180 PT's in 300WSM

[Oldtrader3]

Tom, I have never shot the GMX bullet but have experience with the TSX Barnes (tipped and untipped) which is probably similar in performance. I guess as long as his state has no law against using Partitions, I will continue to use them. They fly well in the rifles that I am using them in, they cost about the same as the GMX or TSX and they have the advantage of better expansion at longer range because of the compound bullet (Partition) design. I have been using them successfully since 1964 and see no reason to change. The Partition has just gotten better over the years.

The Partitions (and Accubonds) also often shoot with the same loads, close to point of aim and quite well with the Ballistic Tip and CT Silvertips which I also use. I guess I am a Nosler Poster Geezer!

 

[SJB358]

Tom any luck with the PTs yet? Scotty

 

[tddeangelo]

Tom any luck with the PTs yet? Scotty

Almost impossible for me to shoot during hte week, Scotty.

I just got back to reloading tonight.

My log showed mixed results with both 63.5 and 64.5gr of H4350 and the 180gr AB's. I decided to try some seat depth experiments with the AB's, so I went down 0.015" from mag length, and ran three batches at 0.015" increments,which took me neatly from mag length down to book length. Should help me see if it will head in the right direction.

Then I put a batch of PT's together at book length, same powder/charge.

Hoping to hit the range tomorrow after work. Need to test a few more '06 loads, and see if the Bob will repeat.

 

[tddeangelo]

UPDATE:

Ran three batches of 180gr AB's with one of my better H4350 loads. Started at 0.015" under mag length, then did 0.030" under mag length, and then 0.045" under. The longer length shot best at about 1.25". The others were around 1.6". Not a huge difference.

Made one batch of 3 of PT's on the same charge with the "book" COAL on them. I think I'll get the mag length on the PT, then run from there down in 0.015" increments and see what I see. Even at 1.25", that'll hunt just fine. Tack-driving will come in time as I fuss with it more.

 

[SJB358]

Glad to hear Tom. Did you run any across the Speedometer? Great work ringing out your 300WSM. I am looking forward to working with the 300WSM a bunch. I already have a bunch of load ideas in my head, ready to go. Just gotta fund the right rifle! Scotty

 

[CatskillCrawler]

As my golf partner says, if this game was easy, it would be boring. You'll figure it out and if not......you're helping with the economic recovery. :wink:

My bud has resigned to stop load development this year for his 300WSM and hunt with factory Vital-Shoks with the NAB. We can't duplicate the accuracy he gets with them yet. The best load we've worked so far is 180gr SSTs over a slightly compressed load of IMR-4350. He's getting 1.25- 1.75" groups with max velocity ~2945fps. Best groups at 2890fps. Good enough but he's spoiled with the other load and doesn't fully trust the SSTs at short range.

 

[tddeangelo]

As my golf partner says, if this game was easy, it would be boring. You'll figure it out and if not......you're helping with the economic recovery. :wink:

My bud has resigned to stop load development this year for his 300WSM and hunt with factory Vital-Shoks with the NAB. We can't duplicate the accuracy he gets with them yet. The best load we've worked so far is 180gr SSTs over a slightly compressed load of IMR-4350. He's getting 1.25- 1.75" groups with max velocity ~2945fps. Best groups at 2890fps. Good enough but he's spoiled with the other load and doesn't fully trust the SSTs at short range.

I figured 1.25" is satisfactory for the AB on my loads for now. I would agree with your buddy on the SST. I wouldn't want to shoot one into an animal close and fast, either.

I'm going to try some depth experiments with the PT's next weekend, and if that isn't any better, then the AB's will get the nod for this year. If the same, I may use the PT's because I'm almost out of AB's and have a near-full box of PT's.

Oh, hey.....shot the 257 today, and my RL22 load repeated results...another group in the 0.6" range. 45.0gr of RL22 under a 110gr AB set to just under mag length.

