300 RUM Load development*group pics added*

[Tikkamike]

I recently got a 300 RUM and have started load development on it. I am using 200 Barnes LRX and Retumbo with Federal 215's I first planned on starting around 90 Gr. but after consulting my Barnes manual they had a much lower starting charge... in the 70's which I found to be ridiculous.. even their max charge seemed low but reluctantly I started within their parameters and have now worked from 87 grains up to 92. I wasnt seeing much velocity increase till I got to about 89 grains, before that it was stuck at about 2950ish. and grouping seemed sub par. at 90.5 I started hitting the low 3100's and it has kind of plateaued but my groups are shrinking dramatically. I am monitoring pressure signs, the bolt lift is getting slightly stiffer but not bad I expect to find max pressure within a grain or so Then I will try it out for a while reloading the same few pieces of brass over and over to see what kind of life I can expect out of my brass. I may have to adjust it if it wears brass out too fast. I have a new box of Nosler brass sitting here and I hear its softer than other brass so I want to be sure I dont wear it out right away. I will keep you guys posted and maybe be able to come up with some useful load data for someone wanting to use 200 LRX with retumbo.

[lamiglas]

Mike,

I just finished doing load development for a friend that has the same gun you just purchased. we are using different componets, but i just thought i would share one thing.

after messing around with oal, and powder increments for a couple of weeks, it was a very consisent .7 to .9 gun. i finally changed the torque in the action screws to 40 in/lb and the groups shrunk drastically. since then it has consistently shot groups in the .4 to .5.

this gun is free floatet ,but not bedded.

[Tikkamike]

Thanks for the tip. I floated mine this weekend and plan to bed it after I have my load done and see what it does to group size.

[lamiglas]

I will be anxious to know how it turns out. He is considering bedding his, but its shooting great now, so not sure he will. I am curious to see if his point of impact changes after he takes the stock of and puts it back on. i think this is where the bedding will help.

[Tikkamike]

it will more than likely change unless he just gets lucky. I have only ever had one rifle that i could take out of the stock then replace it and not have to re zero my rifle

[lamiglas]

I have had similar experiences. if it were mine I would bed it.

[Camshaft]

I have pressure tested these3 in my 300rum and found the max to be around 92gr of Retumbo, which is giving me 3085fps with an ES of 19fps. I havn't put these on paper yet, but from the consistency i'm getting it should be fairly accurate. I had some loads at the range with me yesterday to try out, but by the time i finished messing with my 300wsm, my shoulder was done in.