Hello AJ,
If you dont mind my asking, what is your load for your 300 WSM I have a Savage 12 BVSS that I wanted to do some load work for but have been slacking lately and this post just put the fire under me again.
Thanks,
Dave
Sure, Overbore got me started with some recommendations (and they were spot on!). I'll paraphrase his advice to me (all of which I have proven correct).
He recomends 2 powders.
For 175gr bullets and above he uses H4350
For under 175gr bullets he uses Varget.
He recommends a mild primer with Varget (CCI BR2's)
I found (as he later confirmed) that CCI BR2's are not to be used in COLD weather, as they are too mild to give good/consistent ignition. I found this out in temperatures from 20 degrees F and colder. Overbore recommended Federal 210GM for cold weather loads (not the 215's).
My best loads are as follows.
Load #1)
Norma Brass, 165gr Hornady boat tail spire point (#3045), CCI-BR2 primer, 60gr Varget powder. I have these loaded for a minimal jump to the lands and they will consistently print .3" CTC or better. I don't know what the velocity is (I've never remembered to shoot them when I had the chrono set up). This would be a GREAT deer load, as the bullets are REALLY cheap and super accurate. Velocity is probably around 3000fps from a 26" barrel.
Load #2)
Norma Brass, 200gr Nosler Accubond, CCI-BR2 primer, 62gr H4350, Loaded for minimal jump to lands. Shoots consistently at or under 1/2" at 100yds.
Average velocity is 2844fps from a 26" barrel, with extreme spread of 24fps for 10 shots at 80 degrees outside temperature.
I also loaded from 60gr-62gr this winter with Rem 9 1/2 primers and it shot very well in the cold weather. I believe the Rem 9 1/2 primers are the next step hotter above the CCI-BR2's.
Load #2 is getting up in pressure a bit, so please work up to these loads yourself in your particular rifle.
Hope this helps.
AJ