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Not saying it can't be done with a WSM it's just that numerous folks experience feeding issues with doing it depending on the action type. Simply screwing on a new barrel is usually not the norm in MOST cases. A simple google search and you can find numerous threads about issues some/many have encountered.
Yes I did over 20 years ago. It was IMR 4350. Set and had an excellance load doing 3400fps in the winter time in Mexico-North (aka Calif) which wasn't that cold either. In the 50+drg. I went onto other rifles and loads. In late June I changed back to my rifle that I had develop the load for. Temp was about 100deg. I had a hell of a time getting the bolt open. Blew the primer out of the case. Change to H4350 and never looked back. Lost 100 fps, but that was ok, and the groups was about 1/8" overall wider. Move from 3/8" to about 1/2" groups.
That is why I have gone to using temp stable powders for hunting applications. StaBall 6.5 is a double base powder that is temp stable which I have verified in the 243Win. Loads made at 59F had less than 10 fps increase in speed at 93F even when left out in the sun (rifle and ammo). ELR shooters can make charts that document how many fps increase there is per degree of temp. The risk there is that the speed of the round moves out of the accuracy node of the rifle. Very temp unstable powders to me make little sense in general.
I ran 300 wsm on a Remington 700 long action never had any issues I was feeding through an AICS mag. And will shortly be running a 270 WSM through an origin long action coming from a BDL floor plate
I have to be very careful of temp sensitivity in general. I do work up my loads in cooler weather but with the knowledge of the fact that a lot of my work with those loads will be in June or July. Years ago I worked up a great 308 load with ball powder at 50 degrees. I wasn't as aware of the effects as much then. I had read about them but just wasn't as concerned. I decided to test it on one of those 95 degree days. That pretty much drove the point home. I didn't have a catastrophe, but there were definitly signs of excess pressure. Bolt lift was the first clue. Brass inspection proved it.
Yes depending in what areas you are hunting and the range of temp change. I hunt in -20F to + 110F. So it's really up to the hunter, and knowing his rifle or whatever they are using. I created a problem of myself over 20 years ago with using a type of powder. I've never have forgotten it either. I try to worn people about the problem. That way at lease I feel I have done my job to try and keep people safe.
Understood. I lost the majority of my reloading components and equipment In a major flood years ago. It took me a while to build back up and get going again.
I sure like LVR for my 20" 308 Win. Have hunted in 25-90F weather with no signs of overpressure. I get 2920 fps with our 150 gr .308 SBD2 bullet and it groups reliably between 0.5-0.7 MoA. My Douglas barrel is the most accurate grouping 0.4-0.5MOA. The Proof carbon is OK but not as consistent as the Douglas.
Here a file on temp powders. I wish it was larger or all were rated, but it's what it is.
I have just shot a little of it in a new AA build. We did fine until I passed the velocity I had reached with 8208, then groups opened up. I can't see it giving me anything there that I can't get with 8208. Speed yes but the accuracy isn't there. Z Maybe I'll see something with the heavies.
When one truly considers all the variables that play into a rifle shot, one starts to wonder how rifles can be made to shoot as accurately as they do. One well established concept is that of barrel harmonics playing into group size. The object is to tune the load such that the barrel vibrates consistently from shot to shot thus releasing the bullet while it is in the same position in its vibration cycle. In load development we all have experienced the phenomenon that there are certain speeds where groups are the tightest. Speeds above that tight group speed start to open up. In some instances continued increases in speed may lead to a second accuracy node at a higher speed as long as there is not an overpressure situation. When that happens every body is happy. That higher speed accuracy node may vary from powder to powder, and thus it is important to be open to trying different powders. The reason I mentioned LVR is that it is generally not listed as a powder useful in the 308 Win, but it is my experience that it can work well. That doesn't mean it will work as well for everyone though. CFE 223 is listed for the 308, but it did not work for me. Since LVR had a slightly lower burn rate, I decided to try it and it worked fine.
