Input on 300 WM load development

[Imraan Bokhari]

Hello everyone,

New to the forum here and look forward to interacting with you all. I have a new 300 WM I'm working on load developing for and thought I would post some of the progress here and get some of your input and thoughts. If this is not the appropriate forum or area let me know and I'll adjust accordingly.

The rifle has >100 rounds as of now and I plan to work on both a 168 GR BTHP for target and 168 TAC-X for hunting, starting with the target load.

I had shot this particular load on two separate days. High winds kept me from pulling out the chronograph and I just waited until the wind stopped to fire. The barrel stayed cold to say the least. Day two was ideal conditions and as you'll see they shot pretty hot. Nosler lists RL22 loads are 75gr/3110fps - 79gr/3290fps @ 3.34'' COL w/ a 24'' 1:10 barrel.

Caliber: 300 WIN MAG
Rifle: Christensen Model 14 Carbon Classic 26'' 1:10 barrel
Suppressor: Deadair Armament TI (Direct Thread)

Load Specs

• Projectile: 168gr BTHP Nosler Custom Competition
• Primer: Remmington 9 1/2
• FL Size
  
• Seating Depth: ~.05'' off lands, 3.5'' OAL
  
• Powder: Alliant RL-22, 74.5gr
  
• Casings: 3rd Fire - R*P Casings Never Trimmed, OAL ~2.15'' (Originally 180gr Core Lokt PSP)

FPS @ 74.5gr: 3295, 3268, 3250, 3260, 3244
(~10' from muzzle)

Shooting Conditions (for chronograph Day 2):
100 yards, ~86.5°F - no wind - 27.25 inHg - weighted cadwell sled

I'm thinking I should back this load down a few grains and start again, these firings didn't seem over pressured the primers were nicely rounded except a slight ripple where the pin struck. I'll continue to update this thread as a I progress so if there's anything I left out let me know.

Thank you

 

[Scorpion168]

Hello everyone,

New to the forum here and look forward to interacting with you all. I have a new 300 WM I'm working on load developing for and thought I would post some of the progress here and get some of your input and thoughts. If this is not the appropriate forum or area let me know and I'll adjust accordingly.

The rifle has >100 rounds as of now and I plan to work on both a 168 GR BTHP for target and 168 TAC-X for hunting, starting with the target load.

I had shot this particular load on two separate days. High winds kept me from pulling out the chronograph and I just waited until the wind stopped to fire. The barrel stayed cold to say the least. Day two was ideal conditions and as you'll see they shot pretty hot. Nosler lists RL22 loads are 75gr/3110fps - 79gr/3290fps @ 3.34'' COL w/ a 24'' 1:10 barrel.

Caliber: 300 WIN MAG
Rifle: Christensen Model 14 Carbon Classic 26'' 1:10 barrel
Suppressor: Deadair Armament TI (Direct Thread)

Load Specs

• Projectile: 168gr BTHP Nosler Custom Competition
• Primer: Remmington 9 1/2
• FL Size
  
• Seating Depth: ~.05'' off lands, 3.5'' OAL
  
• Powder: Alliant RL-22, 74.5gr
  
• Casings: 3rd Fire - R*P Casings Never Trimmed, OAL ~2.15'' (Originally 180gr Core Lokt PSP)

FPS @ 74.5gr: 3295, 3268, 3250, 3260, 3244
(~10' from muzzle)

Shooting Conditions (for chronograph Day 2):
100 yards, ~86.5°F - no wind - 27.25 inHg - weighted cadwell sled

I'm thinking I should back this load down a few grains and start again, these firings didn't seem over pressured the primers were nicely rounded except a slight ripple where the pin struck. I'll continue to update this thread as a I progress so if there's anything I left out let me know.

Thank you

 

[seymour fish]

OP, perhaps drop down to a rifle caliber you can handle without a Sled. I sent the money your cousin requested, but still haven't received the 200 million. Growing a little testy

 

[1Hazmatter]

Hello everyone,

New to the forum here and look forward to interacting with you all. I have a new 300 WM I'm working on load developing for and thought I would post some of the progress here and get some of your input and thoughts. If this is not the appropriate forum or area let me know and I'll adjust accordingly.

The rifle has >100 rounds as of now and I plan to work on both a 168 GR BTHP for target and 168 TAC-X for hunting, starting with the target load.

