Remington 700 Sendero I with long throat.

[DeNirosGame]

First off, I wanted to say this forum has been a great resource since I first started handloading 6 months ago.

My question is this. My gun is a 300 win mag and the max length in my Nosler Reloading manual is 3.340 (Might be off?), but with an OAL gauge I measure an OAL of 3.585 to get a 200gr Partition to get it to the lands. Is it safe to load past the listed max length? If so, how much of a jump should I start with? What lengths would I load to find the best jump for my gun?

 

[retiredcpo]

Is this a new gun or does it have lots of rounds through it.
I usally start off around .030 off the lands
but I really dont like getting to close Just me
lots of guys load alot closer
retiredcpo

 

[Keith1]

I have a 700 that is a 300 Winchester like yours. I had a 26 inch barrel installed and long throated so that I could seat a 180 grain Partition out to an OAL of 3.6 inches. That puts the base of the bullet even with the bottom of the case neck. [case neck and shoulder juncture] The bullet does not protrude into the powder space. That way you can safely burn 2-3 grains more of powder and therefore have more velocity.

If you had a long throat but a short magazine that would be a problem. Not with a 700, just seat the bullets out long and go shooting.

Regards, Keith

 

[RT2506]

To answer your question, yes it is ok to go over the COAL listed in manuals. Those are only guide lines that will work through most any action. If you are loading for a hunting rifle I would not load closer than 10 thousands to the lands. I have stuck a bullet in the bore unloading a round that was loaded close to the lands and did not have a cleaning rod and it ruined a days hunt. To find your best accuracy start at 10 thousands off and seat 5 rounds at 10 thousands deeper until you get 40 thousands off the lands. Repeat your best grouping depth to verify and then seat 5 rounds 5 thousands longer and shorter to see if it makes things better.

 

[cfvickers]

I too have a factory 700 in .300 win mag that has a very long throat. In fact I cannot get a 168 VLD to the lands. My Magazine will hold rounds up to 3.610 so it never has been a problem. And no it isn't just a rifle that has been fired a lot and the throat worn. Mine MAY have 150 rounds through it since new.

 

[Trickymissfit]

Kieth: I'd be carefull about that extra two or three grains of powder. Not saying it won't work for you, but move up slowly as that's a big jump and the pressure spike nearly squares itself.

I think the issue here is a compound thing that is rather common with Remington rifles. First thing I'd check is the actual chamber deminsions (not the throat!). I have seen many Remingtons that had the necks chambered almost .100" longer that the case spec. That can be a good thing as well as a bad thing. Of course you will almost never have to trim cases! (I like that part!) So brass flow is not a major issue with the exception of the "dreaded doughnut" in the neck. The next issue is that it appears that Remington is adding some freebore to the throat to further reduce recoil. My next step would be a chamber & throat cast just to see what is actually there. My guess is that you have a chamber with plenty of free bore cut in it.

If the rifle shoots good for you, I'd just live with it! Seat the bullets out to to what you consider to be safe in the neck, and have fun. The otherway (if you don't like the long throat) is to do a three thread setback on the barrel, and then rechamber to what you are after. This will take about .180" out of the throat (you could go .240" and take it all out). Myself, I'd live with it for awhile
gary

 

[elkaholic]

Kieth: I'd be carefull about that extra two or three grains of powder. Not saying it won't work for you, but move up slowly as that's a big jump and the pressure spike nearly squares itself.

I think the issue here is a compound thing that is rather common with Remington rifles. First thing I'd check is the actual chamber deminsions (not the throat!). I have seen many Remingtons that had the necks chambered almost .100" longer that the case spec. That can be a good thing as well as a bad thing. Of course you will almost never have to trim cases! (I like that part!) So brass flow is not a major issue with the exception of the "dreaded doughnut" in the neck. The next issue is that it appears that Remington is adding some freebore to the throat to further reduce recoil. My next step would be a chamber & throat cast just to see what is actually there. My guess is that you have a chamber with plenty of free bore cut in it.

If the rifle shoots good for you, I'd just live with it! Seat the bullets out to to what you consider to be safe in the neck, and have fun. The otherway (if you don't like the long throat) is to do a three thread setback on the barrel, and then rechamber to what you are after. This will take about .180" out of the throat (you could go .240" and take it all out). Myself, I'd live with it for awhile
gary

+1 on the powder charge! It may HOLD 2-3 more grains but you don't want to put that much more in if you are any where near max to begin with....Rich

 

[Keith1]

If you 2 guys don't understand why you can seat the bullet out and safely use more powder I sure am not going to waste my time explaining it to you. LOL

Regards, Keith

 

[elkaholic]

If you 2 guys don't understand why you can seat the bullet out and safely use more powder I sure am not going to waste my time explaining it to you. LOL

Regards, Keith

Keith.... I'm not trying to offend anyone and no one is questioning that youcan use MORE powder with more capacity. The question is, can you use 2-3 more grains? If he was at max load already, 2-3 grains is a LOT! You would have to have to make room for 6 grains more capacity before you could do that. Just trying to keep someone from gettinn hurt .....Rich

 

[Keith1]

LOL
Regards,Keith

 

[MTumlison]

If you 2 guys don't understand why you can seat the bullet out and safely use more powder I sure am not going to waste my time explaining it to you. LOL

Regards, Keith

Not quoting word for word but if the bullets is further out of the case allowing more powder as long as the person loading/shooting knows how to recognize signs of pressure it is safe. Not only is it safe but you can get more velocity at the same pressure according to a tech blog on Berger's website!

 

[MTumlison]

And for the record my 700 sendero1 measures out at 3.915 to the lands using a comparator with 185 vlds. The longest magazine length bullet is longer than that and still can get 3 down!