300 win mag help

[Cole S]

I believe a properly constructed 165 - 190 bullet will kill any elk that breathes. It is bullet placement plain and simple. If any animal is gut shot with any rifle they are going to leave PERIOD. I have killed elk with a 63 pound bow with a complete pass through. Just my experience.

Kinda my thoughts on the subject, too. It’s more about being an accurate shot than how big the projectile is.

 

[Cole S]

Let me add: don’t start at 75 grains! Back away from that and cautiously work up! Again, no two guns are alike! I should have put that in the earlier post.

Got it! I’ve worked up a load for my .243 so I know not to start at max pressure. I’d personally like to stay away from the max if possible so I’m not pushing my limits.

 

[bbarber25]

215 Berger, H1000, Fed 215M and Peterson Brass is my favorite .300 Win Mag combo. Scary accurate and the 215 flat works. Taken game from elk, deer, antelope, bear, coyotes and even Prairie dogs from 150 yards out to 1,034 yards results have always been impressive.

Groups at 600 yards. Link to video of antelope at 1,034

 

[Zero333]

Here are my tips for loading the 300winmag.

Get the Hornady Headspace Comparator Kit so you know EXACTLY how far you're sizing/bumping the shoulders of the brass. 0.002" Shoulder bump is perfect. This way you're using the shoulder for Headspace instead of the belt.

Also get the Hornady OAL tool and modified case. I like the bent tool because I can use it in semi-auto rifles and bolt guns. If you don't plan to Handload for semi-auto rifles, then the straight OAL tool is good.

Not only does different brass have different capacities, but the freebore and how far you're seating the bullet into the case will have a huge impact on pressure.

I've been using F.C. brass and am happy with it. I don't like Hornady 300winmag brass. Very erratic results when I tried it.

For 180 - 190 bullets, H-4831 / H-4831sc, Viht N-160, N-560, IMR-4955

For 200 to 230 bullets, H-4831, H-1000, RETUMBO, RL-23, RL-25, RL-26, Viht. N-165, N560, Norma MRP, MRP-2, Ramshot Magnum. IMR-7828, IMR-7977, IMR-8133

230-240... N-165, N-170, N-560, N-565, N570, RL-26, RL-33, H-1000, RETUMBO, IMR-8133, Ramshot Magnum.

There are several other powder I haven't listed because I forgot.

Making a short list of powders would be... H-4831, H-1000, RL-23, RL25, RL-26, Viht N-160, 165, 560, 170, IMR-7828, Ramshot Magnum.

When it comes to bullet choice, the distance can make the difference.

Within 400 yards just about any hunting bullet will kill just as quick.

Out to 800 yards ??? well, the most accurate big bullet will do the job and I like the 208 Amax/ELD-m, 210 Berger Hunting vld., 210 Accubond LR, 200/212 eld-x.

 

[Cole S]

@bbarber25 thats a heck of a shot! Just further evidence that those 215s are hammers

 

[Cole S]

@Zero333 thanks for all the info! I love forums like this where everyone is so willing to share.

I’ve got an O.A.L. tool so I can set the seating depth correctly. I’ll look into the headspace kit. My brother may have one.

I think I’ve settled on H1000 with either the Berger or AccuBond LR 210. I picked up some Winchester brass because that’s all I could find in stock.

Can’t wait to get this thing dialed in!

 

[rudysts]

You could also try some Sig Sauer brass I picked some up from Cabelas way better then Win brass for the same price. I weighed a bag of 50 and was surprised with the results all were with in 1.5 grains spread and the necks were also uniform. my last bag of Win brass out of fifty was horrible, several pieces had bad necks (creased) and the weight was as much as 13 grains from lowest to highest.

 

[Zero333]

@Zero333 thanks for all the info! I love forums like this where everyone is so willing to share.

I’ve got an O.A.L. tool so I can set the seating depth correctly. I’ll look into the headspace kit. My brother may have one.

I think I’ve settled on H1000 with either the Berger or AccuBond LR 210. I picked up some Winchester brass because that’s all I could find in stock.

Can’t wait to get this thing dialed in!

I've had good results with Winchester brass in 308win / 243win and 223rem. Only downside to Winchester brass is sometimes a handful of pieces from the bag are fairly mangled and have to be culled.

 

[Murray Brook]

I've always used Rem brass in my 300 WM, and for years my hunting load was a 200 gr Nosler Part with a max load of IMR 7828 and a CCI-250. Vel was close to 2900 ft/sec. Worked good, but a few years ago I tried RL-26 with a Barnes 175 LRX. Was that an eye opener. I got 1/2 moa accuracy and 3225 ft/sec from my 24" barrel at safe pressure. This is the load I now use.

 

[muleman69]

I've always used Rem brass in my 300 WM, and for years my hunting load was a 200 gr Nosler Part with a max load of IMR 7828 and a CCI-250. Vel was close to 2900 ft/sec. Worked good, but a few years ago I tried RL-26 with a Barnes 175 LRX. Was that an eye opener. I got 1/2 moa accuracy and 3225 ft/sec from my 24" barrel at safe pressure. This is the load I now use.

Your Barnes load sounds like a winner for sure, how much RL-26 and what primer? I have some 175's and would like to try it.

 

[Murray Brook]

@muleman69
My load is 77grs of RL-26, a RP case, Fed 215. with an oal of 3.420. I was able to work up to 79 grs, but felt like that was pushing it. The 77gr load is safe in my rifle and accurate.

