I need Expert Advice reloading 300 WSM

[chadshirey]

Need Expert Reloading Advice 300WSM
4:16 PM
I want to tighten my group.
This was my first reload.
300 WSM Model 70 (Barrel floated)
Bushnell Elite 4200 6x24 scope
Leupold rings (squared and lapped)
300 WSM accubond cartridge (2.090)
CCI Magnum primer 250 (.003)
Hodgdon H4831 powder (65-68.5gr)
Speer Target Match BTHP 167.7gr
Total Length 2.860
RCBS Partner Press
RCBS FL die set 300 WSM Group A
RCBS Trim Pro
Kdt certified caliper
Frankford Arsenal digital scale/50 wgt
100yds
Chair and fold out table
Recoil bench rest
Strap approximately at tip of bullet
65.0gr. 1.64" Chance
65.5gr. 2.75" Jesse
66.0gr. 1.18" Keith
66.5gr. 2.26" Chance
67.0gr. 1.65" Jesse
67.5gr. 1.37" Keith
68.0gr. 1.56" Chance
68.5gr. 2.30" Chance
Now I realize three different Shooters could put a huge difference into this pattern but the scope was on 24 power. These young men have grown up with rifles. Assuming Keith was the steady shooter in this. How do I tighten the group? I don't know enough about reloading to know if this is the best this setup will get. Should I try 65.9 grains and 66.1 grains of powder? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Jud96]

Need Expert Reloading Advice 300WSM
4:16 PM
I want to tighten my group.
This was my first reload.
300 WSM Model 70 (Barrel floated)
Bushnell Elite 4200 6x24 scope
Leupold rings (squared and lapped)
300 WSM accubond cartridge (2.090)
CCI Magnum primer 250 (.003)
Hodgdon H4831 powder (65-68.5gr)
Speer Target Match BTHP 167.7gr
Total Length 2.860
RCBS Partner Press
RCBS FL die set 300 WSM Group A
RCBS Trim Pro
Kdt certified caliper
Frankford Arsenal digital scale/50 wgt
100yds
Chair and fold out table
Recoil bench rest
Strap approximately at tip of bullet
65.0gr. 1.64" Chance
65.5gr. 2.75" Jesse
66.0gr. 1.18" Keith
66.5gr. 2.26" Chance
67.0gr. 1.65" Jesse
67.5gr. 1.37" Keith
68.0gr. 1.56" Chance
68.5gr. 2.30" Chance
Now I realize three different Shooters could put a huge difference into this pattern but the scope was on 24 power. These young men have grown up with rifles. Assuming Keith was the steady shooter in this. How do I tighten the group? I don't know enough about reloading to know if this is the best this setup will get. Should I try 65.9 grains and 66.1 grains of powder? Thanks in advance for your help.

Try a different bullet and then try some different powder. Your barrel may not like that bullet and/or powder. Also seat the bullets .020-.030 off the lands.

 

[roninflag]

I would use one shooter to shoot the groups. wlrm primer, superperformance and varget. 168 berger. . .030 off the lands. norma or nosler brass

 

[chadshirey]

I used candle soot on the bullet and kept moving it out, moving it out and moving it out with nothing bumping the rifling. I stopped because everything I read said the max length was 2.860 inch. I felt like the bullet was going to eventually come out of the neck. This was with only 1 push into the chamber and close of the Bolt. Now previous to the candle I would get marks if I opened and closed the bolt like 5 times..

 

[chadshirey]

I used candle soot on the bullet and kept moving it out, moving it out and moving it out with nothing bumping the rifling. I stopped because everything I read said the max length was 2.860 inch. I felt like the bullet was going to eventually come out of the neck. This was with only 1 push into the chamber and close of the Bolt. Now previous to the candle I would get marks if I opened and closed the bolt like 5 times..

 

[BountyHunter]

Here is a much easier way to find lands. Watch the videos.

wheeleraccuracy

My WSM in the 168 class loved the Barnes TTSX also.

