300 Ultra Velocity

[dakor]

Well my dad picked up a new toy a Rem 700 SS BDL 300 Ultra mag and wanted me to test it for him. So I loaded up some 180 Accubonds and some 200 Barnes TSX bullets and went out in the yard to do some shooting. Accuracy wise the rifle shoots 3/4 of a inch or less at 100 yards but velocity wise I was a little disappointed. I am only able to get about 100 FPS faster with the Ultra then his 300 Win mag and both have 26 inch pipes on them. With 95 grains of R-25 and a 180 Accubond I was able to get 3230 FPS with the Ultra and with 92 grains of R-25 and a 200 TSX I was able to get 3111 fps. Now with his 300 win he shoots 76 grains of R-22 with a 180 Accubonds at 3125 FPS and with 73 grains of R-22 and a 200 TSX he shoots 2994 FPS. His 300 win is a factory Sako TRG-S. Should I try a different powder or does a 300 Ultra really need a longer barrel then 26 inches to get the smoking velocity you hear about? Is it typical to only get around 100 FPS faster then a 300 Win in a 26 inch pipe? Both rifle's were shot over the same chrony.

 

[Fiftydriver]

Dakor,

I started with H-1000 in my 300 RUM which is a factory 26" barreled BDL.

With the 180 gr Ballsitic Tip an a top load of H-1000 I topped out at 3375 fps but this was a hot load. Dropped it to 3350 and stayed there until recently when Hodgdon came out with Retumbo.

This powder will get very near 3400 fps with the 180s with comfortable pressure.

Hodgdon lists a top load of 100.5 gr which is good for 3300 fps out of a 24" test barrel!

Get some of this powder and run it through the big 30 and she should get you quite a bit more speed. Also more temp resistant then Rl-25.

In a 26" barrel, the 300 RUM is a 3350 fps round at least with a 180 gr pill unless there is something dimensionally wrong with the chamber or bore.

Were you getting any pressure signs with the loads you were using?

GOod Shooting!!

Kirby Allen(50)

 

[dakor]

Kirby I will have to try Retumbo thanks. As for pressure yes I went up another 1 1/2 grains on both loads and the bolt started to get sticky and I only went up about another 30 fps so the loads are pretty much peaked with R-25. Thanks again.

 

[Fiftydriver]

Dakor,

Try the Retumbo but it sounds like you may have a slow barrel. Rl-25 should get more velocity then that with top loads.

Try the Retumbo and let us know.

Kirby Allen(50)