300 WSM Powder

[goathunter]

Ive only used RL 16 with good results with 180 accubonds at 2950. Curious about RL 17 tho… anybody have luck with RL 17?

Yes, it's the go to for 300 WSM. I can push 180 NABs 3050 in a 24" barrel. But my accuracy load was 2950 as well.

 

[buddtc]

Curious if anyone has used both RL17 and RL16 in the 300 WSM and could speak to velocity and accuracy differences? This would be helpful to OP's original question

I've been using RL17 with 178 ELD-X and have been getting 3089 with a suppressor

 

[shax2lex]

I have a custom rifle and I have a 20” proof on it. I reloaded for the 200gr ELDx. I got 2,760fps with my H-4350 loads. The barrel is broke in. I do like the shorter barrel because I shoot a TBAC Ultra 9 gen 2 suppressor. I am going to try 175gr Barnes LRX this year and try to get them to 3,100fps with H4350 or H4831SC. I shot a deer at 60yrds and the ELDX didn’t pass through. I also didn’t like the recoil needed to get it moving that fast. If I can get 3,100fps or close to it with the Barnes, then I’d can essentially get the same effective range as the 200gr ELDX and with a pass through.

Follow up with some speeds for a shorte barrel. I hope it helps.

I’m just getting back from the range. I have a 20” Proof cut for a Terminus Zeus SA QC, TBAC Ultra 9 Gen 2 shooting the 175gr LRX at 2,885fps, 50mils off the lands. 64gr H4350. The rifle seems to really love it. I tried higher charges but I’m getting stupid consistency. One session of 4rd had a 4.4SD and the next 4rds had a 2.7SD. I’m done. It’s like one hole too.

I tried H4831SC in same session and I couldn’t get any speed before I was compressing it too much.

I decided I didn’t want to shoot the 200gr ELDX. They don’t penetrate like I wanted.

 

[LostWapiti]

I have a 22" CarbonSix 1:9.5 300WSM in a Tikka long action and extra long freebore so I am loading out to max COAL of 3.3". I have been playing with loads but I'm still experimenting with speeds before I see about accuracy and SD. I am trying 2 bullets right now. 190 LRX and 215 Hybrid. I can fit 70gn of powder with a light crunch but you can still shake the case after and hear some movement. I think I could fit another grain or 2 before being compressed.

The only powder I have tried is H4831SC. Here are my results.

215 Hybrid H4831SC
65gn 2642
66gn 2704
67gn 2752
68gn 2789 Light Pressure signs
69gn 2814 Max Pressure, heavy bolt lift and ejector mark

190 LRX H4831SC
67gn 2791
68gn 2811
69gn 2841
70gn 2870 No pressure signs yet. I will try to keep going.

I'm pretty happy with what I am seeing and will definitely be using these combos for some hunting/target loads but am wondering if there is anything better out there.

Can anyone recommend any other powder they think will give me better speeds than this that will also be accurate. I also really would like to stick with temp stable powders. Also bonus points for powders that actually exist and aren't just fairy dust. Cough Cough RL23.

 

[shax2lex]

Try H4350. Based on what I saw with H4831 and H4350, H4350 will be faster.

 

[LostWapiti]

Try H4350. Based on what I saw with H4831 and H4350, H4350 will be faster.

Thanks I’ll give it a go. I just know I will get a much better case fill with the 4831. Sometimes that matters for accuracy. I’m guessing I will only be able to safely put in like 65gn of 4350.

 

[Shadow Illude]

I second H4350. Maxed out at 62 grains and backed off from there with a 190LRAB. Ended up with a good stable load running 2880 from a 24” Proof Carbon prefit.

 

[hdc77]

I have a 22" CarbonSix 1:9.5 300WSM in a Tikka long action and extra long freebore so I am loading out to max COAL of 3.3". I have been playing with loads but I'm still experimenting with speeds before I see about accuracy and SD. I am trying 2 bullets right now. 190 LRX and 215 Hybrid. I can fit 70gn of powder with a light crunch but you can still shake the case after and hear some movement. I think I could fit another grain or 2 before being compressed.

The only powder I have tried is H4831SC. Here are my results.

