300 Ultra Mag & E-Tips

[Guest]

Well, I finally got some 180 E-Tip test loads worked up for the 300 Ultra Mag. :grin: Just need to get to the range now.

Loaded up Retumbo and Reloader 25. Started with the book minimum, stopped at the mid range load. This test will be with re-sized 1x fired brass using Federal 215 primers. Will try CCI 250 Mag Primers later. Results to follow after the range visit.

Don

 

[SJB358]

Good luck! Scotty

 

[FOTIS]

Good luck! This is where a chrono comes in handy. A real eye opener.

 

[Guest]

Thanks you guys,
Trust me the chronograph will be along on that range trip. To me, working up loads and not using the chronograph is worthless.

Don

 

[Guest]

Got to the range today and tested the 180 E-Tips I loaded up.
Only loaded 2-shots per powder charge to check velocity and groups.

Minimum charge of Retumbo was wiping head cases, got 3360 & 3290 fps group not good

RL25 91.0, 92.0 & 93.0 No pressure signs at all, smooth extraction all around on 1x cases.
Best RL25 Results: 93.0 3235 & 3250 fps 2-shots 3/4" apart at 100 yds.

Going to bump up the RL25 to 94.0 & 95.0 to check pressure signs. would like to get 3300 if possible & still utilize my re-sized brass.

Don

 

[JD338]

Bragging size groups are better than blistering speed. Put the focus on low ES and SD instead of on a target velocity.

JD338

 

[Guest]

JD338,
I hear you loud and clear. This first round to the range was to clarify the loads, then eliminate some of the findings. I'm going to focus on RL25 attempting to use re-sized brass while the goal is always striving for good groups. I feel I could get a little more velocity and will give it a try. I'm not that far away from 3300 fps at this juncture.

Don

 

[FOTIS]

180 Etip at 3250 fps is awesome power. Play with seating depth and use your brass forever. Another 50 fps velocity can add plenty of unwanted pressures to the load.

 

[DrMike]

At 3250 fps, there are no animals in NA that will simply walk away. That is a lot of power delivered to game.

 

[Guest]

Dr. Mike,
Re-thinking about what happened with the Retumbo loads yesterday I'm not giving up on that yet. Will back Retumbo down and play with the seating depth somewhat.

Don

 

[Guest]

This picture indicates 95.0 RL25 with 180 E-Tip. Problems that I was having were case heads wiped slightly and the primer was raised slightly. Must reduce the charge and eliminate the problem.

Don

 

[Guest]

This picture indicates a minimum manual charge of Retumbo at 95.0 with 180 E-Tips. Although this group looks good on paper, it caused the heads to wipe and a sticky bolt. This load needs to be reduced also. Looks like I'm going back to the drawing board....


Don

 

[JD338]

DON,

I would sta with Retumbo and back the charge down. Then I would work on the COL.

JD338

 

[DrMike]

Don,

Work with the RL25. When you have a good load with a low SD, play with seating depth.

 

[Guest]

Thanks you guys for the input, still have some adjustments to make. At least I hit the ceiling and stopping point.

Extreme spread with RL25 was 22fps, difference of high and low shots fired.Eliminating the low, results were single digits. Retumbo was 33fps. Eliminating the low, results were double digit.
Interesting was the current load 95.1 of RL25 and 180 Accubonds, it was 10 fps difference.

Don