300WSM w/180gr and H4350

[tddeangelo]

Managed to sneak out to the range before dark tonight with the 300WSM and the first real batch of handloads.

180gr Nosler AccuBond bullet and H4350 powder.

Group #1, 61.5gr (1st shot was the first round after copper cleaning, so I didn't count it as part of the group, so to speak).

Group #2, 62.0gr

Note the stretching distance between shots. That was with a "mostly" cooled barrel from the first group, and no cooling interval between shots. I would bet letting it cool between them would tighten it a bit.

Group #3, 62.5gr

Group 1 had rounds 27-30 in the rifle's round count. Group 2 had 31-34, and Group 3 had 35-38.

Tonight I'll do another cleaning for copper fouling and maybe press a few more loads for tomorrow morning if I can take another run at it.

I seated all the rounds to the Hornady max length of 2.860" OAL. I figure I'll play with charge weights and powders, note the best performers, then go fiddling with seat depth. For this early in the round count and the first powder/bullet combo, I'm pretty pleased with these results. I think the groups will start to shrink as that barrel wears in, too. My father's featherweight took till somewhere between 50 and 100 to really settle in.

 

[SJB358]

Looks great Tom, I believe you have a rifle very capable of shooting small groups. Really making me look forward to my 300WSM. Between, Mike, Joel and you, I think I am going to be beside myself. Your groups look excellent. I believe as you get the barrel shot in some, you will be hammering targets. Scotty

 

[6mm Remington]

Tom I wish I had the OAL for my buddies 300 WSM load with the same bullet. I think it's just a bit over what they call the max. OAL, but with the magazine on the Model 70, you have enough room. He's coming down next week, maybe I'll get him to grab one and bring it down and I'll measure it because I don't believe he has an inside outside calipers yet in his reloading kit that he just purchased.

It does not mean it will work in yours, and might not even chamber if your throat is shorter than his, but just maybe................. :wink:

 

[257 Ackley]

Tom -
Nice shooting with a barrel you are still breaking in. I found my 300 really liked R19 with the 180 AB. You might give that a try if you are interested in seeing if there is any more speed or accuracy in a powder change.

 

[DrMike]

Ya' have to love those 300 WSMs when stoked with 180 grain bullets. They were made for one another. Good post, Tom.

 

[tddeangelo]

My Hornady 7th says I can go to 64.7gr on H4350 with a 180. I have batches now of 63.0, 63.5, 64.0, and 64.5gr. I figure there should be a stand-out in there somewhere that shines more than others. I also did another 3-rd batch of 62.0 to see if it will repeat.

I want to try to run them on a chrono today if I can. If I see 2900 and good accuracy, I don't see a need to go to another powder, as the velocity gain will be minimal.

I also got a rather abrupt lesson on Hornady OneShot lube, which I've happily used for a while now. With Hornady brass and RCBS dies, I could spray the cases and go right to work. Yeah, that doesn't work with Nosler brass and Hornady dies.

The Hornady "spindle lock" on the decapping stem was a major source of frustration for me, but in the end it did indeed save me a torn case rim. I also found out that my Forster stuck case remover will not work with a Hornady sizer die. Additionally, I have to let the OneShot dry before working the cases. Then all goes well. In the ensuing 20 minutes of "now what the *bleep* do I do?" I managed to smoosh a once-fired Nosler brass. Ouch.

 

[DrMike]

I used a lot of One Shot Lube, and managed to witness several cases stuck. I use Imperial Sizing Wax and Imperial Application Media pretty much exclusively now.

 

[tddeangelo]

I used a lot of One Shot Lube, and managed to witness several cases stuck. I use Imperial Sizing Wax and Imperial Application Media pretty much exclusively now.

For crying out loud, do you and Scotty email each other before posting?

He hit me with that recommendation a few minutes ago, too.

If someone had told me 6 months ago that today I'd own a rifle in 300WSM and would be shooting Nosler bullets from it, I'd have laughed myself silly. Now you guys are on to reworking my loading bench gear......I'm giving my wife your contact info so she can go straight to you two when she's tired of my Cabela's trips!!!!

 

[6mm Remington]

I used a lot of One Shot Lube, and managed to witness several cases stuck. I use Imperial Sizing Wax and Imperial Application Media pretty much exclusively now.

I've never had any problems with the one shot, but always looking for something better. Is that Imperial Sizing Wax that much better, and how do you apply it? (fingers?) Do you get any dents and dings with the stuff? Always up for a new and better way and I never think I know everything! :mrgreen:

 

[tddeangelo]

I used a lot of One Shot Lube, and managed to witness several cases stuck. I use Imperial Sizing Wax and Imperial Application Media pretty much exclusively now.

I've never had any problems with the one shot, but always looking for something better. Is that Imperial Sizing Wax that much better, and how do you apply it? (fingers?) Do you get any dents and dings with the stuff? Always up for a new and better way and I never think I know everything! :mrgreen:

That's one thing I like about OneShot, is that you have to just about have the case dripping in it to get a dent.

