30-378 loads ?

[elkslayerjc]

So Im buying a 30-378 custom McMillan/Harris rifle from a friend, I should have it in my hands in a week or so and I need some help getting started with a load. I want to load the 210 Berger VLD's and this is going to be a hunting rifle. What I mean is, I need a stable but functional powder that works well in 10 degrees up to 90 degrees. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Tumbleweed]

Retumbo for your monster. H1000 could work too. Might consider the new 230 or 215 Berger hybrids, they are being successfully used on game already and from what I understand Berger will be making an official hunting labeled version of these soon. These would really shine out of your 30-378.

[Broz]

H-1000 is my choice for the 30-378's I have owned. With a 210 Berger start at 96 gr and work up. I found very good accuracy and case life at 98 gr.

Tumbleweed is correct about the 230's they seem to be made for the 30-378 as we are seeing very good accuracy and velocity. Again we use H-1000 and I would start about 94 gr.

Jeff

[elkslayerjc]

Thanks guys for the info. Does anyone know a date that berger will come out with a VLD in a 215 or a 230grn? I will try these options. I use H1000 in my 300 ultra and it works great. Thanks again for the info.

[Tumbleweed]

Originally Posted by elkslayerjc

Thanks guys for the info. Does anyone know a date that berger will come out with a VLD in a 215 or a 230grn? I will try these options. I use H1000 in my 300 ultra and it works great. Thanks again for the info.

I have not heard of any VLD design bullets in 215 and 230 coming out. The hunting bullets in these weights will be of the Hybrid design like the high B/C target versions which is a secant and tangent ogive for easier tuning. They actually have a higher B/C than a VLD in the same weight projectile. The hunting version when it comes out should shoot exactly the same at the "target" hybrids. This is what Bob Beck from Extreme Outer Limits TV told me in a conversation a couple of weeks ago. So in theory a person could work up loads in either of these and switch to the "hunting" design of the same weight once they come out and not have a problem. Something to keep in mind, the 215 Hybrid seems to be a more aggressive, sexier ogive that ends up making the COAL longer than the 230 hybrid if you're wanting to touch or get close to the rifling. I noticed that my COAL was .048" longer with the 215 touching the rifling than it was with the 230 touching. I haven't heard a release date, I know Berger has LOTS going on now with brand new bullets coming out and testing of bullets in the prototype phases, it could be a while. Bryan Litz or Eric Stecker at Berger may be able to give you an idea on dates if you shoot them an e-mail or PM, I would like to know myself.

[Spuds]

The best groups with my rifle were loaded with H50BMG. Just another option. H50BMG is also temperature stable like Retumbo and H1000.

[elkslayerjc]

Thanks Tumbleweed for the great info. I will get some of the hybrid bullets and give them a whirl.