Alex Wheeler and myself have done quite a few projects over the years. I had the first 300 Norma improved barrel for testing/shooting. While it's a great case, there is not many good action choices for the Lapua sized cases. The other down fall, is not many re-barrel choices out there. We set out to find what would be the max case you can run with a magnum action, and still be able to feed in a CFE-9 (4") BDL.
The 404 Jeffery is a very accurate parent case. Think RUM, SAUM,WSM ETC. The 300 RUM is one bad dude! Only issue that I have is the case is to long for the 230 Bergers to fit in the neck. The 338 RUM is .094" shorter than a 300 RUM. I took a 338 RUM case, (109.6 GR VOLUME) necked it down, and could seat a 230 in the neck with .050 above the dreaded doughnut. This put the case at 3.950. This freebore will also work well with 210VLD and 199 Hammer Hunters.
Necking down the brass is very easy. I purchased a Hornady ($32) .308 neck sizing die. Sized the necks, then ran an expander mandrel though to set my .002 Neck tension. For the dies, I took a 300 RUM die, cut .095" off and it sizes the web like a custom die should! No custom dies is a plus!
Next I loaded up some 230's with H1000. After about 40 rounds, I started load development. Out of the gate I could tell this combo would work. 89.5-90.5 all had same POI at 300 yards. I took the gun to 300 for some grouping. 89.5 grains has produced 1.2"-.75" groups multiple times. This load has an ES of 9 FPS across 12 shots on different days. With a 26" barrel the 230's are 2 grains below max, and are going 3040 FPS.
I am REALLY liking this cartridge. It feeds great out of my BAT HR, Loves H1000, ADG Brass. IMO this is the best option for guys wanting 300 NMI speeds out of standard magnum actions. Once you fight doughnuts and seating the bullet below neck shoulder junction, you won't want to do it again..
The 404 Jeffery is a very accurate parent case. Think RUM, SAUM,WSM ETC. The 300 RUM is one bad dude! Only issue that I have is the case is to long for the 230 Bergers to fit in the neck. The 338 RUM is .094" shorter than a 300 RUM. I took a 338 RUM case, (109.6 GR VOLUME) necked it down, and could seat a 230 in the neck with .050 above the dreaded doughnut. This put the case at 3.950. This freebore will also work well with 210VLD and 199 Hammer Hunters.
Necking down the brass is very easy. I purchased a Hornady ($32) .308 neck sizing die. Sized the necks, then ran an expander mandrel though to set my .002 Neck tension. For the dies, I took a 300 RUM die, cut .095" off and it sizes the web like a custom die should! No custom dies is a plus!
Next I loaded up some 230's with H1000. After about 40 rounds, I started load development. Out of the gate I could tell this combo would work. 89.5-90.5 all had same POI at 300 yards. I took the gun to 300 for some grouping. 89.5 grains has produced 1.2"-.75" groups multiple times. This load has an ES of 9 FPS across 12 shots on different days. With a 26" barrel the 230's are 2 grains below max, and are going 3040 FPS.
I am REALLY liking this cartridge. It feeds great out of my BAT HR, Loves H1000, ADG Brass. IMO this is the best option for guys wanting 300 NMI speeds out of standard magnum actions. Once you fight doughnuts and seating the bullet below neck shoulder junction, you won't want to do it again..