 

[jimbires]

I've shot a few deer up close with 139SST's in my 7-08 . I'm guessing my velocity 2800 ??? they did ok . I'd sure use them again . Jim

 

[Oldtrader3]

Well Tom, you are getting great results with the 110 gr .257 Roberts bullets. I bet that is a relief to verify that rifle's grouping ability.

I do not understand why the 180 won't shoot for you and some other people in the .300 WSM? That case design has the reputation for being optimal for the .30 caliber rifle. I shoot the 165 gr and 180 gr Partitions in my .30-06 and get groups well under MOA in both with both bullets. I have not tried the Accubonds in the .30-06 but will get around to it soon.

 

[tddeangelo]

Well Tom, you are getting great results with the 110 gr .257 Roberts bullets. I bet that is a relief to verify that rifle's grouping ability.

I do not understand why the 180 won't shoot for you and some other people in the .300 WSM? That case design has the reputation for being optimal for the .30 caliber rifle. I shoot the 165 gr and 180 gr Partitions in my .30-06 and get groups well under MOA in both with both bullets. I have not tried the Accubonds in the .30-06 but will get around to it soon.

I've heard a few folks say the AB can be hard-headed about shooting really well. It's shooting adequately for hunting purposes, but not where I want it.

Considering the Partition on the first time out almost equaled the best AB load, I'll bet I can get the Partition to a better place. Just depends on if I have the time to get it done. I leave on 10/23 to hunt in North Carolina. If I can't dial in the Partitions any tighter, I'll zero it with my best AB load and hunt with it. Hanging between 1.25 and 1.6 at 100 is adequate. Not great, but adequate.

The bigger relief is the 06 hanging at or just under MOA. That is the rifle that was vexing me all last year and through this spring when I bedded and pillared it...it's the one in the IM plastic stock. The fact that it is able to hover just under MOA when it was consistently inconsistent before makes me feel A LOT better. The zero was drifting around (maybe 1-2 inches, but still....) and the groups ranged from 1.5 up to just over 2.0 at times. Now it's shooting groups of 0.7-0.9 (three consecutive groups like that) with a 165gr GMX. That tells me I did something right with it!

Next year I want to put it in a proper stock, and I bet I can tighten that up even more. I'm also thinking, now that I have the 300WSM, of not hot-rodding the '06 so much and dialing it in with something like a 165gr Partition at around 2700-ish. If I want the extra horsepower, that'll be what the 300's for.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I am sure that the .30-06 bedding and pillars improvement in how that rifle shoots has to give you some satisfication considering all of the work that you have put into making the rifle shoot in that substandard design of stock. I do not know whether you want to restock the .30-06 with a composite or with a walnut stock. In either event, I am certain that it will help resolve the issue of groups wandering on the target between range sessions. The rifle has shown an abilitity to shoot so replacing the stock and further stabilizing the rifle is a good bet to solve the group wandering issue permanently.

The replacement of the Tupperware stock surely did stabilize my Model 70, .30-06. Plus I really like the walnut, Grade II stock that I was able to find for it. Mine looks as good as it shoots now and I sold the stock and floorplate to someone who needed them.

 

[tddeangelo]

I am sure that the .30-06 bedding and pillars improvement in how that rifle shoots has to give you some satisfication considering all of the work that you have put into making the rifle shoot in that substandard design of stock. I do not know whether you want to restock the .30-06 with a composite or with a walnut stock. In either event, I am certain that it will help resolve the issue of groups wandering on the target between range sessions. The rifle has shown an abilitity to shoot so replacing the stock and further stabilizing the rifle is a good bet to solve the group wandering issue permanently.

The replacement of the Tupperware stock surely did stabilize my Model 70, .30-06. Plus I really like the walnut, Grade II stock that I was able to find for it. Mine looks as good as it shoots now and I sold the stock and floorplate to someone who needed them.

I don't know....I've thought about going with a McMillan or B&C for a good, tough stock that'll let me hunt it hard and not worry too much about dinging it up. Also thought about a wood stock, too.

