300 WSM Load Development

Umpcoos

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Mar 27, 2018
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Reloder 26 will get you the best speeds but it’s not known for being temp stable. Can be fine still if you don’t work up max charge loads at 30 degrees and then take them in hot weather.

This is was why I switched to rl16. I worked up a very accurate load of Rl26 at cool temps but was having pressure signs and velocity spikes when the weather turned warm over the summer. Switched to rl16 and dropped velocity a bit, to 2920fps, but very little variation across temp swings and just as accurare as the rl26. I also like that you don't have to compress the load as much as I was needing to with the rl26.
 

granite7

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Aug 18, 2017
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Colorado Front Range
Some great loading going on in this thread!

I just thought I would drop this here from my small Muley buck this year. I used the loads I posted in this thread. 40 yards. Broke both shoulders and stopped beneath the skin on the opposite side.

df4a2f99d51ae965dd4c83df0a760e66.jpg
 

Holtc12

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Jul 25, 2017
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What increments do you guys suggest for seating depth tuning? Had some loads today where I would put two in the same hole or touching and one flyer.


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Joined
Apr 24, 2016
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I’ve had good luck with the Berger seating depth test. Load two groups of 3 at .010, .050, .090, and .130 off the lands. Shoot two separate 3 shot groups with your best powder charge... the results may surprise you.


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rhusby28

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Feb 17, 2019
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South Dakota
If you want to seat bullets at or close to the lands then I would buy a OAL gauge. It’s very possible that if you are seating the bullet just to the point of closing the bolt, the bullet is still jammed into the rifling. Backing down .030” could still get you at or close to the lands. Always start load development jumping into the lands. H4350 is excellent powder for the 300 WSM. Some Nosler bullets prefer to be jumped, but most bullets work great at .010” to .050” off the lands.
 

Tx_300wsm

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Nov 26, 2018
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This was a good read. I've got some 180gr accubonds on the way from SPS along with dies to start loading for my Tikka. Still trying to decide what powder to go with but leaning towards 4831sc for the temp stability. I'll have to update with my progress over the next couple weeks.
 
Joined
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This was a good read. I've got some 180gr accubonds on the way from SPS along with dies to start loading for my Tikka. Still trying to decide what powder to go with but leaning towards 4831sc for the temp stability. I'll have to update with my progress over the next couple weeks.

H4350 and 180 AB was money for me from an accuracy/consistent velocity standpoint. 4831 should work well, might get pretty compressed before you hit max charge though.

RL16 would be another i'd consider.
 

Tx_300wsm

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Nov 26, 2018
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I ended up having 2lbs of H4831 that I had forgot about. Loaded up 14 rounds today seated to mag length which was ~2.895 with a base to ogive of 2.267. Started charges at 66 grains increasing to 68.5 in half grain increments. Then I loaded 68.7 to 70.1 in 0.2 grain increments. Loads were compressed from 66.5 on. Hoping to get out early next week to do a ladder test.

These accubonds are definitely sexier than the partitions I've been shooting. Hoping they shoot just as well.

IMG_20190405_131625_411.jpg
 

Tx_300wsm

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Nov 26, 2018
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I know this isnt my thread, but it's a great resource for 300wsm information.

Having said that, I got out today and completed my ladder test. 180gr accubonds, fed 215, H4831 and 1x federal brass. 69.7-70.1 gr of H4831 seems to be promising. Those 3 shots gave me a 3/4 inch group at 200yds with less than that of vertical spread. I had no pressure signs at 70.1 which is 0.1 over book max. I'm gonna load 5 up at each at 69.5, 69.7, 69.9, 70.1 and 70.3 and see where that gets me. Looks promising so far though.
 

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CaNINE

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Dec 12, 2015
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Key Peninsula, WA
I’m glad to see this thread is still going. Back in Aug 2017 I mentioned that I had found the load I was looking for using H4831SC and the 200ELD-X. That load still holds up great but I can never leave we’ll enough alone....

I’ve been experimenting with the Berger 215 Hybrid in the 300WSM just to see what is possible.

Seating 0.010 off I still have enough case capacity to make the endeavor worthwhile. Using H4831SC I can push the big 215 to 2820 FPS without pressure signs and half MOA precision. ES is consistently at 13 FPS.

I have a Wyoming elk tag sitting on my desk. Come October I may put this load to the test.
 
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Anybody have any info or experience with 168 e-tips and h4350?