I had shot this particular load on two separate days. High winds kept me from pulling out the chronograph and I just waited until the wind stopped to fire. The barrel stayed cold to say the least. Day two was ideal conditions and as you'll see they shot pretty hot. Nosler lists RL22 loads are 75gr/3110fps - 79gr/3290fps @ 3.34'' COL w/ a 24'' 1:10 barrel.

Caliber: 300 WIN MAG
Rifle: Christensen Model 14 Carbon Classic 26'' 1:10 barrel
Suppressor: Deadair Armament TI (Direct Thread)

Load Specs

• Projectile: 168gr BTHP Nosler Custom Competition
• Primer: Remmington 9 1/2
• FL Size
  
• Seating Depth: ~.05'' off lands, 3.5'' OAL
  
• Powder: Alliant RL-22, 74.5gr
  
• Casings: 3rd Fire - R*P Casings Never Trimmed, OAL ~2.15'' (Originally 180gr Core Lokt PSP)

FPS @ 74.5gr: 3295, 3268, 3250, 3260, 3244
(~10' from muzzle)

Shooting Conditions (for chronograph Day 2):
100 yards, ~86.5°F - no wind - 27.25 inHg - weighted cadwell sled

I'm thinking I should back this load down a few grains and start again, these firings didn't seem over pressured the primers were nicely rounded except a slight ripple where the pin struck. I'll continue to update this thread as a I progress so if there's anything I left out let me know.

Thank you

 

[Bart B.]

That 1:10 twist in a 300 Win Mag 26" barrel is right for 220 grain bullets. 168's will do best with a 1:13 twist barrel leaving as fast as 300 Win Mags shoot them. 168's leaving 308 Win 1:12 twist barrels at 2400 fps shoot bug holes in test barrels and match rifles

The barrel's throat will go down the bore from erosion about .001" for every 10 to 15 shots. Don't get hung up on a given bullet jump distance; it ain't all that critical.

Shoot at least 15 shots per test group. Those two pictured are statistically the same size.

 

[Hoosier]

I was surprised you chose 168 gr bullets in a WM. I fire 185 Bergers and heavier. As a note, keep an eye on your scope. A
lead sled tends to act like a bullet puller when you shoot rifles above 308 win. I have seen many good scopes shaken apart.
Some of the damaged ones were priced above a $1000. It is like using a riflescope for a crossbow or a pellet gun.

 

[FatBoy]

I run have shot 185 Juggernauts, 190SMKs, 200BH, 208Amaxs, 215BH, 230BH and 230 Berger OTMs in a 26" 1:10 twist. Using H1000, RL22 and Retumbo.

My barrel is chambered with an A191 chamber (190SMK) and did well right out of the box with A191 ( Black Hills 190s) but it took 150 rounds to settle it out and start shooting the heavy bullets. I ended up settling on the 230 OTM over Retumbo in a Win case. Average MV is 2775 with single digit See and an ES under 20fps.

You may try developing the load with the can off. Then see how it does with the can on and adjust zero. If the recoil is too much without the suppressor, screw a decent brake on, like a APA Fat Bastard, etc, and wear a shooting jacket. If I don't shoot with a can or brake on my 300WMs, I wear my Highpower hardback, but I'm known as a notorious recoil pus#$$%.

 

[Bart B.]

I had a 9 pound sporter 300 Win Mag with a 26" 1:13 twist barrel that shot Sierra 180 HPMK's MOA at 1000 yards. Lots of recoil to manage while bullets went down the barrel. Bullets had to be well stabilized.

 

[Matt in Virginia]

fwiw,
I don't load .300WM because I have it available... A-191 is NOT the latest thing, however, if you work up to YOUR MAX of Reloader 22 behind a 190 SMK I have found accuracy to be OUTSTANDING. My load is factory loaded, not under SAAMI spec, and the brass depending on temp can show pressure signs. That is generally slightly ABOVE MAXIMUM and is loaded in FC & WCC Match Brass(which I have never seen commercially available). First rifle I ever bugholed with was a .300 WM built on a 700LA, Heavy Krieger, in a McMillan Baker Special with an old Jewell Trigger shooting WCC 95. Scope was a Leupold 20X Ultra and the group was a wallet group. The amazing part is that I was recoil averse, or so I had read/heard/thought, and thought the rifle was really going to be unpleasant. Turned out being one of THE most accurate/pleasant shooting rifles I have ever shot. Love both the 308 Win and the .300 Win Mag. Both can be spectacular...imho.