300WSM with 200AB

[SJB358]

Got out and ran some seating depth varied loads through my 300WSM. Been working on a load with the 200 AB and RL19. Speeds look to be excellent as well, sitting in the low 2900's, which with that 200 AB, should hit pretty hard a long way out there. I shot all of these at 200 yards as well, so hopefully I can shrink them up and get a load ready for the Fall.

Started out at 2.995



2.975



2.955



2.935



2.915



Seemed like it started looking pretty decent around 2.935" or so. Might break them back out and reshoot a few others between 2.955 and 2.935" and see what comes outta the mix. I had quite a few where shots went wide, and I am not blaming the gun on those too much as I think I was starting to get a little wore out on the gun.

 

[DrMike]

They do show promise, Scotty. I've not been able to get my 200 grain ABs to give me the accuracy I anticipate. I get excellent accuracy with 200 grain Sierra SPs, however. I've also had decent accuracy with the 200 grain PT. I've pretty well given up on the ABs in my current rifle, especially since the PTs and Sierras give me good accuracy and fine velocity. The velocities I've measured mirror what you are reporting.

 

[SJB358]

I did well with the 200 PT's in this rifle Mike. Trying to get the 200 AB's to perk up some, as I have alot of them, and I think if I can work them a little more, I might have a hunting sorta load. Speeds are excellent though. Not really any different than what I ran 200's in my old 300 Win Mag to be honest.. I should have more results later on though. Hoping I have sorta narrowed them down though.

 

[OU812]

Scotty that 2.935 looks to hold some promise. I guess I may be the odd man out (on several levels I'm sure) but I pick a seating depth first, run through my powder charges, pick the most promising one charges according to group size and adjust powder to bring the group together. Might be a little azz backwards but it's not failed me yet.

 

[SJB358]

What charge do you start with when you do it that way Bill?

 

[joelkdouglas]

I have started doing the seating depth test first, based on the Berger suggestion that once you find a good seating depth it should stay good. Then you can change the powder charge.

However, for the seating depth test I do use the Quickload suggestion for a powder charge with optimal barrel time. Sometimes it doesn't work, but often it does.

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

The 200 AB in my Model 70 300 WSM do not shoot near as well as anything 180 grain. Perhaps its an issue of OAL for me too, never toyed with it much. I just thought the rifle didnt care for that bullet.

 

[OU812]

What charge do you start with when you do it that way Bill?

I usually start at the min book listed velocity that perks my interest, usually 2-2.5 below max is where I start. At that point I work up to my guns max looking for groups with possibilities. Once I find a group or 2 that I like I will adjust the powder charge if needed to dial it in.

Kind of against the grain I guess but it works for me and friends rifles I've helped develop loads for.

 

[nvbroncrider]

That 2.935 looks pretty darn good. I wouldn't be complaing about that.

 

[gerry]

A few of you mentioned not getting great groups with the 200 gr AccuBond I wonder if they are borderline stable in some 1 in 10 twist barrels. FWIW they shot great in the Savage 30-06 I had but they are some pretty long bullets.

A coupe of those show promise Scotty, you are likely close to a great load.

 

[DrMike]

Good point, Gerry. I'll have to check this out.

 

[SJB358]

They seem to shoot decent when you find the node, but they seem much fussier than the Sierra like Mike mentioned. The 200 PT didn't require nearly as much tweaking either.

Going to go back and retry the 2.935 and 2.955 and maybe a few in between to see what happens.