Anybody shoot reduced WSM loads?

[Bigfoot]

I've been looking into a Remington 700 Titanium or Kimber Montana in 260 for a lightweight, low recoiling deer/hog gun in the same vein as the 250 Savage and 257 Roberts. But I've also considered the same gun in 270 WSM, this could be loaded down using the 110 Accubond, 110 TSX or 110 TTSX bullets at 6.8 SPC velocities for most of my hunting and still be loaded back up for elk or long range shooting. Besides the increased costs I see only one problem with this, I remember reading that the WSMs with thier thick, stiff brass don't seal the chamber very well unless the loads are on the stiff side.

Anybody have any luck shooting lower velocity loads in any of the WSMs? I'm thinking with possibly SR 4759 or a similar bulky powder designed for reduced loads in large cases. Do you have to anneal the necks?

Serious replys on this subject only please.
I'm not interesed in other caliber/rifle suggestions just now.

TIA
Bigfoot

 

[Horsemany]

I loaded minimum loads for the 300wsm Kimber I owned. It had less recoil than a full power 30-06 IMO. It was very accurate with light loads too. I believe I was 1 or 2 grains under the minimum load. I did not have problems with sooty cases not sealing the chamber either.

Light powder charges with light bullets you mentioned would be very mild in a 270wsm. Plus you have the ability to rod it up to near 270 Weatherby horsepower for maximum carnage if needed.

 

[Tang419]

I load minimum loads in my .325 WSM, for my fiance` to shoot/hunt with. She loves that Savage 14. But as far as the loads, they seem to seal fine. I havent gotten any gas in the face, and there isnt any blackening around the case body.

 

[Bigfoot]

The problem with the lightweight guns like the 700 Ti is they arn't cheap which is why I'm looking at just getting one do-it-all short action rifle. I've got many other rifles but none are lightweights.

A 300WSM shooting 125s or 130 TSX, TTSX or 30-30 bullets would also work and be compromised more towards elk hunting. The trick is finding bullets that are designed to work at the reduced velocity like 30-30 or 6.8 SPC bullets, the 7mm bore doesn't have as many soft, light-for-caliber bullets.

But first I had to find out if the WSM case likes low pressure loading.

Thanks Horsemany and Tang419.

More experiences are welcome. I'm still trying to flesh out this idea.

 

[Tang419]

Bigfoot, the 160gr .30 cal Leverevoloution jelly tips will be available next month. They are built for .30-30's moving in the 2200-2300 range, and should work great for what you mention.

My bro already has his on preorder for his 336 Marlin. But for testing purposes, we are going to load them in my .300 Win Mag and push them hard, to see how well they hold together.

 

[Bigfoot]

Man I couldn't find ANY reduced/youth loading data on any of the WSMs last night. I knew I'd never seen any before but I had no idea that it was this difficult to find.

On ReloadersNest I did find two 150 gr loads for the 06 and 300 WM using 4759 powder. The 300WSM is right in the center of these two in capacity so splitting the two loads gives me 36 gr powder and 2510 velocity. Sounds like a 300 Savage load, more recoil than the sweet shooting 250 and 257 Bob but since the gun will have a thick recoil pad it shouldn't be a problem even if it weighs right around 6lb scoped. With thin jacketed cup/core boattail bullets like a Gameking it should be good to over 300 yards easily.

Probably the only hope I have for finding data for the 270WSM is look for loads for the 270 Weatherby and 7mm Rem Mag. All three cartridges are very close in capacity. I can understand why I haven't found anything on the Weatherby yet but yould think that I'd have better luck with the 7mm RM, it isn't exactly rare.

Anyway, the idea seems sound. Still diggin, between NFL plays. (looks like the 49ers might have found a quaterback)

 

[Bigfoot]

Looks like I posted too soon.

http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Youth Loads.pdf

270WSM youth load: 40 gr 4895 with 110 bullets gives 2700 fps. Thats a mid range 6.8SPC velocity load. Recoil, nuthin. And since this is 4895 it isn't limited to this velocity, it can be loaded all the way up to full pressure or anywhere in between.

