Looking for 200gr ~2850+ Out of a 22" Barrel - What 30cal Cartridge?

Flyjunky

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Jun 22, 2020
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Hnadloading the 300 PRC and the 300 WM will get you to the 2,850 mark. I've tried both. But after that I went a little bit more. I build a 30 Nosler at 20" suppressed and hitting 3,015 with 215's. (y)
Do you mind telling me your load? I’ve settled on a 30nos after thinking I was going to go 300NMI.
 

wirehead

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Nov 1, 2021
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My Tikka 300 wsm cut to 22” runs Berger 205 EHs at 2867 fps with 65.0 gr of 6.5 Staball, Norma brass, and Fed LRM primers. Load is as hot as I would want to go. Based on a 7 shot group, it’s comfortably sub-MOA.

I found the Tikka i have has a relatively long throat for a factory chamber. I’ve seen others say the same. I had to file down bolt stop and run an HCA magazine.

My favorite load is with 175 LRXs and 6.5 Staball. 3125 fps and a 5 shot all-shots-touch group at 0.5”.

I think with a higher energy powder (eg reloader or vihtavouri powder), you could get the 205s to 2900… with that said, I do not find the difference between 2850 and 2900 to be worth much effort or concern.
 
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SloppyJ

SloppyJ

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Hnadloading the 300 PRC and the 300 WM will get you to the 2,850 mark. I've tried both. But after that I went a little bit more. I build a 30 Nosler at 20" suppressed and hitting 3,015 with 215's. (y)
Yeah that's next level for sure. Don't think I want to take it that far just yet. But those are damn good numbers.
 
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SloppyJ

SloppyJ

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you never mentioned what the build will be for? Or maybe I missed it.
I sort of mentioned it but I want something #1 to shoot something heavier than my current stable allows 200+gr, #2 it will be a rifle for a future elk trip I'm planning, #3 be used for long range training and as one of many deer rifles I own although it will be overkill. Hopefully all wrapped up in a nice package that isn't punishing to shoot more than a few rounds through so I don't need it to be super light weight.
 

Karlburns

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Aug 14, 2020
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Just my opinion but 200 gr is way plenty for elk. I shoot moose with a 30-30 but it’s close
range and one in the ear.

I understand the desire to build the gun though. Rarely do we need another one but their nice to have around.
 
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Im getting 3100 fps out of my custom 20" 300 prc, supressed. Bartlein barrel 200gr cutting edge lazer, 79.5gr RL26 peterson brass
 

AkRyan

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Jan 15, 2021
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My friends 22in tikka gets 2950 with 200g hand loads. What your asking for isn't available in box ammo unless you do a 300prc for factory ammo in a standard action length. I get 2850 with 180g in my 18in 300wsm and it put moose and bears down.
 
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SloppyJ

SloppyJ

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My friends 22in tikka gets 2950 with 200g hand loads. What your asking for isn't available in box ammo unless you do a 300prc for factory ammo in a standard action length. I get 2850 with 180g in my 18in 300wsm and it put moose and bears down.
Unless I'm forced to, I don't want to use factory ammo so no worries. Thanks for the info.
 

West2East

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Aug 14, 2023
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Location
West Oregon
Yeah, Good luck getting WSM brass. I'd look at component availability before choosing the cartridge. I have yet to find good brass in bulk. I keep waiting on an email from ADG and everyone else is always out of stock. I haven't even seen them on UM for the past year. WM or PRC is probably your best bet.
 

AkRyan

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Jan 15, 2021
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Yeah, Good luck getting WSM brass. I'd look at component availability before choosing the cartridge. I have yet to find good brass in bulk. I keep waiting on an email from ADG and everyone else is always out of stock. I haven't even seen them on UM for the past year. WM or PRC is probably your best bet.
I'm tempted to rebarrel mine just for this reason. Thinking 7prc
 
Joined
Mar 6, 2013
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I have a Tikka 300 WSM stock barrel (wanted to wait and see what speed I finished at before cutting down to 20”) so 24.3” I think.
I’m shooting Berger 200.20x at 2760 fps because it was too accurate there to push faster. I took it up over 2850 with no pressure signs in 60 degree temps, while I was still sun moa it shoots so much better at 2760 so I loaded up for season and long range drop verification. That was all H4350, I have H4831sc, IMR 7828 and RL26 to try after I have it cut down and TI pro break installed.

I also shot 160 hammers (tikka version) over 3350 with superformance and over 3250 with 6.5 Staball.

Factory Norma 180 Bondstrike shoots 2990 fps and confirmed out to 600 on drops.

I did change the bolt stop to long action and will run the bergers In a HCA mag.

I think a WSM will get you there and I haven’t found brass to be a problem. I found 120 rounds factory Norma ammo on local shelves, bought 70 something Win brass that I shot and then sold when I found 100 pieces ADG on the shelves at local Scheels.
And I still have the 120 pieces of Norma when I get through shooting another 40-50 I have left.

I regularly see 300 WSM brass or ammo for sale in the classifieds
 

AkRyan

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Jan 15, 2021
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Anyone handloading wsm needs to try magpro with the 200s just saying.
 

West2East

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Aug 14, 2023
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West Oregon
Since I'm a new member, lurked forever, I never paid attention to the classifieds here. So I'll keep my eyes open for brass. I ended up buying a bunch of Nosler trophy grade ABs for my WSM. So I'll load that back up for a few loadings.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
 

wirehead

WKR
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Nov 1, 2021
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I did not have a huge problem finding brass for my 300 wsm… actually ended up with several options.
 

.270

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Jun 12, 2018
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I would go with 300 wsm throated for the 215 bergers in the tikka action. Should be able to get there with RL26. My 300 wsm does with a 24" barrel and 3.15 COAL.
Not quite the same but my SAMMI chambered 325 wsm 24" barrel does 2950 with RL17 & 200 gr partitions. 2800 with H4350
26" 30 Nosler throated pushed 215s 3175 with retumbo.

I think you can get 2850 easily out of a 22" barrel in a throated Tikka action with 200.2x berger or 215s with RL26.
 
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