WHICH POWDER?

SLIVER · Feb 19, 2007

Hi I am new to the forum and am just getting into reloading. I have a rem. model 700, 300 WSM. I want to reload the 180 gr. AccuBond. My ? is which powder, brand and grain amount, would you guys load for the highest velocity and best accuracy. I have heard that the imr 4350 is a good one but I figured that maybe one of you guys would know better than me. Thanks for any and all help

))--SLIVER-->

Richracer1 · Feb 19, 2007

First, get some sort of manual. Which is more important accuracy or velocity? Sometimes you can have both, sometimes not. There's a plethora of powder choices for the 300 WSM and 180 AB. Check Alliant's and Hodgdon's website for recipes. You'll just have to experiment till you are satisfied with the results.

R Flowers · Feb 20, 2007

I am with Richracer1, get a manual before you go any further. Heck, I would recommend getting at least two manuals and reading them thoroughly.

I shoot a Remington 700 in 300 WSM and have the best luck with 180 grain bullets when shooting IMR 4831. H 4350 was a close second.

WIth a max load of IMR 4831 my Remington chronographs about 2970 fps with 180's while my buddies Winchester Model 70 makes 3050 fps with the same load. Both shoot under an inch any time we do are part on the bench.

SLIVER · Feb 20, 2007

HEY R Flowers, how many grains of the imr 4831 are you using?? Max load in the nosler book claims 67.5 with the most accurate load being 65.5.
I have two manuals and have read a bunch about reloading my caliber. I appreciate the replies.
Thanks again.

))--SLIVER-->

R Flowers · Feb 21, 2007

Well, I wound up going just over Nosler's recommendation. I loaded 68 grains of IMR 4831 behind any number of 180 grain bullets in my testing.

Be forewarned, this is a compressed load and you will be crunching the powder some when you seat the bullet.

In my Remington 700 XCR and my buddy's Winchester Model 70 this load has never shown any pressure signs even when shot in over 100 degree temperatures. However, when tested in another guy's custom made rifle it showed just the slightest bit of tight bolt lift, a little to hot for that gun.

Work up to this load from a few grains below.

SLIVER · Feb 21, 2007

R Flowers are you using magnum or large rifle primers with that 68 grain load?? I heard that magnum primers work better for the 300 WSM except at max load.

Thanks again.

))--SLIVER-->

FOTIS · Feb 21, 2007

In a buddy's Browning RL 19 was awesome.

R Flowers · Feb 22, 2007

I use magnum primers in all my magnum rifles, except for one load. I generally always use Fed 215M primers in any magnum rifle and even in my 25-06 when using IMR 7828 with heavy bullets.

The only magnum rifle load that I found to work better with a standard large rifle primer was when testing RL 19 in my .338 Win Mag. I had read somewhere that Alliant did not recommend using magnum primers with RL 19. I tested both Federal and CCI primers and found that I did indeed get better velocity consistancy and better groups with the standard rifle versions.

For all other big cases I just use a magnum primer. I shoot a 270 WSM and a 300 WSM and they have never had anything in them but the 215M. I have found that in some guns the Fed 215M shoots better than the regular 215, but in others it does not seem to matter, I just buy 215M primers now.