Seekins Havak Element 300 WM Loads

JRJ448

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Location
New Plymouth, ID
Looking for some help on finding a load for my Seekins Havak Element 300 WM.

(If you want to skip out on the long winded story below, feel free to reply or send a pm with your load info.)
Looking for something around 200gr at 2800fps+

I purchased the rifle new about 3 months ago, mounted a Trijicon Tenmile 3-18x44 on it, threaded on my Banish 338 suppressor, and took it out to try some loads.
The loads I tried were Peterson Long brass, 75-78 gr. h1000, GM215M, and Berger 205gr bullet. My groups at 100 yards were 1-1/2"-2", I emailed Seekins asking what load is used when testing these rifles, I was told to try Hornady factory ammo. I purchased a box of Precision Hunter 200gr ELDX, went out and shot 5 rounds into a 2" group.
I thought I'd try some shots without the suppressor, I grabbed the suppressor to unthread it and instead, the barrel unthreaded from the action. I emailed Seekins and told them what happened and asked for the torque spec, they said 60Ft/lb, so I brought it to a local gunsmith and had him retorque the barrel. I went out and shot 5 shots of the factory 200gr. into a 3/4" group, then 5 shots of my reloads of which 3 were touching and the other 2 were about 1-1/2" away, again thought I'd try without the suppressor, and again the barrel unthreaded from the action. This time Seekins wanted the rifle back to look it over.
I received the rifle back with a list of things that Seekins had done with it- replaced breech plug- replaced bolt head- installed UBM (free of charge)- bumped and honed chamber- cleaned and lapped barrel- function tested- accuracy tested- and test fired. I also had a voicemail from Seekins saying that they found some paint buildup on the shoulder of the barrel.
Took it out again (this time no suppressor) and tried the factory ammo first with about a 1" 4 shot group (kept the last factory round to pull apart to see what's inside). Then 75gr h1000 load at 2" group, then 76gr h1000 at 2" group. I then put my suppressor back on and shot another 2" group with the 76gr load. Near as I can tell, the barrel is still tight.
I am not impressed with the velocity on the Hornady Precision Hunter 200gr ELDX averaging 2745 FPS. I would think I should be able to find a good shooting load with 200gr.+/- bullet at 2850-2900 fps..

If you have a load for your Element 300 Win please send it my way.
Thanks!
 
I'm getting great velocity and accuracy with Ramshot Magnum powder and heavy bullets in my Sako S20 300 WM and my Sako 85 300 WM (rebarreled by LRI). The S20 loves 215 Berger Hybrids and shoots them consistently into 1/2" groups or less at 100 yards. My accuracy load with the 215 Bergers is just over 2,800 fps with the factory 24" barrel.

My LRI likes the 215 Bergers, but for some reason loves the Barnes 168 TTSX (3,150 fps) and 180 TTSX (3,050 fps) out of the 26" K&P barrel. 3 or 4 shot groups with each bullet usually all touching at 100 yards if I do my part.

Kind of perfect for me, as I live in California and will shoot the Barnes when hunting here (non-lead bullets only). When I hunt in Utah or other states, can take the Sako S20 with the 215 Bergers at 2,800 fps.
 
General hunting load:
Nosler 200g Accubond, Win brass, WLRM primer & H1000 @ 78.5g.

LR hunting load:
Nosler 210g ABLR, Win brass/Rem brass, WLRM primer & H1000 @ 78g.
Work up both loads, my LR rifle takes more powder than these, but my other 300WM these are close to max loads.

Cheers.
 
Check your twist rate and/or try a lighter bullet. Buddy of mine has a Tikka 300WSM that loves the 165 class bullets,but as you increase the bullet weight, the groups progressively get larger.
 
I haven't checked it, but should be 1 in 10 according to specs on the rifle.
A friend has one, and his barrel is 1:10" per spec. Load that bad boy with 215, and you're golden.

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