Reloder 16 for 300 wsm?

[Laguna Freak]

My velocity with RL23 has dropped off strangely after initially showing excellent promise running at 2880fps out of a 31 barrel, the same powder charge (64.5gr) has dropped to 2840fps and the ES/SD has opened up - this is with about 180 rounds down the barrel, so rather than speed up it seems to have slowed down. So back to the drawing board with a powder charge test next week.

Rather than powder charge adjustments, I would encourage you to re-check your bullet jump first. Then powder charge if seating depth adjustment doesn’t get you to your goal.

 

[Laguna Freak]

It may be my lots of each, but RL-16 was slower than H4350 in my 22BR, 6.5x47, and my 6.5 Creedmoor.

In my experience RL16 is slower than the 4350’s and less temperature sensitive, at least during transition from TX not-summer to summer season.

 

[Willow]

What is your round count on this barrel? Sometimes when the lands and throat diameter erode the velocity drops.

Less than 200 rounds on the barrel, throat has only eroded about 2 thou so far.

 

[Willow]

Rather than powder charge adjustments, I would encourage you to re-check your bullet jump first. Then powder charge if seating depth adjustment doesn’t get you to your goal.

Ran seating depth last week and I'm happy with where it is at (about 22 thou jump). That's where it grouped the tightest but the ES/SD had opened up with my original RL23 load - first time out over 8 shots I had an ES of 7 with an SD of 1.8 at 2880...not sure why the velocity dropped 40fps with the barrel being so new.

 

[Alliant Reloading]

Ran seating depth last week and I'm happy with where it is at (about 22 thou jump). That's where it grouped the tightest but the ES/SD had opened up with my original RL23 load - first time out over 8 shots I had an ES of 7 with an SD of 1.8 at 2880...not sure why the velocity dropped 40fps with the barrel being so new.

It is summer there in NSW. Is it possible your powder picked up moisture Willow?

 

[Willow]

Rather than powder charge adjustments, I would encourage you to re-check your bullet jump first. Then powder charge if seating depth adjustment doesn’t get you to your goal.

Ran seating depth last week and I'm happy with where it is at (about 22 thou jump). That's where it grouped the tightest but the ES/SD had opened up with my original RL23 load - first time out over 8 shots I had an ES of 7 with an SD of 1.8 at 2880...not sure why the velocity dropped 40fps with the barrel being so new.

It is summer there in NSW. Is it possible your powder picked up moisture Willow?

It is summer and we have had plenty of rain in NSW...Could this have an effect? I'm at an indoor range right now and interestingly brand new brass with 64.8gr of RL23 averaged 2900fps. 5 times fired brass with 65gr and 65.2gr of RL23 averaged 2863fps...the 65gr load with slightly tighter ES/SD. I've never encountered this before...

 

[Orr89rocz]

You really need 210’s or 215’s or heavier for RL23. Here is my hunting 26” 300 wsm. It’s going 2875 FPS with 210 vld hunting

That seems like alot of powder. I’ve only run mine up to 65.3 Re23 210 vld so far with norma brass and was seeing just over 2800 in a 24” but it didnt shoot all that well at mag lengths or near the lands. My best accuracy Is in the 64-64.2 range at 2750’s. But im jumping a ton for mag length repeater at 2.97 overall or 2.285 ogive. I may try alittle hotter to see if there is an upper node.

68.5 re23 with 180 gr elites worked well, 3 in same hole at 100 but i havent chrono it yet. They have to be near 3000 my guess.
71.5 of re26 shot ok as well and went 3088 fps. 2.97 oal.

 

[rhovee]

I am at 3.175 coal. It has .235 FB. Not a standard short action

 

[Orr89rocz]

I am at 3.175 coal. It has .235 FB. Not a standard short action

At 2.402 ogive, how far from the lands are you? Mine I believe was throated long but i have no recollection of what the smith did. I’m in the lands at 2.410” on my chamber with the 210 vld. I might try goin up more, havent seen pressure yet but quickload says im close

 

[rhovee]

.030 off at 2.402

 

[46and2]

So, it seems like the 180gr Elite Hunters like Imr4831! I shot today at 200 yards from a hunting bag in 15 to 20mph headwind.


Reloder 16 shot ok, I haven't tried H4350 yet. It didn't like Imr4350 much.
The rifle is a CarbonSix 26" barreled Savage short action with a PVA lightweight brake and NF NX8 4-23 at about 9.5 lb.

 

[therifler]

300 wsm with rl 16 worked just fine with 165 grs barnes.