300 Win Mag Reloading

[EOHunter]

I just purchased a new Tikka T3X Lite in 300 Win Mag. I haven't shot it yet (waiting on the glass to arrive) however I was wondering if anyone had any insight on some good places to start as far as hand loads go. I am fairly partial to Hornady, however I am open to try other things. I have heard the Tikka doesn't like the ELD-X bullets very well. Has that been the case with anyone with experience? Does anybody have any good powder/bullet combos that have worked well in the Tikka rifle? I will stick by the book for recipes, its just that their are hundreds of combinations and I don't really feel like dropping a small fortune to get a good load combo. I plan on shooting 180 grain bullets.

Also any advice on reloading magnum ammo? I have reloaded 223 to 30-06 but this is my first magnum rifle so i was hoping I could learn any tips and tricks.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Generally speaking, the large capacity cases like slower burning powders. I load for a .300 Wby and it took me awhile to really get it to shoot. I use Reloader 25 and 180 Gr Nosler Partition bullets. Look in you reloading manual and make a list of the recommended powders and if you have any buddies who reload, get enough powder from them to load 8 or 10 rounds. (save you from buying a lot of extra powder).

Remember one thing...no two rifles are alike, even same brand & caliber, so what works for one reloader, may not be right for your rifle.

 

[BrettKoenecke]

Powders have changed lately and for the better. I would encourage you to take a look at RL-23 and RL-26. They are fairly new, relatively speaking cutting edge powders. Dope on them is at the alliant powder website.

For example I was loading for .270 Win, 150 Nosler Partitions using IMR 7828 and getting about 2920fps. Not bad but nothing to crow about either. Tried some RL26 and easily getting 100fps more out of the combo, with added temperature stability as well.

My .264WM performance has trended in the same direction using RL-33, which probably isn't for your .300WM, but the same proposition applies.

 

[BrettKoenecke]

You asked for tips on loading magnum. I would always use a magnum primer for a .300WM. I use magnum primers a lot, given where I live and how cold it is when I hunt, FWIW.

 

[Bonecollector]

Powders have changed lately and for the better. I would encourage you to take a look at RL-23 and RL-26. They are fairly new, relatively speaking cutting edge powders. Dope on them is at the alliant powder website.

For example I was loading for .270 Win, 150 Nosler Partitions using IMR 7828 and getting about 2920fps. Not bad but nothing to crow about either. Tried some RL26 and easily getting 100fps more out of the combo, with added temperature stability as well.

My .264WM performance has trended in the same direction using RL-33, which probably isn't for your .300WM, but the same proposition applies.

Excellent Advice.
I don't personally use it, but have friends who do and agree the Reliant powders are the new standard. Give them a look.

 

[Conrad8899]

My Tikka 300 wm.. Likes H4831 180 grain to 200 grain.. Every thing over 200 gets H1000... Fed 215 primers... Mine like 180 and 200 grain accubonds.. 200 and 210 bergers... The 210 bergers are shot out of the clip. I hear the 300 wm like reloader 22... Never tried it though... Hope this helps...

 

[EOHunter]

Thanks for the information everyone. I now have some starting points.

 

[wildstreak]

I am loading H1000 with Berger 185 VLD hunting at .020 off the lands and getting absolutely fantastic results. I cant remember my exact powder charge off the top of my head.

 

[ithunter]

I'm a bit partial to IMR4350 and a Nosler Accubond 180gr or a Hornady SST in the same weight...and working up a load for a buddy with the same model rifle you have.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Thanks for the information everyone. I now have some starting points.

Don't forget to completely clean the copper fouling out of the barrel before you start testing. Then shoot a fouling round thru it. Start test after this is dome.

 

[rammont]

A few years ago I built a load for a friend's 300 Mag, we ended up with a Berger 185gr VLD Hunting bullet over 71.8gr of RL22 with a base to ogive length of 2.673". He was able to consistently keep his 3 shot groups under 1 MOA out to 300 yards. He took a Utah mountain goat at a little over 200 yards at a steep downhill angle with one shot.

 

[theshootist]

My Tikka likes just about anything, but it loves a 180gr Accubond being pushed by 75gr of RL22.


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[EOHunter]

So just to follow up, I ended up testing a few different loads and I came up with RL26 76.3 grains with a 178Grain ELD-x bullet and CCI magnum primer. It shoots right under 1 MOA at 100 yards. I am crunched for time so that is as good as it is going to get for this elk season. I can consistently hit the silhouette at 550 yards and just for fun tried out to 700 and hit about 75% of the time. Not that I would shoot that far hunting but I always have to send a few fun rounds downrange.

I am pretty happy with it so far. I think I can do better just getting used to the rifle but for now this will have to do. Thanks to everyone for the tips and advice!