Finished setting up the reloading room just as my Short Action Customs 300 PRC was completed. I am excited to try my hand at reloading and see what I can do with this set up. I'll be working on a 7 PRC hunting rifle after. Any help getting started would be much appreciated. I have been reading a ton of forums, manuals, and articles in preparation, but have always appreciated the wisdom on this forum.
The build:
Defiance Deviant action
MPA BA Comp Chassis
Bartlein barrel- 28"
1/9 twist
Triggertech Diamond 2-stage
TBAC SR brake
TBAC 338 Ultra suppressor (man, this thing makes shooting even more fun)
The cartridge:
Lapua brass (only prep will be neck sizing for fresh brass)
215 Berger
CCI 250 or Fed 215M primers
H1000, Retumbo, and RL26 powders
I've been breaking in the barrel with some factory Hornady 225 ELDM's (2920 FPS +/-). So far, bore sighted and shot steel at 170 yards just to get some rounds down the barrel (it was almost dark already). Appears to be within 1moa, but will set up some paper and fine tune as I shoot. My plan is to get about 80 rounds through it, give it a good cleaning, shoot some fouling rounds, and begin shooting development loads.
Based on Lyman manual and research, guessing pressure will begin in the low 80 grains with H1000. My thought was to work back from 82 grains in .3 or .5 increments, start at the bottom and shoot at 400 or 500 yards to see what happens. Hopefully find a vertical node and play with bullet depth a bit (if needed) to see how tight I can get it to group.
My questions are:
-Go with H1000 or try one of the others (or try a couple)? (If it matters, I'll be working on a 7 PRC hunting rifle soon as well and plan to dedicate a powder to each gun. I have enough H1000 and Retumbo for both. RL26 will need to be picked for one gun.)
-Is my plan sound or is there another approach you'd recommend?
Any feedback is appreciated. Pic of the rig below (Currently displayed on a tripod, but I'll be shooting prone for development).
The build:
Defiance Deviant action
MPA BA Comp Chassis
Bartlein barrel- 28"
1/9 twist
Triggertech Diamond 2-stage
TBAC SR brake
TBAC 338 Ultra suppressor (man, this thing makes shooting even more fun)
The cartridge:
Lapua brass (only prep will be neck sizing for fresh brass)
215 Berger
CCI 250 or Fed 215M primers
H1000, Retumbo, and RL26 powders
I've been breaking in the barrel with some factory Hornady 225 ELDM's (2920 FPS +/-). So far, bore sighted and shot steel at 170 yards just to get some rounds down the barrel (it was almost dark already). Appears to be within 1moa, but will set up some paper and fine tune as I shoot. My plan is to get about 80 rounds through it, give it a good cleaning, shoot some fouling rounds, and begin shooting development loads.
Based on Lyman manual and research, guessing pressure will begin in the low 80 grains with H1000. My thought was to work back from 82 grains in .3 or .5 increments, start at the bottom and shoot at 400 or 500 yards to see what happens. Hopefully find a vertical node and play with bullet depth a bit (if needed) to see how tight I can get it to group.
My questions are:
-Go with H1000 or try one of the others (or try a couple)? (If it matters, I'll be working on a 7 PRC hunting rifle soon as well and plan to dedicate a powder to each gun. I have enough H1000 and Retumbo for both. RL26 will need to be picked for one gun.)
-Is my plan sound or is there another approach you'd recommend?
Any feedback is appreciated. Pic of the rig below (Currently displayed on a tripod, but I'll be shooting prone for development).