300 Ackley improved help needed

[SoDak204]

I Inherited a early 50's Winchester model 70 that was re-chambered from 300 H&H to A 30 degree shoulder Ackley Imp. The dies that were made at the time the gun was altered are lost and most likely gone forever. I am wondering what companies will make dies for this rifle. I Have done some research to see that some websites have them ranging from 80$ up to $400. but what company will make the lowest prices dies that will still be reliable. Does anyone have any experience with this caliber and what information or tips should I know before I start reloading for this gun.

 

[CatShooter]

I Inherited a early 50's Winchester model 70 that was re-chambered from 300 H&H to A 30 degree shoulder Ackley Imp. The dies that were made at the time the gun was altered are lost and most likely gone forever. I am wondering what companies will make dies for this rifle. I Have done some research to see that some websites have them ranging from 80$ up to $400. but what company will make the lowest prices dies that will still be reliable. Does anyone have any experience with this caliber and what information or tips should I know before I start reloading for this gun.

Don't just order the dies - make sure you send them several fired cases.

There are some BR die suppliers that will custom make dies to your fired cases. That is probably the way to go.

It is not widely known, but Hornady has a service that makes dies with the EDM process. It is not on their site, so call them and ask - the dies are not very expensive (relatively speaking).

 

[MrMajestic]

I purchased an RCBS 40 degree set prior to firing my 721 that was re-chambered. They were special order so no returns were allowed and of course my Smith's reamer was a 30 degree. Years later I contacted RCBS and they had me send in 5 fired cases. A month or so later I received a new set made to my cases and there was "No Charge"! This was nothing they did and they still made it right. Wow, talk about Customer Service. I have since retired that barrel and caliber due to an Arthritic Shoulder. Send me a couple of cases and I will check some dimensions. If they work you can have them for the shipping costs.

 

[wboggs]

Ackley was not a believer in freebore so do not use 300 Wby data. Start lower and work up. My friend had one and we used IMR 4350, H 4831, N205. The N205 produced the highest velocity and best accuracy in his rechambered .300H&H. In those days, the only bullets that would stand the velocity were the Nosler Partition and the Barnes. We use fireformed Win. brass.
These days, you have lots of choices and you can achieve Wby velocities and exceptional accuracy from it.
Enjoy your rifle, you have a great classic.
Bill

 

[SoDak204]

the rounds he had reloaded before he died say IMR 4350 with 74.4grains and 180grain sierra bullets

I was using some federal nickle plated 300h&h to sight it in because that's all i can find to shoot and i don't want to waste the 15 rounds he had left of the improved reloads.
is there a particular brand that is best to fire-form?

 

[MrMajestic]

4350 seems a little fast. I would think H4831(not SC because you probably want to fill the case), H1000, Reloader 22/25, IMR7828 and perhaps even slower. Check Weatherby data and perhaps the .300 Baer which I think is close. Somebody will correct me if not.

 

[wboggs]

My old data from Ackley indicated a max. load of 76gr IMR 4350 for the 180 gr. bullet. He stressed working up to that level gradually. Standard twist was 1-10, 26" barrel. Usual MV was in the 3100fps range. Most shooters used Winchester .300 H&H brass.
Would be interesting to chronograph the old load. Do you know how old they are?
There are currently better powders than IMR 4350, but in the 50's, it and H4831 were the ones used.
Again, I caution you in using Wby. loads in a non freebore rifle. Ackley did experiments using the same barrel and loads, increasing only the throat. He found it took more powder to reach the same velocity and max. velocity was not increased. Accuracy was worse with the long bullet jump.
Keep us informed on your progress. Bill

 

[savagedasher]

Just take 5 300 H H bullets and shoot them. The head space is done off the belt so it is safe. Call different die makers and the will tell you the cost. To load I would find someone with Quick load .He can use the water grains of a 300 WBY. With one case you can make a chamber gauge that will tell you the free bore. Great gun I built one in 1958. Good Shooting Larry

 

[dzelenka]

The cartridge sounds a lot like the .300 Jarrett (8mm Rem Mag necked to .30 and improved to 30 degrees). Because I cannot tell you the freebore on the Jarrett, I would work up cautiously but I found that RL 22 worked really well with both 165 and 200 gr bullets. 82.5 gr with the 165 and 78.0 with the 200 gr.

 

[savagedasher]

I never tell someone what to load without knowing some factors. Good Shooting Larry