300 WM load recipes for bergers

[1denogean]

I would like to shoot a 185 berger through my 300 WM, what powders and velocities are you guys using and getting out of them? 168s or anything close to it i just would like to know what is working for you guys or what could work for me. im shooting a 23 in barrel and 1 in 10 twist,

all input is appreciated thanks

 

[Broz]

I prefer the 210's or the 230's in our 300 win mags. I am also testing the 215's this week getting ready for antelope hunting. With a fragmenting bullet like the Bergers I always advise using one of the larger for caliber offerings.

With your short barrel I would go with a 210 and start with 73 gr of H-1000 and work up looking for an accuracy node. You should get 2800 fps or close. Maybe more.

Jeff

 

[1denogean]

thanks broz, i would like to get around the 3000 fps because thats what i am getting out of my hornady 180s just dont know what kind of powders and grs will work well with 185 bergers

 

[brentc]

The BC of the heavier bergers will overcome any muzzle velocity advantage you get from the lighter 185. When all things are compared the higher BC heavier bullet will retain more downrange energy and velocity. I load the 230 Berger OTM in the WM at just under 2800 fps.

 

[1denogean]

i dont know if i heard right but are some people using retumbo?

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

i dont know if i heard right but are some people using retumbo?

It's possible; my brother used it in his ruger #1 stainless in 300 win. It was accurate enough with 200 grain speer bullets to prarie dog hunt with. A 200 grain speer trucking out of a 26" 300 win at 3000 fps will just plain HURT the little rats, mound and all sometimes. You are going to hit high powder compression before high pressure at normal seating depth.

 

[1denogean]

Do you by any chance know the min and max grains for that? thanks everyone all this info is very helpful. i emailed berger to ask but still no response

 

[brentc]

Retumbo will be best suited for the heavier 200 plus grain bullets. It's a slow burner. I use 75.3 grains of Retumbo with slight compression in my 230 grain loads to drive them at around 2800 fps. I'd guess somewhere around 77-78 grains for 200-210s. It'll work, but expect to crunch it a little.

 

[Frank in the Laurels]

GOD, so many strange words and numbers being used to describe powders on this forum these days.. I thought the only powder made was H-4350 !!! Guess you know my choice again... Could it be that if you only had one powder to used from 25/06 to .338 super mags that you could find a better choice than H-4350!! Accurate, Clean, Reasonable velocities with every bullet weight, one powder for just about everything, I used to try them all also, and finally determined why go through this all time... H-4350, about as good as it can get in anything I ever found..

 

[Broz]

I just worked up a load yesterday with the 215 Berger Hybrids in my 300 win. Load work up was easiest I have seen. 3 shots to find max pressure, then first 3 shot group went .190" and the velocity was steller across my Oehler 35.

I still need to test these for terminal performance on game but the ballistics part is pretty impressive when you take a 215 gr bullet with a G1 BC of .696 and a MV over 3000.

COAL is 3.633", they fit in the mag box and feed, as well as extract loaded.

H-1000 is the powder for me in a 300 win. Velocity at 1000 yards is still 1973 fps. with 1859 ft lbs of energy and it only takes 20.5 moa from a 100 yards zero to get there.

Jeff

 

[1denogean]

has anyone used the ramshot magnum powder for bergers?

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

Do you by any chance know the min and max grains for that? thanks everyone all this info is very helpful. i emailed berger to ask but still no response

Sorry bud, not sure on charge weight. Some sources show a 200 grain pill; simply use a 180 or 185 instead of the 200. I'd look at using 200-220 grain bullets with retumbo for full throttle stuff though.