Browning X-Bolt 300 WM Reloading

[therealthor1]

Hello all,

I've spent some time trying to develop a load for my Browning X-Bolt Max Long Range in 300 WM and have yet to achieve satisfactory results (sub-MOA). I found that 200gr Hornady Precision Hunter ammo yielded the best results from factory ammo, so in essence, that is what I am attempting to replicate. Using 200gr ELD-X's seated .030" off lands, Lapua brass, and CCI 250's. I've tried a gambit of charge weights with H4831SC in order to keep using the same powder across my rifles, but I suspect the 300 WM may need a different powder (H1000, Retumbo, etc.) in order to achieve good results.

Looking for recommendations for "recipes" for this gun/caliber. At this point, I am not opposed to trying another bullet or powder in order to get this rifle to shoot properly. Thank you.

-JZ

 

[Flyjunky]

Buy some H1000, it’s not difficult to find.

Off the top of my head my dad loads somewhere around 76.5 of 1000 with the 215 Berger. It shoots really well.

 

[farmermail]

RL26, N565, 7828 are all good for that bullet weight as well. Might try a bit less jump as well.

 

[Mw01313]

My Fierce loves the 200s with H4831SSC. Both ELDX and NAB got well sub MOA (closer to.5) pretty easily. @farmermail may be right on seating depth adjustment.

 

[therealthor1]

Thank you all for the suggestions--looks like I'll have some things to try.

H1000 may pose some difficulty to find. I've suspected that that particular powder may be the solution and haven't seen it around much. Regardless, I'll keep an eye out for it, along with the others.

On the subject of seating depth--how far off the lands would be a good starting point? .010"? (assuming I don't run out of room in the mag first).

 

[tstith]

Hey @therealthor1, I also load for that rifle. The 1:8" barrel allows for heavy bullets and the long chamber/mag allows me to run 3.595" COAL. I use ADG brass, Federal 215M primer, 73.0gr H1000, and a 212gr ELD-X bullet. You can find H1000 on Midsouth Shooters Supply, Brownells, etc. I bought RL-26 for load development but never went past H1000.

The ELD-X bullet needs to be at or below 2850fps leaving the barrel for the bullet to perform as designed on impact, according to Hornady. When I chrono'd mine (using Hornady brass, 76.1gr H1000), I was running 2940-2950fps out of the 26" barrel with a can. I have been working to slow mine down.

I don't know how much of this is helpful but reach out if you want to discuss loading for this rifle

 

[northernalpine]

H1000, Retumbo, N568, N570 are the only powders in 300WM I’ve used, all have worked well and produced good results. Rumor has it N568 is less corrosive than N570, similar to differences of RL15 vs RL16, but I have seen no hard data to back that up and will be upfront about it possibly being erroneous. I found a good supply of H1000 when the gettin’ was good and it works well with any of the below bullets I’ve tried, Retumbo and N568 both were good with the 200gr options.

Berger:
200 Hybrid Target
215 Hybrid Target
Hornady:
200gr ELD-X
208gr ELD-M
212gr ELD-X

Current load:
Berger 215 Hybrids
Fed 215Ms
ADG Brass
77gr H1000
2920fps
3.625” OAL @.015 off (CA Ridgeline)

 

[waspocrew]

Thank you all for the suggestions--looks like I'll have some things to try.

H1000 may pose some difficulty to find. I've suspected that that particular powder may be the solution and haven't seen it around much. Regardless, I'll keep an eye out for it, along with the others.

On the subject of seating depth--how far off the lands would be a good starting point? .010"? (assuming I don't run out of room in the mag first).

Here you go. My guess is there will be free shipping or free hazmat soon, especially with the 4th coming up.

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[C.payne]

This is my recipe for my Browning HCS 300 WM
215 Berger
Norma Brass
80 grains N570
Fed 215m
3.600 COAL (just inside max mag length)
Average MV 2960
Shoots very well

I had the same load as well with H1000 that shot very well also. MV was just a fair bit slower.

 

[therealthor1]

Hey @therealthor1, I also load for that rifle. The 1:8" barrel allows for heavy bullets and the long chamber/mag allows me to run 3.595" COAL. I use ADG brass, Federal 215M primer, 73.0gr H1000, and a 212gr ELD-X bullet. You can find H1000 on Midsouth Shooters Supply, Brownells, etc. I bought RL-26 for load development but never went past H1000.

The ELD-X bullet needs to be at or below 2850fps leaving the barrel for the bullet to perform as designed on impact, according to Hornady. When I chrono'd mine (using Hornady brass, 76.1gr H1000), I was running 2940-2950fps out of the 26" barrel with a can. I have been working to slow mine down.

I don't know how much of this is helpful but reach out if you want to discuss loading for this rifle

@tstith where were you able to find that ELD-X's need to be <=2850 fps leaving the muzzle? To clarify, does that apply to 212 gr bullets and 200 gr? I bought some N565 and had consistently good results, best groups at 74.3 gr. I measured velocity at 2940 fps.

 

[therealthor1]

@tstith where were you able to find that ELD-X's need to be <=2850 fps leaving the muzzle? To clarify, does that apply to 212 gr bullets and 200 gr? I bought some N565 and had consistently good results, best groups at 74.3 gr. I measured velocity at 2940 fps.

@tstith As follow-up, I was able to verify in the Hornady Rifle Bullet Guide on their reloading app that the muzzle velocity range for both the 200 and 212 gr ELD-X's is 2000-3100 fps. Therefore, I will continue to use my load that measured 2940 fps. That said, I am still curious about the discrepancy between your information and what I found.

 

[tstith]

@therealthor1 To my understanding, the ELD-X was supposed to be ~2800fps from the muzzle for bullet performance but it appears you have better/more specific information. I haven't had much of a chance to play with my WM this year or get better data. I think my prepped loads are 73.1gr H1000 using ADG brass but thats due to the slightly lower case volume of that brass.