300WSM & 208 A-max

[Scout1]

For anyone thats interested in the possibilities of this combination, here are some result from a range trip yesterday evening.

Went out yesterday evening and set up the chrono and IR screens. I brought 15 rounds to test 3 at each charge weight from 63-65 grains in .5 increments. I shot all round robin style and came out with some interesting results that I'll need another trip to verify. This test was done with CCI-Br-2's instead of the WLRM primers.

RL-17 & 208 A-max. 300WSM , 28" Kreiger barrel , 85 degrees F

63 grn, Average 2912 fps , ES- 47
63.5 grn, Average 2936 fps , ES- 43
64 grn, Average 2980 fps , ES- 33
64.5 grn, Average 2988 fps , ES- 37
65 grn, Average 3026 fps , ES- 21

I saw no pressure signs at all on the brass and primers. Bolt lift was normal. I believe these readings reliable since I was set up in the evening shade and had the IR screens in operation.

The extreme spread is still crappy but seems to tighten up a little as you get better case fill. More testing to follow but so far I feel this powder / bullet combo might get me where I want to be if I can control the ES.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

I was messing with the same combo last summer have not touched it since then. Glad to see your results might just make me dig it out of the safe and get on with the load work up. What were the groups like and what brass are you using.

Jon

 

[Scout1]

I'm using Winchester brass I culled and sorted long ago. I was doing OCW testing and 63 - 64 were same POI so thats where I'm gonna play around with seating depth. 64.5 was my tightest group of about 1/2" but it spread out at 65. I figure 63.5 or there abouts will net me around 2950 fps. Another range trip or two and I should have it nailed down.

 

[Rugerdiggs]

RL-17 & 208 A-max. 300WSM , 28" Kreiger barrel , 85 degrees F

63 grn, Average 2912 fps , ES- 47
63.5 grn, Average 2936 fps , ES- 43
64 grn, Average 2980 fps , ES- 33
64.5 grn, Average 2988 fps , ES- 37
65 grn, Average 3026 fps , ES- 21



Im thinking of trying the same bullet after i get my gun back cause of the high bc and the low cost, sorry have a stupid question but what does the ES mean behind your loads

 

[ZSteinle]

excellent results. My WSM loves 4350 at 2808 and left it at that. those 208's got me thinking of an ultra mag though. AMAZING bullets!

 

[Scout1]

ES is an abreveation for extreme spread.

 

[ShooterMedic]

I have been shooting the 65 gr RL 17 with 208 bthp at 2889 fps. My tikka loves them. I have been dying to try the A-max for the better BC. The only problem is i can't find them any where. I am glad to see some one else getting the same speeds out of RL 17.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Whats max load for the 298g AMAX and R17?

 

[ShooterMedic]

As far as I know RL 17 is not published for 208 gr bullets. I have not gone higher than 65 g my shelf. But I Shoot 68 gr with 180 gr accubonds at 3100 fps with wounderful results

 

[backwoods83]

If you want to get the ES down and probably be more consistent all the way around, you may want to try hybrid 100v or h4831sc.

 

[ishootkittens]

How long is your barrel, Shootermedic?

 

[backwoods83]

62.7grns is max listed at 2.86" oal in win brass.

 

[logan1080]

I am considering the 208gr amax in my 26" 1 in 10" twist barrel for my .300wsm. Definitely interested in the results people get here.