300wm and 240SMK

Ksmirk said:

After the 215's no I haven't considered them, I'd rather keep in the 215 up weight range as hits at range are easier to see and hear, I'm not a tipped bullet fan unless it's varmint bullets as well as not much luck with Hornady bullets except in .224 and .172 but I've sure wished I'd have had luck with them as they are a touch less expensive.

Kirk[/

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I would look at the 230 Berger. Has the rifle proven it's capabilites? Did you do a seating depth test?

I went thru 2 boxes of the 215's, a couple of seating depth test with a couple of powders. I had a handful of old 208 amax and they would group in the 1/2"-5/8" range as well as some 175's I tried just for grins and they shot as well or better so I'd go with the rifle will shoot fair.

I figure I have a couple of choices I need to give a go but it sure would be nice to find a bullet before the barrel is shot out lol

Kirk

Ksmirk said:

28" Bartlein 9T and depending on if I'm at my folks or around home 760 - 1200 ft.

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Is it the 5R Rifling?

I agree with the others Try some 230 Hybrids and if the cost is not to much some 214 Hammers. From reports I hear the hammers seem to shoot very good. Not as high of BC as the 215 Hybrids but still good enough for hunting to 1000 in 300wm.

Yes it's a 5R.

I might give the folks at Berger a shout Monday and see if they have any tips I could have overlooked since I've never had to work this hard to get a decent grouping round with my other rifles and might see if I can talk them out of a handful of the 230's to try out prior to buying a box. In my mind the 215 and 230 are so close I don't see that my results would be that much different than I've had with the 215's honestly.

Kirk

Have you tried jambing them? You might have said already if thats the case sorry for the question.

Ksmirk said:

Yes it's a 5R.

I might give the folks at Berger a shout Monday and see if they have any tips I could have overlooked since I've never had to work this hard to get a decent grouping round with my other rifles and might see if I can talk them out of a handful of the 230's to try out prior to buying a box. In my mind the 215 and 230 are so close I don't see that my results would be that much different than I've had with the 215's honestly.

Kirk

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I shoot the 230 OTM Tactical. I use it in three of my 30 cal rifles. It shoots within my ability to aim at every seating depth from 0.010" off the lands to 0.050" off in each of those rifles. You should be able to get real close or to 2,800fps safely from your 9 twist rig. It also functions very well on game, if that is a part of your consideration.
I spent some time with the 240SMK. I found it didn't shoot as well as I hoped it would in my 30 cal magnum and it did not function with any level reliability if used as a hunting bullet. It could be just what your rifle is looking for though, especially to punch steel or paper.

.010" jam to .150" jump

Trnelson said:

I shoot the 230 OTM Tactical. I use it in three of my 30 cal rifles. It shoots within my ability to aim at every seating depth from 0.010" off the lands to 0.050" off in each of those rifles. You should be able to get real close or to 2,800fps safely from your 9 twist rig. It also functions very well on game, if that is a part of your consideration.
I spent some time with the 240SMK. I found it didn't shoot as well as I hoped it would in my 30 cal magnum and it did not function with any level reliability if used as a hunting bullet. It could be just what your rifle is looking for though, especially to punch steel or paper.

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I saw those last night digging around and they are on the style of shape as the SMK's or at least from what I could see, the SMK's I've always had great luck at any seating depth so I have a good feeling the OTM's will be on the list! Thanks for pointing that bullet out, I don't have a mess of time to dig around like I used to as life has been much more busy than I care for but ya know they always say bail hay when the sun shines

Kirk

I built a 300wm a couple years ago. I went 28in 1in9.5 and throated for 215 bergers also. The best I ever got with the bergers was 1.5in at 250yds at 2860fps. I wanted more so I tried hornady 212eld-x. 77.5gr of h1000 got me 2930fps and .4-.5 groups. Found this load and never tried anything else. 212eld-x might be worth a try. They are very impressive on deer. 14 deer I believe with this load and not one took 2 steps. My buck last year was at 890yds. I hit a touch back just ahead of mid body. He tensed up staggered 1 step back stood 5 sec and tipped over. Couldn't be happier with my setup.

I ended up Saturday picking up a couple of different bullets to give a try, some Hornady 225BTHP, 225ELD-X, and some 210SMK's and 200SMK's that are NOT going to work! at the lands there is only .045" bearing surface in the neck :-O now for the figuring out of powder charge start points and let's see where we end up. Got all my COAL's and ogive to the lands figured out as I don't have a Hornady book since I don't shoot many of their bullets but I'm sure I'll get this worked out..... ok I hope I get this worked out lol

Fella's thanks for the direction and suggestions! I appreciate the help.

Kirk

give the 200 smk's some run... they'll shoot just fine off the lands a bit... the 225 hdy should be a good choice for a heavy though

Lefty7mmstw said:

give the 200 smk's some run... they'll shoot just fine off the lands a bit... the 225 hdy should be a good choice for a heavy though

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I think they will be a little light for what I'm wanting to do with this rifle BUT I bet the velocity would be stupid lol I'd have to do some math but it would be a pretty decent jump but I've always had good luck jumping the SMK's just haven't played with the new design MK's but I'm sure I'll give them a go.

Kirk

Well finally got out to the range with the 225 BTHP Hornady bullets over some H4831SC and I was rather happy! at least I know I didn't screw up when I put the rifle together it just doesn't like the Berger's. I have a couple more bullets to give a try but after yesterday I have one load that is defiantly going into the reloading log! from the couple loads I got before the battery died here's a few..... DO NOT try these loads in a standard chamber! worst group was still under an inch the 71.5 and 72.5 were just one big hole probably 3/8-1/2" so this guy can't complain! funny how barrels just don't like some bullets but this hard head sure wanted them to shoot.

Fella's thanks for the direction and advice!

71.0 2810fps SD 18 ES 36
71.5 2802fps SD 4 ES 7
72.5 2857fps SD 1.7 ES 3 going in the books!
73.0 2881fps SD 6.5 ES 13

Kirk