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Conrad

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Feb 6, 2014
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Hi there. Are you loading the 215s in a short action or long? Also what is your barrel length? Your velocity is pretty good if short action so I’m interested in your set up.

Thanks!


I’m glad to see this thread is still going. Back in Aug 2017 I mentioned that I had found the load I was looking for using H4831SC and the 200ELD-X. That load still holds up great but I can never leave we’ll enough alone....

I’ve been experimenting with the Berger 215 Hybrid in the 300WSM just to see what is possible.

Seating 0.010 off I still have enough case capacity to make the endeavor worthwhile. Using H4831SC I can push the big 215 to 2820 FPS without pressure signs and half MOA precision. ES is consistently at 13 FPS.

I have a Wyoming elk tag sitting on my desk. Come October I may put this load to the test.




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Joined
Apr 24, 2016
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360
I’ve been running the 215 Berger with Reloder 26 in my Winchester model 70. The Winny has a great mag box and a long throat, allowing me to run a COAL of over 3”. I’m running the 215’s at a .090 jump in a 24” barrel @2830fps with 68.5 grains in Federal brass. Since I’m so “smart” I tried switching to Norma brass... I had to back down to 66.3 grains to get the heavy bolt lift and ejector marks to subside. This yields 2795 fps. Especially in the short mags, there is nothing wrong with running fully prepped Winchester or Federal brass. Sort it, prep it, and pack it full.


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Shamus382

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Sep 12, 2019
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Reloder 17 is fast but temp sensitive. Any of the 4350 powders or RL-26 works well with the heavies. I really like RL-26 in my 300 WSM.


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So new too the site. Do you have any load data you could share for the 200gr bullets? I want to work a load for the 300wsm and 200gr eldx. Using rl26
 

ahard.270

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Jun 22, 2019
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So new too the site. Do you have any load data you could share for the 200gr bullets? I want to work a load for the 300wsm and 200gr eldx. Using rl26
Below is data ran in quick load for 212gr in 300 wsm
 

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MTNHUNTER76

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Google Erik Cortina load development.

I draw a horizontal line across a piece of cardboard with a sharpie. Vertical intersecting lines every 5'' apart for aim point. This will let you see what your groups are doing. I do ld in .5 gr increments. Foul barrel, do not clean between groups. You should notice a node where groups will start coming together. measure groups to find this. Load to the middle of that node. After powder charge has been established you can begin adjusting seating depth for best possible results small differences of 3-5 thou can make a big difference.

Start 10 thou off rifling and work back in small increments. Make sure you are using a good quality bullet. A high power scope really helps to. I do ld on 35x.
 

ahard.270

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Joined
Jun 22, 2019
Messages
32
Google Erik Cortina load development.

I draw a horizontal line across a piece of cardboard with a sharpie. Vertical intersecting lines every 5'' apart for aim point. This will let you see what your groups are doing. I do ld in .5 gr increments. Foul barrel, do not clean between groups. You should notice a node where groups will start coming together. measure groups to find this. Load to the middle of that node. After powder charge has been established you can begin adjusting seating depth for best possible results small differences of 3-5 thou can make a big difference.

Start 10 thou off rifling and work back in small increments. Make sure you are using a good quality bullet. A high power scope really helps to. I do ld on 35x.
What seating depth are you using during you powder charge tests?
 

Tx_300wsm

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Nov 26, 2018
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83
Keeping this thread alive. I haven’t hunted or shot much in the last 2 years but finally got around today to test some loads I made last year for my Tikka. 180gr accubonds, H4831, Fed 215 and new Nosler brass. These are all compressed loads, loaded to factory mag length.

I loaded 3 rounds at each powder weight in .3 increments beginning with 67, and stopped at 68.5 when groups started to open back up. My SD’s were excellent in all these loads with the highest being 10.4 and lowest being 4. I had three groups under 1”.

67.9gr gave me a .75” group with a SD of 4.3 and an avg of 2882. Need to load some more to confirm, but I’m hopeful I found my new hunting load.
 

BPollard

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Jan 31, 2021
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223
I have a CA Traverse 300 WSM I shoot 180 Barnes TTSX with 69.1 Superformance 2.9135". I took a Moose last fall 585 yds. Also 165 Burnes TTSX 67.6 H4350 2.8820" for some reason the smaller bullet liked to be seated in little more than the 180 gr.
 
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