need input on my 300 WM load

I am loading for a Remington 700 Long Range, 1:10 twist, chambered in 300 WM. Action has been bedded, Timney trigger installed, along with a brake. Using 200 gr. Hornady ELD-X, Hornady brass, CCI 250 primers, and Reloader 22 powder. After almost giving up on this bullet/powder combo, I have finally gotten it to shoot a decent 3 round group. When fired at 3-4 minute intervals, I can get a 3/4" group from this load, running 3050 fps. Usually this group has two almost touching and one slight flier. Is this the best I can expect from a factory Remington barrel? Am I pushing too fast, as a good friend has suggested? If this is as good as it gets, I will continue to play with it until I burn out the barrel and re-barrel. The plan is to deer hunt with it until the day comes and I have the chance to get out West on an elk hunt. Any ideas/suggestions appreciated. Thanks.

3/4" isn't a horrible group and it may get better at distance. That said with these high BC bullets high velocity isn't always needed. I have pretty much the same set up as you have. All rifles and barrels are somewhat different. I have never been fond of Reloader powders and use Hodgdon exclusively. My load is 215 Berger, 77.5 grains H1000, CCI250 in Norma Brass. My 100 yard groups are consistently 1/4 to 3/8 in size. I have shot multiple groups at distance, 1" group at 630 yards and a 2.5" group at 1073 yards with it. This load in this rifle only has a velocity of 2850 FPS. I shot an antelope at 700 yards in an 8mph cross wind and it was a chip shot for the rifle.

I would suggest trying H1000 and look for a good group and not speed.

+1 on the H1000 powder. I used RL22 years ago but like the H1000 better. I use Nosler and ADG brass with Fed215 primers. Never tried the Hornady brass. I also like Berger 215s and really like the Nosler 180 Accubond. For deer the 200+ bullets aren't really needed. For that matter, neither is anything in the .300wm but I have one and use it from time to time when not using my .270win with 130 grain bullets and the shots are longer than a few hundred yards.

Where are you hunting your deer, and at what ranges?

Will add that I couldn't get eld x bullets to shoot out of my r700 300WM. Tried multiple powders with no real success. Rl 22 have me great speed and accuracy with the 200 gr accubonds, but would go over pressure when temps got warm. H1000 210-215 Berger is perfect. They kill elk Stone dead. 77.9 / 215m / nosler brass / coal 3.6 for me.

Try running them right at 3000 fps. Probably about .5 gr less powder.
Some guys find their accuracy node around 3030 fps.
I think you're in the ballpark, though.

Only one way to find out and that's to do it.

Edit to add: I run the ELDX, ELDM, and 215 Berger with H1000, RL26, and soon trying IMR8133.

I shoot both the 200 and 212 gr ELD-X in my 300 WM with good results. The 200 gr load is .020" off the lands with 77.5 gr of H1000, hornady brass, and CCI 250 primer. As several others have said, try H1000, it seems to be the go to powder for a lot of people in the 300 WM and for good reason.

jpfrog said:

For deer the 200+ bullets aren't really needed. For that matter, neither is anything in the .300wm

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You are right. My primary deer rifle is a 30/06. Shots are from 50-350 yards here in my part of MS. I will carry the WM some. It's main purpose is to be ready for an elk trip.

Thanks for the input. I really appreciate it. I already have some H1000 to try. I just wasn't sure if this was the best I could expect out of this combination or not. I will try the H1000 and report back. I already have a ladder test loaded up with H1000 and 180 gr. Accubonds, I just really want to use the ELD-X and it started to show promise.

I wouldn't give up on the 200 Hornady ELD-x. Powder selection and velocity does seem to make a difference in results. I have found my best results running them in the 2850-2900 FPS range in my 24" Remington 700 Milspec using H1000 and Retumbo, with 79gr of Retumbo generating about 50-75 FPS greater velocity. This group was shot at 200 yards.

In every .300WM I have ever loaded for, I have used H1000 as well. Not the highest speeds, but the best accuracy, clean burning, consistent, and extremely temperature stable. I also use Berger 210 HVLD or 215 Hybrids, and Nosler, Norma, or ADG brass (my favorite for the .300WM). CCI 250 or Fed GM215M primers. MVs are almost always between 2910-2970 where they have shot best.

I would try seating depth testing a bit, and see if that doesn't improve.

.gacton said:

Thanks for the input. I really appreciate it. I already have some H1000 to try. I just wasn't sure if this was the best I could expect out of this combination or not. I will try the H1000 and report back. I already have a ladder test loaded up with H1000 and 180 gr. Accubonds, I just really want to use the ELD-X and it started to show promise.

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You will like that combination. Like I said, I really like the 180AB. The attached photos are from barrel break in, yes, break in, with a 100% factory 5r Gen II using factory Nosler Trophy Grade 180 ammo. I have since done a bottom metal change (DBM) and swapped in a Jewell trigger...will do load dev soon as well. All of my other .300 Win mags have liked the 180 and after break in with that ammo I now have no reason to believe this one will be any different.

+1 more for h1000. I had my best groups with it an 210 Berger hunting vlds
I also use h1000 in my 243 and 115gr vlds. It's my fav powder for heavies
Very temp stable
Low es
Cooler burn
And clean

180 grain pills and under I always used h4831sc and over 180 grains I used h1000. These 2 powders seem to work good this way in every 300 win mag I have. Also in h1000 my most accurate load is not near redline in any of 300 win mags. Also hornady bullets just suck. I've shot 600 and 1000 benchrest for years and I've never seen them do for crap. They are fine for a hunting bullet but I won't use them in anything I want to be as accurate as absolutely possible. Sierra is good Berger is usually better but more touchy on seating depth.

As promised, here is an update. Switched to H1000. Didn't do a full ladder test, but using good advise and Quickload, tried a few groups from 76.5 to 77.5. 77 gave me under 3/4 MOA. Will be testing that charge this weekend with different seating depths. Right out of the box, it's better with this powder. More to come. Thanks, again!