First time reloading 300 BLK

[Rottentofu]

First time attempting to reload 300 BLK with H110 powder and .308 150gr FP bullets from Xtreme Bullets

https://www.xtremebullets.com/308-150-FP-p/xc308-150fp-b0500.htm

Here is the result: (Left: My reload | Right: Factory round)



I can manually cycle my reloads with no apparent issue. However, the reloaded rounds are obviously significantly shorter than the factory round due to its flat point nature. They also leave a lot of empty space in the mag. I used 10% less powder than the recommended amount on the Hodgdon website.

Are my reloads safe to shoot?

[divingin]

10% less than what number on Hodgdon's site? The starting load is (surprise!) where you should start at.

That makes it 14.6gn H110, and ignore the OAL due to the flat point bullet. Seat about a bullet diameter into the case.

I'd be interested in how those bullets feed.

[bigdawg86]

10% less than what number on Hodgdon's site? The starting load is (surprise!) where you should start at.

That makes it 14.6gn H110, and ignore the OAL due to the flat point bullet. Seat about a bullet diameter into the case.

I'd be interested in how those bullets feed.

Seems like the general consensus is that they wont feed reliably with M4 feed ramps.

[srfdbc7]

I'd be interested in how they feed into your rifle as well. They look like they are for a 30-30 rifle with the flat point.

[Rottentofu]

Loaded a few more rounds by seating the bullet higher I was able to achieve 2.0 OAL.

Left: First attempt | Middle: Second attempt | Right: Factory



Not sure if the second attempt rounds would feed better.

[divingin]

The length may cause problems coming out of the magazine; the shape of the bullet nose may cause problems going up the feed ramp and into the chamber.

Still, you never know until you try.

[Metal Fiend]

I'd be interested in how they feed into your rifle as well. They look like they are for a 30-30 rifle with the flat point.

+1, looks like it might be a jam-o-rama

[RookieShooter]

You should load a bunch of dummy rounds and try to find an OAL that will cycle without FTF.

[Rottentofu]

You should load a bunch of dummy rounds and try to find an OAL that will cycle without FTF.

You mean cycle manually? I did that with no issue.

[RookieShooter]

You mean cycle manually? I did that with no issue.

Yes. If you manually cycled at full speed and have no issue then you're good to try it out at the range.

Good luck and let us know how they go.

[Rottentofu]

Took my reloads to the range today. I started my reloads with 13gr of H110 and worked my way up by 0.5gr every 20 rounds. Highest was 15gr. Unfortunately, all of them were inconsistent. The bullets were flying everywhere. I zero'ed in my scope with factory rounds before the test, so I knew my aims were good. I don't have a chronograph, but I can tell by the inconsistency of the bullets' POI that my reload velocity was over 1500 ft/sec. Xtreme Bullets warned not to exceed 1500 ft/sec for their copper plated bullets. There were no FTF or FTEs though.

I will try again, and this time I will start with 10gr of powder. This should bring the speed down below 1500 ft/sec. My only concern is whether the round will cycle properly.

[SixPointEight]

I don't have a chronograph, but I can tell by the inconsistency of the bullets' POI that my reload velocity was over 1500 ft/sec. Xtreme Bullets warned not to exceed 1500 ft/sec for their copper plated bullets. There were no FTF or FTEs though.

I will try again, and this time I will start with 10gr of powder. This should bring the speed down below 1500 ft/sec. My only concern is whether the round will cycle properly.

There's a lot of guessing going on here

Beware very low loadings of H110. I think there's another thread floating around showing a couple of revolvers that experimented with light loads of H110