Maximizing the 300 Wby Mag on a Budget

[Alibiiv]

When I read your post my first thoughts were it's a 300 Weatherby, not a 300RUM. I checked my Western Powders manual the best I could find was Ramshot Magnum @ 3080fps with a Nosler B-tip bullet. My next thought is that I'd never trade off accuracy for velocity, especially when I'm trying to reach out and tap something at a long range?? I have a .270 Ackley Improved that I load for. I can get 3300fps with 150gr ABLRs, but it's at the expense of brass and accuracy. At 300 yards the gun will shoot MOA with that same bullet, only it's running at 3100 fps. My opinion is tha accuracy and velocity are not always synonymous. Even with the 300 RUM @ maximum velocity you're only going to grab 3226 fps at a maximum load, and that's probably on a good day. For me I'd seek to find an accurate load for a rifle that I like and be done with it!! The extra FPS is not worth chasing.

 

[FEENIX]

I have a question I'd like to run by the whole group. I'm no stranger to hand loading and recently purchased a Weatherby Vanguard Deluxe (high polished Vanguard with Mark V grade wood). My intention was to purchase a 300 RUM, but I've wanted a Vanguard Deluxe since the 70's and found an excellent one in 300 Weatherby Mag. Now that I own this rifle and have topped it off with a $1000.00 Leupold VX3HD, I'm wanting to get a 180 grain Barnes TSSX or LRN to leave the muzzle at a consistent 3200 fps. I know that's a tall ask for 99% of the older powders, but I'm looking into researching that velocity from some of the newer powder options. Because it's a factory Weatherby, I don't anticipate excessively high chamber pressures, but I'm also looking for accuracy and shot repeatability. I definitely understand that the case capacity is going to be a major limiting factor, but I'm still interested in loads others have tried, that were very successful as a long range hunting load. My current "trial" load is 86.8 grains of Reloder 25 (estimated fps @ 3100 fps) I haven't run into a temperature variance with Reloder 19 nor 25, in Arkansas weather, but I know there's newer/better powder options I've yet to explore. Thanks in advance guys, as I feel certain I'll get some truly useful advice from the group.

Don't overcomplicate it unnecessarily; propelling a 180-grainer at 3100 FPS is no slouch, esp. if it is accurate to your intended effective range.

 

[Can2Juan]

73.5 seems very low.
Are you sure it's not 83.5? I've had stiff bolts and pressure at 83 and above, and 73.5 is much lower than any of the books recommend.

After I posted it I started to think, and Im pretty sure your correct, its 83.5 not 73.5. I will look when I get home this evening. Not to get off subject the 73 comes to mind from my H-4350 180HH loads... These are what i use now and they run at 3150. in one ragged hole.

 

[dogz]

I have a question I'd like to run by the whole group. I'm no stranger to hand loading and recently purchased a Weatherby Vanguard Deluxe (high polished Vanguard with Mark V grade wood). My intention was to purchase a 300 RUM, but I've wanted a Vanguard Deluxe since the 70's and found an excellent one in 300 Weatherby Mag. Now that I own this rifle and have topped it off with a $1000.00 Leupold VX3HD, I'm wanting to get a 180 grain Barnes TSSX or LRN to leave the muzzle at a consistent 3200 fps. I know that's a tall ask for 99% of the older powders, but I'm looking into researching that velocity from some of the newer powder options. Because it's a factory Weatherby, I don't anticipate excessively high chamber pressures, but I'm also looking for accuracy and shot repeatability. I definitely understand that the case capacity is going to be a major limiting factor, but I'm still interested in loads others have tried, that were very successful as a long range hunting load. My current "trial" load is 86.8 grains of Reloder 25 (estimated fps @ 3100 fps) I haven't run into a temperature variance with Reloder 19 nor 25, in Arkansas weather, but I know there's newer/better powder options I've yet to explore. Thanks in advance guys, as I feel certain I'll get some truly useful advice from the group.

My Curious George side just has to ask...what's up with the 3200 goal, I mean real world what will that you do for you that 3125 or so won't...?

Secondly, what will you be using the rig for on a yearly basis and to what ranges will you be taking game consistently?

If 3200 is really your magic number I'd say go with the 168 TTSX and call it a day

 

[Mike D Texas]

I'm my experience with my 257 Wby it's really hard to exceed Wby factory ammo in terms of velocity without beating up your brass.

