Fastest Powder Used in 300WM

[MMH]

What is the fastest powder you have used in a 300WM? I want to develop some light loads for bullets - I am talking about something in the range of 178gr@2800fps, 212gr@2600, etc.. Seems like that the slow powders would require a lot more charge than the faster powders, and I believe that barrel life is somewhat related to how much powder is burned.

For example, Hodgdon lists 54 gr. of varget w/ a 168 gr. bullet for a velocity of 2,795 fps. If H1000 was used with the 168 gr. bullet then a 79 gr. charge weight would result in 2938 fps. That's 25 gr. of powder for 300 fps!

 

[Edd]

What is the fastest powder you have used in a 300WM? I want to develop some light loads for bullets - I am talking about something in the range of 178gr@2800fps, 212gr@2600, etc.. Seems like that the slow powders would require a lot more charge than the faster powders, and I believe that barrel life is somewhat related to how much powder is burned.

For example, Hodgdon lists 54 gr. of varget w/ a 168 gr. bullet for a velocity of 2,795 fps. If H1000 was used with the 168 gr. bullet then a 79 gr. charge weight would result in 2938 fps. That's 25 gr. of powder for 300 fps!

I don't load for a 300 WM but one of my friends does. I know he uses IMR7828 with 180 gr bullets because I gave him the powder.

With the exception of a couple of powders used for reduced loads, Hodgdon has told me not to use a powder that needs to be at less than 80% full case capacity.

 

[MMH]

With the exception of a couple of powders used for reduced loads, Hodgdon has told me not to use a powder that needs to be at less than 80% full case capacity.

Hodgdon did list 54 Gr. of Varget as a starting load for the 168gr. bullet

 

[Falfan2017]

H4895 could work although Hogdons data only goes up to 168 grain Bullets.

 

[46and2]

PLEASE DO NOT UNDERPRESSURE LOAD MAGNUM CAPACITY CARTRIDGES.

This can cause a dangerous condition like detonation in the chamber. Just as bad as overpressure loads.

The case has to expand and seal the chamber.

Excess air space is dangerous.

 

[MMH]

PLEASE DO NOT UNDERPRESSURE LOAD MAGNUM CAPACITY CARTRIDGES.

This can cause a dangerous condition like detonation in the chamber. Just as bad as overpressure loads.

The case has to expand and seal the chamber.

Excess air space is dangerous.

Agree 100% which is why I posted the question. The varget example I provided came from Hodgdon. If I stay above the "starting load" I presume that this will be safe.

 

[STOMP442]

Sounds like you need to invest in a .308 or a 06 to me.

 

[46and2]

Two powders come to mind that are very bulky, Reloder23 and H1000. They should work well for both bullets listed.

 

[46and2]

Sounds like you need to invest in a .308 or a 06 to me.

This.

 

[WAMBO]

Fastest powder I'd use for a 178gr bullet would be H4350, 212gr would be H4831.
Like others have said if you want to go lighter or slower invest a 308 or 30/06.

 

[MagnumManiac]

Definitely H4350 being the fastest powder I would use with ANY bullet weight in the 300WM.
I will give you an example, back in the early 90’s I loaded 150gr Nosler BT’s for a deer association shoot at 3% under starting load weight due to my rifle at the time being a Ruger Boat Paddle, recoil was ridiculous with that stock.
Anyway, it hang fired with a good 3/4 of a second delay and one shot that was the slowest to fire, locked the bolt solid. DO NOT REDUCE THE LOADS, JUST USE THE START LOADS, if you want a reduced load with HEAVY PILLS.
If I knew then what I know now, I would never have even attempted that, I reckon I came pretty close to SEE, even more so than with my 25-300WSM that was also a b@#$h to load for and wanted to blow up with nearly all powders tried in it except double base powders.

Cheers.

 

[venatic]

Reloder 16 might fit the bill as it’s fairly bulky and in the medium burn range for 300 WM

 

[Zero333]

H- 4831 / H-4831sc is the accuracy power in the 300winmag with 168-200 gr bulles.

You can get more velocity from other powders like RL23, but I've never had h4831 fail me in accuracy.

 

[MMH]

Great discussion - thanks to all that contributed. Yes, I would probably be better served by a 30-06 or 308. Want to develop loads & get more comfortable for my 300WM. My goto rifle is a 308, but as I stated in other posts I am beginning to shoot some PRS w/ my son and need another rifle. OBviously would be best served w/ any of the 6.5 wonder-cartridges, but do not feel like going in that direction.

If I develop a load that keeps it around 3100 ft-lbs. and stay with powders slower than H4350 I should be safe. Add a suppressor to the rifle & recoil should be manageable (will not use a muzzle brake as already beginning to lose my hearing), and still get decent brass & barrel life.

 

[jcm800]

1/2" (3) groups with reduced loads in my 300 Wby. Brass lasts a loong time.
H4831 w/ 175-180's @ 2900
W760 w/ 125's @ 3600

Best part about shooting a big case is the flexibility. Don't go overboard and you should be fine.

 

[rockrat]

I thought that 4895 could be loaded down as far as a 60% level? Maybe not for cartridges above '06 capacity level. Too much air space probably

 

[Clark]

Range report 9-25-2015

300WinMag 125 gr Nos Bal Tip Moly, 66 gr IMR 4166, 3.34" over all length [OAL]
Quickload predicts 3174 fps 47 kpsi

Mosin Nagant Krieger barrel 14 pounds as tested with 4 pound butt plate and bipod

100 yards 0.6" 4 shot group

 

[TIMMY]

What is the fastest powder you have used in a 300WM? I want to develop some light loads for bullets - I am talking about something in the range of 178gr@2800fps, 212gr@2600, etc.. Seems like that the slow powders would require a lot more charge than the faster powders, and I believe that barrel life is somewhat related to how much powder is burned.

For example, Hodgdon lists 54 gr. of varget w/ a 168 gr. bullet for a velocity of 2,795 fps. If H1000 was used with the 168 gr. bullet then a 79 gr. charge weight would result in 2938 fps. That's 25 gr. of powder for 300 fps!

I use H 100 V in my win mag about 6gr less powder than 4831 for same speed

 

[shoot4fun]

I have used a 190 SMK with IMR4350 in 300WM. It would provide the fill I wanted, accuracy I was looking for and did 3,000 FPS from a 26" barrel.
Also, according to Hodgdon online data, a max charge of H4831 with the 190 is actually a compressed load.

 

[rayporter]

_____ Hodgdon Powder Company has found that H4895 can be loaded to reduced levels. H4895 was chosen because it is the slowest burning propellant that ignites uniformly in reduced charges. To create reduced loads, the 60% formula is recommended. Find the H4895 load in the Reloading Data Center for your caliber and bullet. Take the maximum H4895 charge listed and multiply by 60% (.6). The load may be adjusted up from there to achieve the desired velocity and accuracy. This works only where H4895 is listed. DO NOT use in a cartridge where H4895 is not shown.

speer shows 5744 with a 150 gr down around 1900 to 2000fps.