300wsm reloading advice

[PhatSki]

Hello everyone. I could use some help making sure I am going in the right direction here.
My rig - Tikka T3 in 300wsm with 24" barrel. Have 2 Hells Canyon Armory Tikka T3 Billet Mags so I can load bullets closer to the lands.
Reloading Barnes 175g LRX in front of either RL 17 or H4350.
Have 100 cartridges cleaned, sized, deburred, primed with CCI lg rifle primers.
Gonna load bullets .05 off the lands as Barnes suggest and work up powder load.
After I find the right powder load then play with jump.
For RL 17 Barnes has a range of 58.8 - 65.4 in powder weight. There is no data for H4350.
This will be a hunting load for elk/deer. Max range will be 500 yards or so.
Questions:
1 - Most importantly am I on the right track here?
2 - Where should I start with the RL 17? In what increments?
3 - How many cartridges should I load for each increment? Is 3 enough?
4 - What is your progression when at the range? Shoot a fouling round then shoot first 3 rounds one after the other or wait for barrel to cool between each round then move on to next 3 rounds of a different powder weight? Should I run a dry/wet patch through barrel after each round of 3?
3 - Any favorite loads for either RL 17 or H4350 would be greatly appreciated.
4 - Has anyone seen data for H4350 for this bullet?

I really appreciate any help I can get. Thanks in advance!!

 

[Justin Crossley]

I shoot the 215 Berger in mine so I can't help you with the load. Three rounds per powder charge is fine to get you started. I feel that you should be able to shoot three rounds before letting the barrel cool but you'll have to see based on how your rifle shoots. I would not clean your barrel until you see signs of accuracy loss. A lot of my barrels are cleaned every few hundred rounds or so.

 

[bhylton]

I have had great results with H4350 and 180gr class bullets in my 300wsm. no experience with the barnes though.

Ive been loading 1rd each in .5gr increments and keep climbing until i hit pressure signs then back off .5 gr to find my max....shoot all rounds at the same bulls eye and you will see if anything is grouping close. This has worked perfect with a few different Hammer bullet / rifle combos... but no experience with barnes

 

[HiMtnHntr]

I would load 5 with each powder starting with the lowest charge and ending a grain or half less than max. Shoot each of the 5 groups with a cool barrel. For example, load 5 with RL 17 at 58.8, 61, 62, 63, 64. Try to determine and accuracy node with each and load 5 more at that charge.

 

[Tbuckus]

I have the same rifle.
I used the TSX and TTSX 180 grain with great results with R19. I cant help you with the powder you mentioned.
Look at the Barnes book and the LRX may have the same data as the 180.
As others have said, start low and work your way up to be safe. I believe I was a grain or so below max published that gave me the best group (.625) and 2930fps
Good luck

 

[PhatSki]

I have had great results with H4350 and 180gr class bullets in my 300wsm. no experience with the barnes though.

Ive been loading 1rd each in .5gr increments and keep climbing until i hit pressure signs then back off .5 gr to find my max....shoot all rounds at the same bulls eye and you will see if anything is grouping close. This has worked perfect with a few different Hammer bullet / rifle combos... but no experience with barnes

Since there is no load date in the Barnes manual for H4350 where should I start?

 

[wilydawg]

I usually start at mid-book and climb in 1 grain increments (for large capacity large bore, much less for small bore rifles) up to book max (newer reloading data is MUCH more conservative than it used to be. I have old manuals and new and some of the same loads are listed with much higher powder charges in old books than newer data for identical loads. And if you encounter pressure signs before trying your max loads, simply disassemble them). Look for pressure signs along the way (hard bolt lift, flattened primers). I'll load 6 of each (2 - 3 shot groups) As I'm working up I look for accuracy nodes. I pick a calm day for testing and I take lots of time to allow for barrel cooling. Although achieving both speed and accuracy is the goal, accuracy is more important to me than higher velocity. If I don't find what I'm looking for using this method (which would be rare) I might make component changes. It's beneficial to use a chronograph when working up loads. Lots of good information to study by doing so.

I agree with the poster above about cleaning practice. I only clean when accuracy begins to fall off. Which could be A LOT of rounds. I've noticed when I do clean, some of my rifles need a significant number of rounds fired before they "settle in" and group again like they should. There are mixed opinions on this, but some high profile shooters believe that many people over clean and actually do more harm than good to their barrels. When you do clean, be sure to use a bore guide.

I haven't used Barnes much, but did work up a good load with them in my 30.06. And I did find them to be somewhat seating depth sensitive. If you haven't already read it, the Barnes manual goes into great depth on this subject.

You might find H4350 load data on the Hodgdon website. Or call them. They are good about fielding questions. I use this powder in my .300 WSM but am using the Hornady 178 gr. ELD-X bullets so I'm no help there.

Also, are you sure your data isn't calling for magnum primers? You mention using large rifle.

