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300 PRC load data

Alex Wheeler

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Im just starting to work with a 300 PRC. I didnt find a ton of data when I looked so Im putting some up. Barrel bore and groove dimensions do vary! Actually a lot. That has a huge effect on pressures. Work up to any loads carefully in your barrel because it may be very different. My reamer is slightly different as well, but not enough it should have a noticeable effect on pressure. Bat HR actions handle pressure better than any I have used, ADG brass is also very tough. Keep that in mind.
The rifle is a Bat HR with a Bartlien 9tw 5r at 28" in a McMillan A3.
The first powder I tried was RL23 with a 210vld .020 in . I couldnt find any info so I found a safe window on quickload using 94 grains of H2O for the case capacity. Thats what my new unfired ADG brass weighed.
72-2965
72.4-2959
72.8-2989
73.2-3024
73.6-3016
74-3062
74.4-3061
74.8-3077
75.2-3090
75.6-3113
I didn't like the look of the ladder, this was not the right powder for this barrel. I was surprised at the speeds it got though as its on the fast side for this case. The Barrel was still pretty green at this point, so as its speeds up it may not get to that upper end but at this time there was no sign of pressure.

The next combo I tried was H1000 and 230 Berger hybrids .020 off.
77-2907
77-2901
77.4-2923
77.8-2946
78.6-2950
79-2958
79.4-2971
79.8-3002
80.2-3000
80.6-3036
This ladder looked great, 2 obvious nodes, 2901-2923 held .658" of vertical at 600yds, 2971-3002 held .714". 3 shots in each node. This is the combo this barrel is going to like, 3 shot groups around each node at 1k is the next step. Then fine seating and hopefully its done. It was cold today, and the barrels at about 60 rounds. I do not know if the upper node will be do able in warm weather but I have no signs of pressure today.

I also loaded 7828ssc because I like that powder. Again with 230s.
I think I missed the window though as I went up to 75 and only got to 2842. The ladder didnt look good so I wont continue with this powder. One thing to note, the last shot of the day was a sighter I loaded with this powder it did not fire. It was 16 degrees and had sat outside for a good hour. I pulled the bullet and the powder was scorched. I was using 250s but in the future I will go to fed 215s for this powder. The 250 was not hot enough to light it that cold.

So far the 300 PRC seems to be an over achiever. The others I have built have also been that way. I am a little surprised at the velocities you can get out of this case. I'll update this post as I keep tuning.
 
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230 @ 3k is no joke

Thanks for the info, need to get my rear in gear and get serious about load dev, got a few powders sitting around waiting on me.
 
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I've tried H1000, Reloder 26 and Retumbo with mine. Reloder 26 didn't give me the fill capacity to get consistent ignition with any primer I tried. Mine is a 9 twist as well. I've tried the A-tips, 200 grain Sierras, 225 ELDMs, and 215 Bergers. For me, Retumbo pushing a 215 Berger @ 2975 is magical. I got some 220 Bergers to try, just haven't yet.
 
I got some 220 Bergers to try, just haven't yet

I watched Leo tune them in a 308 Baer the last 2 weekends. They shot really well once he went in the lands a little +-7 thousandths. It was 1/2 ish moa from just off touch all the way to about 50 jump.....It was after his seater ran out of threads we were smart enough to "try the other way" lol. It shot sub 2" at 871 yards once he ran em in.


Tom
 
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I watched Leo tune them in a 308 Baer the last 2 weekends. They shot really well once he went in the lands a little +-7 thousandths. It was 1/2 ish moa from just off touch all the way to about 50 jump.....It was after his seater ran out of threads we were smart enough to "try the other way" lol. It shot sub 2" at 871 yards once he ran em in.


Tom
Thanks
 
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I went to the 230s because I have had a lot of luck with them and know where they seem to like to be seated. I do have retumbo, not a bunch, but like H4831sc, it has never shot well for me in any thing so I have been giving it the cold shoulder lol.
 
I just put together one with a 30" Hart barrel for a guy. I tried N570 because I had some that my 300 Norma Improved likes. Best I could get was 5/8 - 3/4 groups shooting 245 Berger's in an 8 twist. Looked the gun over a bunch and even put a different scope on it and same results. Switched to H1000 and she started stacking them almost on top of each other. 81gr of H1000 @.020 off the lands is getting me 2970 fps.
 
H1000 is one of those powders that either your barrel likes it or it doesnt. It is not the universal powder that it seems people post about. When a barrel like it, its gold. But a lot do not like it. N570 in my experience seems to be one of those powders a lot of barrels like. But not all of them!
 
H1000 is one of those powders that either your barrel likes it or it doesnt. It is not the universal powder that it seems people post about. When a barrel like it, its gold. But a lot do not like it. N570 in my experience seems to be one of those powders a lot of barrels like. But not all of them!
I get that! Reloder 26 is supposed to be magic for the 300 PRC. I bought a crapload if it. No bueno in either of my barrels. H-1000 was good, Retumbo is better, at least in mine with the 215s. 79 grains is what mine likes. 28" Bartlein 9 twist. 338 TBAC or Fat Bastard. I'll play with the 220s at some point but, having good luck out to 2000 with the 215s.
 
With N565 being a near twin to RL26 has anyone tried any of that to see if it was good/bad/worse/ or the same??

The new N568 sounds like it could be a good choice but I wouldn't hold my breath getting any anytime soon.
 
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I hear people talk about increased pressure with the ADG brass but I haven’t really seen what that means as far as how much less powder to use. I’m going to work up a load with some Berger 215’s, RL26, Fed 215m with ADG brass. I’m think 76-80gr in .5 increments. Seem reasonable?
 
Id
I hear people talk about increased pressure with the ADG brass but I haven’t really seen what that means as far as how much less powder to use. I’m going to work up a load with some Berger 215’s, RL26, Fed 215m with ADG brass. I’m think 76-80gr in .5 increments. Seem reasonable?
I'd start a grain lower. I think lower case capacity with the ADG brass will be to your advantage with 26
 
With N565 being a near twin to RL26 has anyone tried any of that to see if it was good/bad/worse/ or the same??

The new N568 sounds like it could be a good choice but I wouldn't hold my breath getting any anytime soon.
I’ve done a decent amount of testing with it in different cases. IMO, it compares more closely to H1000.. The 3 cartridges that I’ve tested the 2 powders in, 565 was within a 1/2 grain of the same charge weight as H1000 and was running about 20fps slower at its tune. I almost gave up on it until I tried hotter primers and then it started grouping like it should. It’s also more bulky so has better case fill.
I always felt like RL26 was just a different animal all together. I can always hit the next node with about 1 grain less powder than the other 2. It does move a little with temp changes so I always factor that in when using it.
 
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I’ve done a decent amount of testing with it in different cases. IMO, it compares more closely to H1000.. The 3 cartridges that I’ve tested the 2 powders in, 565 was within a 1/2 grain of the same charge weight as H1000 and was running about 20fps slower at its tune. I almost gave up on it until I tried hotter primers and then it started grouping like it should. It’s also more bulky so has better case fill.
I always felt like RL26 was just a different animal all together. I can always hit the next node with about 1 grain less powder than the other 2. It does move a little with temp changes so I always factor that in when using it.
It'll be interesting to see where this new N568 fits in.
 
Someone quipped and said it was going to be short cut N570. I'd be ok with that.
 

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