300 RUM - Hodgdon US869

[Varmint Hunter]

I've been using Hodgdon's US869 in the 300 RUM with Berger 210 VLD bullets. 101.1 gr of 869 gives me 3,150 ft/sec in a 27" Broughton bbl with single digit SD. Accuracy @ 200yds has been .5 moa and better. Pressure appears to be less than any other loads that I've tried.

Has anyone else been using 869 and heavy bullets in their RUM?

 

[royinidaho]

Answer is Yes.

However my RUM is a 338. Bullet is 300 SMK. Single digit ES. Typically identical velocitys 5 out of six shots and the wild one is always 1 FPS high. Accuracy is 1/5 minute or better.


Thanks for posting. I think a trend is in the process of being discovered.

 

[rhouser]

I am interested in your finding. I have been shooting the Retumbo with the 200 smks, but, I have a box of the berger 210 hunters. I may get a pound of the US869 and see how it does. I am shooting a 26" barrel so it may turn out a little slow for me. Is anyone using the IMR 7828 ssc for anything. Availability is running my life these days. thanks for the word on US869. rc

 

[bigbuck]

Thanks for the post , I shoot 210 grain bergers I also have a broughton heavy contour barrel man they are sweeeet I currently use retumbo but I have 1 pound of us 869 just setting on the bench looks like I'm going to try your load this week I'll post back and let you know how it turns out for me
Thanks again for the info.

 

[royinidaho]

Is anyone using the IMR 7828 ssc for anything. Availability is running my life these days. . rc

Yep, in my 270 AM 7828ssc is the goto powder for 140/150 class bullets. Its the only stick powder that I've tried that doesn't bridge. Load is around 83 grains for either bullet.

Velocities are 3600+ and 3500+ respectively. Accuracy is outstanding.

It will be back to US 869 when WC 169s appear.

 

[bigbuck]

Varmint hunter, What is your OAL on your us 869 load? I have loaded up a few rounds last night my OAL is 3.675 . US 869 101.1 GRAINS

bigbuck

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I don't measure for a traditional OAL. I use a Stoney Point gauge and measure off the ogive. I am currently shooting with the bullet .020" off the rifling. There is still room in the case with the 101.1 gr of US869 and I haven't seen any indication of excessive pressure yet. However, 3,150 ft/sec with a 210gr bullet is as fast as I'm interested in pushing them big boys.

Thankfully I had Kirby put one of his PK brakes on the Broughton. The big 300 RUM recoils less than my .308 win.

 

[rhouser]

Big Buck, post what you find with the US869. I am following this closely. On the subject of Muzzle Brakes, I have been thinking about a brake if I can find one that won't blind and/or deafen my spotter (maybe won't need a spotter if the brake calms things down enough.) Is there such a thing? rc

 

[royinidaho]

Big Buck, post what you find with the US869. I am following this closely. On the subject of Muzzle Brakes, I have been thinking about a brake if I can find one that won't blind and/or deafen my spotter (maybe won't need a spotter if the brake calms things down enough.) Is there such a thing? rc

A brake and a properly set up rifle will allow spotting your own hits. BUT, there is always a need for a spotter (second person).

Get the hearing protection (muffs) for both of you with the voice/hearing capability., use plugs also, if you would like to).

Keep lots of batteries on hand, JIC.

Makes for great communication during the shot prep.

 

[bigbuck]

Big Buck, post what you find with the US869. I am following this closely. On the subject of Muzzle Brakes, I have been thinking about a brake if I can find one that won't blind and/or deafen my spotter (maybe won't need a spotter if the brake calms things down enough.) Is there such a thing? rc[/quote

I will be glad to share my outcome with you only thing is I'm tied up with work right now so I don't know when I'll get to shoot well I should be able to labor day About the muzzle break I got mine from shawn at defensive edge he told me that if your in the right postion you can spot your shots as close as 500 yrds I will say this his break made my 300rum using 210 bergers kick like or less than a 7mm-08 and .308 I shot my rifle then my inlaws .308 that had 150 grainers so I didn't kick at all and I thought my BIG 30 kicks less the only thing I would reccomend is that you get a cap that will protect the threads so when your hunting old horns and he don't always hang out at 500-1000 yrds you want have to worry about your ears hunting in the thick stuff One of the best things I've ever done for my rifle was put shawns break on it, worth every penny!

Big buck

 

[Chopaka81]

I wish I had read this post yesterday. Just loaded up 20 rds incrementing upwards from 98.0 grs to 99.0, then 100.0, 100.5, & stopping at 101.0 grs. I am loading the 208gr AMAX, using FED 215 primers and RP brass (4 rds each). Mainly looking for pressure right now.

FWIW, One LRH member regularly feeds his 300 RUM 104.0 grs of US 869 driving a 240gr SMK.

I am going to proceed upwards from 101.0 grs in 0.5 grs steps mic'ing the case heads as I go.

I have a 30" Benchmark barrel on my rifle.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I wish I had read this post yesterday. Just loaded up 20 rds incrementing upwards from 98.0 grs to 99.0, then 100.0, 100.5, & stopping at 101.0 grs. I am loading the 208gr AMAX, using FED 215 primers and RP brass (4 rds each). Mainly looking for pressure right now.

FWIW, One LRH member regularly feeds his 300 RUM 104.0 grs of US 869 driving a 240gr SMK.

I am going to proceed upwards from 101.0 grs in 0.5 grs steps mic'ing the case heads as I go.

I have a 30" Benchmark barrel on my rifle.

I'd be very interested in your observations.

 

[Chopaka81]

Today I got in a brief range session with the Rummy, 208gr AMAX's, Fed 215GM primers, RP Brass, and US869 powder. The results were very promising. nice groups, 0.4 to 0.8 @ 100 meters. No signs of pressure even at 101.0 grs of US869.

I did not cronograph the loads, I was mainly looking for pressure sings and then accuracy. I mic'd the case heads and I have not detected expansion. Today I shot 4 rds of each charge, stopping to clean the bore after each 4 shot group. After cleaning I fired a fowling shot from the next level and then 3 for accuracy.

I seat my bullets out just off the lands, they are to long for the magazine. I did not measure the COL, I will post it later.

I am going to continue in 0.4 grs steps upwards from 102.0 grs to 104.4 grs using the same components listed above. I will cronograph from here up.

Wonder how everyone is doing?

 

[Chopaka81]

I completed my range testing of the 208gr AMAX loads of 102.0 grs thru to 104.0 grs. The group sizes are coming in nicely, had one sweet load at 102.5gr (1/4 moa, 3164 fps avg) and then it opened back up (1 moa).
As I continued upwards towards 104.0 they began to decrease to 1/2 moa & 3224 fps avg.
I am going to continue upwards in 0.3 grs steps towards 106.0grs as I continue to look for another dip in group sizes.
I have been carefully mic'ing my cases and so far no pressure signs.
I am using FED 215 GM primers.