The venture begins...

[Osprey78]

Ok, so just for kicks I exchanged my unopened box of Barnes 180 grain TTSX for a box of 200 grain Nosler Partitions. I thought why not, if they work, great. If they don't well, we'll figure something out.

Here's an interesting comparison I had some Barnes singles (180's) and I compared them to the NP's (200's).



So, now that I have a better understanding of reloading and am basically starting off fresh with these, I figured I may as well start off right.

I found that at the lands it is 3.5925". That is too long for my magazine. So when inserted into the magazine, I can get 3.4405" which is .152" off the lands.





How far do these things (generally) like to be off the lands? Closer or farther?

I see COAL is 3.340"...should I go that far?

I will be using H4831SC as that is what I had from the Barnes loads and the Nosler 7 manual also happens to show that as quite an accurate load apparently.

 

[DrMike]

Cup and core bullets tend to prefer being loaded close to the lands. Nosler Partitions act more like cup and core bullets than bonded or monolithic bullets. Monolithic bullets tend to like a significant jump to the lands. Therefore, Barnes (and E-Tips) tend to give greater accuracy when loaded to 0.100 inches off the lands. In reality, most rifles will have two nodes with a given bullet/charge combination. Thus, Partitions, though having a long jump to the lands, should deliver an accuracy node through loading to the magazine and adjusting the powder charge. Load up and look for the load that gives the lowest standard deviation in velocity. That load, with minor adjustments in OAL and/or charge, will usually deliver the best accuracy. The difference in bearing surface you observed is due to densities of the metals involved.

 

[Osprey78]

Thanks DrMike.

With the soft lead tips, and a magnum, how close could one reasonably get to the edge of the magazine?

BTW, I am aware of the metal density thing, I just posted it for interest sake. I guess some rifles like longer bullets, while others prefer... well... maybe my rifle doesn't like length... geez where am I going here. :lol:

 

[DrMike]

Deformed tips have scant impact on projectiles until they are transitioning to subsonic flight, which is waaaaaaaaay out there. Ergo, even with a non-magnum, some deformation of the tip will likely occur. It will not little impact on bullet performance or on ballistics under most conditions.

 

[muleman]

Os,
Just start at mag length. Find your charge then shorten till you hit an accuracy node. That's what I do for all my hunting rifles. Seems to work well.
Good luck,
Scott

 

[Osprey78]

Thanks guys. My brass is currently being tumbled as I write this. I am going to try and get some loaded up this weekend.

 

[wisconsinteacher]

Good luck with the load dev. What round/rifle are you working with?

 

[NWBlacktail]

Here is my Ruger M77 300 win mag. 200 grn partitions, 70.5 grns H4831sc. Upper left was the fouler, cold clean barrel.

Not bad for a factory rig, creaky old Ruger trigger and everything. :mrgreen:

 

[Osprey78]

Good luck with the load dev. What round/rifle are you working with?

Will be in a .300 WinMag. Using 200 grain partitions. I will be trying H4831SC, CCI250, Winchester Brass.

It is a stock Savage 111 FCNS with a Leupold 3-9x40.

 

[sask boy]

Osprey, after a little tinkering I believe you are going really like those partitions :wink:.
For many years now they have been the top or very near the top of many hunter's bullet list.
I would never be afraid to use the Partition!!

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Osprey78]

Osprey, after a little tinkering I believe you are going really like those partitions :wink:.
For many years now they have been the top or very near the top of many hunter's bullet list.
I would never be afraid to use the Partition!!

Blessings,
Dan

It's not that I'm afraid to use them, it's just I like the idea of no lead in the meat. I settled on the Barnes because of that, but they are quite annoyingly finicky (to me anyways).

But having that 200 grain chunk of lead will be a little more security for me, esp around here.

 

[6mm Remington]

Those Savage' (French rifles) They really seem to shoot very well and you shouldn't have much trouble working up an accurate load!! Good luck.

 

[DrMike]

Give some thought to using a lighter monolithic bullet; give some particular thought to using the 180 grain E-Tip.

 

[SJB358]

Osprey, your combo of H4831 and the 200 PT should be really good with a little bit of work. Mike really hammered out everything I was going to say, but the tiny bit of tip deformation hasn't changed much of anything for me, shooting out to 600 yards which is my max range.

Scott mentioned started at mag length, find your most consistent powder charge and shorten from there. I bet it won't take you more than 30 rounds to do a complete load workup. If you give us your H20 capacity of your fired case, we can likely provide you some data to help tune in your powder charges as well.

Good luck, the 300 Win Mag and 200 PT is a solid combo..