Berger VLD vs Classic Hunter

[kimberyote]

Hello LRH forum members! Greetings from the flatlands of Illinois!
I am currently load developing for a win model 70 super shadow in 300 WSM using berger 185 VLD's. I started out with the 210's, but could not get the velocity anywhere near what I wanted (reached only middle 2500's). This gun will be used for elk hunting in WY in The middle of October.
My question is: After load developing with the VLD hunting, should I switch to the classic hunter? As I understand, the VLD hunting is made for custom chambers. I have a factory chamber.
I felt lucky just finding any 185 bergers, let alone the classic hunter. I backordered a box of classic hunter.
I started with H4831, working up to 68 grains and getting in the high 2700 FPS. The groups are from 2-2 5/8" @ 100 yards.
I tried 63 grains of H100v and I'm getting in the high 2800's and cutting my group size in half from the H4731 load. Need to test more to confirm load.
My H100V had the first two shots go out of the group, but the next 3 went into same hole @ 100 yards. 3/4" high x 1 1/4" wide. No wind @ 100 yards.
Thank you for any advice!

 

[CogburnR]

The classic hunters are more forgiving as far as seating depth goes.

I've shot a few 185 CH's in my M70 ftwt 300WSM and they shoot pretty well. Groups are decent sub-moa. They will spin my 6" gong all the way around easily at 430 yards which is as far as I can shoot until the snow goes away. I also am using 63g of H100v for close to 2800fps.

 

[kimberyote]

Same powder charge amount! Whats the odds on that?
Whats your bullet seat depth from rifling? Im .05'' off the rifling.

 

[brentc]

You should be able to get your VLDs right up to the lands and still maintain mag function with your Winchester. I'm curious. What powder did you use with the 210s to only reach 2500? Many slow burning powders will get you to 2700-2800 fps with your 24" tube. You can use 7828ssc and RL17 to get above 2800 with the 210s. 4831sc will get you above 2700. I use 7828ssc to push 230 Berger OTMs at 2700 in in my M70 300 WSM.

 

[kimberyote]

I did an OCW test and 56.5 of H 4350 was the sweet spot, group wise. Tested further with seating depth and hit a home run. But, I could not repeat. I loaded max with H4350 with 58.5 grains ( high 2500's). Groups opened up.
I am testing imr7828 with a 338 lapua and the 300 berger with great results early on. Further testing is needed to confirm load. I use RL17 in my BLR 243 with 87 bergers with good results. You are right, 17 gets you more velocity when you need it!
I am pretty happy with the group size and speed with the H100V so far. Need to confirm load tho.

 

[MudRunner2005]

All the different VLD's I've tested in all my different calibers I have found that they DO in-fact prefer to be seated close, or touching, the lands....But will still shoot nice cloverleafs (touching) shots @ 100 even if they are sitting off the lands at SAAMI spec. Which is one thing I've found that I really love about the Weatherbys having so much freebore, is that you can sit them just inside the magazine length, and they will shoot just as good as if you are seating them at SAAMI, or if you were touching the lands on a non-freebore barrel. I've almost found that I prefer it.

 

[alaska]

Hello LRH forum members! Greetings from the flatlands of Illinois!
I am currently load developing for a win model 70 super shadow in 300 WSM using berger 185 VLD's. I started out with the 210's, but could not get the velocity anywhere near what I wanted (reached only middle 2500's). This gun will be used for elk hunting in WY in The middle of October.
My question is: After load developing with the VLD hunting, should I switch to the classic hunter? As I understand, the VLD hunting is made for custom chambers. I have a factory chamber.
I felt lucky just finding any 185 bergers, let alone the classic hunter. I backordered a box of classic hunter.
I started with H4831, working up to 68 grains and getting in the high 2700 FPS. The groups are from 2-2 5/8" @ 100 yards.
I tried 63 grains of H100v and I'm getting in the high 2800's and cutting my group size in half from the H4731 load. Need to test more to confirm load.
My H100V had the first two shots go out of the group, but the next 3 went into same hole @ 100 yards. 3/4" high x 1 1/4" wide. No wind @ 100 yards.
Thank you for any

 

[alaska]

Suggest RL 17

 

[Rick Richard]

H4831, RL17 and H4350. I am having great success out of my 300 WSM with Berger 180 Elite and H4350. It is running on the average of 2970 fps out of a 26 inch Bartlein barrel. Going to try some RL 26 this week and see how that works.

 

[alaska]

I think RL 26 might be to slow for 300 WSM.
Powders in H4350, RL 17 and IMR 4831 and Win 760 seem to work for me best when I was shooting the WSM.

 

[Rick Richard]

I think RL 26 might be to slow for 300 WSM.
Powders in H4350, RL 17 and IMR 4831 and Win 760 seem to work for me best when I was shooting the WSM.

Berger shows with a max load and 180 Elites at 3119 fps. Lots of folks running that powder, which is why I am going to give it a try this week.

 

[Double Dropper]

Rl-26 with 190 grain Berger VLDs out of my 30-06 is doing 2800 fps, should have some more potential with the 300 WSM for sure.