 

[Tang419]

I found some new .270 WSM barrels for $75 for my Savage, so Im coverting it to that for her. So I can run it a little stronger.

 

[ThomasT]

Bigfoot I was going to suggest the 4895 load. Glad you found it. If you want softer bullets Hornady and Sierra both used to offer 100-130gr bullets built for velocities from single shot pistols like the T/C Contender.

 

[Bigfoot]

Thanks Ratshooter I also found some 5744 data, it's for 140s but just add 400 fps or so for the 110s. 5744 is also bulky powder, not as good for this application as 4759 but it's close. Like 4759 it's very fast burning so it's limited by pressure but the velocities listed here are plenty and the higher pressure might be good for consistant burning and accuracy.

http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/...MAGPRO/StandardloadsRifle/270 WSM Nov 02.pdf

I ran the full power loads in software and the 300WSM would have brutal recoil in a 6-7 lb rifle. It would probably need a muzzle brake. The 270WSM at full power isn't too bad, looks like a good recoil pad could tame it. I don't see any elk surviving a well aimed .277 150 gr Barnes bullet at 3000+ fps.

Tang419 I've got bad news for you, you might lose that 270WSM Savage to her. I picked 6 bullets for mice to moose, 110 V-MAX, 110 Accubond, 110 TTSX, 130 Partition, 140 Trophy Bonded, 150 Barnes MRX and they all have similar BCs. In my software I ran them all at 3000 +/- 20 fps and they all have the same trajectory within a tenth of an inch to 300 yards. You could load them up and just label the boxes varmint, deer, hogs, elk and unless the difference in recoil bothers her she's good to go with no scope setting changes. Assuming they don't shoot to the left or right of course.



Bigfoot

 

[Tang419]

She can shoot the .325 just fine, but would like it to be a little softer. I would rather her be able to shoot it accuratly with no flinch.

 

[MCMXI]

I ran the full power loads in software and the 300WSM would have brutal recoil in a 6-7 lb rifle. It would probably need a muzzle brake.

Umm .... not really. I have a 700 Alaskan Ti in .300WSM and find it fine to shoot. I'm using RL22 powder, 168 grain SMK HPBT bullets and test loads ranging from 68.3 to 69.8 grains. I could shoot that rifle all day long. I have a Leupold scope (Vari-X II), Leupold bases and Warne quick-release rings and a sling. The total weight is 8lb 6oz.

If you want to talk about brutal recoil, the Marlin 1895 Guide Gun in .45-70 is a beast of the bench, even at the low end of the reloading scale!

 

[kmrcstintn]

I gotta back up a bit then I'll get around to your inquiry; I am relatively new to rifle ownership & dedicated shooting; I have a few guys who like fast-n-loud rifles and I let myself be swayed into the purchase of a nice .300 wsm rifle based upon the 'you'll never have to buy another rifle for deer, bear, elk, etc...'

the gun is a Remington 700 SPS that someone had won as a raffle gun & had a customizing shop put a muzzle brake on; the guy fired it very little (basically to sight in & hunt for one season) and consigned it after aquiring a shoulder injury (Leupold rings & bases included); I purchased a Nikon Buckmasters 4.5-14 x 42 scope that was ordered in & not purchased...I got a trigger job, barrel floating, and action seating for free since the group of guys I hang with throw the shop alot of business;

back to your ??? about reduced loads; currently we are still renovating the old stone house on the hunting property & the reloading bench isn't set up yet...this leaves me shooting this rifle with full power ammo...even with the muzzle brake & Limbsaver recoil pad it is a stimulating experience; now when I finally get to reload, I'm planning on going 50% between the minumum & maximum load formulas that are established...hopefully the rifle will be accurate toward the lower end of the scale so I can get more trigger time without the abrupt recoil and I won't have to resight using more accurate hunting loads;

DO NOT GO BELOW MINIMUMS so you can get brass expansion & chamber sealing; even if your accuracy is a bit affected, use the lower recoil stuff for the majority of your practice & acclimate with the full power stuff before your hunts

 

[haldir]

reduced loads are fine, go for it.