180 PT's in 300WSM

[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...

 

[tddeangelo]

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...

Boy you aren't kidding about needing more time! And it's archery season here, too!!!!!

Gonna hit the range Sat to fine tune the zero on the 257 and reshoot some 300 loads. Gotta zero the '06, too. Should have the 257 and 30-06 done afte Sat. The 300 hopefully will be on the right track by then.

 

[tddeangelo]

UPDATE:

Shot 180gr PT's with 64.5gr H4350 today.

Started at 0.01" off the lands, then pushed the bullet in deeper by about 0.015" in each increment. Made 4 batches. Shortest length shot two in one hole, then one 1.5" high. 2nd shortest length shot two almost touching, then 1 at 1" high. Book COAL was next in length, that shot two doubled, one 0.5-ish high and slightly right...total group CtC was 0.9". Longest rounds shot 2 within 0.5" and one 1.5" left, but that was me. Vertically, they'd have stayed inside 0.6 or so. Gotta reshoot those last two loads. Book length shot 1.2" for me last time out. I think we're in business....

257 is still shooting like a house on fire, and the '06 even turned in a group of 0.68" today.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Sounds as though you are nearly at your goal with this rifle, at least for hunting purposes. That load should be plenty accurate enough for that. Gllad to hear it, Tom.

 

[SJB358]

Great shooting Tom. Sounds like your just about there. I'm pretty intereted in the speeds your getting. Scotty

 

[tddeangelo]

Great shooting Tom. Sounds like your just about there. I'm pretty intereted in the speeds your getting. Scotty

If I can kidnap my dad's chrony tomorrow, I'll see what it can tell me.

Previous data with the H4350 load in the 300wsm with 180gr AB's showed VERY consistent velocities at about 2950. ES was very low.

The Bob should be knocking down 2700. Maybe more, but I'd be surprised if it's not 2700 or very, very close.

The '06 should be close to touching 2900. Hornady's book was about +50fps on the chrono, and even deducting 50fps, I'd bet that load is AWFUL close to 2900 if it isn't at/over it. Recoil is fairly stout for an 06, but I can't argue the accuracy it produced today, nor the velocity it should generate. And I was very pleased with the GMX bullet I'm running in it.

I'm curious to verify the PT's and then hunt with them in the 300, as well as the AB's in the 257. I really want to have some serious confidence in the 257, and I need a few dead deer's testimony first.

The Partition is a bullet I've never used, but always heard lots about. Can't wait to see what it'll do to turn a whitetail inside out. At the muzzle, the 300 is producing over 3300ftlbs. That should kill, dress, and clean a whitetail at close range!

 

[Oldtrader3]

I have killed a number of whitetail and mule deer with the 165 gr Partition at about 3200 (69.0 grs IMR 4350) with the .300 H&H. I have had one-shot-DRT's on maybe a dozen deer at 50 feet to 350 yards. The first, small (management) whitetail buck that I killed in Wyoming with the 165 Partition at 50 feet, in a willow swamp, I thought that I had missed! When I came down from recoil all that I could see was mist, dust and hair. The deer was already dead! That convinced me of the magic of Partitions, the .300 Mag and high velocity on deer.

 

[SJB358]

Great shooting Tom. Sounds like your just about there. I'm pretty intereted in the speeds your getting. Scotty

If I can kidnap my dad's chrony tomorrow

The Bob should be knocking down 2700. Maybe more

I'm curious to verify the PT's and then hunt with them in the 300, as well as the AB's in the 257. I really want to have some serious confidence in the 257, and I need a few dead deer's testimony first.

The Partition is a bullet I've never used, but always heard lots about. Can't wait to see what it'll do to turn a whitetail inside out. At the muzzle, the 300 is producing over 3300ftlbs. That should kill, dress, and clean a whitetail at close range!

I would classify your 300 and 180gr PTs about like killing flys with Mack Trucks! If your right around 2900-2950 with your load you are really in that sweet spot for game swatting power. Your 30-06 with those 165gr GMXs sounds like a very deadly combo as well Tom. That would be a load I would have no issue hunting elk with.

After the chronographing of your loads, get some water jugs and put some bullets in them! Let's see what this GMX is made of! I will almost bet money on what the 180gr PT will look like. Either way, nothing will really boost your confidence more that running your well made loads into jugs to do that final verification. Scotty

 

[tddeangelo]

Great shooting Tom. Sounds like your just about there. I'm pretty intereted in the speeds your getting. Scotty

If I can kidnap my dad's chrony tomorrow

The Bob should be knocking down 2700. Maybe more

I'm curious to verify the PT's and then hunt with them in the 300, as well as the AB's in the 257. I really want to have some serious confidence in the 257, and I need a few dead deer's testimony first.

The Partition is a bullet I've never used, but always heard lots about. Can't wait to see what it'll do to turn a whitetail inside out. At the muzzle, the 300 is producing over 3300ftlbs. That should kill, dress, and clean a whitetail at close range!

I would classify your 300 and 180gr PTs about like killing flys with Mack Trucks! If your right around 2900-2950 with your load you are really in that sweet spot for game swatting power. Your 30-06 with those 165gr GMXs sounds like a very deadly combo as well Tom. That would be a load I would have no issue hunting elk with.

After the chronographing of your loads, get some water jugs and put some bullets in them! Let's see what this GMX is made of! I will almost bet money on what the 180gr PT will look like. Either way, nothing will really boost your confidence more that running your well made loads into jugs to do that final verification. Scotty

Just to update the thread....

