300 WSM accuracy load? anyone have a good starter load

rmarshall

Handloader
Mar 10, 2010
430
129
got a friend who has a 300 wsm that he has had fits getting it to shoot better 2-3 inch groups, he has had it bedded, the trigger worked on and everything, not sure of what he has tryed in it. Its a Win model 70. What powders and bullets should I be able to achieve some accuracy, I know every gun is different, but usually works. Thinking a ballistic tip or something like that. Give me some Ideas. thanks in advance
 
The .300 WSM has made quite a name for itself in 1000 yard benchrest competition. It has great accuracy potential.

The most accurate load I've used consists of the 210 gr Berger VLD over a charge of H-4350. This has provided true 1/2 MOA accuracy at 300 yards.

My rifle is a Winchester Model 70 "Coyote" so it has a laminated stock and a somewhat heaver barrel profile than a typical "sporter" rifle. It's a good rifle & good cartridge.

Regards, Guy
 
...well, I cheat & use "cheap" bullets like the Custom Competition or Sierra SBT's for my initial load development to create a "base line" for what the rifle "likes", seating depth, MV's, etc., & it's accuracy potential. Then it's just a few tweeks for "Premium Hunting Bullets". That said, here's some 165gr. Sierra HPBT GameKings over 68grs. of RL-17 (Max. Load) out of a couple different .300 WSM's, a Vanguard & T3 Lite, used 'em for a 1/2doz. elk & a few mule deer...



 
I had great results with RL19 and H4831SC with the 180's and 200 grain PT's. My best friends M70 EW shoots really really well with the 165AB and RL19. Not quite as quick as Gene is running with RL17, but still knocking down 3100 and the accuracy is really about as good as I could expect from the rifle.

A 165 or 180 BT should give you an idea if the rifle will shoot. Give us an idea of powders you have buddy and maybe we can help a little more.
 
rmarshall - out of curiosity - tell us more about his Model 70 please.

Some of the last ones to come out of the old plant were reported to be pretty spotty re quality control. Mine was one of those late rifles, but seems to have been put together by someone with pride in their work, it shoots pretty doggone well.

Guy
 
I loader mine with the 165 Partition and 69.0 grains of IMR 4350, Fed 215 primer. Mine shot under MOA and still does, my son has it.
 
My hunting load consists of a 180 Grain Sierra Gameking (works excellent on elk) 64 grains of RL 17 with a Federal 215M primer. This load will shoot between 1/2 and 3/4 inch all day long. Velocity is just under 3100FPS. Just remember, if your using an extremely light rifle extra care is required for satisfactory shooting off the bench. I've also used IMR4831 and iMR 4350 with very satisfactory results.
 
It's been a while since I did the load work up for my ex-son in laws M70 FWT in .300 WSM. A friend of his suggested IMR4831 and the Nosler 165 gr. BT so that was what he gave me to use. After getting the load work done I made him learn how to do it so no longer have the notes. :( However with those components, Winchester primers and brass I did get a consistant sub-MOA group with most running .75" to .80". He was happy and I was even happier because I got my better half to let me buy the RCBS Chargemaster. :grin:
Paul B.
 
Guy, from what I know it's a Super Shawdow from the New Haven plant, my brother has a 270 WSM in the same variation and it's a tack driver, this gun has been crap from day one, according to him, I have not shot it. I told him to let me try, after a bad couple of outings with it he has it bedded and the trigger worked on, after he did that winchester wouldn't touch it according to him. So it back to the starting board. I appreciate eveyones advice. I have IMR 4350, H414, R19, R17, IMR4064, and MagPro, i think that's what I have. thanks
 
What about bullets. Out if your picks you have I'd try the 4350, 19 and 17. Pick one with a bullet you like and try a middling charge of each. See what looks decent. If none of them work it might be worth looking the crown and bedding over. Something should pop out. Seems most 300's have been pretty accurate with 165 and 180's.
 
Out of the powders you have, I would look at IMR 4350, H414, R17, IMR4064. 4064 might not be half bad with the 150's..

