300 WSM- 208 gr A-MAX

[filmjunkie4ever]

Dad says to me the other day he found a tv set in the garage that didnt work when he plugged it in. After asking him if he took it to the dump I was informed that he had a much better idea. In the springtime he plans to take a rattle can and spray paint it blaze orange and put it up on the hill at 1000 yards. Everyone who wants to take a chance will have to put a 20 dollar bill in a coffee can at the outset and they each get one shot. If everyone misses we start again. But everyone gets at least one attempt even if it is hit early on. So I have installed a VX-II 6x18x40mm on top of my 300 WSM and bought some 208gr HDY AMAX bullets today. I have had amazing success with H4350 and WLR primers in my Model 70 with the 180 grain weights. Will post pics when we actually do this but until then I gotta get me a long-range load developed. Any ideas? Practical experience? Was thinking a 60-61.5 grain charge at somewhere around 2750-2800 fps muzzle velocity ought to shoot real good!

 

[JD338]

Sounds like fun!
In addition to the AMAX, take a look at the 200 gr AB.

JD338

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

Will do JD...and was thinking that if the AB's shoot as good as the 180 E-tips and AB's do...I may have myself a new hunting load. I like a 180-200 grain bullet in a 300 Magnum...only real reason to use one instead of a 30-06 in my mind.

 

[C.Smith]

That does sound like a lot of fun.

Corey

 

[Guy Miner]

"Was thinking a 60-61.5 grain charge at somewhere around 2750-2800 fps muzzle velocity ought to shoot real good!"

I think you've got a TV killer there...

 

[IdahoCTD]

I would send the scope in and get a top turret installed if it doesn't have them already. Then figure out your clicks to get you dead on after you work up a load that shoots good with low ES.

 

[BK]

"Was thinking a 60-61.5 grain charge at somewhere around 2750-2800 fps muzzle velocity ought to shoot real good!"

I think you've got a TV killer there...

Funny, when I read the OP, I immediately thought, "Hmmm, .300 WSM M70, 208 grain A-Max, that sounds like Guy's area of expertise."

 

[BK]

So I have installed a VX-II 6x18x40mm on top of my 300 WSM

Dale, you'll have to let me know what you think of the 6-18x Leupy. I looked through one quite a few years ago, and didn't like it. I'm curious whether I looked through a bad one, I had too high of expectations, or Leupold has improved them.

 

[jmad_81]

I don't know much about the 300 WSM, but from what I've shot and seen shot, the A-max is a very accurate bullet! 1000 yards is a pretty long poke. The elevation is the easy part once you find a good load. It is the wind that gets me every time.

Best of luck to you. Sounds like a blast!

 

[DrMike]

Sounds like a lot of fun. I know I'll be watching for what happens.

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

Kurt, the VX-II 6x18 that I have is a solid scope. The only thing I dont like about it is the spring tension adjustment screws. That was the dumbest idea ever concieved in scopedom in my humble opinion. Planning to send it back to Leupold in a couple months and pay the 70.00 to get it changed to clicks. Likely will get the top turret installed. I like it for the fine duplex crosshairs but I do prefer the LRD that I have on my 30-06. I think its kind of the middle of the road between the cheaper hunting scopes and the more expensive target scopes.

I believe that my 208 AMAX load will do a fine job for what I have asked of it while the 200 Accubonds will be a great hunting load. Not that the 180s have ever given me much to desire. Just always looking to try something new.

Will be sure to post pics when we do this, regardless of the results. :grin:

 

[Trikstr]

At least if you get enough people it ought to be fun....picking up all the glass and plastic littering the hillside. Just noticed there was a TV at 700 yds at the range I built.
Don't mind me picked trash yesterday at the range and need to go back an fix several target backer posts that have been shot in two. :mrgreen:

 

[bullet]

Will be interesting. I would love to have that opportunity, man that would be motivation, win some money :mrgreen: :mrgreen: Good luck :grin:

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

So these shot amazing. I tried two different loads, the 61 grain charge and a 60.5 charge. ZThey both shot well at 200 yards. They were 1.5" to 2" 3 shot groups from resting over the hood of my friend's car. If I can do that then I am satisfied. Will shoot more over a good bench rest when I can. Also need to chronograph them. I doubt they get much more than 2800 fps but that seems to be a magic number in my Model 70 rifles. Plan to try the 200 grain Accubonds out as well. One interesting point is, they shot to the same point of aim as my 180 grain E-tip loads do. A nice bonus! :grin:

 

[SJB358]

So these shot amazing. I tried two different loads, the 61 grain charge and a 60.5 charge. ZThey both shot well at 200 yards. They were 1.5" to 2" 3 shot groups from resting over the hood of my friend's car. If I can do that then I am satisfied. Will shoot more over a good bench rest when I can. Also need to chronograph them. I doubt they get much more than 2800 fps but that seems to be a magic number in my Model 70 rifles. Plan to try the 200 grain Accubonds out as well. One interesting point is, they shot to the same point of aim as my 180 grain E-tip loads do. A nice bonus! :grin:

Speaking of ET loads. What you running in yours? I tried the 168's with RL19 and they were pretty slow. What powder and seating depth are you running in yours? Scotty

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

I am running the 180 grainers at 2900 fps with a middle of the road load of 63 grains of H4350 and Winchester large rifle primers. I am loading them 2.950" ish as the magazine in my Model 70 allows me to load them long. The 208's are 2.960" long.

 

[SJB358]

I am running the 180 grainers at 2900 fps with a middle of the road load of 63 grains of H4350 and Winchester large rifle primers. I am loading them 2.950" ish as the magazine in my Model 70 allows me to load them long. The 208's are 2.960" long.

How far off the lands are you FJ? I tried .100 and didn't net anything spectacular.

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

I would say I am between .100 and .050 off the lands. No more than that for sure as I am nearly as long as my magazine will permit.

I have a friend who I loaded up two boxes of 300 Win Mag with 168 grain Etips for and he said that no matter what he tried, if his groups were any larger they could've applied for their own zip code. Some guns just dont shoot them worth a darn.

 

[SJB358]

I would say I am between .100 and .050 off the lands. No more than that for sure as I am nearly as long as my magazine will permit.

I have a friend who I loaded up two boxes of 300 Win Mag with 168 grain Etips for and he said that no matter what he tried, if his groups were any larger they could've applied for their own zip code. Some guns just dont shoot them worth a darn.

Man, I measured my OAL with the 168ET and then backed off .1". They were shooting okay, not extraordinary, but they were beginning to look like they shoot. Thinking the rifle will shoot them, but I wanna see some steam come from them. I still have a 3/4 box to monkey with though. Thanks for the heads up on your rifle. Headed to the range today with the 300 to shoot some more groups and help that barrel break in a little more! :twisted: