shock and tissue damage critical for incapacitating game.
• Trajectory: With a 200-yard zero, the 165-grain .300 SAUM load will exhibit a very flat trajectory out to typical hunting distances. For instance, it might only drop a few inches at 300 yards, requiring minimal holdover adjustments. This flat trajectory is a significant advantage in field conditions where range estimation might not always be precise.
• Ballistic Coefficient (BC): The Pointed Soft Point (PSPCL) design contributes to a respectable Ballistic Coefficient. A higher BC means the bullet is more aerodynamic and less affected by air resistance, helping it retain velocity and energy downrange and reducing wind drift.
• Sectional Density (SD): The high sectional density of the 165-grain bullet ensures it has excellent penetrating power. This is vital for driving through bone and thick hide to reach an animal's vital organs, a hallmark of reliable hunting ammunition.

Understanding these factors allows hunters to predict bullet drop and wind drift more accurately, leading to more confident and ethical shots at various distances. Many online ballistic calculators can provide precise data for your specific rifle and this ammunition, helping you fine-tune your shooting skills.

Why Choose Remington Core-Lokt for Your Next Hunt?

When you consider the vast array of ammunition options available, why does the Remington Core-Lokt 300 Rem SAUM 165 gr PSPCL stand out as a top recommendation for discerning hunters?

• Decades of Proven Performance: This isn't a new, unproven design. Core-Lokt has been successfully putting meat in freezers for over 80 years. This unparalleled track record speaks volumes about its reliability and effectiveness. Generations of hunters have trusted their hunts to Core-Lokt, and it has consistently delivered.
• Engineered for Reliability: Every round is manufactured with precision and undergoes rigorous quality control. This commitment to consistency ensures that each cartridge performs predictably, providing the confidence you need when a trophy animal steps into your crosshairs.
• Predictable Terminal Results: The Core-Lokt's unique tapered jacket and locked-in lead core design are specifically engineered to provide controlled expansion and deep penetration. This means you get predictable mushrooming and energy transfer every time, leading to clean, ethical harvests.
• Exceptional Value: While delivering premium performance, Remington Core-Lokt often represents an outstanding value. It offers the effectiveness of higher-priced, specialized hunting ammunition without the associated cost, making high-quality hunting accessible.
• Available and Trusted: As a widely recognized and respected brand, Remington ammunition, including this specific .300 SAUM load, is readily available. When you're ready to stock up for your next season or range session, you can find this reliable ammunition at trusted retailers like DEGuns. Rest assured, you're investing in a product that professionals and enthusiasts alike depend on.

Addressing Common Questions for Hunters and Shooters

For those considering the Remington Core-Lokt 300 Rem SAUM 165 gr PSPCL, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

1. What is the best ammunition for my .300 SAUM rifle?

While "best" is subjective and depends on your specific hunting goals, for reliable, all-around big game hunting, the Remington Core-Lokt 165-grain PSPCL is an excellent choice. Its proven terminal performance, flat trajectory, and consistent expansion make it highly effective for deer, elk, and bear. It’s a versatile load that performs exceptionally well across various hunting distances and conditions.

2. How does a Core-Lokt bullet expand, and why is it effective?

The Core-Lokt bullet features a unique tapered copper jacket. Upon impact, the thinner forward section of the jacket peels back rapidly, initiating expansion. The progressively thicker jacket towards the base, combined with the locked-in lead core, prevents the bullet from fragmenting prematurely. This design ensures that the bullet mushrooms consistently into a large diameter, creating a wide wound channel, while retaining enough mass for deep penetration to reach vital organs. This controlled expansion and deep penetration are critical for quick, humane kills.

3. Is the 165-grain bullet suitable for large game like elk or moose with a .300 SAUM?

Absolutely. The 165-grain Core-Lokt PSPCL, when propelled by the .300 SAUM, generates substantial velocity and energy. This combination provides excellent penetration and significant wound trauma, making it highly effective for large game like elk and moose. While heavier bullets (180-grain or more) are sometimes preferred for these animals in magnum calibers, the 165-grain Core-Lokt’s design ensures it retains enough energy and momentum for deep, ethical penetration. Its balance of speed and power is ideal for these demanding hunts.

4. What are the advantages of a short-action magnum cartridge like the .300 SAUM?

The primary advantages are rifle compactness and weight. Short-action rifles are generally shorter and lighter than long-action rifles chambered in traditional magnum calibers. This makes them easier to carry in the field, handle in dense cover, and maneuver in tight spaces like hunting blinds. Despite its smaller size, the .300 SAUM delivers ballistic performance that closely rivals its larger counterparts, offering powerful performance in a more manageable package.

5. Where can I find reliable Remington Core-Lokt ammunition?

For this specific and other high-quality ammunition, you can reliably find Remington Core-Lokt at DEGuns. They offer a wide selection of firearms and ammunition, ensuring you can acquire the rounds you need for your next hunting season or target practice session.

In conclusion, the Remington Ammunition Core-Lokt .300 Rem SAUM 165 gr Core-Lokt Pointed Soft Point (PSPCL) stands as a testament to proven performance and modern ballistic efficiency. It offers hunters a robust, reliable, and ethically responsible choice for pursuing medium to large game. Whether you are aiming for a record-book buck or a formidable bull elk, this ammunition provides the precision, power, and trust that comes from decades of Remington's commitment to excellence.

Technical Specifications

Feature	Description
Product Number	27954
UPC	047700279548
Caliber	.300 Remington Short Action Ultra Magnum (.300 Rem SAUM)
Bullet Type	Core-Lokt Pointed Soft Point (PSPCL)
Bullet Weight	165 Grains (gr)
Rounds Per Box	20
Boxes Per Case	10
Total Rounds	200 per case
Jacket Material	Tapered Copper
Core Material	Lead
Designed For	Medium to Large Game Hunting
Performance Characteristics	Known for rapid, controlled expansion, deep penetration, and high weight retention for maximum terminal effect.

Ballistic Performance Estimates (165 gr .300 Rem SAUM PSPCL)

Measurement	Value (Approx.)	Unit	Notes
Muzzle Velocity	3,000 - 3,100	feet/second	Speed at barrel exit
Muzzle Energy	3,300 - 3,500	foot-pounds	Energy at barrel exit
Ballistic Coeff.	0.380 - 0.400	G1 Standard	Aerodynamic efficiency (higher is better)
Sectional Density	0.248	-	Penetration capability (higher is better)