HELP! Short Barreled .300 WSM Powder

[FEENIX]

I need to prepare for a long throated .300 WSM and would welcome your recommendations for powder. Tikka T3x action. The barrel is a 20", 1 in 9 Hart. I plan to shoot 1 of 3 bullets, Swift Scirocco II 180, Barnes LRX 190 or Federal Terminal Ascent 200. It will wear a Banish Backcountry suppressor. This will be my primary Elk rifle with maybe Alaskan moose at some point. Looking to develop the handloads for hunting. I currently have H1000 but want more (faster?) options. What speed of powder should I be trying?

Also welcome your thoughts as to which bullet to use.

The RL-17 is primarily designed for WSMs.

As well as the RL-16.

I have been using RL-17 in my .300 WSM propelling the 215 Berger at 2850 FPS put of 24" 1:10" barrel for over 10 years now without any issues. As with anything else, YMMV. I would gladly take accuracy over velocity anytime.

I do not think you can go wrong with any of the bullets listed. Pick the one that best shoot accurately out of your rifle.

The photos show what I am after for COAL.

The photos looks like SwampLord's/PRO's but I could be wrong. If so, ping him (via PRO FB or other forums) he has tons of real-world knowledge on this subject. I miss him for his knowledge base and his wild arse wildcats.

Good luck!

 

[Rem7mm08]

Running 65gr H4350 in a 22" 12 twist with 165 BT

 

[azsugarbear]

I have a 300 WSM 22" PR carbon barrel with 1 in 10 twist that has been throated extra long for my Tikka T3X set up as a long action. I throated the barrel extra long so that I could seat the bullet farther out to maximize powder capacity in the case without compressing the powder. My load is the 196 Hammer Hunter over 70.3 gr. of RL26. COAL is 3.270. I run a TB Dominus SR can and get 2,975 fps from this combination.

Left to right; Loaded 300 WSM round; 196 Hammer Hunter bullet; typical .308 round.

 

[Pootyng]

I shoot 200 gr eldx long throated with 62.0 H100 hybrid from a 22" McGowan barreled tikka. I tried H4350 N560 H4831sc and H1000. They all were very similar velocity and accuracy 2700-2800.

 

[AZShooter]

Another vote for RL-17. Helped a friend put together a 300 WSM with a 22" barrel and the 230 Berger. 2735 fps 61 gr of RL17 mag primer win brass. Mag constraints of 2.8" so your longer seating depth should yield a bit more velocity.

The world record 1000 yd heavy gun was done with a 300 WSM. Charles Greer here in Tucson set this record. 30" barrel 27 lbs. Just saying this cartridge can be accurate too.
Norma .300 WSM brass, Alliant Reloder 23 powder, Federal 210M primers, Berger 220gr LR Hybrid bullets at 2800 FPS

 

[ncwg2boatguy]

I'm running IMR 4350 in my 14" bbl'd 300wsm with 165's. If I had to develop the load today I'd think of Ramshot hunter or sta-ball...

Are you getting any carbon fouling from 14" with "can"? Whats velocity? 2700 ish

 

[Rick Richard]

H4350 out of my 300WSM. Most accurate.

 

[Frank in the Laurels]

..makes no difference, long or short, 25 to 35 caliber, NONE BETTER than the "mother's milk " H-4350 for all short mags..can't be beat !!

 

[RuttyRizzler]

I need to prepare for a long throated .300 WSM and would welcome your recommendations for powder. Tikka T3x action. The barrel is a 20", 1 in 9 Hart. I plan to shoot 1 of 3 bullets, Swift Scirocco II 180, Barnes LRX 190 or Federal Terminal Ascent 200. It will wear a Banish Backcountry suppressor. This will be my primary Elk rifle with maybe Alaskan moose at some point. Looking to develop the handloads for hunting. I currently have H1000 but want more (faster?) options. What speed of powder should I be trying?

Also welcome your thoughts as to which bullet to use.


The photos show what I am after for COAL.

is the barrel throated or you having a smith throat longer?

 

[MT-JONAS]

is the barrel throated or you having a smith throat longer?

It is not throated yet.

 

[RuttyRizzler]

I'm considering the same move, but not sure how much to throat. I don't like the idea of being tied down to one bullet or load especially since components come and go.

 

[Bang4theBuck]

I know it isn't the question you asked, and may not be useful to you, but, have you considered a lighter/faster bullet approach. I like the heavies in a longer barrel, where you can get slower burning powder to push them. But, shorter barrel, and the need for faster powder feels like a double whammy on performance. Why not drop down to a 165 Class bullet 9like the Hammer 166s, and use a faster powder like H4350 or similar to get the terminal performance from the velocity, instead of the weight. Also, you aren't killing all of your powder capacity with the bullet depth. Just a thought, and seem worth a try. I use a 163 HHT, and it is flying at 2970, with no pressure at all.....24" barrel.

 

[scheme]

I've just started shooting a .300 WSM, 22" Proof CF on an XM action that has been a long time coming together. After a lot of digging through info on other forums, I've got a ladder worked up with N555 and Berger 200.20x's loaded just short of 3.2" oal (don't remember exactly where I ended up and not where I can look at the moment). A few others out there seemed to be getting better velocity in short-ish barrels than they had expected with it. It's going to be a while before I will be able to try it out, but will report back when I do.

 

[MT-JONAS]

I

I know it isn't the question you asked, and may not be useful to you, but, have you considered a lighter/faster bullet approach. I like the heavies in a longer barrel, where you can get slower burning powder to push them. But, shorter barrel, and the need for faster powder feels like a double whammy on performance. Why not drop down to a 165 Class bullet 9like the Hammer 166s, and use a faster powder like H4350 or similar to get the terminal performance from the velocity, instead of the weight. Also, you aren't killing all of your powder capacity with the bullet depth. Just a thought, and seem worth a try. I use a 163 HHT, and it is flying at 2970, with no pressure at all.....24" barrel.

How much farther into my powder charge is my bullet setting with a custom throated barrel? Meaning, I can set the bullet minimum into my case neck and throat the barrel accordingly whether I'm shooting the 163HHT or the Scirocco 180. I know my cartridge overall length would be different, but I have the room in this action. I understand the 163 will run along a touch faster but I'm not sure the elk at the other end will notice.

Or am I missing something?