.300 win mag load...feedback please. :)

[bigmike82]

So I'm about to load up my first set of .300 win mags, and wanted to see if you guys have any feedback on my loads.

I'll be using 180 gr. Winchester PowerPoints and 200 gr. SMKs.

I'm using Reloader 25 powder.

Starting load for the 180 gr bullets will be 65.7, and I'll increment up to 74 gr.

Starting load for the 200 gr will be 72, incremented up to 74.

I'm using Federal Match Large Rifle primers.

I get my load data from the LEE handbook (which is way off on the 200 gr bullets it looks like...?), advice from Alliant Powders, and AR15Barrel's data from quickload (Thanks Randall!).

Rifle is a Remington 700-based beast that I just got.

Any thoughts on this? Any other advice?

Thanks!

[ivanimal]

I have a load for thwe 300 win at home I will post later. I like the 180 grain bullet. I use Combined Technologies or Swift exclusuvely.

http://www.swiftbullets.com/index2a.html

http://www.nosler.com/index.php?p=3&bullet=10

I have a bunch of different projectiles I use in other rifles, this is my 1st line hunting rifle so I dont mess with anything else. I also have a model 700 with a Shepherd PE1 scope, magnaported and a kickeze pad. I use quiet swivels for my leather sling as well.

[bigmike82]

Nice.

What load are you using?

[ar15barrels]

Trust the books more than quickload.
Even still, make sure you are using the right data for the right brass and the exact bullet.
All 200gr bullets are not created equal.

[bigmike82]

*nod*

Thanks for the heads up. Lee calls it "200 gr. Jacketed Bullet", so that should cover SMKs, right? Unless the hollow points really screw things up?

He also says I can subsitute lighter bullets at the same charge without running into any dangerous charges...is that accurate?

I also got some loads directly from Alliant, which I'm going to use as well. I'm hoping they do the trick.

[ivanimal]

My load is H4831SC 73 Grains 180 Grain bullet ALWAYS consult more than one source before trusting any load. Especially one found on an internet forum.

PS I found a box of Nosler Partition that was my first loading way back when I bought the rifle all of the tips are deformed from loading and cycling them out of the gun. That is why I only use ballistic tip type of ammo. I also load Winchester Fail Safe bullets in the 300 ultra Mag for my hunting buddies.

[lazuris]

I like RL22 over RL25 for the 300wm. 25 is better for larger stuff.

[rksimple]

*nod*

Thanks for the heads up. Lee calls it "200 gr. Jacketed Bullet", so that should cover SMKs, right? Unless the hollow points really screw things up?

He also says I can subsitute lighter bullets at the same charge without running into any dangerous charges...is that accurate?

I also got some loads directly from Alliant, which I'm going to use as well. I'm hoping they do the trick.

Lighter bullets at same charge is *usually* just fine. As far as the "200gr jacketed bullet" covering everything, no thats not necessarily the case. Its not the hollow points that will screw things up. Its things like jacket thickness, bullet length, seating depth, etc. That can get you in trouble in a hurry. Start light and most of the 200 gr jacket data will be ok as a starting point for the smks.

[scr83jp]

My load is H4831SC 73 Grains 180 Grain bullet ALWAYS consult more than one source before trusting any load. Especially one found on an internet forum.

PS I found a box of Nosler Partition that was my first loading way back when I bought the rifle all of the tips are deformed from loading and cycling them out of the gun. That is why I only use ballistic tip type of ammo. I also load Winchester Fail Safe bullets in the 300 ultra Mag for my hunting buddies.

Whether the tips are flat or perfect makes no difference on accuracy I've been loading ammo for a long time and there have been many articles written about this subject the tips are cosmetic.Use your Nosler Partitions & try them out on paper.I shot a huge mule deer doe at over 600 yards with 180gr Sierra GameKings that had blunted lead tips using my bedded & tuned Sako Mod 2700 Finnsport in 300wm and it dropped.We're now using hard cast heat treated meplat(wide flat nose) lead bullets , they're accurate & kill game.

[Ahhnother8]

Whether the tips are flat or perfect makes no difference on accuracy I've been loading ammo for a long time and there have been many articles written about this subject the tips are cosmetic.Use your Nosler Partitions & try them out on paper.I shot a huge mule deer doe at over 600 yards with 180gr Sierra GameKings that had blunted lead tips using my bedded & tuned Sako Mod 2700 Finnsport in 300wm and it dropped.

Funny you should mention this. I JUST got back from the range. You are likely right that the tip makes MINIMAL difference at short to mid range. But in the great beyond, it makes a HUGE difference. We have been working with a new bullet design by a major manufacturer. I have shot it, and it is pretty good. At 1000 yards, I shot it today (irons, coat, sling, etc) and had right at 9" of vertical spread. Then shot another brand and had 7" of vertical. Now my point. I then pulled the target for someone who took the experimental bullet, shot off a rest at 1000 yards and had about 15" vertical with those bullets, right out of the box. He had also "pointed" the noses of some of the same experimental bullets, and shot the exact same load as before. That is he made a die that closes the points tighter on match bullets. His elevation went to about 6" and the windage was WAY less also, with these "pointed" bullets. Mind you, most people probably would not notice the difference in the two bullets, but on target the difference was DRAMATIC. It just all depends on exactly what you want to do with your rifle!!

Lane

[rksimple]

Whether the tips are flat or perfect makes no difference on accuracy

I guess it really depends on your standard of accuracy. A lot of guys uniform meplats on match bullets just to get them consistent to their standards. Mangled soft points will definitly cause a variation in BC from one to the next resulting in less accuracy as distance is increased. One may not be capable of noticing that kind of difference, or may not be concerned as their accuracy requirements are different. Nonetheless, long-range accuracy suffers.

Dangit Lane, you beat me to it. What kind of bullets were you testing?

[ar15barrels]

It just all depends on exactly what you want to do with your rifle!!

Lane

You had better come say hi to Ryan and I this weekend at Sac so we can shake your hand.

Look for the team of shooters in light gray shirts with AR15barrels.com on the back...

[rksimple]

I'll take a large shirt Randall!

[wildcard]

You had better come say hi to Ryan and I this weekend at Sac so we can shake your hand.

Look for the team of shooters in light gray shirts with AR15barrels.com on the back...

Are we getting team shirts?! I'll take a medium

[ar15barrels]

Are we getting team shirts?! I'll take a medium

I figured you guys would catch on to that post pretty quickly.
When I travel with a group of shooters we always wear team colors, at least on the last day...

Mystery Mountain 3gun was cool this year.
We had like 14 shooters in our squad and we were all wearing the same shirt on the last day.
All the range officers thought that was pretty cool.