Newby here posting with a first post. I primarily reloaded for revolvers throughout the year but the last few falls I find myself loading belted magnums with varying degrees of success.
I am seeking some load development help for my hunting rifle. It's a Remington 700 that has been re-barreled with a factory 24" Remington 300 Weatherby barrel. I do not know how much free bore there is and assume it is minimal because I am getting solid extractor marks and a sticky bolt with factory 300 Wetherby 180 grain ammunition.
Previously, I had loaded 20 rounds consisting of 77 grains of IMR4350 behind a 180 grain Sierra Game King but I did not record to OAL and I shot them all up before I was able to shoot less than a 2" group.
Since then, I have developed a load consisting of the full length sized once fired (in another rifle) Weatherby brass, CCI 250 primers, 180 grain Horandy Interlock boat tail bullets and RL-22 powder. I have RCBS dies and plan on only neck sizing once all brass is fire formed.
I used Dan Newberry's optimal load weight development instructions and found that with the bullet seated to the bullets caliber's depth into the case. Grouping was better the hotter the load but around 82 grains but I had flattened primers, extractor marks and a sticky bolt. So, I backed the charge down to 81 grains without changing anything else. Flattened primers and slight extractor marks are still showing so I am planning on backing the load back and trying 80 grains and 80.5grains.
I am wondering how my seating depth could be effecting accuracy and want to adjust accordingly when trying the lighter powder charges. I adjusted my seating die out and loaded a dummy round out past maximum magazine length. With the bullet cleaned with steel wool and black marker on it, I carefully inserted the dummy round into the chamber and closed the bolt. I could not see marks from the lands. So, I loaded three rounds a little shorter at maximum magazine length.
My father who has been loading for his 300 Weatherby since I was a kid, suggests that I trim all brass to length and use a light roll crimp even though it would not line up with the cannalure on the bullet seated to this new depth. I tried this with three cartridges charged to 80.5 grains but observed some shoulder deformation from inconsistent case length.
Now, I am re-thinking my approach and looking for advice before I load the 20 or so pieces of brass that will serve as my test loads. These vary from 2.813" to 2.825" in length. The reloading manuals I have referenced suggest a trimmed length of 2.815" with a maximum length of 2.835".
Once I load and shoot these I am going to go with the best performer, load the rest of my brass for hunting season and go confirm my drops.
Is a crimp necessary? Should I load with neck tension only and see if I get bullet movement?
Any suggestions on seating depth and pressure associated with changing it after developing a powder charge?
I do not shoot enough to notice the accuracy gains of spending massive time wringing every little bit out of a load but I would like to get a load developed that shoots 1.5 MOA when I do my part. I do not have a choreograph. Any suggestions are appreciated.
I am seeking some load development help for my hunting rifle. It's a Remington 700 that has been re-barreled with a factory 24" Remington 300 Weatherby barrel. I do not know how much free bore there is and assume it is minimal because I am getting solid extractor marks and a sticky bolt with factory 300 Wetherby 180 grain ammunition.
Previously, I had loaded 20 rounds consisting of 77 grains of IMR4350 behind a 180 grain Sierra Game King but I did not record to OAL and I shot them all up before I was able to shoot less than a 2" group.
Since then, I have developed a load consisting of the full length sized once fired (in another rifle) Weatherby brass, CCI 250 primers, 180 grain Horandy Interlock boat tail bullets and RL-22 powder. I have RCBS dies and plan on only neck sizing once all brass is fire formed.
I used Dan Newberry's optimal load weight development instructions and found that with the bullet seated to the bullets caliber's depth into the case. Grouping was better the hotter the load but around 82 grains but I had flattened primers, extractor marks and a sticky bolt. So, I backed the charge down to 81 grains without changing anything else. Flattened primers and slight extractor marks are still showing so I am planning on backing the load back and trying 80 grains and 80.5grains.
I am wondering how my seating depth could be effecting accuracy and want to adjust accordingly when trying the lighter powder charges. I adjusted my seating die out and loaded a dummy round out past maximum magazine length. With the bullet cleaned with steel wool and black marker on it, I carefully inserted the dummy round into the chamber and closed the bolt. I could not see marks from the lands. So, I loaded three rounds a little shorter at maximum magazine length.
My father who has been loading for his 300 Weatherby since I was a kid, suggests that I trim all brass to length and use a light roll crimp even though it would not line up with the cannalure on the bullet seated to this new depth. I tried this with three cartridges charged to 80.5 grains but observed some shoulder deformation from inconsistent case length.
Now, I am re-thinking my approach and looking for advice before I load the 20 or so pieces of brass that will serve as my test loads. These vary from 2.813" to 2.825" in length. The reloading manuals I have referenced suggest a trimmed length of 2.815" with a maximum length of 2.835".
Once I load and shoot these I am going to go with the best performer, load the rest of my brass for hunting season and go confirm my drops.
Is a crimp necessary? Should I load with neck tension only and see if I get bullet movement?
Any suggestions on seating depth and pressure associated with changing it after developing a powder charge?
I do not shoot enough to notice the accuracy gains of spending massive time wringing every little bit out of a load but I would like to get a load developed that shoots 1.5 MOA when I do my part. I do not have a choreograph. Any suggestions are appreciated.