215 Hybrid H4831SC
65gn 2642
66gn 2704
67gn 2752
68gn 2789 Light Pressure signs
69gn 2814 Max Pressure, heavy bolt lift and ejector mark

190 LRX H4831SC
67gn 2791
68gn 2811
69gn 2841
70gn 2870 No pressure signs yet. I will try to keep going.

I'm pretty happy with what I am seeing and will definitely be using these combos for some hunting/target loads but am wondering if there is anything better out there.

Can anyone recommend any other powder they think will give me better speeds than this that will also be accurate. I also really would like to stick with temp stable powders. Also bonus points for powders that actually exist and aren't just fairy dust. Cough Cough RL23.

Like you, I built a 300 wsm on a LA on a 26 inch CF proof throated for Berger 215s. I am shooting N565(70gr), COAL 3.145 @ 2850 below pressure using ADG and Fed 215M. You have a pretty good load there so not sure if this is any better. As usual start lower if you want to try this combo.

 

[sr80]

ive got some H4831 and H4831sc, made up a load with the SC the other day with 175 gr LRX's. I am wondering if anyone has used the regular and short cut and tested if they have similar performance, as in velocities, and accuracy? I'll test this myself on next days off but just thought i would ask. Seems like the googling consensus is they are offer the same performance with SC giving better metering.

 

[hunting1]

ive got some H4831 and H4831sc, made up a load with the SC the other day with 175 gr LRX's. I am wondering if anyone has used the regular and short cut and tested if they have similar performance, as in velocities, and accuracy? I'll test this myself on next days off but just thought i would ask. Seems like the googling consensus is they are offer the same performance with SC giving better metering.

Same juice, SC is for better metering.

 

[Andouille]

ive got some H4831 and H4831sc, made up a load with the SC the other day with 175 gr LRX's. I am wondering if anyone has used the regular and short cut and tested if they have similar performance, as in velocities, and accuracy? I'll test this myself on next days off but just thought i would ask. Seems like the googling consensus is they are offer the same performance with SC giving better metering.

H4831SC has a very full, maybe slightly compressed load in WSM with 175lrx which should be great for efficiency and consistency. I use Staball 6.5 with LRX and 4831sc with Speer 190 Impact.

 

[roymunson]

H4831 is what I settled on. H4350 wouldn't get the bullets where I wanted them in the 180 grain range. Picked up some 200 ELD-X and Partitions and they tightened right up.
64 gr H4831 for the Hornadys
68 gr H4831 for the Partitions

 

[Butcher8]

Back when H4350 was hard to find a few years ago I went with AA 4350 in my Model 70 300 WSM, I was able to work up a hunting load that shot 1/2 MOA out to 500 yards with that combo.

 

[Eaton Hill]

RL17 made a shooter out of a featherweight classic I’m the third, fifth and seventh owner of. Doesn’t shoot any factory ammo that I’ve tried. Sold the gun to family twice and said bring it back if you hate it. They did.

 

[Matt5266]

IMR 4350 with Berger 185 classic hunters shoots. Under half inch groups for me out of my Winchester model 70

 

[pacoalcracker]

If you want to forgo the handloading route, try the factory Federal Premium w/ 185gr Berger Hybrid hunter. It shoots consistent 3/8" at 100yds in my Bansner Ultimate One custom rifle. I bought 8 boxes of it with the same lot numbers. Generally, I like loading my own, but i'm not going to do better than this.

 

[LostWapiti]

If you want to forgo the handloading route, try the factory Federal Premium w/ 185gr Berger Hybrid hunter. It shoots consistent 3/8" at 100yds in my Bansner Ultimate One custom rifle. I bought 8 boxes of it with the same lot numbers. Generally, I like loading my own, but i'm not going to do better than this.

Also the Norma Bondstrike 180 is excellent ammo.

 

[David Barham]

I like RL16 in shorter barrel WSMs and RL23 in 24 plus barrels. Best powders out there for temperature extremes

 

[Ridgerunner338]

My .300 WSM likes IMR 4350 with everything from 150 to 200 grain bullets.

 

[LostWapiti]

I like RL16 in shorter barrel WSMs and RL23 in 24 plus barrels. Best powders out there for temperature extremes

But I have been hearing we will basically never be seeing these powders again. I heard it was going to stop being sold. I have been wanting to get my hands on some RL 23 for a while and have never seen it for sale.