Reloading 300 wm

[Westelkmule]

I recently got a tikka roughtech ss in 300 wm over a 300 prc for elk in the high Rockies. I might eventually want to try reloading brass. I haven’t done it before. Is the belted brass much harder to reload? Any good websites with reloading guides?

I didn’t go prc due to it being so new and I wanted more hunting ammo choices. Tikka doesn’t even make stuff in 300 wm yet.

 

[EastHumboldt]

You might want to try posting this in the reloading forum. I reloaded some 300 WM for my son. it was pretty much the same process as reloading for my other rifles. IIRC You need to crimp as part of the process to ensure the bullet doesn’t slide around in the neck under recoil. YMMV.

Hodgdon and other powder makers will have reloading data online for their various powders that they sell.

Reloading Data Center – Hodgdon Reloading Data Center

hodgdonreloading.com

 

[TaperPin]

There’s zero difference loading belted cartridge - its best to simply ignore the belt, or any talk about how horrible or great it is.

Most reloading manuals have a reloading how-to section.

RCBS has a basic reloading write up: https://www.rcbs.com/on/demandware....bs/pdf/RCBS-Introduction-To-Handloading_1.pdf

Many of us think of reloading tools in terms of the major steps, which are essentially independent of the others:
- case cleaning
- resizing
- case trimming
- priming
- powder measuring
- bullet seating

Each step can be done by a number of different techniques and tools. Just starting I’d ignore everything other than the basics. Too many guys focus on trendy running techniques when they are crawling and haven’t even walked yet.

 

[D S 319]

Ain’t gonna reload the same casing more than a couple times from my experience.

 

[waspocrew]

Ain’t gonna reload the same casing more than a couple times from my experience.

Why is that? Case head separations?

If so, it's from excessive sizing. Belted magnums aren't any different - if sized (and loaded) appropriately, your cases should last a while.

 

[D S 319]

Why is that? Case head separations?

If so, it's from excessive sizing. Belted magnums aren't any different - if sized (and loaded) appropriately, your cases should last a while.

Yeah that’s the issue I was having. thats good to know, I just chalked it up to only 2-3 reloads then tossing. Typically very meticulous with reloading I’d imagine it would’ve all been done correctly. I will have to look into it more.

 

[TaperPin]

At max published velocity, or nearly so, most people will get 10+ reloads on a case. Nothing special about the 300 in that regard.

 

[hiker270]

With H1000, magnum primers and just about any 180 gr. bullet my Tikka 300 WM is one of the easiest calibers I reload for in terms of getting excellent accuracy.

 

[elkguide]

Having a slight addiction to .30 caliber rifles, (I only have 5 different caliber .30s right now) the Win Mag is my favorite of all of them. I haven't shot factory ammo in probably 20 years now and find no difference in reloading belted vs non-belted cases. I have never gotten more than a dozen reloads from a case in .300 WM but then again, I have a tendency to believe that faster is better, so I usually run max loads. Usually I get 8 - 10 trips through the sizing die before I set them aside. Of the 4 WMs that I have currently, only one of them is slightly picky as to what I feed it. Only real difference is throating and magazine length.
Easy cartridge to reload and easy to get used to tipping things over with.

 

[Westelkmule]

Thanks for all the tips, glad I went 300wm. With ammo prices and wanting to shoot a bunch the reloading will happen soon.

 

[Kimber7man]

Around 75 grains of H1000 and a 215 Berger hybrid, and you’ll be golden….

 

[MtnManTy]

Having a slight addiction to .30 caliber rifles, (I only have 5 different caliber .30s right now) the Win Mag is my favorite of all of them. I haven't shot factory ammo in probably 20 years now

Care to share your favorite powder(s) for 300wm?

 

[farmermail]

Care to share your favorite powder(s) for 300wm?

H4831 with a Sierra MK 168grn. 3124 fps average for a 5 shot, variance no more than 10 fps. My gun shoots that lights out. If I were working up a new load, yup, 180 or 190 grn something with a much better BC. But, I just like that load, so I probably won't ever change. Old dogs and new tricks, you know.

 

[elkguide]

Care to share your favorite powder(s) for 300wm?

The old school "shoot in any rifle" load was always 70 grains of IMR 4350 with a magnum primer pushing a 180 grain bullet.

Most of my rifles like H4831sc as a general use powder. A lot depends on what bullet weight you are using. With the heavies, I have great success with N570.