.300 WSM WOW!
- Thread starter ShootDots
- Start date
As I am going to start working loads up in mine shortly could you confirm that you H4831SC load is with bare bullets not moly??
Was going to start at 62gr
I never shoot coated bullets of any kind. However, 2 things to keep in mind: 1.) H4831sc is NOTORIOUS for huge swings in lot-to-lot consistency. I have personally seen as much as 1.0 grain to obtain the same velocity. I have heard of people going to almost 2 grains! So just because mine is 65.7 does NOT mean yours will be. and 2.) my freebore is .240>>which is quite a bit. I am seated 22 thousandths OFF the lands and the bearing surface is about 1/3 of the way up the neck. That is a sizable increase in case capacity..
Hello Larry! Yep! I love the Hodgdon powders>>>but they have that awful trait! I think that Varget and H4831sc are the worst of 'em.. I have had 2 / 8 pound jugs of both RL-16 and RL-23>>>very different lots>>>>same load! The "new" Alliant powders, at least RL-16 / 23 are really good with lot-to-lot consistency and they really are temp INsensitive!
@ShootDots I know you had your trials and tribulations with the 150gr SMK,but what velocity could you reliably push them and still keep your node? That bullet sure looks good on paper!
I run them in a 6.5x47 at 2,770fps in an 8 twist, which puts me around 59” in a 10mph wind. I’ve had great results with it, just curious where that bullet in a 6.5x284 stacks up to the 215.
(That’s a fantastic bullet, I run it in my win mag for Hunting, even shot that rifle at the last 600 yard BR match last month, those suckers shoot!)
I run them in a 6.5x47 at 2,770fps in an 8 twist, which puts me around 59” in a 10mph wind. I’ve had great results with it, just curious where that bullet in a 6.5x284 stacks up to the 215.
(That’s a fantastic bullet, I run it in my win mag for Hunting, even shot that rifle at the last 600 yard BR match last month, those suckers shoot!)
Thanks for the reply
I picked up this barrel already chambered so do not have the FB spec.
However the 215 seated to touch is still clear of the donut zone (so probably a .210FB??)
I don’t coat bullets either, was just making sure you don’t.
Was looking to start maybe at 61or62gr and work up in 0.5gr increments.
With RL23 I will start lower again.
Attachments
@bbarber25 The best load was running them at 2930 if memory serves me correctly. The "problem" was the fast twist, coupled with the 4 groove conventional rifling. That caused blow-ups and very near blow-ups..
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I was seriously considering getting a special barrel for the 150SMK
7.75 twist with 5R rifling.
Shooters far more knowledgeable than me have suggested canted lands rifling and minimum twist to keep it stable at your intended temp/altitude.
I think the issue with this bullet is when you spin it in a faster cartridge like a 6.5x284 you risk jacket failures particularly in a long shot string
Underspin it and you do not achieve its BC potential.
The tight twist barrels in Creedmoor or a x47 do not seem to have the HP to cause this issue. But in a x284 it appears it is.
Lack of availability in Australia ultimately steered me away from doing the 150gr experiment.
Going the tried and tested SAUM and 300WSM instead.
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Copy, I’ve witnessed the issue you were having first hand with a buddy running 150’s at 2950ish, didn’t have issues till 13-15 shots into a string and then blow ups 100-300 yards down range. At 2930 Mr. Litz says about 53” of drift at a grand, so in the ball park of a WSM with 215’s with a lot less recoil. But, that only is an advantage if all your Bullets make it to the target.
Thanks for the info!
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Yes the 150gr ballistics looks very attractive on paper.
I think SAUM offers best balance of recoil and ballistics
I’m trying the WSM because of similar reasons Ben stated. Barrel life and a wide tune window being he big plus sides.
@ben_g,
Not wanting to hijack this thread, but I'm running the 150 SMK out of a 32" 5R Bartlien, 7.5 twist. Cartridge is a 6.5 GWI. I'm running them at 2,990 with -0- problems. I've had them over 3,100 but it trashes the brass.
I hope this helps,
Lloyd
I also run them with 8tw...2830. Only 5 shot strings. I've shot 1500-1600 of them. No problem. Do not over spin them or shoot long strings in the heat!
I may be wrong, but I believe 1shot is using coated bullets. This could make a big difference and if i'm right it looks like it does. On another thread and looking at above comment, looks like he has a good handle on this bullet!
Took my new to me WSM barrel out today just to test for pressure.Loaded the 215 with a 0.020jump and used AR2213SC for powder.
Starting at 62gr I just fired incrementally higher charges to 66gr
This barrel is only 30” long and 66.0gr gave me 2870fps
There is absolutely no sign of pressure so I will work a little higher next time I’m out and see if the 2910fps node is there with my rifle.
Just for fun I fired the last 6 incremental charges (63.5 to 66gr) at the same target for a 0.25” group.
It’s only 100yards, but the barrel looks to be a goodun.
Was also doing a similar test with a SAUM barrel on the same rifle. The WSM felt like a big push (similar to a 284 but a bigger push) whereas the SAUM felt sharper in recoil. (Using 2209/H4350 in the SAUM)
Admittedly the WSM is not right up to speed, but it certainly wasn’t too unruly, it’s also lighter than the SAUM both being nearly 400grams underweight for F-open
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Yes, I shoot moly coated bullets. At the SWN, I shot this cartridge in the Palma match. Clean at 800, down 1 at 900, dropped 6 at 1K. No blowup or issues of any kind.
Lloyd
The best!
The 270 WSM is not great. It could be good, but all 277 bullets are made with an eye for 270 Win. Therefore many explode or generally give poor performance.
So, the 300 WSM is best! Why 150 gr bullets? Those are generally geared for 308 velocities.
3300fps is fast....too fast. 3300 fps will make that kind of a barrel burner, but not too bad. Still, I much prefer 2800-3100 fps. Also, the 150 gr bullet likely has a .400 bc. A longer bullet will fly truer and have a high bc.
I shoot 190 Berger VLD's out of my 300 WSM with good results on deer and antelope. For elk, I need to develop a premium bullet load.
The 270 WSM is not great. It could be good, but all 277 bullets are made with an eye for 270 Win. Therefore many explode or generally give poor performance.
So, the 300 WSM is best! Why 150 gr bullets? Those are generally geared for 308 velocities.
3300fps is fast....too fast. 3300 fps will make that kind of a barrel burner, but not too bad. Still, I much prefer 2800-3100 fps. Also, the 150 gr bullet likely has a .400 bc. A longer bullet will fly truer and have a high bc.
I shoot 190 Berger VLD's out of my 300 WSM with good results on deer and antelope. For elk, I need to develop a premium bullet load.
I've run RL23 in a 280AI in Australia through our winter (high teens in Celsius) through summer (high 30s to 40 plus in Celsius) - haven't had to alter the powder charge. RL16 is similar in this regard.
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