 

[SJB358]

I used a lot of One Shot Lube, and managed to witness several cases stuck. I use Imperial Sizing Wax and Imperial Application Media pretty much exclusively now.

I've never had any problems with the one shot, but always looking for something better. Is that Imperial Sizing Wax that much better, and how do you apply it? (fingers?) Do you get any dents and dings with the stuff? Always up for a new and better way and I never think I know everything! :mrgreen:

David, I LOVE Imperial Sizing Wax. No, no dents at all. You apply it with fingers to the bottom half of the case. You don't need to coat the entire case. Just a little dab on your fingers goes a long way. I just spin the case in between my fingers and it rolls very slick in the resizing die. Wipes up with a paper towel. Mike and others turned me on to it and I would almost bet money you wont have issues with stuck cases, even with tough cases like the WSM, RUM's and the like. Again, only the bottom 1/3 to 1/2 really needs application, the rest of the case doesn't really touch the die. Seems like Imperial really conditions the dies to a certain extent. Can't beat it for 5.00 and a can will last probably 5 years or better. I have been using it for two years now and haven't even really dented the can at all. Scotty

 

[SJB358]

For crying out loud, do you and Scotty email each other before posting?

Great minds run on the same tracks!!!! Just kidding, Mike and the others turned me onto it a few years ago and haven't seen a dented case since. It is just about impossible to get one with the wax. Scotty

 

[6mm Remington]

For crying out loud, do you and Scotty email each other before posting?

Great minds run on the same tracks!!!! Just kidding, Mike and the others turned me onto it a few years ago and haven't seen a dented case since. It is just about impossible to get one with the wax. Scotty

One more question for you GREAT MINDS ( ). As it's a wax, I would not think that it would effect powder or primers if there was a little residue left someplace it should not be. Am I correct on that as they the One Shot is not supposed to comtaminate your primers or powder either.

 

[257 Ackley]

David -
I have been using one-shot for about 20 years and have never had a stuck case. Throw them back in the tumbler for 10 minutes after resizing to remove whatever residue might be left from the spray and you are done. We can be GREAT MINDS TOO!!

 

[SJB358]

For crying out loud, do you and Scotty email each other before posting?

Great minds run on the same tracks!!!! Just kidding, Mike and the others turned me onto it a few years ago and haven't seen a dented case since. It is just about impossible to get one with the wax. Scotty

One more question for you GREAT MINDS ( ). As it's a wax, I would not think that it would effect powder or primers if there was a little residue left someplace it should not be. Am I correct on that as they the One Shot is not supposed to comtaminate your primers or powder either.

I haven't found any reason to see it contaminate primers or powder either. It works pretty darned good. Nothing wrong with One Shot either, I just like the wax, as it just seems to be a little better for the WSM's in resizing. Plus, I have no worries of ever getting it somewhere it is not supposed to be since I am putting it on with my fingers. Scotty

 

[SJB358]

David -
I have been using one-shot for about 20 years and have never had a stuck case. Throw them back in the tumbler for 10 minutes after resizing to remove whatever residue might be left from the spray and you are done. We can be GREAT MINDS TOO!!

Joel, I think of it this way, the same way we use parafin/paste wax on our cast iron tops for wood working. Just spread the wax out and stuff seems to slide across them even easier. The wax just seems to make for less effort in sizing operations. Not hugely, but easier in my opinion. Not that the COAX notices much, but I can tell a difference. Scotty

 

[tddeangelo]

Today's targets, all H4350 and 180gr AccuBond.

63.0gr (4 shots, including #1, which was a fouler)

63.5gr

64.0gr

64.5gr (Hornady 7th lists 64.7gr as max; no pressure symptoms at all with this or any other load)

We had my dad's 20yr old chrono along. Not sure I believe it. 63gr averaged 2972fps. 63.5 averaged about 3000fps, 64.0 averaged about 3040fps (rough estimate), and 64.5 only read once (two others gave errors on the chrono), and that reading was 3213fps. I would be friggin' ecstatic to get that speed, but I somehow doubt that was accurate.

63.5 and 64.5 show pretty good results.

 

[SJB358]

I would reshoot that 64.5 and 63.5gr loads for sure. I imagine something will repeat itself for you. Almost seems like your load work was too easy! Almost time to stretch it out and see what it does on the longer ranges! Scotty

 

[6mm Remington]

Tom I loaded for a friend who's rifle did the same thing. It was a 270 Remington. One-half grain change in powder and the group would be not so good. One-half grain more and bingo it was there. It was like that the last few loadings until I hit the maximum. Went with the next lightest load that shot really well.

You should be very pleased with your results! Nice job.
David.

 

[DrMike]

Those velocities look about right. The accuracy is about right, also. That is certainly looking good.