300 Win Mag + Berger 210 VLD

[John Lowney]

I'm working on a load for using Berger's 210 G VLD hunting bullet. Nosler cases fire formed with .002 headspace. This is the first time I've had experience with Berger's bullets. I'm seating the bullets .010 off the lands and have an OAL of 3.64", which still have clearance in the magazine. Berger's book OAL is 3.340". I've got .001" of neck tension. 26" barrel 1 in 10. Using H1000 powder. Book max load is 75.5 Temps were in the mid 60s. I started at minimum suggested load and worked up to 2 grains over max the first time out, looking for excessive pressure as I went. I didn't have the chronograph set up on the first session. I found a node at 77.5. The second session I had the chronograph set up. Temps were in the mid 70s. I loaded 3 foulers at 75.5 then jumped to where I found the node - .2 grains at 77.3. It was grouping well about the same or a little better than the first session. I was shooting 3 shot groups running several patches through the barrel after each group. Incrementing .2 grains I started at 77.3, and went as high as 78.5. Berger's approx max velocity is 2804 with H1000 at 3.34" OAL. At 77.3 average velocity was 2850. Groups opened up at 77.9 and started to close again at 78.7 grains extreme spreads were coming down as well. At 78.7 there is still a good amount of room in the case. I didn't see any high pressure signs at all at 78.7. At 78.7 grains velocity ave was 2962. In Berger's manual there is a section discussing loading long and how pressure drops with increased velocity in many rifles which allows above max loads. The limiter in many loads is mag length. Fortunately I don't have an issue there. My question is this: I am inclined to increase this load a little to see if I'm on the cusp of another node. From 77.3 to 78.7 velocity increased 100fps. From 78.3 to 78.7 there was a 30 fps increase. I was getting from 15 to 20 FPS for each .2 grain increase above 77.9 grains. Am I pushing my luck, or am I correct in thinking I can safely increase this load 1 or 2 steps?

 

[Double Dropper]

Lots of gents using Berger 215s and loading up to 79 grains if I remember, relates to the bearing surface of the bullet and loading length etc. There is no real science from rifle to rifle, you seem to be raising the powder charge carefully and watching for signs, use caution and keep going.

 

[John Lowney]

Ok thanks for the info.

 

[hwy1strat]

Powder charges vary greatly in different brands of brass in the 300winmag. I am using norma brass and I am at 76.2gr loading for the 215. I am not familiar with the nosler brass, but it sounds like you can keep going. I don't know much about the 210, but the 215 seems to shoot best right around 2950 for 90% of the people that load it in the 300wm

 

[Dosh]

JL, the 210VLD is a it more finicky than the 215. Both are quite accurate when you find the right node. Good luck