loading bergers for 300WSM

[northernexposure]

Interesting read... I'll be watching this one as I recently purchased a Tikka T3 HB 300 WSM. I'm still "playing" with factory loads (Federal 168 grn ttsx) for the moment in an effort to get some fire formed brass.

[DinoS]

I went on a 3 day trip with the 300 but did not get the chance to stretch the legs on this load. I have not shot it through the chrono yet either. I did however get to see what the 185's do to a bear. I was hunting chickens (Grouse) with my cousin with the 22's and scouting for good moose territory when a 200 lb blackbear stepped out at 185 laser ranged yards. We were taking a break and had water on the single burner on the tailgate for coffee when it came out. I pulled out the 300 layed down with the forend on a day pack and touched one off. The bear balled up and dropped in less than 5 yards. We were sifting through the entrails looking at the damage when my cousin asked me "where the hell is the heart". We found it, it looked like a rag. The thing was blown wide open, completely opened up. We took pictures of the thing thinking nobody would believe the damage the VLD would cause. I don't know if "I shoot better I shoot Berger" but I can say "I kill faster, I use berger".

I will have a chance soon to chrono this load. Will keep you posted.

DinoS

PS: I used the 100 yard zero at this range and point of impact was dead on. 41st bullet down the pipe.

[Broz]

Originally Posted by DinoS

but I can say "I kill faster, I use berger".
DinoS

Few that actually have tried them will argue this point.

Congrats and Nice job on your Bear. It is always nice to watch them pile up DRT.

Jeff

[DinoS]

BROZ, as I was Typing the I kill faster I use Berger I thought I would get a lot of flack but I didn't care. When I saw with my own eyes what they can do, I believe. These bullets will work great for me, they are frangable and will not tollerate being shot through brush and that's ok with me. I am no purist or saint but I have passed on some great animals because the shot did not present its self, shots others would have taken. The older I get, now 51, the more doing it right exceeds filling a tag. These do it right.

Dino

[Powerguy]

I am loading a 300WSM with 185g Berger VLD Hunting with 62.5g of H4350 at .080 off the lands (2.900 OAL) that consistently shoots 3 shots at 3/4" or less at 100yds. Tried loading from .030 to 1.00 off and didn't see much change if any in accuracy.

Interesting thing is that my second 300WSM load is the 168g Berger VLD Hunting with 64.5g H4350 also at .080 off the lands and the ballistics at 100 and 200 yards are almost identical to my 185g Berger loads. Berger seems to be conservative with their max loading recommendation comparted to the powder manufacturers. No pressure signs with either load.

[northernexposure]

Originally Posted by Powerguy

I am loading a 300WSM with 185g Berger VLD Hunting with 62.5g of H4350 at .080 off the lands (2.900 OAL) that consistently shoots 3 shots at 3/4" or less at 100yds. Tried loading from .030 to 1.00 off and didn't see much change if any in accuracy.

Interesting... I loaded some 185 grn VLD hunting as well... using the same powder. A couple differences though... I only used 59.1 grn of H4350 with winchester magnum primers and compressed them to 2.880" .
At the range, I managed to get four of five shots touching each other @ 100 yds (I goofed up on the flyer). Stretching it out to 200 yds, I managed to get five of five all within .75" .
Not too sure if any of this is relevant, but it almost says that less can be more... at times.

Additional information: Shot with ambient temperature of 15c at 927 ft above sea level. Dead calm wind conditions.