I don't think 3K fps is a reasonable expectation for your Tikka considering you want to load from the magazine with a max COAL of <3.400". Here is Nosler's specs for Trophy Grade 300WM, 180 AB, 24" barrel, at 3.330" COAL and from what I've seen Nosler tends to load their factory ammo a bit on the hot side more than other factory brands.
| VELOCITY (FPS) | | | | | | | | |
|---|
| ENERGY (FT-LBS) | | | | | | | | |
|---|
| Muzzle | 100 | 200 | 300 | 400 | 500 | 600 | 700 | 800 |
| 2950 | 2763 | 2585 | 2413 | 2248 | 2089 | 1937 | 1793 | 1656 |
| Muzzle | 100 | 200 | 300 | 400 | 500 | 600 | 700 | 800 |
| 3477 | 3052 | 2671 | 2328 | 2020 | 1745 | 1500 | 1284 | 1096 |
I would pick up a box of this ammo to compare with your results and I would bet you'll see velocities in the low 2900s similar to your handloads.
Here is and example pulled from a LRH post that even if you do achieve the 3k goal you might not have and in my opinion most likely will loose any useful accuracy nodes
"In my Remington 700 LR .300 win mag with a 26" 1:10 twist factory barrel, I was getting 1/2moa or better today. Base to tip measured 3.550" with Nosler brass, Fed 215, 78.8 grains of H1000 and the 180 grain Accubond. Avg velocity today was 2963 fps. It was about 71 degrees outside in Dallas, TX- not sure of elevation, but probably between 700-750ft above sea level. Chrono used was a Magneto Speed v3."
No signs of pressure, and I can hear the powder in the case if I shake the loaded rounds. I'm sure I could load hotter, but after 79 grains the other day the groups started to open up, so I'm hesitant to do so. Part of me thinks I may even dial it back to 78.6 grains- that was showing slightly tighter groups than what I got today with 78.8"
He is working with 1.6" more barrel than you (the Tikka barrels are 24.4") and struggling to reach 3K fps.
What I also garner from this is he's seeing a nice accuracy node with 78.8gr at the high end so he's thinking about sacrificing some velocity (not much) to position the load in the middle of the accuracy node. In doing so accuracy issues related to brass prep inconsistencies and throat erosion will be mitigated to a degree.
He later posted after the barrel had 100+ rounds through it he was seeing 3035fps with the same load. The main difference in his load vs yours is 3.335 vs 3.550" COAL he is loading 215 thou longer with the 180AB. He is able to do this because the Rem 700 rifles have a magazine that will take ~3.6XX" max COAL and they tend to have ample freebore.
I guess my rambling point here is I find velocity in terms of importance in the creation of KE is very important. Ultimately, a balanced must be struck with the goal of having consistently accurate rounds and sufficiently deadly rounds for the size of game being pursued. If you can't hit it where you need to you can't efficiently kill it no matter the down range energy so sacrificing a small amount of velocity is sometimes necessary.
Case in point I found very interesting is the 300WM load developed for the military named MK 248 MOD 1 found here:
https://usarmorment.com/pdf/300WM_load data.pdf
Some notable features of this round are:
COAL 3.500"
Velocity: 2850 +/- 50fps
MAP: 71,500 psi (9100 psi more than SAAMI MAP)
Bullet: 220 SMK
Powder: H1000
Primer: Large rifle not Magnum
Maximum effective range: 1,200yds
First thing that jumps out at me is they certainly aren't thinking about brass life and the SAAMI MAP spec. is very conservative. Second, they are prioritizing impacts over lethality which means accuracy over downrange KE. I'm not saying this is a non-lethal round at it's designated effective range on human size targets because it is. In this case the balance is skewed toward consistent impacts not kills. Third, the whole Large rifle Magnum primer thing maybe nothing but a marketing ploy.
Anyway, One thing is abundantly clear from this I obviously have way to much free time on my hands!
