300 wsm load development

Timnterra

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Nov 30, 2019
Messages
187
Location
Black Hills South Dakota
I’m about to start load development for my 300 wsm tikka build. I’m going to be using 208gr eldm Hornady bullets. The powders I have that I think might work well are h4350, h4831, h1000, Rl26, imr 7828 and Staball 6.5. The barrel is a 22” proof 1-10” twist the throat is set up to maximize case capacity with the boa tail junction ahead of the case neck shoulder junction. I am going to use the powder I have instead of driving myself crazy trying to find something else. I would guess rl26 will have the best velocity but if it’s temperature swing is out of control I’d rather not use it. Anyone have a good accurate load with one of these powders?
 
Joined
Jun 12, 2022
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I was going to build a 300wsm at one point but went 300 PRC. Ive heard great results with H4831SC with the 200+ grainers
 
Joined
Dec 30, 2014
Messages
8,121
H4831, RL26, and 7828 are all great options. H4831 has been simple and boringly consistent/accurate for the heavier bullets in WSM for me. You'll likely find more velocity available with RL26 and 7828 though. I'd skip h1000 as it's too slow burning for your application IMO. A lot of benchrest guys have used H4350 with the heavies, case fill % will be lower than the others and I wouldn't expect any better velocity than you get with 4831.
 

rootacres

WKR
Joined
Jan 5, 2018
Messages
1,025
When I owned a 300 WSM I went with H4831SC with good success. Fast forward a couple short mags later, I have a 7 SAUM that really likes H4350. The H4350, in my experience, doesn't yield the greatest velocity in a cartridge but the SDs are fantastic. I haven't tried pushing a bullet heavier than 180 gr yet with that powder but the marginal loss in velocity hasn't been enough for me to want to switch.
 

Umpcoos

FNG
Joined
Mar 27, 2018
Messages
30
Location
OR
Several years ago, I worked up a good load for my 300wsm with rl26 and 190gr ablr. Speed and accuracy was good but had problems with ejector marks and bolt lift in warm temps. Switched to rl16 and got similar velocity, around 2920, but no perceptible temp sensitivity. Thats what i settled on. Before trying rl powders I did the 4831sc thing because I read so many things about it being a "go to" powder for short mags. I was underwhelmed, both by speed and accuracy, and I worked it all the way up to a compressed load. I've had better results with 4831sc in more traditional cases like 30-06.
 

Jmort1754

WKR
Joined
Aug 17, 2018
Messages
1,265
What are you getting for velocities
2685 on average. loaded them at 2.9 COAL and they shoot fantastic, now to get my 300 prc to shoot that good.

Did chase velocity and ran it to 2790 before getting significant pressure.
 

Jmort1754

WKR
Joined
Aug 17, 2018
Messages
1,265
2685 on average. loaded them at 2.9 COAL and they shoot fantastic, now to get my 300 prc to shoot that good.

Did chase velocity and ran it to 2790 before getting significant pressure.
Should try h100v have 8 lbs of it but man it shoots good.
 
Joined
Feb 24, 2016
Messages
2,182
I have had great success with IMR 4064. 61 grains topped with 150 grain winchester silvertip.
 
Joined
Feb 24, 2016
Messages
2,182
Out of my rifle (ABolt-II W/BOSS) it is about 3250. Powder is cheaper and easier to find, it is an accurate load (3/4" groups at 100 yards) and the recoil is very mild. Similar to a 243. I don't get hung up on velocity spreads as I only shoot out to 400 yards. So it doesn't make much of a difference when shooting at a deer sized animal. I get 4" groups at 400 yards. And that's fine by me. I only have a 12X scope on the gun so that is about all I will ever achieve. Cant hit what you cant see. lol Never have been a ribbon chaser. Just a practical shooter/reloader.

Killed the deer in my avatar with that load. He was a big deer. Took 2 shots but I used to hunt Pennsylvania so I never stop shooting until they hit the dirt. lol
 
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