Found a load with the PT's that has hung right at about an inch at 100. Chrono said just a shade under 2900, but that model has a rep for running slow (forget which model, it's my father's). I'd guess it tops 2900, and might touch 2950.

The only "issue" is that the group likes to string itself mostly vertically. It has improved with extending the COAL, but I'm out about as far as I want to take it for a hunting load (0.010" off the lands). I zeroed it at that load and it's going hunting with me a week from Monday.

As it stands, I'm taking three rifles next week to NC with me (all M70's)

257 Roberts, shootin 110gr AB on 45.0gr of RL22....should yield at least 2700fps, I'd hope. Shooting into a half inch at 100.

.30-06, shooting a 165gr GMX on 57.5gr of IMR4350 (above book max, don't use this load without working up to it!). Doing 2800-2850, shooting into a half-inch at 100.

.300WSM, shooting a 180gr Partition on 64.5gr of H4350. Should be 2900-2950. Shoots into an inch at 100.

 

[DrMike]

Tom,

It sounds as if you'll be well equipped. All rifles and loads appear to be performing well for you. They should serve you well.

 

[Oldtrader3]

My .30-06 shoots 165 PT's into <1/2 inch groups with solid regularity. The .300 WSM that my son shoots also shoots under an inch at 100 yards with 180 PT's. This is a solid combination for any medium game hunting. Tom, great improvement in thoise rifle's groups and a lot of work on your part to get there!

 

[SJB358]

Great job Tom. I know you have worked pretty hard on all three of them rifles and I can't see anything slipping through your net with those three rifles on point! Your groups have really tightened up nicely. That 30-06 load is very impressive. I am pretty interested in seeing what gets action this year while you are in NC. I hope all three rifles get a chance to hunt and take animals. Scotty

 

[tddeangelo]

Great job Tom. I know you have worked pretty hard on all three of them rifles and I can't see anything slipping through your net with those three rifles on point! Your groups have really tightened up nicely. That 30-06 load is very impressive. I am pretty interested in seeing what gets action this year while you are in NC. I hope all three rifles get a chance to hunt and take animals. Scotty

I can take 4 deer, Scotty, 2 buck/2 doe. Plus I have a tag for one of each in PA (sending for another doe tag for PA soon, but I doubt I'll need it).

I will probably make the .300WSM the first to bat, with the '06 close behind. I doubt the .257 will come out to play in NC unless I shoot two buck before the end of the trip (only happened once in three previous trips), but I may decide to take it one afternoon just 'cuz.

 

[tddeangelo]

Well, I'm back from my trip.

Wiffed on my first shot from the 300WSM on a decent buck at 200 yards.

Then that evening I hammered a forkie with it at about 60-70 yards. First deer I shot with a PT, and it did a number on him. Went in middle of the ribs, came out the far shoulder, smashing it. Nice exit hole, maybe the size of a nickel. The impact speed on that one was substantial, so I have to say I'm pleased with how it handled it.

My dad shot a pretty big 11pt down in NC, at 226 yards, with a 140gr BT. Beautiful performance, nickel-sized exit AFTER smashing the spine, deer fell in a heap and didn't move (he was shooting a 7-08).

Then he shot about a 50lb doe at 140 yards through the shoulder and the bullet broke apart. That one has me scratching my head.

 

[Guy Miner]

Hey, thanks for the report. Seems you had a pretty darned good hunting trip.

I'm not surprised at the smallish exit holes from the Partition bullets - that seems to be my normal results with them. Fine with me!

 

[DrMike]

Good report, Tom. Thanks. I agree that the performance you witnessed with the BT in your dad's doe is a puzzle.

 

[tddeangelo]

Good report, Tom. Thanks. I agree that the performance you witnessed with the BT in your dad's doe is a puzzle.

I really can't explain it, Mike. The buck was much bigger, but 100 yards farther away. I think Dad said he chrono'ed the loads at about 2600fps. His chrono runs a little slow, but even at 2700fps, that should be a great zone for the Ballistic Tips to work from. The little doe was so tiny I could just about touch my thumb and forefinger when clasping them around her neck. He found multiple exit wounds, presumably from fragments. The little doe was at 140 yards.

He's thinking hard about trying a Partition, but I bet if the BT's shot so well, an AB might fly well also. I really suggested a Partition for him, though.

 

[SJB358]

Great shooting Tom. Sounds like the little 300 did well. I had no real doubts on the PT. Scotty

 

[tddeangelo]

Great shooting Tom. Sounds like the little 300 did well. I had no real doubts on the PT. Scotty

It did great. Just wish I'd hit the first one I shot at, Scotty. That one was a beauty.

The shot I took on the forkie I've done several times down there (on other deer, of course). Each time, the deer went as much as 40 yards before crumpling. This one dropped/rolled down the slope for maybe 10 yards. The 165gr BTSP bullets I was using never exited, either. The PT brought him down fast, that's for sure!

 

[CatskillCrawler]

Grats Tom. Nice to see your hard work paying off.

That is a bit disconcerting with the 140gr BT. Especially with the velocity envelope your dad is in. I assume with multiple exit wounds that it was a quick kill but nonetheless, what gives? We've been using the 139gr SST for years in the 7mm-08's and I've always been apprehensive with them but they continue to work perfectly. I keep mentioning that we we may try a different bullet but my Bro-in law keeps giving me, "what are you nuts?" -type looks.