E-Tips and the .300 wby mag

[hardpan]

Ok, just read another post and decided to try my luck with e-tips on my infamous .300 wby mags (with new scope mounts). I am shooting the 180 gr bullet, using IMR 7828 and Retumbo. Both are slow. I caught a piece of advice on another load about loading them shorter, and also using the mid range as the max. Will be checking with my chrono as I work the load.

Any pet loads from you for the .300 wby? I tend to load this gun to around 3100-3150 fps muzzle as it seems to do the best in that range. BTW, I am looking at e-tips, thanks to the wonderful politicians in Ca that outlawed lead in most of the places that I hunt without any supporting evidence for the "danger to wildlife due to the ingesting of lead bullets." Silly me, I thought that the danger wildlife from lead bullets was mainly due to the bullets penetrating the animal at high velocities. Quick fact, we have no proof at all that any Ca condor was ever harmed from ingesting a bullet or lead shot....

thanks,
Hardpan

 

[Guest]

Hardpan, you're on the right track. I'd be willing to bet you'll find a good 3150fps load that's accurate. Just be careful as I've found them to be sensitive to small changes in seating depth. Good luck!

 

[OldMan]

On my first 300 Wby I played with 150 grain Barnes X bullets and IMR-7828, it shot really small groups at 3450 fps and no pressure signs. I can't remember the amount of power used, but it was way under what the books showed for max. At that time there was no load info on the Barnes X,(the original), so I worked up from the minimum load. It seems like I started and ended with 85 gr! My brother -in-law has since worked up loads for his 300 Wby with 150 GMX's and found RL-19 to be a good choice in his gun.

 

[Hank Hunter]

Mine doesn't seem to like the E-Tip, but the 180AB with 7828ssc is sweet and for unleaded it likes the 180TTSX with RL25. Haven't given up on the E, still got a few powders to try.

 

[Jerry 919]

Hardpan,

Both of the powders you mentioned should perform and were on my "to try" list. Started with RL22 and got no further. Worked up a half a grain at a time up to 80.0 with the E-Tip seated .125" off the lands and shot two groups under .5" inch. Average velocity was 3110 FPS withn a SD of 8. Primers were flat, but all Weatherby's flatten primers. Bolt no problem, smooth as silk. Final test at 300 yards was a tethered tennis ball hanging from the target frame. One shot launched the tennis ball. Hole half inch low and half inch right. Looks like a real performer.

Rifle is a Weatherby Mark V with Leupold 4.5-14X40, fine duplex. Synthetic stock.

Jerry 919
Bend, Oregon

 

[OldMan]

"

but all Weatherby's flatten primers.

" I've been loading several Wby's for years and never have trusted flattened primers. If you give too much headspace primers will be flat even with safe pressures. Too much pressure should not be allowed in any rifle for the sake of safety and longivity of the firearm. My original 300 used RL22 with 180's at 3170 and 200's at 3000, no flat primers! My latest is a Model 70 that does over 3200 with 180's and RL25 and guess what---no flattened primers. I will agree that the Mark V action is really strong but I wouldn't put up with too much pressure anyway!