 

[LoneTraveler]

At the time the 300 WSM was developed seems the designers wanted a full big game rifle. A short action, to make a light rifle with power for Elk size game.
My rifle likes 180 gr. Jacket-core bullets. It shoots Sierra best, Hornady and Nosler Part. less than 1"

I spent a lot of time this fall with 165 gr. Hornady GMX, and 168 Gr. Nosler E-tip None shot worth a dang some groups over 2". Shot 180 Gr. Load went under 1".

I tried H 4831 when I first got my 300 WSM in 2004 I could not get enough in the case to get the rifle to reasonable velocity.

My go to load is, CASE Win. PRIMER WW LRM, BULLETS 180 Gr. Sierra, Hornady and Nosler Partition. POWDER. 65.0 Gr. (Sixty Five) IMR 4350.
OACL. 2.860

Using a chronograph in your tests will give you a lot of information on your load. If scales are not accurate, or you have some bad primers it will tell you quickly.
Good Luck and Happy shooting.

 

[Frank in the Laurels]

You've broken the number one short mag rule.... H-4350.... I've never seen one that didn't love this powder...walk around at any bench rest match or shooting event from300 on and see what is being used, not even close ...H-4350...

 

[FEENIX]

For what it is worth >>> http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/just-playing-different-primers-159193/

 

[roninflag]

need one full caliber in the case minimum.

 

[bbutturff]

I agree with the recommendation of H4350 and have had good luck with RL17 . This was shot from a Tikka with 1:11 twist.

Nosler 150 gr Accubond, 66.5 gr H4350, CCI 250 primer, 2.90 OAL, Win brass, 3150 fps, .90" @ 100 yds

Nosler 180 gr Accubond, 64.0 gr H4350, CCI 250 primer, 2.90 OAL, Win brass, 2950 fps, .80" @ 100 yds

Sierra 180 Matchking, 67.5 gr RL-17, CCI 250 primer, 2.90 OAL, Win brass, 3030 FPS, .750" @ 100 yds.

These were all 5-shot groups. 2.90" is my magazine max length and these are a LONG way from the rifling. Remember to always start 10% below published max and slowly work your way up.

Good luck,
Bruce

 

[Dosh]

+1 for the H4350, my hunt pal's 300WSM shoots the 185 BergerVLD with Federal 215M primers sub-1/2 MOA at 200-300yds. Several slower powders did not produce groups this small. You can try different primers and seating depths to tweak. Good luck

 

[IdahoCTD]

I agree with the recommendation of H4350 and have had good luck with RL17 . This was shot from a Tikka with 1:11 twist.

Nosler 150 gr Accubond, 66.5 gr H4350, CCI 250 primer, 2.90 OAL, Win brass, 3150 fps, .90" @ 100 yds

Nosler 180 gr Accubond, 64.0 gr H4350, CCI 250 primer, 2.90 OAL, Win brass, 2950 fps, .80" @ 100 yds

Sierra 180 Matchking, 67.5 gr RL-17, CCI 250 primer, 2.90 OAL, Win brass, 3030 FPS, .750" @ 100 yds.

These were all 5-shot groups. 2.90" is my magazine max length and these are a LONG way from the rifling. Remember to always start 10% below published max and slowly work your way up.

Good luck,
Bruce

With a Tikka you can buy a normal magnum magazine and modify the bolt stop to get all the length you need. Tikka's make good actions for short magnums especially if you start with a standard magnum so you don't have to modify or buy anything.

 

[bbutturff]

With a Tikka you can buy a normal magnum magazine and modify the bolt stop to get all the length you need. Tikka's make good actions for short magnums especially if you start with a standard magnum so you don't have to modify or buy anything.

That's good advice that I've also read elsewhere. I was real tempted to try it but at 2.90" I'm jumping the Accubonds a whopping .305 and still shooting sub-MOA groups. I didn't even play around with a shorter seating depth or try other primers. Plus, Tikka magazines can be a little spendy.