[LeverGunJunkie]

Happy New Year All:

My loving wife just gave me a BLR in .300 WSM as a gift for promotion to LTC. :D While the cartridge was my #3 choice I can much complain getting my "dream rifle." Need some reloading tips for this one:

1. Thinking 180gr bullets are the way to go with this baby. Any bullets you suggest? Always been partial to Sierra GK SPs, but thought I'd solicit opinions. Mostly big northern deer or elk hunting.

2. Powder: I have H4895, Varget, and H335 on hand. Seen loads for 4895 & varget; but was thinking of getting H414 or H4350. What powder of those listed do you think would be best?

3. Of the recipies I've seen, some say LR primers are good nuff, some say I need Mag primers...which one?

Bought some Winchester Super-X 180 gr rounds to start with. I'll let you know how she shoots. Thanks for the assistance.

LGJ

[snuffy]

Browning makes a lever gun in 300 WSM? wellallbe! That should be a thumper.

As for loads, these come from my experience with a Browning A-bolt 300. I experimented with bullets from 125 to 220 in mine. I settled on a 165 in Hornady's excellent interbond. You'll need a well constructed bullet for the higher velocities generated.

As for powder, I kept to the slower side of the spectrum, AA-4350, Alliant R-19, and H 4831-SC. I wouldn't try anything faster than 4350.

As for primers, all I used were standard large rifle(WLR). Except for one load I tried with the Nosler 125 ballistic tip, the manual called for a magnum primer, I used a Rem. 9-½. The "short-fat" configuration means you don't need the hotter spark from magnum primers. Coupled with NOT using the ultra slow powders, standard primers work well.

[rcmodel]

H4895, Varget, and H335Those are all too fast for 180 grain loads.

Either H-414 or IMR-4350 or H-4350 would do well.

Ball powders like H-414 usualy require Magnum primers.
Stick power like H-4350 can use standard primers.

But, you should use whichever primer your load data tells you to use.

rc

[NCsmitty]

You might take a look at the new Rel-17, as it's designed for the short mag cartridges.

www.alliantpowder.com/



NCsmitty

[Runningman]

I have been using H4350, Ramshot Hunter with 165 -180 grain bullets in my 300 WSM most of they time. However some people over at 24 Campfire are getting very good results in the 300 WSM with the new Reloader 17 powder. Just picked up a can a recently but have not yet tested it myself.

I've just been using Winchester and Federal std large rifle primers with the 300 WSM even with ball powders such as Hunter. Haven't had a reason to go to magnum primers yet.

[steve4102]

Hunter, MRP, and 4350..

[Shoney]

Although I have not loaded for any of the WhiSSuMs, I have always been able to develop accurate loads with IMR4831. Almost all the accurate loads were also at, near,or slightly above max listed loads, with no pressure signs.

I have also found that RL19 and RL22 are also very good for developing accurate loads near the upper end of the load tables.

[hoghunting]

My best loads have been with Hornady 165 gr Interbond, RL-19, and WLRM primers. I worked on my loads before RL-17 was available, and I will try it shortly.

[LeverGunJunkie]

Never used any of the Alliant powders; always bee a Hodgdon kind of guy. This RL-17 may be the reason to start. Plan to throw a few rounds down range today. Good info and thanks.

[dakotasin]

300 wsm does well for me w/ 180 gamekings and rl-19.
however, within the past year i migrated all of my 30 cals (except the 30 carbine) over to 165 grain bullets and h-4350 does very well there.

if you hunt the northerns states (i do), anything over 55-60 grains of powder gets a mag primer. also, anything w/ a variation of 'magnum' in the name gets a magnum primer.

it was -10° this morning... don't want to risk a hangfire on a hunt. will be -5° for tomorrow morning's hunt. i don't want a standard primer trying to ignit 70-ish grains of powder when it is that cold.

[LeverGunJunkie]

A little more research has revealed that 4831(IMR or H) is a suitable powder (confirming Shoney's assertion). The one that has caught my attention is Hodgdon Hybrid 100V...looks like a good all around powder for magnums of any sort. Any experience with this one??

Dakotasin: Roger on your primer point. While mainly a GA hunter now, I spend a week or two in upstate NY during late season. This gun will find use up there and a mag primer would do better at igniting cold powder.

[K-Dirt]

I voted H414 because I've had good 180gr Interbond loads with W760 (supposed to be the same as H414) in my A-bolt. IMR 4350 worked just as good though. I didn't draw an elk tag last year or I would have been working on a RL 17 load.

[FROGO207]

180 grain BST and H4350 with Mag primers is the ticket for me.:D

[Kernel]

All the powders you listed were to fast. H4350 is close, though. With 180 gr bullets the ideal powder speed is in the range of RL-19 and H450.

[LeverGunJunkie]

Appreciate the feedback. Due to a complete lack of selection/inventory here in GA :mad:, I managed to get a pound of H414 and WIN Supreme 780. I figure with those 2 I've bracketed the burn rate chart. While not my first choice, I think I'll be able to get a satisfactory load developed. If not, I will try the Reloder line. My top 3 orginally was IMR 4350, H4350 or Hybrid100V. Not to be had anywhere with a days drive. I have a hard time paying the HAZMAT fee unless I can get a few guys together on an order to defray the cost.

[FredHunter]

I am looking for a bullet to use with the R17, I have been using 150g winchester silver tips up to now. And now I am starting to reload. What brand bullets and what grain are you all using.
Thanks,
Fred