I also need to find a floorpate/triggerguard, but...I'll also need to get a mag box, spring, and follower, since this one is a DBM model. With a B&C Medalist ($225-ish), I figured I'd have a good 4 bills in a stock swap, but the rifle should shoot really well in a new stock, and the DBM setup should be attractive enough to SOMEONE that I'd get at least a couple bucks for a stock, trigger guard, and three mags. I could make it a DIY DBM M70 kit!

 

[Oldtrader3]

Tom, if you decide to buy a Williams single piece floorplate, you can buy the matte finished one for the Model 70 for about $173. from Midway. I bought mine there and but kept and used the magazine box and follower from the old USRAC stock. I had to modify the spring slightly to fit. Plus, the old follower is plastic and you may not want that.

I sold my old two piece floorplate and stock to a soldier, pretty reasonably just to help. So, all up, I am pretty pleased with the new wood stock and it shoots as well or better than the old stock. Plus the guy that I sold the floorplate to was happy because he was having trouble finding one that was in stock anywhere.

 

[tddeangelo]

Tom, if you decide to buy a Williams single piece floorplate, you can buy the matte finished one for the Model 70 for about $173. from Midway. I bought mine there and but kept and used the magazine box and follower from the old USRAC stock. I had to modify the spring slightly to fit. Plus, the old follower is plastic and you may not want that.

I sold my old two piece floorplate and stock to a soldier, pretty reasonably just to help. So, all up, I am pretty pleased with the new wood stock and it shoots as well or better than the old stock. Plus the guy that I sold the floorplate to was happy because he was having trouble finding one that was in stock anywhere.

That's where I'll need Winchester's parts dept....I need the internal mag parts, not just the floorplate.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Just call Browning CS in Morgan Utah and they will fix you right up.

 

[tddeangelo]

Just call Browning CS in Morgan Utah and they will fix you right up.

That's what I had planned on doing.

I may get a Williams extractor while I'm working on it, although I don't know why other than to know I have a better one than the one I have on it now. No one really thinks about an extractor till it breaks....

 

[Oldtrader3]

I have owned several USRAC rifles and almost all of them equipped with CRF Model 70 extractors. I have never had one break but suppose with a blown primer or something, they could break? I am not sure that is a part that I would be too concerned about under normal circumstances.

 

[tddeangelo]

I have owned several USRAC rifles and almost all of them equipped with CRF Model 70 extractors. I have never had one break but suppose with a blown primer or something, they could break? I am not sure that is a part that I would be too concerned about under normal circumstances.

I guess not....I've heard (not anything I've experienced first hand) that the New Haven extractors are more brittle than the Williams extractors on the FN-made rifles.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

I've shot a few deer up close with 139SST's in my 7-08 . I'm guessing my velocity 2800 ??? they did ok . I'd sure use them again . Jim

I too have supreme confidence with this combo. I have loaded for three 7mm-08's and this combo has proven to be accurate and deadly.

Since his 300WSM shoots the Federal NAB load sub-MOA consistently he just doesn't feel the need to risk the SST at those velocities. He has a 75% chance of shooting at deer under 75 yds in this cedar swamp where he hunts.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

I'm going to try some depth experiments with the PT's next weekend, and if that isn't any better, then the AB's will get the nod for this year. If the same, I may use the PT's because I'm almost out of AB's and have a near-full box of PT's.

Oh, hey.....shot the 257 today, and my RL22 load repeated results...another group in the 0.6" range. 45.0gr of RL22 under a 110gr AB set to just under mag length.

He's been thinking of trying the PT but he knows his rifle likes the NAB, we just can't duplicate it yet. :?

Grats on the RL-22, that sounds like a keeper! I just finished my .257 loads. I have 100gr PT over IMR-4064 and Varget and 85gr NBT over Varget and IMR-4350. Figured I try some coyote loads too. My 22-250 SS bull barrel, laminate stock Encore can get a bit heavy after a while and this FWT should be a nice walkabout gun when I'm going up and down these hills between sets.

I will finally be able to get to the range this weekend. I'm gonna need three range sessions to shoot everything I have loaded up. Then I'll have to verify whatever proves itself worthy of repeating. I need a clone...