Factory load for a 115 ballistic tip in 257 is 3400. I was able to get 115 Bergers to 3600 but the brass is done after 2 firings.

 

[dogz]

3600 with a 115-----barrel length must be well over 30" eh

 

[FEENIX]

I'm my experience with my 257 Wby it's really hard to exceed Wby factory ammo in terms of velocity without beating up your brass.

Factory load for a 115 ballistic tip in 257 is 3400. I was able to get 115 Bergers to 3600 but the brass is done after 2 firings.

3600 with a 115-----barrel length must be well over 30" eh

My .257 WBY was specifically built for the heavies and suppressed with 22" 1:7" barrel ...

View attachment 402021
I managed to load some rounds and made it to the range earlier this week. However, I ran into some issues with my Lab Radar (operator error). I load up the following just to establish a baseline using powders (starting with MAGPRO) I already have open.

At 100Y 2 series shot, .011" off the lands.
- 64 = .413" - I forgot to arm it (operator error).
- 64.5 = .553", 2954, 2956 - this is the only one I managed to have a velocity reading. However, I cannot arm the LR because of the low battery (internal, not the pack - another operator). But the show must go on ...
- 65 = 1.705"
- 65.5 = 1.46"
- 66 = .413"
- 66.5 = 1.502"
- 67 = .414"

At 200Y, 015" off the lands.
- 67.5 = 1.079" - has potential; no pressure signs thus far.

View attachment 402031

I did not know when I would be able to have another range time opportunity. Until then, @Petey308 was nice enough to run some QL numbers for me. Thanks, Brother Aaron.

*Start load- 60.9gr at 47,898psi and 2780fps

*Max load- 66.9gr at 63,529psi and 3071fps
"Calibrated" Estimated Nodes:
*Node 7- 61.7gr at 49,744psi and 2819fps
*Node 6.5- 63.9gr at 55,178psi and 2926fps
*Node 6- 65.6gr at 59,768psi and 3008fps

Not too shabby for a baseline.

 

[Mike D Texas]

3600 with a 115-----barrel length must be well over 30" eh

No sir, actually 25.5". I got it up to 3650 but brass was trashed after one firing, primer would no longer stay in the pocket.

 

[asd9055]

I still have a standing load for 180ttsx in my MarkV 300bee, its consistently is at 3250 with 73.5gr of IMR87828. This is a hot load so start lower and work up.

What is your COAL for that, just curious how it compares with my TSX, which is about 0.1" shorter

 

[Can2Juan]

What is your COAL for that, just curious how it compares with my TSX, which is about 0.1" shorter

I will measure the COAL when I get home but I know its as long as I can make them to fit in the well and function correctly. I will say they grouped great at 100-200 yards, at 300 it started to open up. At 500 I would be lucky to them within a 8-10" circle. I love the bullets but I have to be able to shoot 800-1000 yards in Colorado elk hunting .

 

[asd9055]

I will measure the COAL when I get home but I know its as long as I can make them to fit in the well and function correctly. I will say they grouped great at 100-200 yards, at 300 it started to open up. At 500 I would be lucky to them within a 8-10" circle. I love the bullets but I have to be able to shoot 800-1000 yards in Colorado elk hunting .

Thanks. I completely understand. I never hunted with them. In my WBY I only hunted with Noslers (BT, AB and PT) 180BT in US, 200 AB and PT in S. Africa

 

[Ricky C]

Hey,
My original 300Wby barrel was 24 inches and I used 82.5 grs of RL26 to get to 3080fps with the 180 TSX. I pushed it faster but accuracy went .7 groups to 3 inches. The rifle is a 700. With RL22 and 82 grains it was right at 3110 with a Nosler 180 partition. I got tired of adjusting zero with the huge temperature swings here in Fairbanks, but I used that load for years. Killed quite a few critters with it.
Take Care

 

[Can2Juan]

What is your COAL for that, just curious how it compares with my TSX, which is about 0.1" shorter

Here's the COAL and the load is at 82.5 gr of IMR 7828

 

[asd9055]

Here's the COAL and the load is at 82.5 gr of IMR 7828

Thanks. It makes sense, because my load with the 180 TSX is at 3.600. The end of the bullet is on the same point in the case, i.e., actual case volume is the same. I'll give the TTSX a try, I still have some.