 

[Willie]

ADG 300wm brass
H-1000 73-75+, depending on reamer
215 Berger hybrid
Fed 215 primer

 

[1lessdog]

I shoot 165 Gr Hornady Interlocks and have killed Deer and Elk and Moose with the same load. I think they are a great bullet.

 

[smoooth]

I have used Federal, ABM, BHA Match, and Norma brass, all with great success. For case weight uniformity, ABM, Norma and BHA Match are very close, Federal not so much, but the case life is fine. Federal brass (roughly 247gr +- 9gr) is heavier than most and a good bit heavier than the ABM, Norma and BHA Match cases.

Federal brass: 77.0gr H-1000 with 208 AMAX or 210 Berger VLD and Federal 215M Match primers.

ABM, Norma and BHA Match brass: 78.2gr H-1000 with 208 AMAX or 210 Berger VLD and Federal 215M Match primers.

Lighter brass = more case volume = less pressure.

 

[Cole S]

Well, I started working up a load this past weekend. I went with:
WW brass (it’s what I could find)
H1000
Fed215M
Berger 210 VLD match hunting

I didn’t have a book for load data so I did some searching to see what others were using to ladder. Started at 73gr and worked up to 76gr. It shot just under 1 MOA at 73.5gr and 74.5gr at 100 yds. I loaded up 6 more loads at 73.3, 73.5, 73.7 and 74.3, 74.5, 74.7. Going to go shoot them as soon as I get a chance. I got the load data this morning from Berger and max load is apparently 75.5 so I went a touch over but there were no signs of pressure.

I wanted to seat the bullets .020” off the lands but my magazine would not allow that so they ended up being about .2” off the lands. I guess I’ll just have to live with that and play with the charges. Anybody else have this issue where they’re unable to play with seating depth? Did it make that much of a difference?

I’d like to get under 3/4 MOA with this bullet. If I can’t do it with the H1000 I’ll give H4831 or maybe one of the RL powders a try. If I can’t get any of that to work I’ll try Accubonds.

Side note: this gun kicks a lot harder with a 210gr bullet than with the 178s that I sighted it in with. I’m ordering a brake for it today.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Clean all the copper from those first 20 out of the bore,you are changing bullet brands. Just neck size until the bolt requires a little more pressure to close, the brass will last longer.

 

[Gb300wm]

Try RL25 if you have some....you’ll be pleasantly surprised

 

[Steve Ladino]

Hey guys. New member, really enjoying reading through all the knowledge on here. I’ve been doing some searching for 300wm info and haven’t really seen what I’m looking for, so here goes:

I just bought a Ruger American Magnum in 300wm (1:10 twist). I bought it for big game and longer range hunting (mule deer, elk, antelope, etc). My brother reloads and I’m going to get him to help me build a load for it. I don’t know a ton about reloading so I’ve been doing a lot of reading and trying to get a baseline. Got a few observations and questions after doing my research.

The popular bullet choices that I’m wanting to try are Berger hunting bullets or Nosler Accubonds (or AccuBond Long Range) somewhere in the 180-200 grain range. Powders that I see mentioned are H4831, H1000 and RL22. A lot of the posts I’ve read are older and from what I understand, there are some newer RL powders that are even better? Open to try whatever is going to give me decent velocity and not be too temp sensitive (I live in Texas and would be hunting here or in the mountains for big game). The Federal 215 primers seem to be the way to go, but please correct me if there’s a better option.

Lastly, brass. I’ve read that there’s a lot of difference in case volume between the different brands of brass so it’s important to use the same brand across all loads. Any I should stay away from? I shot a box of Hornady factory ammo through it this weekend when I sighted it in so if Hornady brass is good stuff, I’ll just pick up some more of that since I’ve already got 20 rounds.

Thanks in advance for any advice. Like I said, I don’t know a ton about reloading so I’m just trying to figure out where to start with this thing. I’ve had my brother build loads for me before so I know the process of working up through the powder range and all that. But neither of us have any experience with 300wm.

Good choice the Ruger American is. My Ruger LRT shoots the mid weight bullet ( SMK 190 ) @ .260 with IMR 4350 / GM 215 M PR's. / Fed brass / 2900FPS MV.

 

[Zero333]

I have used Federal, ABM, BHA Match, and Norma brass, all with great success. For case weight uniformity, ABM, Norma and BHA Match are very close, Federal not so much, but the case life is fine. Federal brass (roughly 247gr +- 9gr) is heavier than most and a good bit heavier than the ABM, Norma and BHA Match cases.

Federal brass: 77.0gr H-1000 with 208 AMAX or 210 Berger VLD and Federal 215M Match primers.

ABM, Norma and BHA Match brass: 78.2gr H-1000 with 208 AMAX or 210 Berger VLD and Federal 215M Match primers.

Lighter brass = more case volume = less pressure.

I'm using 300winmag F.C. brass that I had from a couple dozen F.G.M.M. 190smk factory ammo, and the weight from lightest to heavies is less than 3 grains !

 

[Hoosier]

Found em! Thank you

If is says "target" I would not use them for hunting. I have the best luck hunting with
bullets the weigh around 190 grs. I know many prefer heavier. I have used about every
powder and I always come back to RL22. I have fired at targets in excess of 1000 yds
with good results. However, I would never try to take an animal at that range.
Good luck, and have fun.