long range .300 ultra sendero

[mewachee]

(Posted under compition shooting as well, didn't know where I would get better response, sorry if this is inappropriate.)

I am setting up a multi-purpose Rem. .300 RUM. I plan to shoot at a local 1,000 yard range, but want something that will have the energy necessary for Elk at very long ranges. This is why I went with the ultra instead of a .308 win. I would like to shoot Open F Class. We have a local group that I would like to get associated with. I have many hobbies, if F Class would stick then I would setup another rifle.

Okay, with all that said, I would like to help with a couple of things.

1. I am purchasing a Rem. Sendero .300 Rum in the next week or so. I am told this gun should shoot (with the right ammo of course) out of the box. I plan to work on the trigger, but do you guys have any "should do's," before I start working up a load.

2. The barrel is 26" and the twist is 1 in 14". I am considering Scirocco II in 180 gr. I wonder 200 gr bullet would be better for these applications. I am a fan of Barnes ttsx bullets, but is the weight/length ratio to light for long range? Will a MatchKing perform well on big game, or will it blow a part?

3. I am looking for favorite recipes for my situation. I am looking for a slow burning, heavy bullet recipe.

 

[mewachee]

1 in 10" twist

 

[dakotasin]

1 - float it, then bed it.
2 - you should use a different bullet for your competitive shooting than you do hunting to keep the costs under control. i would not use a matchking on elk, especially from a 300 rum. i have had pretty good luck w/ barnes bullets being accurate, but they aren't competition accurate, and they are expensive.
3 - the 7 and 300 rum do well with retumbo. lots of retumbo (i can't wait until i can start finding retumbo in 8# kegs... 1# of that stuff sure doesn't last very long).

 

[PT1911]

Best advice I can give you is do change one thing at a time... some guns shoot GREAT when just floated, others when floated and bedded... you may want to have the crown checked as I have seen several NEW remingtons with bad crowns. Also, you will want to make sure your chamber is reamed to the correct depth... another issue I have seen with NEW remingtons... the bullet was literally having to jump to the rifling...

 

[Strongbad]

Work the trigger at home first, then take it out and shoot it as is. Then see where you need to go from there. Beyond that, the advice given so far is spot on. Float the barrel, bed the action... ultimately if you're going to get serious I'd swap out the trigger. Look at the Rifle Basix, they're solid and affordable. I'm also a fan of the Shilen triggers, but Timney and Jewell are just as good.

Next up is good optics with enough adjustment to get you to 1000, and if necessary a tapered scope base.

As for the loads, I used to love the original Scirroco's but the II's have been less than stellar. For my 30 cal mags and my 338/378 I've moved on to TSX's or TTSX's depending on the rifle. For long distance target work though, you'll want to load up some Seirra's or Bergers.

The powders I've had good luck with in the 300 Ultra were RL-25 and Retumbo. IMR-7828 and H-1000 are good alternatives.

 

[Casefull]

I have had your rifle for a couple of years. Ditto on the retumbo...I have 8 # but now I also have a 338 lm eating the same powder...those 100 gr loads wipe out a pound in about 60 rounds. Mine has a large leupold with a Timney trigger. No other changes and it shoots as well as I can. I wish it was ported like the lapua.

 

[GooseGestapo]

My best loads to date are as follows: (Use Federal #215 primer, anything else is a gamble....)

180gr Remington Cor-lokt; 3.580"oal, 105.0gr WC-860; 3,300fps (under 1", go figure !!!) Most accurate load in my rifle...

180gr Nosler Bal-Tip; 3.625"oal (longest that'll feed from magazine), 85.0gr IMR-7828; 3,275fps (under 1", factory duplication)

180gr (anything) 98.5gr Retumbo; factory dup. 3,300fps (Nosler Part. is prefered game bullet.
180gr (anything) 100.5gr Retumbo; 3,400fps (my 26"bbl) Maximum but not as accurate as 98.5gr.

