My brother picked up a Christensen Ridgeline FFT with a 20" Barrel so I'm doing load development. I'd probably shoot 165 accubonds but he wants to shoot 180 grain Partitions with Peterson Brass. I generally start development with putting info into Gordon's Reloading Tool and comparing powders I have on hand. After barrel break in, the powders I'm testing are IMR4350, RL16, RL17, N150 (0.010 off lands). I've had mixed results with Gordon's Reloading Tool and in this case, it was pretty far off and recommending starting loads quite a bit higher than the manuals suggest. Instead, I went with the manual and started low, working up. I was somewhat surprised at seeing some pressure signs in the low 2900's but it is a 20" barrel so figured that into account. Looks like 2830 is pretty accurate with RL17 in this gun. Only have a pound so in another 120 rounds, I'll be switching it up. Curious if that speed is to be expected from a 20" barrel or hearing some opinions from others.
300 WSM Load Development
- Thread starter Brobb
- Start date
Blkram
Handloader
- Nov 25, 2013
- 3,739
- 4,938
I have pretty much used my supply of WXR for the 300 WSM and 180 gr AccuBonds. (My rifle has a 23 1/2" barrel)
I did have good results (sub-MOA) with N-165 as well. (Sorry, I did not chrony this load back in the day)
The only other bullets I tried loads for were with 180 gr Scirrocos and TSXs, with N165 and IMR 4064 respectively. Both also produced sub-MOA results in my rifle. (And again, I did not chrony these loads either.)
I did have good results (sub-MOA) with N-165 as well. (Sorry, I did not chrony this load back in the day)
The only other bullets I tried loads for were with 180 gr Scirrocos and TSXs, with N165 and IMR 4064 respectively. Both also produced sub-MOA results in my rifle. (And again, I did not chrony these loads either.)
salmonchaser
Ammo Smith
- Dec 13, 2013
- 6,256
- 9,303
Welcome aboard Brobb. I’ve had good luck with Rl-19 and 22 as well, those are tough to come by now and expensive. I have not loaded for any short barrel 300 WSM however. I do think you are leaving some velocity on the table with RL-17. You might look at N560 if you feel the need to gain a little velocity when you run out of Rl 17. Good luck and well done on working your way up, every rifle is different. If you’ve found pressure while still within the guidlines established by a manual that is important information to have in your log book.
- Thread starter
- #4
Thanks. I've been reloading about 15 years now for a dozen different guns. It's so much fun but too easy going down rabbit holes chasing something that may not exist, lol. N560 is the powder I use in my 300 PRC and I wouldn't have thought to use it or other powders in that burn rate just because of the short barrel and not fully burning all the powder. GRT (which I know may not be fully correct) shows only 90% of the powder burning at 93% case capacity. Are you familiar with Gordon's? I do find it to be a useful tool but always cautious about reading too much into it. It seems to generally show over SAAMI pressure before actually seeing signs of pressure. Shot several 5 shot groups this morning and 63.3 grains IMR4350 was a sub moa group at 2877 average. When I calibrate the program to match measured velocity, the program shows over 70k psi. But case looks good, primer looks good so I've always wondered.
salmonchaser
Ammo Smith
- Dec 13, 2013
- 6,256
- 9,303
Xphunter on here shoots bolt action long barreled pistols he has some interesting observations on short barrels and powder selection. Might be worth looking at for your situation. Nothing wrong with 2877; 180 gr. Partition; sub moa, not much walks away from a hit from that combination.