Cartridge : .300 WSM (CIP)
Bullet : .308, 150, Nosler AccuBond 56719
Useable Case Capaci: 72.962 grain H2O = 4.737 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.860 inch = 72.64 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-17

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 78 55.20 2646 2331 31442 9356 95.2 1.433
-18.0 80 56.58 2712 2449 33596 9616 96.3 1.395
-16.0 82 57.96 2778 2570 35899 9858 97.2 1.358
-14.0 84 59.34 2843 2693 38364 10080 98.0 1.318
-12.0 86 60.72 2909 2818 41003 10282 98.7 1.277
-10.0 88 62.10 2974 2945 43829 10461 99.3 1.238
-08.0 90 63.48 3038 3074 46859 10618 99.6 1.201
-06.0 92 64.86 3102 3205 50112 10750 99.9 1.165
-04.0 94 66.24 3165 3337 53603 10857 100.0 1.130
-02.0 96 67.62 3228 3470 57352 10945 100.0 1.096 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 98 69.00 3290 3604 61394 11029 100.0 1.064 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 100 70.38 3351 3740 65742 11109 100.0 1.033 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 102 71.76 3411 3876 70429 11186 100.0 1.002 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 104 73.14 3472 4014 75491 11259 100.0 0.973 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 106 74.52 3531 4153 80964 11328 100.0 0.945 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 108 75.90 3591 4294 86887 11393 100.0 0.918 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 98 69.00 3413 3879 74959 10602 100.0 0.985 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 98 69.00 3101 3203 49505 11344 98.1 1.167


Cartridge : .300 WSM (CIP)
Bullet : .308, 150, Nosler AccuBond 56719
Useable Case Capaci: 72.962 grain H2O = 4.737 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.860 inch = 72.64 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder : Hodgdon H414

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 78 55.20 2595 2243 31792 8901 89.1 1.442
-18.0 80 56.58 2660 2357 33980 9188 90.4 1.404
-16.0 81 57.96 2725 2473 36322 9465 91.7 1.367
-14.0 83 59.34 2790 2593 38828 9732 92.8 1.325
-12.0 85 60.72 2856 2716 41512 9988 93.9 1.285
-10.0 87 62.10 2921 2841 44386 10232 94.9 1.246
-08.0 89 63.48 2986 2970 47438 10462 95.9 1.209
-06.0 91 64.86 3051 3100 50680 10677 96.7 1.173
-04.0 93 66.24 3116 3234 54147 10877 97.4 1.138
-02.0 95 67.62 3180 3369 57856 11060 98.1 1.104 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 97 69.00 3245 3507 61826 11226 98.7 1.072 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 99 70.38 3309 3647 66080 11372 99.1 1.041 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 101 71.76 3373 3789 70642 11500 99.5 1.011 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 103 73.14 3436 3933 75539 11606 99.8 0.982 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 105 74.52 3499 4079 80804 11692 99.9 0.953 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 107 75.90 3562 4226 86469 11755 100.0 0.926 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 97 69.00 3391 3830 74081 10922 100.0 0.993 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 97 69.00 3044 3086 49931 10944 93.0 1.175


Cartridge : .300 WSM (CIP)
Bullet : .308, 150, Nosler AccuBond 56719
Useable Case Capaci: 72.962 grain H2O = 4.737 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.860 inch = 72.64 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder : IMR 4064

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 77 48.80 2587 2230 34026 8169 95.4 1.412
-18.0 79 50.02 2645 2330 36137 8381 96.2 1.379
-16.0 81 51.24 2702 2431 38366 8582 97.0 1.342
-14.0 83 52.46 2758 2534 40720 8774 97.6 1.305
-12.0 85 53.68 2815 2639 43204 8954 98.2 1.269
-10.0 86 54.90 2871 2745 45827 9123 98.7 1.235
-08.0 88 56.12 2926 2852 48596 9280 99.1 1.201
-06.0 90 57.34 2981 2960 51520 9424 99.5 1.170
-04.0 92 58.56 3035 3069 54610 9555 99.7 1.139
-02.0 94 59.78 3089 3179 57874 9673 99.9 1.109 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 96 61.00 3143 3289 61324 9776 100.0 1.081 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 98 62.22 3195 3401 64972 9865 100.0 1.054 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 100 63.44 3248 3513 68833 9951 100.0 1.027 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 102 64.66 3299 3626 72920 10034 100.0 1.002 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 104 65.88 3351 3739 77249 10114 100.0 0.977 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 106 67.10 3401 3853 81839 10192 100.0 0.954 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 96 61.00 3242 3500 71188 9440 100.0 1.015 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 96 61.00 2996 2990 51464 9886 97.5 1.169


Cartridge : .300 WSM (CIP)
Bullet : .308, 150, Nosler AccuBond 56719
Useable Case Capaci: 72.962 grain H2O = 4.737 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.860 inch = 72.64 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder : IMR 4350