 

[PhatSki]

I usually start at mid-book and climb in 1 grain increments (for large capacity large bore, much less for small bore rifles) up to book max (newer reloading data is MUCH more conservative than it used to be. I have old manuals and new and some of the same loads are listed with much higher powder charges in old books than newer data for identical loads. And if you encounter pressure signs before trying your max loads, simply disassemble them). Look for pressure signs along the way (hard bolt lift, flattened primers). I'll load 6 of each (2 - 3 shot groups) As I'm working up I look for accuracy nodes. I pick a calm day for testing and I take lots of time to allow for barrel cooling. Although achieving both speed and accuracy is the goal, accuracy is more important to me than higher velocity. If I don't find what I'm looking for using this method (which would be rare) I might make component changes. It's beneficial to use a chronograph when working up loads. Lots of good information to study by doing so.

I agree with the poster above about cleaning practice. I only clean when accuracy begins to fall off. Which could be A LOT of rounds. I've noticed when I do clean, some of my rifles need a significant number of rounds fired before they "settle in" and group again like they should. There are mixed opinions on this, but some high profile shooters believe that many people over clean and actually do more harm than good to their barrels. When you do clean, be sure to use a bore guide.

I haven't used Barnes much, but did work up a good load with them in my 30.06. And I did find them to be somewhat seating depth sensitive. If you haven't already read it, the Barnes manual goes into great depth on this subject.

You might find H4350 load data on the Hodgdon website. Or call them. They are good about fielding questions. I use this powder in my .300 WSM but am using the Hornady 178 gr. ELD-X bullets so I'm no help there.

Also, are you sure your data isn't calling for magnum primers? You mention using large rifle.

thanks for that advice. I will look at Hodgdon website.
As to the primers I actually am using Winchester primers which says right on the box "Large Rifle primers for Magnum Rifle Loads" so I assume I am good to go?

 

[wilydawg]

thanks for that advice. I will look at Hodgdon website.
As to the primers I actually am using Winchester primers which says right on the box "Large Rifle primers for Magnum Rifle Loads" so I assume I am good to go?

Yes, those are the same primers I use for my .300 WSM. Just clarifying.

 

[PhatSki]

Yes, those are the same primers I use for my .300 WSM. Just clarifying.

Im glad you asked. I had a moment of panic that I used the wrong primers! lol

 

[Yote Klr]

You might not get .05" jump and still have any nose outside of the case neck unless your chamber is throated long. SAAMI reamers for 300wsm is .000" freebore!!!

Im running 35cal ttsx at .005" off the land with outstanding results. Barnes .05 jump is a suggestion. I've only been able to do seating depth test for WSM at .035 to .040 before the start of the ogive was inside the case neck, possibly hindering smooth feeding...something WSMs are not known for anyway.

 

[Yote Klr]

Also, for powders I'd highly recommend H4350 or IMR4350.

 

[PhatSki]

thanks for the advice!

 

[usmc99]

I load my 300 sako a7 300 wsm with 64 grains of hybrid 100 V powder, Winchester primers, in reused federal brass topped with 180 grn accubonds. I've shot sub 1.5 inch groups at 400 yds with this recipe. I'm by no means a reloading expert but for as much as I shoot this rifle it has worked well for me. And those accubonds are like Thor's hammer!

Sent from my moto e5 play using Tapatalk

 

[JP100]

I am using the 178gn ELDX with 63.5grains of ADI AR2209 which is the same as H4350( as I understand its made in Aussie by ADI)

Gives me about 2950fps in my 21" Tikka, the max load is 64grains from my book.

http://www.adi-powders.com.au/rifle/300-winchester-short-magnum/

I would start around 60 grains and sneak up in 0.5 grains and see what shoots and keep an eye on pressure

 

[bhylton]

Since there is no load date in the Barnes manual for H4350 where should I start?

If there was data for a 180gr barnes i would probably start with the middle 180gr load. if not, i would start with the starting loads or a touch less for a cup-and-core 180gr bullet. If you just shoot 1rd/ powder charge you can work up quick to find what your working max load is without wasting a bunch of components.

 

[cj1026]

I just got done messing around with 175lrx's in my Tikka with H4350 and RL17. Both pushing about 3100 fps. With H4350 I couldn't get the groups to stay consistent. Just finished yesterday and today with RL17.
Shot 4 - 3 shots groups. 3117 fps avg and 1/2 moa at 100 yards.

 

[PhatSki]

Were your loads for the R17 near the high end of the powder weight range?

 

[cj1026]

64 grains

 

[CB2900]

I load my 300 sako a7 300 wsm with 64 grains of hybrid 100 V powder, Winchester primers, in reused federal brass topped with 180 grn accubonds. I've shot sub 1.5 inch groups at 400 yds with this recipe. I'm by no means a reloading expert but for as much as I shoot this rifle it has worked well for me. And those accubonds are like Thor's hammer!

Sent from my moto e5 play using Tapatalk

What your COAL on that?