300 Win Mag

dirtygrass · Aug 21, 2017

Looking for a good load for my Winchester 300 WM, 180 grain bullets, Tried 180 Barnes TTSX, 71 grains reloader 19, this load shoots great out of two of my other rifles, but not my Browning X Bolt Western hunter. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Millsworks · Aug 21, 2017

I strongly suggest Reloader 22 or 23.

The 23 is a newer powder from Alliant that is all temp stable. I'm using the R-22 with the Hornady ELD-X in 178gr. with good results in accuracy.
I just worked this load up this spring and haven't taken any game with it yet, but it shows promise.

I posted a thread on the load earlier this spring on this site. A search should turn it up.

Millsworks · Aug 21, 2017

Looks like I'm using 77gr. Of R-22, Winchester mag. primers, with the Hornady ELD-X 178gr. bullets.

As always start lower and work up. Checking for pressure signs as you go.

Just to clarify, this is a 300 win. mag. ,Not a short mag. Hope that's what you're shooting.

dirtygrass · Aug 22, 2017

Yes, 300 win mag. I put together 6 loads with 6 different 180gr bullets, I don't have any ELD-x all using reloader 22. Nosler Partition, Hornady SP, Hornady BT SP, Accubond,SIerra GK and the old Barnes X flat base. Hopefully one works. I have found some of my files do not shoot boat tails well. I have a Remington 25/06 that is a tack driver with Barnes X flat base but is terrible with any boat tail. I have also found the the Hornady SP is a very consistent bullet.

Thanks for you advice, and letting me know about the Reloader 23, I looked it up and they also have Reloader 26, which seems to be a higher volume powder.

Millsworks · Aug 22, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Aug-22-17 AT 09:49AM (MST)[p]I have only used the 26 for the 200gr. and it shot great.
I'm just not using any bullet heavier than 180s in my .300 right now. But it is a slower burn rate and would likely work fine with 180gr. also.
I happen to have lots of R-22 so won't be using anything else anytime soon.
Barrels shorter than 26" on the .300 may need a faster burn rate than the R-26 has.
I have a 26" barrel on my model 70.

Of the bullets you listed, that Accubond should be extremely similar to what the characteristics of the ELD bullets are. Both in flight, terminal performance, and pressure.
Seating depth is where tweaking might be needed.

I have polished the resizing expander ball of the die to allow more grip pressure on the neck also.
I do set the seating as close as I can to the rifling but, on my rifle, even after mag box mod, I can only get within about 20 thousands.
Any longer won't cycle smoothly for me.