new 300WM, questions on target loads

[bewsh]

I picked up a nice Tikka 658 in 300wm with a large number of ready made home loads which work well

they are a split between 185 Lapua Mega and 185 Scierra Spitzer all loaded with Federal Gold and IMR4831

I fancied a bit of longer range work and I have picked up some 208gr AMax and some 200gr Norma Oryx for a mix of target and stalking

 

my question(s) is (are):

I already load for 270 with N160 and have a kilo of N165 left over from an order

 

what combinations of N160 and N165 are people using to good effect in a 300WM and what sort of velocities are you getting?

some of the US sites report some massive velocities for 200+gr loads but I am dubious

 

 

[Jagged 77]

You're not going to get massive velocities without using a long barrel plus double base slow burning powders such as N570. However ou should be easily able to achieve 2700 - 2800 fps with N165 and the 208 Amax without massive pressure and still stay supersonic out to ELR. The 208 Amax and N165 is what I use and it works extremely well.

[bewsh]

The 208 Amax and N165 is what I use and it works extremely well.

out of interest what barrel and charge are you using?

Any idea on your MV?

 

I am expecting around 2700-2800 but what intrigues me is there is 200gr data for N160 and N165 but the MV is very similar (standard 24" sporter)

I find VV data quite mild in terms of max load

 

Weight Type Mfg C.O.L Type Weight Velocity Weight Velocity

13,0 200 HPBT Sierra 84,8 3.339 N160 4,02 62.0 760 2495 4,56 70.3 835 2741

N165 4,15 64.0 768 2518 4,79 73.8 846 2774

13,0 200 Mega Lapua 84,5 3.327 N165 4,10 63.3 748 2454 4,65 71.7 823 2700

13,0 200 NaturalisLapua 84,0 3.307 N165 3,65 56.3 703 2306 4,29 66.2 800 2625

 

Am going to have to try both as I have both and see which it likes though

[Jagged 77]

RP brass

CCI 250

73.5gr N165

208 Amax (AICS mag length)

24" 1:10

Velocity - I need to reconfirm, I don't use chrono's only drop. I was pretty sure it was 2750 but my ballistics calculator is saying 2850 based on my last known dope. Whichever it got me to a 1350 yard target at Sennybridge last time I used it without too many issues. For sake of brass, barrel life and comfort (to some degree) loading to stay supersonic to your furthest intended target engagement is not really a bad thing in the larger longer range calibres as opposed to wringing the neck out if it. Watching for the splash of a 208 bullet at a mile is not always the easiest thing, that's where the bigger calibres can be more effective.

[bewsh]

thanks that is great

 

just managed to get a reasonable target scope with turrets (all new to me!) so have some load testing and range work to do!

[Foxshooter]

I am currently using 69gr N160 behind a 210gr Berger VLD with fed GM210 magnum primers for approx. 2850fps. It shoots pretty good out to 1200 yards.

 

I have a load of 208 AMax to try as the 210 Bergers are now getting hard to find at a sensible price. Hoping someone will suggest something suitale to try

 

MArk

[bewsh]

out of interest how long were you running the 210 and 208's?

I have just been measuring and I have:

 

93.93mm to lands (3.698")

but if I load the AMax 208's a minimum calibre seating depth on the bearing surface they are only 92.4mm (3.63"

 

not much neck grip if I run them long without a decent jump

(My max mag length is 88.4mm so it'll be single feed for these boys!)

[bewsh]

Well I am settling on 69.5gr on N160 behind 208gr AMax

 

It didn't like the N165 at all, got up to about 72gr and it started showing pressure signs. groups were very average

similarly with H4831,