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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Rifles, Bullets, Barrels & Ballistics
300 Raptor, first results....
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<blockquote data-quote="Fiftydriver" data-source="post: 546544" data-attributes="member: 10"><p>I was able to do a bit more velocity testing for the 300 Raptor today on my lunch break. I never seem to get much lunch when I have a new wildcat to play with!!! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big Grin :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /> </p><p>I decided I wanted to see what the slow ball powders would do in this round. The slow burning ball powders had worked extremely well in the 300 Allen Xpress, in fact US869 produced the highest velocity in the 300 AX with bullet weights from 200 to 240 grains. This was compared to Retumbo, Ramshot Magnum and Rl-25.</p><p> </p><p>Since the 300 Raptor has an even lower expansion ratio it should respond just as well to these ultra slow burning ball powders. I looked around the shop to see what powders I had that could work. My supply of US869 had pretty much been used up. I did have an 8 lb keg of WC872 on the shelf and then I looked over on the powder rack and remembered the 48 lbs of WC860 I had ordered in a couple years ago when the WC872 dried up.</p><p> </p><p>Some say WC860 is faster burning then WC872, I have never seen this but I will say that it certainly can be depending on the lot of powder you have so always start low and work up to listed loads. I decided I would test WC860 for the 300 Raptor since I had such a large supply of the same lot of WC860.</p><p> </p><p>I decided to start at 115.0 gr which I believed would be a VERY comfortable starting load but again, I had not tested this lot of powder before so I wanted to start at a very safe starting point.</p><p> </p><p>Here are the velocity results:</p><p> </p><p>115.0 gr..............................3076 fps (VERY mild load)</p><p>119.0 gr..............................3213 fps</p><p>121.0 gr..............................3280 fps</p><p>123.0 gr..............................3318 fps</p><p>125.0 gr..............................3387 fps (slight ejector ring on case head)</p><p>126.0 gr..............................3422 fps (slight ejector ring on case head)</p><p> </p><p>I stopped at 126 fps for a couple reasons, the first was 126.0 gr was roughly a 99 to 100% load density and also I only have a limited number of cases until my next order comes in so I did not want to blow any more primer pockets.</p><p> </p><p>To that topic, Primer pockets held tight throughout testing even up to and including 126.0 gr load level. </p><p> </p><p>WC860 offered even higher load densities then H-50BMG and also produces slightly higher velocities as well. </p><p> </p><p>I decided to load up a batch of test loads for long range accuracy testing at 124.0 gr which should produce around 3350 fps. Now H-50BMG can also get to this level of velocity but you do get some primer pocket loosening with that powder at this level of velocity. At 3350 fps with WC860, there was no primer pocket loosening at all. </p><p> </p><p>Nothing is for free however, as mentioned before the slow ball powders are not as stable over wide temp changes so its not a powder choice that is recommended for hunting in a wide range of different enviornments. If you hunt in one general location, it can be made to work very well and infact very consistantly. </p><p> </p><p>I also found something interesting with the earlier H-50BMG loads. I believe I was seeing some mild powder bridging with this powders. I had several shots that had dramatic velocity jumps and pressure signs while other shots with the same load did not show the same results. </p><p> </p><p>Using WC860 eliminated these velocity spikes which makes me think it was a powder bridging issue with H-50BMG.</p><p> </p><p>Next test will be to get out and do some long range accuracy testing probably around the end of the week.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Fiftydriver, post: 546544, member: 10"] I was able to do a bit more velocity testing for the 300 Raptor today on my lunch break. I never seem to get much lunch when I have a new wildcat to play with!!! :D I decided I wanted to see what the slow ball powders would do in this round. The slow burning ball powders had worked extremely well in the 300 Allen Xpress, in fact US869 produced the highest velocity in the 300 AX with bullet weights from 200 to 240 grains. This was compared to Retumbo, Ramshot Magnum and Rl-25. Since the 300 Raptor has an even lower expansion ratio it should respond just as well to these ultra slow burning ball powders. I looked around the shop to see what powders I had that could work. My supply of US869 had pretty much been used up. I did have an 8 lb keg of WC872 on the shelf and then I looked over on the powder rack and remembered the 48 lbs of WC860 I had ordered in a couple years ago when the WC872 dried up. Some say WC860 is faster burning then WC872, I have never seen this but I will say that it certainly can be depending on the lot of powder you have so always start low and work up to listed loads. I decided I would test WC860 for the 300 Raptor since I had such a large supply of the same lot of WC860. I decided to start at 115.0 gr which I believed would be a VERY comfortable starting load but again, I had not tested this lot of powder before so I wanted to start at a very safe starting point. Here are the velocity results: 115.0 gr..............................3076 fps (VERY mild load) 119.0 gr..............................3213 fps 121.0 gr..............................3280 fps 123.0 gr..............................3318 fps 125.0 gr..............................3387 fps (slight ejector ring on case head) 126.0 gr..............................3422 fps (slight ejector ring on case head) I stopped at 126 fps for a couple reasons, the first was 126.0 gr was roughly a 99 to 100% load density and also I only have a limited number of cases until my next order comes in so I did not want to blow any more primer pockets. To that topic, Primer pockets held tight throughout testing even up to and including 126.0 gr load level. WC860 offered even higher load densities then H-50BMG and also produces slightly higher velocities as well. I decided to load up a batch of test loads for long range accuracy testing at 124.0 gr which should produce around 3350 fps. Now H-50BMG can also get to this level of velocity but you do get some primer pocket loosening with that powder at this level of velocity. At 3350 fps with WC860, there was no primer pocket loosening at all. Nothing is for free however, as mentioned before the slow ball powders are not as stable over wide temp changes so its not a powder choice that is recommended for hunting in a wide range of different enviornments. If you hunt in one general location, it can be made to work very well and infact very consistantly. I also found something interesting with the earlier H-50BMG loads. I believe I was seeing some mild powder bridging with this powders. I had several shots that had dramatic velocity jumps and pressure signs while other shots with the same load did not show the same results. Using WC860 eliminated these velocity spikes which makes me think it was a powder bridging issue with H-50BMG. Next test will be to get out and do some long range accuracy testing probably around the end of the week. [/QUOTE]
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