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 83 55.20 2576 2211 33190 8407 89.1 1.421
-18.0 85 56.58 2639 2319 35428 8671 90.4 1.383
-16.0 87 57.96 2701 2430 37814 8927 91.5 1.344
-14.0 89 59.34 2764 2544 40362 9175 92.7 1.303
-12.0 91 60.72 2826 2660 43064 9414 93.7 1.265
-10.0 93 62.10 2889 2779 45922 9642 94.7 1.228
-08.0 95 63.48 2951 2901 48967 9860 95.5 1.192
-06.0 97 64.86 3013 3025 52217 10065 96.4 1.158
-04.0 99 66.24 3076 3151 55686 10257 97.1 1.124 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 101 67.62 3138 3279 59393 10435 97.8 1.092 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 103 69.00 3200 3410 63356 10599 98.3 1.061 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 105 70.38 3261 3543 67597 10747 98.8 1.031 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 107 71.76 3323 3678 72140 10879 99.2 1.002 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 109 73.14 3384 3814 77013 10993 99.6 0.975 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 111 74.52 3445 3953 82246 11089 99.8 0.948 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 113 75.90 3506 4093 87873 11166 99.9 0.921 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 103 69.00 3335 3704 74578 10394 100.0 0.990 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 103 69.00 3017 3033 52339 10312 92.8 1.154


I think I'd try some of the 4064 and RL17 if it were me. If there is a most accurate load in Nosler's Manual and you have the pieces to try it, I'd likely try to copy that or maybe even the Sierra Manual. Should give you a decent idea if its the rifle or some other problem.

Please keep us in the loop on this. I like to hear what comes of rifles like that. Also, not sure if the bore is clean, new or something, but if it hasn't been cleaned scrub it good. If it is new, keep shooting, I'd bet 50 rounds or more will get the barrel settled in. Good luck!
 
150 grains is a really light bullet for a .30 cal magnum.

Not saying it won't work. Of course it will, but... That's a really light bullet for a .30 cal magnum! :grin:
 
Guy Miner":nxzfz0iv said:
150 grains is a really light bullet for a .30 cal magnum.

Not saying it won't work. Of course it will, but... That's a really light bullet for a .30 cal magnum! :grin:

I am with you Guy, but man, what a flat liner.. That would knock the stuffing out of a deer I'd bet..

Never tried a 150 in my 300WSM, but it would have been a fire cracker.
 
when the 300WSM first came out an extensive article was written about it's performance with certain powders and bullet weights. I don't remember which magazine it was but I do remember the favored bullet weights being 165 and 180 grain. The article is what convinced me to buy one. RL17 powder was specifically designed for use in the WSM.
 
SJB358":2fmff6mn said:
Guy Miner":2fmff6mn said:
150 grains is a really light bullet for a .30 cal magnum.

Not saying it won't work. Of course it will, but... That's a really light bullet for a .30 cal magnum! :grin:

I am with you Guy, but man, what a flat liner.. That would knock the stuffing out of a deer I'd bet..

Never tried a 150 in my 300WSM, but it would have been a fire cracker.

Agree. And the AccuBond would hold together well enough to work!

I've just usually been a medium-heavy bullet guy with the .30 cal magnums. A good .30 cal 180 or 200 gr bullet at 2800 - 3100 fps is terrific!

Got my H4350 / 210 Berger load directly from some of the fellows who shoot that combo in competition at 1000 yards. Only about 2815 fps, but accuracy? You bet! :grin:
 
Yeah. Same here. Best friend is shooting the 165 ABs and they are really something in his 300WSM. I always wanted the 180's and 200's in the 300 magnums but I guess they are work with good bullets.

That 210 at 2815 is pretty serious medicine. Bet it'd probably leave a dent!
 
I have used from day one 180 abonds, with imr4350@64 grains, in my nosler sporter. The 180 partitions were pretty good also. The abonds were a tad bit better.
russ
 
I'm running RL19 and a 180PT at 2920 from my M70 300wsm and finding decent accuracy. It's a light rifle, and the advice above about minding technique with it on the bench is well given. If I am sloppy, that rifle will show it in spades. If I'm on, so is the rifle.
 
I have seen great success with several powders in my Winchester model 70. RL-22 ran quite a bit hotter than published data while H4350 and IMR7828 (and SSC) have both performed great. Even IMR4064 with 150 grain B-tips has shot about 1.5" groups!

I have yet to try too many different types of bullets but all of the Noslers I have tried and Hornady's have shot well under 2" and some even under 1" three shot groups at 100 yards.

Good luck in your endeavors, this has been the finest "new" cartridge to come down the pipe in a very long time. And that's coming from a guy who shoots mostly with a .30-06, .300 Savage, .22-250 and .25-06.
 
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