Reloading 300 WSM

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usmc99

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Jan 7, 2015
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So due to the fact that federal quit making the ammo I want and the nosler custom stuff is $67 a box Ive decided to start reloading my own ammo. Im shooting a Sako A7 300 Wsm. Ive been shooting factory 180 grn accubonds out of it with great success in both accuracy and performance on game so I want to stick with that bullet.

Ive got the Rock Chucker supreme kit on the way from Midway right now along with the latest nosler reloading book. So far from the research Ive done RL-17, RL-19 and IMR 4350 seem to be pretty good powders for this load and either Winchester or CCI large rifle magnum primers.

Anyone out there loading for this round that can share some ideas and starting points? Recommendations on a decent caliper and chrony would also be appreciated. Thanks guys.
 
woodtick

woodtick

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H4350 don't remember the exact charge but it was around 63.5 with Federal 215 match primers and 180gr Accubond is the load that my wife shoots in hers. They like a fair amount of jump into the riflings to get the tight groups you'll be looking for and has a very low ES and SD with what we run.

Good luck
 
libidilatimmy

libidilatimmy

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Oct 22, 2013
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I had good luck with RL-17 and 175gr. LRX 63.0 gr charge on that one. With the 180 AB, I'm shooting 64.0 grains of H414. The 180 AB load I listed is on the upper end of the pressure spectrum so start a couple grains below for safety. My gun shot 200 AB really well with imr 7828ssc. I'm going to try the 190 ABLR through mine this summer after it gets rebuilt.

Also, there isn't much data around for RE-17 yet, so you might have to dig around for some safe charge range data, or find someone with Quick Load to get you started if that's the powder you choose to go with.
 
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RSHusker

RSHusker

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Jan 6, 2013
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I have a 300 wsm in a Tika T3. Been using H4350 with CCI magnum primers behind 165 grain accubonds. Sub MOA. I also worked up a load with Hogden superformance and CCI large rifle primers pushing 150 grain sierra game kings that groups MOA or better. I will go look up the exact charge weights and get back to you. They are written down in my log and I'm not home just now.
 
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tim

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if it matters, I was using accubonds loaded by federal in my 270 wsm and found the same basic load by Winchester, after I could not find them from federal anymore.
 
Umpqua Hunter

Umpqua Hunter

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I have been reloading with 165 grain Nosler Accubond with Vihtavuori N550. Shooting 0.65" groups.

I can't help you at 180 grains, although in my Nosler manual Vihtavuori N550 is shown as the most accurate powder they tested with that bullet.

One thing you might want to consider is the 200 grain bullet since the ballistic coefficient jumps from 0.507 at 180 grains to 0.588 at 200 grains. That is a 15% jump, pretty significant.

I am trying to extend the range of my 300 WSM and my next load will likely be a 210 grain Nosler Accubond Long Range (if I can find some!) or a 210 grain Berger VLD Hunting bullet.
 
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usmc99

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Jan 7, 2015
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Thanks for the responses fellas, Definitely a lot of info to go through. With the 15% jump in BC in the 200 grn over the 180 grn what kind of trajectory change or other down range affects can I expect?
 
libidilatimmy

libidilatimmy

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You can go to Hornady's site and open the Ballistic Calculator and plug in the stats for different bullets, etc. to get an idea in the environmental conditions that you'll be shooting in.
 
Umpqua Hunter

Umpqua Hunter

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libidilatimmy said:
You can go to Hornady's site and open the Ballistic Calculator and plug in the stats for different bullets, etc. to get an idea in the environmental conditions that you'll be shooting in.
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That is an awesome tool! Here is the link:

http://www.hornady.com/ballistics-resource/ballistics-calculator

From the numbers I am running (based on the most accurate load from the Nosler manual) here is what I am coming up with:

The 200 grain will have 125 extra yards of range than the 180 grain (vs 180 grain) before it drops below 1300 feet/sec (minimum recommended velocity for the Accubond).

Wind drift is about 15% less with the 200 grain (vs 180 grain) bullet at 400 yards.

Bullet drop with the 200 grain is even a bit better.

I am holding off to develop a new load until I can get my hands on the 210 grain Accubond Long Range.

Ballistic Coefficient (Nosler specs):

180 grain Accubond: 0.507
200 grain Accubond: 0.588
190 grain Accubond Long Range: 0.640
210 grain Accubond Long Range: 0.730
 
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usmc99

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Jan 7, 2015
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Umpqua Hunter said:
That is an awesome tool! Here is the link:

http://www.hornady.com/ballistics-resource/ballistics-calculator

From the numbers I am running (based on the most accurate load from the Nosler manual) here is what I am coming up with:

The 200 grain will have 125 extra yards of range than the 180 grain (vs 180 grain) before it drops below 1300 feet/sec (minimum recommended velocity for the Accubond).

Wind drift is about 15% less with the 200 grain (vs 180 grain) bullet at 400 yards.

Bullet drop with the 200 grain is even a bit better.

I am holding off to develop a new load until I can get my hands on the 210 grain Accubond Long Range.

Ballistic Coefficient (Nosler specs):

180 grain Accubond: 0.507
200 grain Accubond: 0.588
190 grain Accubond Long Range: 0.640
210 grain Accubond Long Range: 0.730
Click to expand...
I had seen they are making some long range accubonds. Those might be worth a look if they live up to the reputation of the standard accubonds. Havent seen much for guys trying them out yet.
 
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usmc99

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I think I can get my hands on some nickel plated once fired brass. Any advantages or disadvantages to using this over regular brass?
 
libidilatimmy

libidilatimmy

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usmc99 said:
I think I can get my hands on some nickel plated once fired brass. Any advantages or disadvantages to using this over regular brass?
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You don't want nickel plated brass, they're harder than regular brass and can damage dies. Other than looking cool, the really provide no advantages over normal brass, only negatives
 
Colorado Cowboy

Colorado Cowboy

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Jun 8, 2011
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libidilatimmy said:
You don't want nickel plated brass, they're harder than regular brass and can damage dies. Other than looking cool, the really provide no advantages over normal brass, only negatives
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I second that. I was given some plated, once fired .300 Wby brass and almost 1/2 of them cracked/split after I fired them after reloading. they are a lot more brittle.
 
DRUSS

DRUSS

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Jun 22, 2014
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I have been working loads up with the 190 LRAB it shoots good in my wsm. 2950-3100 fps with RL -17 grouped best around 3050 honest 4 shot 5/8" groups. Looking to get new dial ordered for scope now
 
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usmc99

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Jan 7, 2015
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DRUSS said:
I have been working loads up with the 190 LRAB it shoots good in my wsm. 2950-3100 fps with RL -17 grouped best around 3050 honest 4 shot 5/8" groups. Looking to get new dial ordered for scope now
Click to expand...
What rifle you shooting that out of? And what sort of ranges have you shot it at?
 
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usmc99

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Jan 7, 2015
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Think Im going to start with some Hybrid 100v powder, If i can find it anywhere. Need to hit up some gun shows.
 
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