Need help reloading 300 WSM for hunting.

[Alexander-M]

My hunting rifle is a Tikka T3 Lite 300 WSM, which I like a lot and shoots very well. So far, I have used commercial ammo – Winchester 150 gr Ballistic tip – but would like to start reloading.

I presently have:
• 60 once fired cases of Winchester Nickel Plated 300 WSM
• 50 brand new Winchester 300 WSM plain brass cases
• 100 Nosler Ballistic Tip 168 gr .308 Spitzer bullets
• 2 lb of IMR-4350
• CCI-250 primers
• Redding 2-die set (never used)

I have several questions:

1. What, if anything, would be different reloading the once-fired nickel-plated cases vs. the brand new cases? (I normally run new cases through the resizing die to at least true-up the necks.)

2. Among other powders, the Nosler website includes IMR-4350 and recommends 62 through 66 grains. The Hodgdon website, however, does not include IMR-4350, but does include H4350, 61 through 64.5 grains. How close are IMR-4350 and Hodgdon 4350?

Any other tips you would like to share for reloading 300WSM for hunting using these 168 gr bullets?

Thank you for your time and help.

Nando

 

[JLT]

Your component list is a good one, with the exception of the nickel-plated cases. You may want to look for a supply of unplated brass for future use as the nickel plating will separate from the brass as the brass is worked by your dies and by expansion in your rifle's chamber. Nickel is no-kidding-around hard and any little bits of nickel that flake off the brass may treat your chamber and/or barrel rudely. Also, if you attempt to anneal the case necks you will soften the underlying brass but harden the nickel plating, thus increasing the likelihood that the plating will flake off and potentially do bad things.

I have used both 4350s in my .300 WSM with good results. I've found their characteristics to be very, very close to one another but I do not treat one as a direct substitution for the other. I would recommend independent work-ups for each powder. Once your supply of 4350 is gone, you may want to give Alliant Reloder 17 a try - I've had stellar results with Re-17 in my short mag with bullets ranging from 150 to 208 grains. I have recorded higher velocities with Re-17 than with any other powder, with no pressure signs whatsoever and with excellent accuracy - it works very well in this case for me.

I have no direct experience with the Noslers you've chosen but I have heard and read that Ballistic Tips can be a little on the fragile side at magnum velocities. The CCI primers should work well for you.

Be careful with the nickel-plated brass and enjoy your WSM.

 

[Alexander-M]

Thank you, JLT!

You hit on the salient point of my question: The nickel plated cases.

I do have 50 pcs of regular non-plated brass (second item on my list of components on-hand), and wondered if it would be worth using the nickel plated cases, or just forget them and use the brand new brass cases. I guess the latter is what you would recommend.

I will work up some loads and test them, but I have enough new rounds to finish this season.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Nando

 

[DRD1]

I have the same rifle and went thru the same thing. Great thing about forums I guess.

I shot the Winchester Nickel loads, both 150 and 180 and both were very accurate and devastating on Texas whitetails. Pretty much anything I have run thru mine has been accurate - like all Tikka's I have shot.

Never reloaded the nickel brass because the the issues mentioned above. Have several boxes once fired if anyone wants them. Some people prefer the nickel plating for corrosion resistance. I use Winchester and Norma regular brass with good success. My T3 300wsm tends to prefer the 180's (used mostly Sierra GK and Nosler AB) over the 150's on average.

I mainly use the H powders over the IMR's due to better temperature sensitivity and reduced ES. IMR has come out with a few new powders that are supposed to be more stable but have not used yet. Primarily H4350 & H4831sc. One day in Tx it's 80 and the next its 27 (last weekend) so that's the route I went. I'm normally a Fed 215m guy, but have had good luck with the WLRM primers in mine and they are easier to come by.

Either of those powders should work fine. Have not used the RL-17 but would be on my list if I was starting over. Take a look at the burn rate chart on the Hodgdon website for alternatives. Good thing is it always helps to start with an accurate rifle!

 

[222 rem]

I have had good success with R-15 for 150 gr. and R-22 for 180 gr.
All loads were from established reloading manuals.

 

[rogn]

Check out the "big stuff" forum sickys on 300WSM. There is a wealth of info on the WSMs in those posts.

 

[savagedasher]

My hunting rifle is a Tikka T3 Lite 300 WSM, which I like a lot and shoots very well. So far, I have used commercial ammo – Winchester 150 gr Ballistic tip – but would like to start reloading.

I presently have:
• 60 once fired cases of Winchester Nickel Plated 300 WSM
• 50 brand new Winchester 300 WSM plain brass cases
• 100 Nosler Ballistic Tip 168 gr .308 Spitzer bullets
• 2 lb of IMR-4350
• CCI-250 primers
• Redding 2-die set (never used)

I have several questions:

1. What, if anything, would be different reloading the once-fired nickel-plated cases vs. the brand new cases? (I normally run new cases through the resizing die to at least true-up the necks.)

2. Among other powders, the Nosler website includes IMR-4350 and recommends 62 through 66 grains. The Hodgdon website, however, does not include IMR-4350, but does include H4350, 61 through 64.5 grains. How close are IMR-4350 and Hodgdon 4350?

Any other tips you would like to share for reloading 300WSM for hunting using these 168 gr bullets?

Thank you for your time and help.

Nando

With the 168 gr nosler bullet and 62 gr of IMR 4350 shows great on QL with low pressure great starting point . 66 gr looks like near max and should be approached with caution.
Personally I don't care for nickel brass. Other then that Go slow and don't be afraid to ask question. Larry

 

[Alexander-M]

Thank you for the additional replies and suggestions. I have a new box left over, and that will last a while - unless I decide to practice , that is.

I checked the price for the Win 300 WSM 150gr Ballistic tip, and it has gone up appreciably. The boxes I bought not that long ago, of which I have one left, cost me around $30-$33. I saw them this week at Gander Mountain, Cabela's and Bass Pro for $45 - $50.

So yes, reloading definitely will be required

Thx!

Nando

 

[Jeremy(WI)]

Thank you for the additional replies and suggestions. I have a new box left over, and that will last a while - unless I decide to practice , that is.

I checked the price for the Win 300 WSM 150gr Ballistic tip, and it has gone up appreciably. The boxes I bought not that long ago, of which I have one left, cost me around $30-$33. I saw them this week at Gander Mountain, Cabela's and Bass Pro for $45 - $50.

So yes, reloading definitely will be required

Thx!

Nando

I think that ammo is $39 a box at walmart but you might find federal 180 gr for $23

 

[HTSmith]

Neck size the nickel plated brass and shoot it. You should be able to get at least a couple of loadings unless you are pushing it hot. Lee dies work great for this in my experience. They won't fleck off the nickel.