300 WSM 200 gr ELD-X & RL-23

[Engineering101]

I can see why nobody is using this powder/bullet combo. I loaded some and could only get 63 grains in the case which, with a relatively slow burn rate (0.4090 per quickload) should be pretty low on the performance scale. The odd thing is that I can get 68 grains of RL-26 in the case and it is even slower at 0.3397 but it gives me 2,939 fps and good accuracy with an ES of 15. I thought RL-23 would be a more appropriate powder for this chambering but it looks like the only thing going for it is temp stability and reduced copper fouling. Per Hornady data RL-17 or Hunter give max performance in the 300 WSM but it looks like RL-26 could be added to that list but not RL-23.

 

[dougduey]

Stick with RL-17 and 62.8gr per Hornday. I got one ragged hole and 2952 fps. The group didn't tighten up until I seated it at 2.855" (Hornady load data) from my usual COAL of 2.860".

 

[Outlaw6.0]

RL-17 has been my go-to in the 300 short mag for a long time.



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[NWPA0311]

Stick with RL-17 and 62.8gr per Hornday. I got one ragged hole and 2952 fps. The group didn't tighten up until I seated it at 2.855" (Hornady load data) from my usual COAL of 2.860".

What is the length of your barrel? I have 50 rounds loaded of the 200 grain eldx and RL 17. I hope to find an accuracy node where I achieve that speed.

 

[dougduey]

What is the length of your barrel? I have 50 rounds loaded of the 200 grain eldx and RL 17. I hope to find an accuracy node where I achieve that speed.

I have a Sako 75. It has a 24" barrel and 1:11 twist

 

[Engineering101]

I was wrong. RL-23 does appear to be viable. I got 2,875 fps with 63 grains of RL-23 pushing the 200 grain ELD-X out of a 26 inch tube. Not to bad. Nice to know since this powder is supposed to exhibit rock solid temp stability with little copper fouling. There is certainly nothing wrong with RL-17 though.