Range report--.300 WSM...

[Smokey Joe]

Well, I understand that it'll be AL, not TX, for pigs later this year. Anyhow I want to be prepared. Already set up my Yugo M-48 Mauser Pseudo-Scout for the closer shots. But suppose I get a chance to snipe pigs??

Want to hit 'em like the Hammer of Thor. A 180 grain Nosler Accubond should do it. So, what load for Little Audrey, my .300 WSM Savage M-12BVSS? Want: pretty good velocity; high accuracy, AND, temperature insensitive powder. After considerable research, chose H-4350. It is one of the Hodgdon Extreme powders; supposedly temp-insensitive.

Mr. Sierra said I could go to 66.0 grains of this, but Mr. Hodgdon said to stop at 64.0 grains. Since best accuracy is seldom found at the upper speed limit anyhow, it was easy to take Mr. Hodgdon's advice. (Surprisingly, neither Mr. Lyman nor Mr. Nosler had a comment on H-4350 for a 180 grain bullet in a .300 WSM.)

(A side thought: It's good to have more than one reloading manual!)

Loaded up a series of 10 rds. each of 58.0 through 64.0 grains of H-4350, in 1.0-grain steps, using Norma brass, Federal GM215M primers, and the aforementioned Noslers.

Results are shown below. All shots at 100 yd.

Target #1: Used up the last 7 of my 165 grain Nos. Ballistic Tip loads, to re-set the 'scope. No further adjustment was done on 'scope during this series.

Targets # 3, 4, and 8 speak for themselves.

Targets # 5 & 6--No, I didn't pull those shots. But it WAS windy.

I'm eager for a chance to go back to the range, to shoot the other 5 of each, at 200 yd!

BTW, having taken better than 40 shots over the bench, with the .300 WSM, today, my shoulder is fine. You just be set for the recoil and deal with it.

References: Sierra Rifle & Handgun Reloading Data, edition V.
Nosler Reloading Guide, 6th edition.
Lyman 48th Edition Reloading Handbook.
Hodgdon Basic Reloaders Manual 2008.

SAFETY NOTE: I take no responsibility for the use of load data contained in this posting. Use only load data from identifiable sources--NOT anonymous I'net posters.

 

[NCsmitty]

Nicely doneSmokey Joe, you and your rifle show a lot of potential. The only problem I see is what load would you select? They're all looking good. It would be nice if you could chronograph some. I'd try a 63.5gr load.

NCsmitty

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Reloading talk, I wish I could understand

 

[benzy2]

I would run all of them at least through the 5 of each you have left. A few of those groups look real good and even the bigger ones seem to have either the vertical or horizontal fairly squared away making me wonder if they wouldn't shoot well given another chance or two. Still after that many rounds with .300WSM I would personally be opening groups up a bit.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Shooting...

I'm going to shoot the remaining 5's of each load @ 200 yd. That might cause a discernible difference. When (I hope) it gets down to a single outstanding load, I'll load up another series, bracketing that load, in steps of 0.2 grains of H 4350.

NC Smitty--THx for kind words. If there's no outstanding load, I'll just pick one and go with it. 63.5 grains might well be IT. Will chrono the results @ that point.

P. B. Walsh--What do you need explained? Will be happy to try to help. Reloading requires care and attention, but it is NOT rocket science, nor is it witchcraft.

Benzy 2--Thank you, also. Groups were shot in the order they're numbered. Pls note that #8 is one of the tighter groups. Little Audrey and Recoil and I get along just fine.

 

[Big_E]

Nice rifle, those groups are pretty good too. Good luck with the pig hunting and I think any of those loads will do the job.

Oh look at that 100 posts!!

 

[Poper]

Smokey,

No question you have some very good loads right off the bat! Good shooting, btw. The 180 gr. AccuBonds are an excellent choice, too!

I have found the .300WSM a very tolerant cartridge to load. At one time I was loading for 3 different rifles with that chambering. A Rem. 700, a Browning A-Bolt and a Browning BAR. All showed a preference for heavier bullets, esp. 180 grainers. All shot 165/8's very well but the 180's always seemed a tad better. When you settle on a load, you might be able to tweek the accuracy a bit with the COAL.
FWIW, my best velocities with excellent accuracy were attained with IMR 4831. IMR 4350 was always accurate, but seemed to be about 100FPS +/- slower than the 4831.
4350 was the powder of choice for the BAR because of concerns of the burn rate with the operating system.
Both the 700 and A-Bolt liked the 4350 and 4831 better than W760 which seemed to be awful dirty anyway.
Because I am a cheapskate, I have been using Hornady bullets, but I have been weight matching them, too. With careful case prep and consistent loading procedures, 1" groups are not too difficult.

I think you have made an excellent caliber choice and the Savage has as much accuracy potential as any other off the shelf rifle out there. It will probably out shoot my beloved A-bolt!

Again, most excellent shooting!

Poper
PS: I have a Savage Model 12BVSS, too, but in .243 Win. with a Weaver T-36.
3/4" groups are not uncommon if I am having a good day.

 

[juk]

Looks like some decent pig medicine. On a side note, where are you going to be hunting in AL? I live in one of the few places in the state where there aren't many of the tasty things rummaging through farmers fields. It's driving me crazy because I want to open the proverbial can of whup A$$ on em and I cant even find the darn things!

 

[Smokey Joe]

Location...

Juk--

On a side note, where are you going to be hunting in AL?

Don't know yet. Hunt is being arranged through one of my hunting buds' business clients. And as yet, my knowledge of AL geography is nil anyhow.

But we are promised pigs, so there must be plenty in the area. Will post more when I know more.