300 WSM load recommendations ?

[Shoots100]

I just finished building a blaser R8 rifle chambered in 300 WSM.
While I've built short magnum chambered rifles for friends, I just never had the urge to build one for myself.
For this build, I wanted to use a caliber I've never used before and I found a real good deal on the WSM barrel, so WSM it is.
Barrel has a 1-11 twist.
Since I'll be primarily hunting deer and bear with it at short to mid range distances, I don't see the need for using the heavier bullets and would like to stick with projos ranging from 130 -180 grains.
I would like to use H4350 powder, as I have a good supply of it, but I'm willing to look into other powders, as long as their temp stable powders.

Thanks,
SJC

 

[Acer-m14]

rings up @meketrefe for you ..

 

[JamieZ]

I just finished building a blaser R8 rifle chambered in 300 WSM.
While I've built short magnum chambered rifles for friends, I just never had the urge to build one for myself.
For this build, I wanted to use a caliber I've never used before and I found a real good deal on the WSM barrel, so WSM it is.
Barrel has a 1-11 twist.
Since I'll be primarily hunting deer and bear with it at short to mid range distances, I don't see the need for using the heavier bullets and would like to stick with projos ranging from 130 -180 grains.
I would like to use H4350 powder, as I have a good supply of it, but I'm willing to look into other powders, as long as their temp stable powders.

Thanks,
SJC

Have you looked here? Take Aim at Rifle Reloading Data | Hodgdon Reloading

I ran a 150gr round and h4350 came up. Didn't try any other grain bullets.

 

[Tintalieau]

my only thiought would be the 1:11 twist lends itself to heavier bullets (220+ for that twist) not saying it would be bad otherwise. Just put a new barrel on my savage 1:10 twist, which works perfect for the 180's i shoot. Probably splitting hairs on it, but theoretically thats how it should work. i'm not an expert, really just learning about LRPS so take this with lots of salt.

 

[Shoots100]

I looked through my bullet shelves and found some boxes of 150 SMK, 155 +165 SST and 180 grn spitzers.
I really don't want to go over 165 grn, as I think it's a great all around weight for NA game, but will load up some of the 180's to see how they perform.
I loaded some of the 150 smk's with 45-47 grn's of H4350, in one grain increments to see how they chrono and group.
The only issue I have now, is that the blaser scope mount I ordered three weeks ago came in with one of the mounting lugs missing, they don't have anymore in stock and it's a month wait to get another one.
So I don't have a scope mounted to shoot for groups.
F me.
SJC

 

[Tisto]

my only thiought would be the 1:11 twist lends itself to heavier bullets (220+ for that twist) not saying it would be bad otherwise. Just put a new barrel on my savage 1:10 twist, which works perfect for the 180's i shoot. Probably splitting hairs on it, but theoretically thats how it should work. i'm not an expert, really just learning about LRPS so take this with lots of salt.

Umm, you have that backwards. A 1-11 twist is SLOWER and therefore will NOT stabalize the heavy bullets as well. For 30 caliber barrels, twist rates of 1-9 to 1-12 are common. 1-10 and 1-11 being most common. To stabalize the very-heavy-for-caliber bullets you need a fast twist rate.

Load data for H4350 is well represented in all my books for that cartridge. Should be no issues finding apropriate data for whatever bullet you choose. The .300 WSM is far more powerful a cartridge than necessary for typical Whitetail in NYS. I suggest you choose a bullet in the 125 to 150 grain range and load it light. Nosler Accubonds would be a very good choice.

 

[Shoots100]

The .300 WSM is far more powerful a cartridge than necessary for typical Whitetail in NYS. I suggest you choose a bullet in the 125 to 150 grain range and load it light.

I would just shoot my 30-06 or 308 then.
I've seen the damage the lighter bullets cause, so their out for now, but shooting a 130 grn bullet 3,300+ fps is mighty tempting !
After looking at whats available, a heavier bonded bullet is looking to be a good compromise between fps and meat damage.
There's just too many bullet choices out there and I can't make up my mind.
SJC

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

H4350 is a terrible powder. Send it all to me so I can dispose of it for you.

 

[Tisto]

I would just shoot my 30-06 or 308 then.
I've seen the damage the lighter bullets cause, so their out for now, but shooting a 130 grn bullet 3,300+ fps is mighty tempting !
After looking at whats available, a heavier bonded bullet is looking to be a good compromise between fps and meat damage.
There's just too many bullet choices out there and I can't make up my mind.
SJC

Nothing says you have to load to max. You can easily load a nice mild round that won't destroy meat, and will be easy on your shoulder too. I'm not saying you should use a lightly constructed bullet, either - just that bonded bullets perform well at low velocities. Speer Grand Slam bullets are proven performers. Nosler Accubond & Partition ( not a bonded design ) both perform well. Choosing an appropriate bullet for NY sized whitetails is easy. Stay away from varmint bullets and you're half way done. You don't need to penetrate 3" of tough hide and then go through a 4" thick bone to reach vital organs. By the same token, a deer is not a woodchuck. Having your bullet disintegrate on contact won't work either.

For nearly every big game hunt I've ever been on, Nosler Partitions or Speer Grand Slam bullets were my load of choice. Pronghorns, Dall Sheep, Elk, Caribou, and Moose have all fallen to one of those bullets for me. Here in NY I don't find it necessary to go to those lengths.

I see no need for you to load anything heavier than a 150 @ 2700 fps or thereabouts. You can easily find a bullet / powder combination that will do that.

 

[Tintalieau]

Umm, you have that backwards. A 1-11 twist is SLOWER and therefore will NOT stabalize the heavy bullets as well. For 30 caliber barrels, twist rates of 1-9 to 1-12 are common. 1-10 and 1-11 being most common. To stabalize the very-heavy-for-caliber bullets you need a fast twist rate.

Load data for H4350 is well represented in all my books for that cartridge. Should be no issues finding apropriate data for whatever bullet you choose. The .300 WSM is far more powerful a cartridge than necessary for typical Whitetail in NYS. I suggest you choose a bullet in the 125 to 150 grain range and load it light. Nosler Accubonds would be a very good choice.

i need to stop posting before a pot of coffee, thank you for catching that mistake......and reading things again before hitting post.