300 PRC load data

[shoot4fun]

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.

Retumbo has always worked well in my 300WM with the 230 OTM Hybrid, at least out to the max distance available to me (1250 yards). I've shot the load and been quite successful at one steel match I shoot. No sighters and varying distance match. My velocity from a 26" Kreiger 10 twist is right at 2,850 and brass life is pretty good. I feel that this combination, though I never tried it, would not be satisfactory past 1,500 yards but that is why I have one of your 300NM 35˚ Improved rifles. On another note, Retumbo performs well in my 6.5PRC with 153 A-Tips but so does H1000. My Retumbo node puts the H1000 on equal footing and they both have the same dial ups out to 1,000 yards.
I've amassed all the goodies(bullets, brass, dies and a Kreiger 9T barrel) for a 300PRC build. It was initially my idea to replace the 300WM barrel but I can see now that the Surgeon 1086 isn't going to be ideal for the long 300PRC. The 300PRC loaded with 230 ATip bullets won't fit in any AICS mag, even CIP versions. In fact, since I don't intend to hunt with it, the best option for me may very well be a single shot set up or possibly using a Wyatt's extended mag.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The 230 Hybrid or 230 OTM will fit in a CIP aics mag. But I always prefer a single shot. They are just too hard to sell. More guys would hunt with them if they would just give it a try.

 

[B23]

The 230 Hybrid or 230 OTM will fit in a CIP aics mag. But I always prefer a single shot. They are just too hard to sell. More guys would hunt with them if they would just give it a try.

You probably shoot a lot more of these than most so you'd be a good one to ask this of but between those two bullets have you found one to shoot discenibly better than the other or one to be easy to dial in than the other? I've pretty much only ever shot the Hybrid Target.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Me too. I want to try the OTM. I have a hunch it will be as good or better. Seems the more aggressive a bullet gets in pursuit of BC the more touchy it gets.

 

[kev77]

Are you pointing or trimming them? What kind of vertical will they hold on average at 1500+? Any vertical fliers?

They come pre pointed. Just sorted base to ogive. Very good vert vor 1500yds I'd say. No flyers actually

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Update, I am now around 77 which is about 2950. Had to re tune after the brass was formed and the barrel broke in. The primer pockets will not handle that high node they are much looser. The Bat actions handle pressure so well you can find the limits of the brass easily. And ADG is some tough stuff.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I got out today at 600 yd to go through a little seating depth testing. Don't pay any attention to the point of impact I moved the groups around so they wouldn't land on top of each other.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I got out today at 600 yd to go through a little seating depth testing. Don't pay any attention to the point of impact I moved the groups around so they wouldn't land on top of each other.View attachment 1252153

Looking good. Nothing bad in that string. Which powder? H1K?

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Yes H 1000

 

[Alex Wheeler]

One thing to note which may help some of you guys is that this thing required a total re tune once I fired the brass. Different seating depth and powder charge. I have seen this before in other cartridges especially magnums. Even the node itself moved. Most of the time we don't have to deal with this because we are playing with cartridges that require fire forming so you never actually shoot new brass. Just fyi.

 

[Doghed]

have you made a choice on seating depth?

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The 10-15 and 25-30 need testing at 1k then I will fine tune powder again.

 

[Kratos]

Update, I am now around 77 which is about 2950. Had to re tune after the brass was formed and the barrel broke in. The primer pockets will not handle that high node they are much looser. The Bat actions handle pressure so well you can find the limits of the brass easily. And ADG is some tough stuff.

I've gotten around 2950 with 77 grains of H1000 and 230 A-tips (with a 30 inch barrel), but the primers are very slightly flattened and I do get a hint of heavy bolt lift at times. I just tried some N570 and RL33 and both were 3000+ fps without any hint of pressure signs. It may be that H1000 is a little fast for this barrel length.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Bat actions take pressure. That's one of the reasons I use them so often. Barrel dimensions play a big role too. N570 would let me get back to the high node I'm sure.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I've gotten around 2950 with 77 grains of H1000 and 230 A-tips (with a 30 inch barrel), but the primers are very slightly flattened and I do get a hint of heavy bolt lift at times. I just tried some N570 and RL33 and both were 3000+ fps without any hint of pressure signs. It may be that H1000 is a little fast for this barrel length.

N570 is an excellent powder for speed with heavy bullets. Very good temperature stability and burns cleaner than RL33 as well.

N565 is about the same burn rate as H1000 and would be worth playing with if a person could find any at the moment.

I always stayed away from VV powders in the past because nobody carried it locally and the price has always been significantly higher than Hodgdon or Alliant. But a local dealer started stocking all of their offerings and after finally testing some of the VV powders a couple years ago, I was very impressed. Will gladly pay the extra $10 per pound over Alliant and Hodgdon for the performance advantages I have seen for speed so far.

 

[okie]

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.

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.

thanks for sharing that---i have heard of it but never had a good descriptive narrative. wow...be my luck that would happen to me on a big buck. My gunsmith told me if it has a belt or called a magnum, use the mag primer...i can see why

anyways, thanks

 

[Ledd Slinger]

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.

thanks for sharing that---i have heard of it but never had a good descriptive narrative. wow...be my luck that would happen to me on a big buck. My gunsmith told me if it has a belt or called a magnum, use the mag primer...i can see why

anyways, thanks

Probably a faulty primer. I’ve used 250s in cartridges burning a lot more powder than that in a lot colder temps with no issues.

 

[okie]

Probably a faulty primer. I’ve used 250s in cartridges burning a lot more powder than that in a lot colder temps with no issues.

it would be my luck to happen to me either way.
came across a bad rem primer in factory core lokt ammo 30 yrs ago. cost my buddy a buck.
it does happen rarely. i took that round apart. no primer compound at all. not sure how it happened, but...

 

[Alex Wheeler]

It was not a faulty primer it went off the powder was scorched but it was not enough to actually ignite it. It didn't happen until the cartridge really soaked in the cold. It's not really about how much powder a cartridge holds its the type of powder. Some is harder to ignite than others due to coatings or retardants like ball powder has. I have no issue with H 1000 and 250s but 7828ssc I did.

 

[Jud96]

This is off topic, but have you tested 7828ssc for temperature stability @Alex Wheeler ?