Hi everyone, would really appreciate your expertise here. I'm about to start load development for my first magnum. It's a Cadex .300 PRC with a 26" Bartlein 1:8. I've selected the 250 gr A-Tip.
I have a supply of Retumbo but H1000 is readily available up here at the moment (I'm in Canada). I realize that H1000 is a bit faster, and 26" isn't exactly a long barrel in .300 PRC, but then again, the 250 might benefit from the Retumbo's slightly slower burn. For what it's worth, the Hornady cookbook says it will.
I am concerned about Retumbo's reputed tendency for pronounced pressure spikes toward the top end of ladder tests. Of course I'll watch for pressure signs, but the other thing that I'm worried about are the anecdotal reports (here and elsewhere) about low temperatures also causing pressure spikes on previously safe charges. Being in Canada, I do shoot in sub-zero temperatures as well as summer heat waves. Temperature stability is the main reason I prefer Hodgdon Extreme-series powders.
Obviously I'll be looking for the right node (which hopefully won't be too close to the top end), but I've also been advised by an experienced .300 PRC shooter that "Retumbo will have a velocity advantage but H1000 will have lower ES".
Of course, I prefer a bit more precision over a bit more speed. This rifle's purpose is shooting my steel plates at 2,000+ meters.
Finally, a bit more context: I'm using Lapua brass and BR-2 primers. I selected the latter because several .300 PRC shooters have advised me that the CCI 200 produces lower ES than magnum primers, so I inferred that the BR-2 is just a 200 with better QC (am I wrong?).
Two final questions: All things being equal, which of these two powders is reputed to be more accurate in magnum .30s? Does one tend to have wider nodes?
Your help is appreciated!
I have a supply of Retumbo but H1000 is readily available up here at the moment (I'm in Canada). I realize that H1000 is a bit faster, and 26" isn't exactly a long barrel in .300 PRC, but then again, the 250 might benefit from the Retumbo's slightly slower burn. For what it's worth, the Hornady cookbook says it will.
I am concerned about Retumbo's reputed tendency for pronounced pressure spikes toward the top end of ladder tests. Of course I'll watch for pressure signs, but the other thing that I'm worried about are the anecdotal reports (here and elsewhere) about low temperatures also causing pressure spikes on previously safe charges. Being in Canada, I do shoot in sub-zero temperatures as well as summer heat waves. Temperature stability is the main reason I prefer Hodgdon Extreme-series powders.
Obviously I'll be looking for the right node (which hopefully won't be too close to the top end), but I've also been advised by an experienced .300 PRC shooter that "Retumbo will have a velocity advantage but H1000 will have lower ES".
Of course, I prefer a bit more precision over a bit more speed. This rifle's purpose is shooting my steel plates at 2,000+ meters.
Finally, a bit more context: I'm using Lapua brass and BR-2 primers. I selected the latter because several .300 PRC shooters have advised me that the CCI 200 produces lower ES than magnum primers, so I inferred that the BR-2 is just a 200 with better QC (am I wrong?).
Two final questions: All things being equal, which of these two powders is reputed to be more accurate in magnum .30s? Does one tend to have wider nodes?
Your help is appreciated!
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