300 Win Mag Build and Loading Questions.

[Capt RB]

I just ran Bergers stability calculator for Nosler's Accubond Long Range 180-gr. 30 caliber bullet leaving at 3100 fps from a 1:12 twist in 30 and 90 degree temps at 5000 feet elevation. Results were in the low range 1.51 and 1.70 stating good stability.

Do you mean the 180 accubond or the 190 ABLR
There is a significant difference
The 190 ablr at (1.460")5000' and 30 degree is marginally stable at 1.36 at sea level and 59 degrees it's 1.2.
The 180grn is a different profile and not nearly as efficient.
I shot the 190 serria in both the military and competition for many years. I loved that bullet and had many great rounds with it but it is not near as good as what we have available off the shelf today. We have a palma 155.5 bullet that is damm near as slippery that would be great in a 12 or 13 twist.

 

[Bart B]

Do you mean the 180 accubond or the 190 ABLR
There is a significant difference.

Well now, thanks for your comment.

I erred using their standard Accubond 180, not the LR version.

I did not make a mistake. i was weak in being right.

But I'd still use the standard one for hunting with a 1:12 twist.

 

[Wisner74]

So it seems I still get to learn something everyday. Using the Berger Ballistics Calculator on 4 of their Hunting rounds: @ 3100 FPS and 5000' for 1:12 Twist

168 Grain Match Grade VLD 30 degrees = SG 1.84, 50 degrees = SG 1.91

175 Grain Match Grade VLD 30 degrees = SG 1.79, 50 degrees = SG 1.86

185 Grain Match Grade VLD 30 degrees = SG 1.56, 50 degrees = SG 1.62

190 Grain Match Grade VLD 30 degrees = SG 1.63, 50 degrees = SG 1.70

With this info and what I learned today is that all these will perform well. My question is, is the higher the SG better??

It seems to me for hunting mountain Goat, Sheep, Deer I might go with the 175 Grain Berger VLD???

 

[Bart B]

So it seems I still get to learn something everyday.

With this info and what I learned today is that all these will perform well. My question is, is the higher the SG better??

Yes.

But the further it is above 1.6, accuracy starts to degrade. I'd not want velocity and twist to make a bullet's SG any higher for best accuracy; keep 'em in the 1.50 to 1.59 range.

Accurate shooting plus bullet performance require compromises. Make smart ones.

It seems to me for hunting mountain Goat, Sheep, Deer I might go with the 175 Grain Berger.

Very smart compromise with a 1:12 twist barrel.

 

[TOM H]

So it seems I still get to learn something everyday. Using the Berger Ballistics Calculator on 4 of their Hunting rounds: @ 3100 FPS and 5000' for 1:12 Twist

168 Grain Match Grade VLD 30 degrees = SG 1.84, 50 degrees = SG 1.91

175 Grain Match Grade VLD 30 degrees = SG 1.79, 50 degrees = SG 1.86

185 Grain Match Grade VLD 30 degrees = SG 1.56, 50 degrees = SG 1.62

190 Grain Match Grade VLD 30 degrees = SG 1.63, 50 degrees = SG 1.70

With this info and what I learned today is that all these will perform well. My question is, is the higher the SG better??

It seems to me for hunting mountain Goat, Sheep, Deer I might go with the 175 Grain Berger VLD???

What you may want to get is this

Ballistics Calculator | Applied Ballistics, LLC


Bryan Litz has his own program with many features and you will learn from an expert.

 

[Edd]

If I build a 30 caliber, 300 RCM, to shoot the new Hornady 178 gr ELD-X at 2850 fps and use a 9" twist barrel, is it not going to be accurate?

 

[Wisner74]

What you may want to get is this

Ballistics Calculator | Applied Ballistics, LLC


Thanks for this info. With this and the direction that Bartb pointed me in I am going to experiment with the 185, 190, and 210 grain Berger Hunting VLD as well as a few noshers maybe.

Now to the next question, what powders and primer do you guys recommend. Or should I just go out of the Berger Reloading Manual??


And again thanks for all the help everyone

 

[Bart B]

If I build a 30 caliber, 300 RCM, to shoot the new Hornady 178 gr ELD-X at 2850 fps and use a 9" twist barrel, is it not going to be accurate?

Not as accurate as a 1:12 twist barrel; in my opinion. It'll spin that bullet way too fast.

Use Berger's Ballistic software posted earlier to find out what twist it'll do best at 2850.

 

[Bart B]

Now to the next question, what powders and primer do you guys recommend. Or should I just go out of the Berger Reloading Manual??

I'd use IMR4350 or RL17.

 

[Edd]

Not as accurate as a 1:12 twist barrel; in my opinion. It'll spin that bullet way too fast.

Use Berger's Ballistic software posted earlier to find out what twist it'll do best at 2850.

I did that. It's not easy to define best when your temps range from 30° - 70° and the altitude changes from 700 ft to 7000 ft. The minimum twist recommendation ranges from 12" to 10.3".

 

[TOM H]

What you may want to get is this

Ballistics Calculator | Applied Ballistics, LLC


Thanks for this info. With this and the direction that Bartb pointed me in I am going to experiment with the 185, 190, and 210 grain Berger Hunting VLD as well as a few noshers maybe.

Now to the next question, what powders and primer do you guys recommend. Or should I just go out of the Berger Reloading Manual??


And again thanks for all the help everyone

I think maybe next question should be throating and that may be something you should talk to your gunsmith about. I have Berger manual and for the 185gr they have 14 powders listed,15 powder for the 210gr,13 for the 190gr.


There lot of guys that hunt here and maybe not with your twist but could still help you out and those are the guy you need to listen too and if someone give you load ask what they hunt with it.

Well good luck

 

[bigngreen]

Stop, hold up here!! Before you go of the deep end with the twist calculator you gotta remember you hunting here, those who take game with the 30 cal Berger in a magnum predominantly use three bullets, the 210, 215 and 230, why you ask, because they have tested solid and reliable on game in those chamberings! Do not be deceived by I can shoot it therefore it's a good bulet to shoot an elk with!!
You have two goals, precision shooting AND terminal performance!!

 

[bigngreen]

By the way, Bryan Litz is tearing it up with a 9 twist 308 shooting a 215 Berger.

 

[Wisner74]

Stop, hold up here!! Before you go of the deep end with the twist calculator you gotta remember you hunting here, those who take game with the 30 cal Berger in a magnum predominantly use three bullets, the 210, 215 and 230, why you ask, because they have tested solid and reliable on game in those chamberings! Do not be deceived by I can shoot it therefore it's a good bulet to shoot an elk with!!
You have two goals, precision shooting AND terminal performance!!

There have been two guys in my life that I have seen shoot nothing but 180 grain off the shelf hunting bullets. One who is my father who has hunted Hunted Wyoming and Montana for 40 consecutive years. I have seen his terminal performance in the Deer, Moose, Elk, and bear that he has killed. The other is my hunting partner who's Trophy room truly shows Terminal Performance.

Again I am by no means going to go against what anyone has said, and I value all input. But the fact is I am looking for help with the "TOOL THAT I HAVE"!!