Here it is. Remington 700 XCR in 338 RUM. Bought a few years back and never fired… time to put it to use!
The plan is to top this with a Leupold VX-7, 2.5-10x45 with B&C reticle. Primary use is late season, wet nasty weather, thick NW jungle, with most shots less than 50 yards. I've had bad experiences with rusting on blued guns when you just can't dry stuff out and the main reason for moving to stainless.
This will also be used for bear in the Cascades and the reason for bringing this project to life. For less than 500 yards the plan is to use the 250 gr AB because the drop matches up with the B&C reticle. For over 500 yards I'd like to use either the 265 ABLR or the 270 ELD-X.
Based on some average testing data, the ballistics are nearly identical. The data below is a relative comparison. I suspect the actual velocity will be higher based on reports I'm finding online.
Due to limited time this fall, the highest priority is trying to come up with a load in one trip to the range. If I can't, I'll stick with the 250s and be mindful of distance. Open to suggestions on how to achieve this with the below components.
For bullets:
I have both 265s (thanks to someone on this board who responded to my request) and 270s in possession.
For powder:
I have RL22, RL25, RL26, and Retumbo to work with. Based on some reloading data and others’ experience I'm thinking either RL26 or Retumbo, with a preference towards RL26 due to quantity available.
I'm running Remington brass and CCI 250 primers.
Below are pictures of the bullets.
And for some average measurements:
265 ABLR:
Overall bullets length: 1.703”
Base to ogive (touching) length: 0.915”
Ogive to tip: 0.788”
270 ELD-X:
Overall bullets length: 1.696”
Base to ogive (touching) length: 0.897”
Ogive to tip: 0.799”
My length to lands is 3.087”
My max magazine length is 3.680” (I’m noting Nosler tests to 3.600” COAL)
If I use 3.680” that puts the bullets: 0.195” and 0.206” off the lands respectively.
So here’s the debate:
I understand it’s better to use known published data for a quick development. That would narrow it down to the 265 ABLR with RL26 at 3.600”. I know of no known load data for the 270 ELD-X in the RUM.
However, from most of the information I read online, the ELD-X seems to have a higher percentage of accuracy than the ABLR. If I’m trying to make one trip to the range, I don’t want to deal with a finicky ABLR.
Although the bonded ABLR is probably a more well-rounded bullet, the interlocked ELD-X with min expansion down to 1800 fps fits the intended distance window nicely.
I’m inclined to try the ELD-X with RL26 (Nosler shows max 87.5 gr) at 3.680” COAL and seat deeper if necessary. How would you go about deciding which combination to choose?
The plan is to top this with a Leupold VX-7, 2.5-10x45 with B&C reticle. Primary use is late season, wet nasty weather, thick NW jungle, with most shots less than 50 yards. I've had bad experiences with rusting on blued guns when you just can't dry stuff out and the main reason for moving to stainless.
This will also be used for bear in the Cascades and the reason for bringing this project to life. For less than 500 yards the plan is to use the 250 gr AB because the drop matches up with the B&C reticle. For over 500 yards I'd like to use either the 265 ABLR or the 270 ELD-X.
Based on some average testing data, the ballistics are nearly identical. The data below is a relative comparison. I suspect the actual velocity will be higher based on reports I'm finding online.
Due to limited time this fall, the highest priority is trying to come up with a load in one trip to the range. If I can't, I'll stick with the 250s and be mindful of distance. Open to suggestions on how to achieve this with the below components.
For bullets:
I have both 265s (thanks to someone on this board who responded to my request) and 270s in possession.
For powder:
I have RL22, RL25, RL26, and Retumbo to work with. Based on some reloading data and others’ experience I'm thinking either RL26 or Retumbo, with a preference towards RL26 due to quantity available.
I'm running Remington brass and CCI 250 primers.
Below are pictures of the bullets.
And for some average measurements:
265 ABLR:
Overall bullets length: 1.703”
Base to ogive (touching) length: 0.915”
Ogive to tip: 0.788”
270 ELD-X:
Overall bullets length: 1.696”
Base to ogive (touching) length: 0.897”
Ogive to tip: 0.799”
My length to lands is 3.087”
My max magazine length is 3.680” (I’m noting Nosler tests to 3.600” COAL)
If I use 3.680” that puts the bullets: 0.195” and 0.206” off the lands respectively.
So here’s the debate:
I understand it’s better to use known published data for a quick development. That would narrow it down to the 265 ABLR with RL26 at 3.600”. I know of no known load data for the 270 ELD-X in the RUM.
However, from most of the information I read online, the ELD-X seems to have a higher percentage of accuracy than the ABLR. If I’m trying to make one trip to the range, I don’t want to deal with a finicky ABLR.
Although the bonded ABLR is probably a more well-rounded bullet, the interlocked ELD-X with min expansion down to 1800 fps fits the intended distance window nicely.
I’m inclined to try the ELD-X with RL26 (Nosler shows max 87.5 gr) at 3.680” COAL and seat deeper if necessary. How would you go about deciding which combination to choose?
