New to reloading 300wsm

[wild_musk]

I've been shooting the 175g vld over 71g RL22 for close to 15yrs. Gives 3050fps, a little faster on warmer days. Rifle is a GAP custom, 24" Bartlein 5 twist. I have Norma brass, but mostly Win. The gunsmith gave me the recipe, never tried a different powder. I'm limited to anything longer, just bought some 164g Hammers to try, he recommended Staball as well.

 

[CCass]

I'm still playing around with it, but I've been working with various Hammers and solid results across the board. SPR build on a Terminus Apollo Lite with a 22" Bartlein

174gr Hammer
—RL15, stable node around 56.5gr, 2964fps
—H4350, stable node around 65.7gr, 3120fps
—StaBALL 6.5, stable node around 67.6gr, 3190fps

180gr Hammer
—H4350, stable node around 65gr, 3045fps

196gr Hammer
—StaBALL 6.5, stable node around 65.4, 2975fps

 

[JAYgs8163]

I'm still playing around with it, but I've been working with various Hammers and solid results across the board. SPR build on a Terminus Apollo Lite with a 22" Bartlein

174gr Hammer
—RL15, stable node around 56.5gr, 2964fps
—H4350, stable node around 65.7gr, 3120fps
—StaBALL 6.5, stable node around 67.6gr, 3190fps

180gr Hammer
—H4350, stable node around 65gr, 3045fps

196gr Hammer
—StaBALL 6.5, stable node around 65.4, 2975fps

Nice, all temp stable powders also. What length action and length barrel are you running?

 

[CCass]

Nice, all temp stable powders also. What length action and length barrel are you running?

Always try to use the temp stable when I can! SA Apollo Lite and a 22" Bartlein CF barrel.

 

[Rick Richard]

I'm still playing around with it, but I've been working with various Hammers and solid results across the board. SPR build on a Terminus Apollo Lite with a 22" Bartlein

174gr Hammer
—RL15, stable node around 56.5gr, 2964fps
—H4350, stable node around 65.7gr, 3120fps
—StaBALL 6.5, stable node around 67.6gr, 3190fps

180gr Hammer
—H4350, stable node around 65gr, 3045fps

196gr Hammer
—StaBALL 6.5, stable node around 65.4, 2975fps

I had "one hole" results with HH166 over H4350 out of my 300WSM.

 

[CCass]

I had "one hole" results with HH166 over H4350 out of my 300WSM.

After I pick one and play with seating depths I expect the same!

 

[wild_musk]

174gr Hammer
—RL15, stable node around 56.5gr, 2964fps
—H4350, stable node around 65.7gr, 3120fps
—StaBALL 6.5, stable node around 67.6gr, 3190fps

180gr Hammer
—H4350, stable node around 65gr, 3045fps

196gr Hammer
—StaBALL 6.5, stable node around 65.4, 2975fps

What are your thoughts on using a lighter weight Hammer? I hit 2000fps at 620yds on AB with the 175s, so I feel safe at 500-550yds to achieve reliable expansion with the Bergers. Anything to be gained with faster lighter Hammers, even on elk?

 

[SuperBruce]

I've loaded H4831, staball 6.5, and RL-16 in my 300 WSM all with CCI-200 primers with a variety of bullets ranging from 169 MatchKings to 181 hammer hunter to 212 ELDX and have had great results all around. Unless you're using very slow ball powders standard primers should be fine if that's what you can find, and may even be better as others have noted. I use Norma brass which has been fantastic. Every rifle will be different but the 208 ELDM and 212 ELDX bullets have consistently shot great and they're very well priced so that's the bulk of what I use.

 

[CCass]

What are your thoughts on using a lighter weight Hammer? I hit 2000fps at 620yds on AB with the 175s, so I feel safe at 500-550yds to achieve reliable expansion with the Bergers. Anything to be gained with faster lighter Hammers, even on elk?

In a previous 300 wsm I was using the 166 hammers due to length restrictions, but they worked great.

 

[Rflshootr]

I would run 150-165 grain bullets.
That is plenty for 600 yards or less. You shouldn't have any problem getting 3000 fps out of either, the recoil will be slightly less, and lighter bullets are cheaper than heavy ones.
In the event that you should go elk hunting, then the 165 should be fine at reasonable distances or a 180 or a 200 grain load could be worked up at that time.

 

[joko111]

I just finished up a 300 Wsm in a 24" barrel. Berger 215 hybrid with rl26 at 2730fps. Shoots very good and accurate

Are you using mags, I run aics short action mags and my max length is like 2.950

 

[CNY Yote Hunter]

I use 180 Accubonds over H4350 in mine and love it. Should work beyond fine for your intended purposes!! All I've ever run for primers for mine are CCI 250's and I actually just got 1k from MIWall Corp in the mail and on the way. They had 5 more in stock when I ordered 2 days ago so maybe they still have some. Good luck!!

 

[Dmagna]

Are you using mags, I run aics short action mags and my max length is like 2.950

I am in a long action defiance antix in a XLR chassis

 

[Lgpxlt]

One powder I've had great luck with in the 300 wsm is superformance. It's not a popular option, making it easier to find, but it sends180-200gr bullets fast with very decent accuracy.

I've been thinking of trying that. Could you give me an idea of the load data?