300 win mag load question?

AP218

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Nov 27, 2012
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I am kinda new to reloading and have a question. I started working up a load for my 300 win mag using R-22, nosler brass, 180 gr sliver ballistic tip bullets, and win primers. When I made my first loads with new brass I found that with 74.0 grains it would shoot 3 shots in about a dime. I then used my neck sizer and loaded some back up at 73.9, 74.0, and 74.1. Problem is now the best group I have is about 1.5 inches. Is there something obvious I have done wrong or did I just have a bad day behind the gun?
 
When's the last time the rifle has interfaced with some copper cleaner??? I've got a rifle that'll shoot in the low 3's on most days, but after about 35-40 rounds it "opens" up to 1- 1.5 inch groups, all because of fouling....
 
I love rl22 but i have found it to be temp sensitive velocities and pressure has some fluctuations

I have found that with 180's 71 grains of rl22 is a sweet node +/- .5 not the fastest but most guns shoot it rather well.
 
you should be able to go to 75 grains or so rl22 in most 300win rifles with most 180's. I like rl22 a lot in the 300win with 165's but step over to 7828 or h1000 with 180 grain or heavier bullets. I've seen others go to rl25 or retumbo for the heavy's in the 300win also.
 
like the other's said check for copper fouling, for a powder try ramshot magnum. less temp issues then rl22.
 
If I had two or three repeatable groups, I would check everything on the rifle. Then double check my loads too. Make sure everything is as I thought it was.

I shot my rifle one week and had the normal groups. Went out a week later and the groups went to 2-3 inches. Couldn't figure it out. Based on past experience, I double checked my gun and found the main screw connecting the stock to the gun was finger loose. Tighten it up and everything was fine.

I had 1/2 groups one day on my 7mm and shot 2 feet right the next. Scope screw came loose from one day to the next.
 
When I shot the first groups it was probably 65-70 outside. The second time it was more like 80-85 could that be my problem? I read that R-22 was temperature sensitive but I didn't know it would be that bad.
 
When I shot the first groups it was probably 65-70 outside. The second time it was more like 80-85 could that be my problem? I read that R-22 was temperature sensitive but I didn't know it would be that bad.


No. The speed change is about 2 FPS per degree of temp change. That would be about 20 FPS in this case.

More likely something physical with the rifle changed. Something loose ( most times you cannot feel a loose scope by wiggling it). Make sure all is torqued to specs. Also like others said, the rifle may need to be cleaned. Or.... Shooter induced... What are you using for all rest?
 
No. The speed change is about 2 FPS per degree of temp change. That would be about 20 FPS in this case.

More likely something physical with the rifle changed. Something loose ( most times you cannot feel a loose scope by wiggling it). Make sure all is torqued to specs. Also like others said, the rifle may need to be cleaned. Or.... Shooter induced... What are you using for all rest?


I have seen a much higher change than that on my last batch of rl22, 10 degree weather change made about 50 fps difference and went from no pressure signs to pressure signs but i was running it with 200gn barnes lrx and was at max charge listed.

i do agree that a fouled barrel could be the culprit to, i have to clean mine every 30-50 rounds to keep the accuracy there. especially when new. after a few hundred rounds i can go longer before cleaning.
 
Put your rounds in an ice chest with ice on the bottom and card board over it. Keep your rounds on the cool side, not only for consistency, but to replicate hunting season.
 
I've never noticed any appreciable difference in accuracy out of my 280 when using RL-22 in hot weather......
 
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