300 wm/retumbo/208 amax--anybody?

[30-06 boy]

i would like to try some retumbo in my 300wm with the 208 amax.is this too slow of a powder to get descent velocity?i know it works well in bigger 30 and 338 calibers.has anyone used it with success in thier 300wm? 180 grain,200,220 grain bullets?thanks jason

 

[kraky]

I can tell you a bit about retumbo because I've used it in 300 wby and 300 win. For me it is a kind of "different powder" when it comes to compressed loads. EVERYONE SOUNDS LIKE A BROKEN RECORD ABOUT SAYING "WORK UP". But I think retumbo merits more attention than other powders. When you run highly compressed loads it doesn't make the normal crunching sound....it kind of squeaks as it packs. I've pulled bullets loaded with retumbo and had a hard time shaking it loose once packed. Here's an example of how I got in a bit of trouble with it and why you should be careful.....
I've gotten up to 83 grains under a 200 ab and then seated it to 3.340 for my tikka. It cranked out about 2925 fps. There were no signs of pressure. So, I say to mayself lets try the same load under a 180 tsx. The tsx has way less bearing area and probably takes up less case room.......off to the range and......I'm cranking 3250 out of a 24" barrel and primer pockets are totally shot....but not blown. NOw in normal conditions I don't think the 180 tsx is gonna make more pressure than a 200 ab but in this case there was something about the compression of the powder that seems to have had a BIG INFLUENCE.
I guess my best advice is to use H1000 data..and work up slightly from there with the retumbo and see what you get. Watch compressed loads....highly compressed seemed to "tame it down" while a less compressed load was more volatile. I think it's a good powder but needs to be worked with an open mind.

 

[grpolarbear]

retumbo data

30-06 boy,hodgdons website lists data for two bullets,a 200 gr nosler and a 220 gr sierra.Maybe you could start low on the 220 data and carefully work up.Perhaps some of the more experienced guys could offer opinions on this approach?My reasons for wanting to try retumbo is that I have,nt really heard any negatives about it yet,and it looks like it will produce good velocity.R22 looks like it gives good velocity but some guys say it is somewhat hard on barrels and inconsistent from lot to lot.H1000 velocity numbers seem a little low to me.Imr 7828 is another probably worth looking at too.Sooner or later I,m just going to have to just try one for myself I guess.Good luck and I,ll let you know if I come up with any more Info.GRPB

 

[StuMac]

Currently using the 208gr AMax in my 300wm Sendero, atop 77gr AR2217 (H-1000) and Federal 215gmm primer. Velocity is 2840fps. Accuracy is 0.75MOA @ 200m, but I still have a bit to play around with this.

The ADI manual lists higher velocities obtained with AR2225 (Retumbo) than AR2217 with both 200 and 220 gr bullets, and I will be trying this in the future.

 

[30-06 boy]

i've tried h4831,rl22,imr7828,h1ooo,rl25 in my 300wm.imr7828 is the best so far with any bullet.was just looking at retumbo as another possibility.shot the amaxes at 625yards last fall with imr7828,bullets in the lands shot around 5" for 3 shots.i think i will try and "fine tune" this load.thanks,jason

 

[6mm Shooter]

I have also tried RL 22, H1000, and IMR 7828 with the 208 and have found 7828 to be the best. I am shooting 75gr with the bullet 10 thousandths into the lands and the the velocity out of a 28" barrel is 3030fps. I have Retumbo loaded up to try to see if I can find something better.

 

[Nomad]

Been using RL-25 with 215M, Win Brass and the 208's loaded to alliant powder charge
off their site. Results were good for loads to 77.5gr with 75gr shooting the best not much
difference in brass pressure signs. All shot less than a moa.
As always start low and work up for all chambers are different...LOL.

 

[Pdvdh]

300 WM, 210 Berger, Retumbo

I just loaded and fired some Retumbo today in my 25.5" Lilja barreled 300 WM.
These three loads were a followup to a ladder test I shot last weekend.

Lapua brass;
CCI 250 primers;
Bullets seated 0.007" into the lands;
Chronographs 10-15 feet from muzzle;

79.0 gr Retumbo - 4 shots averaged 2899 fps
ES=13
SD=7
4 shots - 1 3/8" @300 yd

79.5 gr Retumbo - 3 shots averaged 2936 fps
ES=31
SD=16
3 shots - 1 1/8" @300 yd

80.0 gr Retumbo - 3 shots averaged 2950 fps
ES=35
SD=18
3 shots - 1 5/8" @300 yd

Other than the ladder test and these groups, I've never used Retumbo in the 300 WM before. I'm going to try 79.2 or 79.3 gr and shoot at 600 yds next time out. Retumbo is providing me about 75 fps more peak MV than H1000. But I think H1000 may shoot a little better with this Berger 210 in my rifle... Still a work in progress.

 

[grpolarbear]

retumbo and AMAX

300 WM,80.2 gr retumbo, 208 amax.CCI 250,3.630col,rws brass in my 24 inch barreled factory savage is close to max in my rifle.I went a little beyond that today and had sticky extraction.80.4 gr grouped around 1.6 at 200 yards.I,m sure the that this rifle and load is capable of better.Maybe my next session will be better.GRPB