.300 WSM

[JRinCo]

I was thinking about putting together a .300 WSM to shoot the Berger 215. Has anyone have any experience with these regarding velocity and accuracy.

 

[dkhunt14]

Right around 2900 with H4831. The 215 has less bearing then the 210. From the guys I know that tried them they got up to 2950 with the fastest I know of. Most were in the 2850 to 2900 range. You will need a 10 twist or forget it. They are fairly accurate. Make sure you get it throated for the 215. Matt

 

[JRinCo]

Thanks, that's just the kind of info I was looking for. You mentioned a 10 twist, would a 9 be any better.

 

[Steve Blair]

No, a 10 twist is adequate for 215 and 230 Hybrids. I shoot 230's in .300 WSM.

 

[AusFclass]

is there much difference in velocity or accuracy between the 215 and 230s? do the 230s become a bit marginal for case capacity and become hard to tune?

 

[ThunderDownUnder]

is there much difference in velocity or accuracy between the 215 and 230s? do the 230s become a bit marginal for case capacity and become hard to tune?

The 230's have a higher BC than the 215gr hybrids and considering they cost approx the same, the 230's are the bullet to use for long range F-Class. If you have access to a throating reamer there wont be a problem with case capacity. A 300WM throated optimally for the 230s will shoot all the way down to the 200gr hybrid bullet. I shoot both and get great accuracy from both bullets with my 32" barrel. I have launched the 230s at 2960fps using AR2225 (Retumbo) without marginal case capacity. I shoot the 230's at a lower node at 2860 fps with great accuracy at the longs and recommend them to you to try!

The only negative with the 230's is that they do have considerable recoil and even with a 10kg F-Open rifle you still need to master the technique of handling a heavy recoiling rifle. Its not uncomfortable or scary, it just requires precise technique being applied for every shot. Lose concentration and alter your hold just a little and you risk dropping a point. Stepping up from my Shehane and shooting 180gr hybrids to the 300WM shooting 230 grainers required a step up in gun handling precision from me!

Ian

Whoops, just realised this thread is asking about the 300WSM not the 300WM as I have commented about. The 300WSM in my opinion is better suited to the 215s than the 230s and is capacity limited. I thought long and hard about the 300WSM case and its suitability for the 230s and opted for the shorter necked, belted, 300WM. Its a decision that has worked out better than expected for me.

 

[JRinCo]

I know that H4350 and H4831 works pretty well. Has anyone given some of the slower powders a whirl, like maybe H1000 or Retumbo.

 

[Steve Blair]

is there much difference in velocity or accuracy between the 215 and 230s? do the 230s become a bit marginal for case capacity and become hard to tune?

The 230's have a higher BC than the 215gr hybrids and considering they cost approx the same, the 230's are the bullet to use for long range F-Class. If you have access to a throating reamer there wont be a problem with case capacity. A 300WM throated optimally for the 230s will shoot all the way down to the 200gr hybrid bullet. I shoot both and get great accuracy from both bullets with my 32" barrel. I have launched the 230s at 2960fps using AR2225 (Retumbo) without marginal case capacity. I shoot the 230's at a lower node at 2860 fps with great accuracy at the longs and recommend them to you to try!

The only negative with the 230's is that they do have considerable recoil and even with a 10kg F-Open rifle you still need to master the technique of handling a heavy recoiling rifle. Its not uncomfortable or scary, it just requires precise technique being applied for every shot. Lose concentration and alter your hold just a little and you risk dropping a point. Stepping up from my Shehane and shooting 180gr hybrids to the 300WM shooting 230 grainers required a step up in gun handling precision from me!

Ian

Whoops, just realised this thread is asking about the 300WSM not the 300WM as I have commented about. The 300WSM in my opinion is better suited to the 215s than the 230s and is capacity limited. I thought long and hard about the 300WSM case and its suitability for the 230s and opted for the shorter necked, belted, 300WM. Its a decision that has worked out better than expected for me.

[br]
You were doing real well up until the last paragraph. [br]
I've run 230's at 2950 in my .300 WSM using IMR 7828 SSC but found the torque and rest stability too marginal. I also run mine at ~2865 where it is manageable. Careful technique is still required. The 230 Hybrid is a superbly accurate bullet and .300 WSM is trivially easy to tune. I wrote this Bulletin article a while back that states the case for .300 WSM. [br]
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2013/11/the-300-wsm-next-big-thing-in-f-open-competition/