New Ruger MKII range report and questions

[Reyn]

I recently purchased a MKII stainless in 300WM new. Id heard horror stories about accuracy but at the price i decided to get it. The only ammo ive tried so far is PMC 150gr SP because it was on sale for 15.00 a box. Ive fired 40rds so far and at 100yds my Average is 1 5/8 center to center 3shots. Ive had 1 4shot group that was 1 1/4 c-c and a couple of 3 shot groups that were 1 1/4 c-c None were over 2in c-c. What is confusing is that the first two shots almost always cut the same hole. Then the 3rd rd is about an inch out. I fired numerous groups like this and going back measuring the targets i found that 3rd round is almost always the same distance from the first 2 holes.This is on multiple groups. My last 3rds today i fired at 200yds. The group was exactly 2in c-c in a perfect triangle. Ive never shot this far before and was honestly expecting a 4in group considering the 100yd groups were 1 5/8 avg.One gruop at 200 isnt enough for an avg though. My quest is for those who have worked up pet loads. What bullet weight do you have the best luck with? Im stuck with factory for now. Im thinking about trying 165gr fusion. Do you consider this poor accuracy for a sporter factory rifle?

 

[IndianaBoy]

I don't have a 300 Win Mag. And my experience with 30 cal handloading is with a Winchester Model 70 30-06. So take most of what I post as being based off experience with a 30-06, and then interpolating or... pulling an answer out of... well, you know.

First off: accuracy. My Ruger M77 220 Swift is the MOST accurate rifle that I own. Ruger rifles are capable of great accuracy. According to internet lore (may be BS), Ruger had problems when they contracted out their barrel manufacturing. Once they started making them in-house, the accuracy issues were no more.

The group sizes you are describing are more than acceptable for a sporter weight hunting rifle. Take any accuracy boasting you hear online with a big grain of salt. Not to mention that most guys talk about their best groups, and seldom talk about their worst groups, or even their average groups.


As for selecting loads for a 300 Win Mag. You are doing a disservice to the gun(in terms of what it can do ballistically) if you don't choose a heavier bullet than 150 grains. I favor 165 grain bullets in my 30-06, with 180 grain bullets running a close second. Longer bullets have a higher ballistic coefficient, buck wind better, and in your case, the cartridge is designed for heavier bullets. The trade off is that recoil may knock the snot out of you. That depends on you, some people are more recoil sensitive than others.

If you are shooting for accuracy I would recommend that you shoot at least a 180 grain boat tail hollow point. A 220 grain bullet would probably be better still, from purely a theoretical standpoint. Your rifle will probably have a particular bullet that it shoots well. If this is a hunting rifle then select whatever bullet you think will perform for the game you are hunting. I would shy away from 150 grain spitzers designed for the 308, or the 30-06. At 300 Win Mag velocities it may well destroy FAR more meat than a heavier constructed 180 or 200 grain bullet that will expand reliably but hold together.

As far as bullets go, I handload and have had great success with Hornady bullets. Loaded ammo is pricey and premium ammo is pricier still. If you are going on an elk hunt, try some Hornady ammo, but take whatever shoots best in your gun.

 

[Reyn]

Thanks for the advice. I'll try some heavier loads and see how that does.