Reloader 25 is good at 92.5-93.0gr. My rifle won't digest anything heavier w/180gr bullet, but velocities are excellent at ~3.350fps..... Accuracy is so-so, 1.5-2.5" range. Your rifle may be different.

Long range match loads are different animals than hunting loads. If your shots will be over 300yds (hunting), the Berger 210gr VLD would be my choice of an "do it all bullet".

I'd use the 200gr Match King @ 3,000-3,100fps for long-range load development, and I'd try the 220gr and even the 240gr MK's to see what shoots best.

For Elk or larger, you'll regret using anything besides a Swift A-Frame, or Nosler Part, and of course the Barnes TSX.....
However, the 180gr Remington CorLokts have held together on Whitetail Deer, and penetrated well and hand no more blood shot meat than a .30'06 with a 150gr and similar bullet placement..... YMMV.

P.S my brass is Remington and is neck-turned for concnetricity. Rifle is a Savage M110 w/26" sporter wt.bbl. Scope is an older Simmons MAG-44 3X-10X, in 4x4 rings and Weaver bases (#402 ext. front).

The cartridge has shown no nasty characteristics except a propensity for slow burning powders. My rifle is a bit sensitive to high pressures and dosent' cam the rounds from the chamber, so, max loads are at tad under book listings. However, velocities from my free-bored barrel (0.375" like a Weatherby) are high nevertheless. (factory barrel).
My rifle didn't like any 4350's, nor the 4831's to include RL22. IMR7828 is "candy" however. My go-to deer load is now a starting load of IMR7838 and a 165gr bullet for .300WinMag level loads. Much more tolerable recoil. Dosent' draw blood on "Both" ends when shooting game in the field.......

 

[mewachee]

Thanks for the advice.

I will start with the Retumbo, was considering H50BMG.

I am getting a Leupold Mark 4

I will test 180 gr ttsx 200 gr matchkings, as well as a 200 gr hunting bullet. I worry about the 220 or larger at the 1 in 10" twist. This is only a hunch.

StrongBad, how far are you shooting those ttsx. I shoot them out of my .270 with incredible results. This gun couldn't shoot anything. Now I am shooting 130 gr ttsx at just under 3200 at 1/2 moa on my best days. (Yes, these are hot, but not as hot as you might think. I get this from 55 gr of H4350). out of the .270 I have shot MOA at 500, but limited by the scope.

As far as hunting range goes, I will not hunt beyond my ability. However, I am hoping to get this gun shooting 700-800 yards accurately with what ever hunting load I settle on. I have never given the berger bullet the time of day. But now that I look at it, I see that it is another candidate.

Again, thanks for the advice. If you have more, it would be appreciated.

 

[dakotasin]

I worry about the 220 or larger at the 1 in 10" twist.

at the velocity the 300 rum generates i wouldn't worry about 220's... 240's may pose a problem, but again, the rum generates a lot of velocity so they may be ok.

i wouldn't go any heavier than 220 in the 300 rum because i have a 338 win. if i did not have a 338, i may at least be tempted to experiment.

good luck!

 

[tango2echo]

See post #4.

What he said.

t2e

 

[mewachee]

I can find Retumbo on line, but not locally. On the other hand, I can get a keg of h50bmg locally. has anyone used h50? I do have RL25 locally, but it seems that Retumbo is much better for this application.

 

[dakotasin]

never used h-50 in the rums.

rl-25 did ok in mine, but not great. believe it or not, i think rl-25 is just a little too fast for the rum cases.

when i did load development i tested maybe 4 powders that were as slow as i could find locally, and retumbo was the best, rl-25 a distant 2nd, but it did work ok.

 

[Casefull]

I am trying to get some us 869 for my 338 lm and I will try it with the ultra mag also.

 

[mewachee]

Thanks for all your help. I will let this thread go for now. I will move the discussion about the powder to the reloading section.

Again, I will monitor this thread for ideas pertaining to the rifle itself.

One concern I have is the weight of the rifle. I will have to shoot it first, but might want to add a lb or two.