Stumpy 300 WSM Velocities

[Gtscotty]

I had my new 300 WSM Tikka cut to 18" and threaded recently, took it out the last few weekends to Chrono some spreads for velocity and shoot some groups, and figured since I had it typed out, I'd post up the info here in case someone is interested.

Reloder 16

200 gr ELDx, 30 off
04/28
60.5gr - 2,576 fps
61gr - 2,595 fps
61.5gr - 2,594 fps
62gr - 2,637 fps
05/06:
62.5gr - 2,585 fps
63gr - 2,622 fps
63.5gr - 2,674 fps

168gr E-Tip , 60 off
04/28:
63.5gr - 2,750 fps
64gr - 2,774 fps
64.5gr - 2,812 fps
65gr - 2,800 fps
05/06:
65.5gr - 2,827 fps
66gr - 2,850 fps
66.5gr - 2,861 fps

Staball 6.5

200 gr ELDx, 30 off
05/06:
63.5gr - 2,652 fps
64gr - 2,643 fps
64.5gr - 2,665 fps
65gr - 2,710 fps
65.5gr - 2,767 fps

168gr E-Tip , 60 off
05/06:
67.5gr - 2,873 fps
68gr - 2,947 fps
68.5gr - 2,936 fps
69gr - 2,997 fps
69.5gr - 3,026 fps

165gr TGK, 30 off
05/06:
68gr - 2,914 fps
68.5gr - 3,011 fps
69gr - 3,004 fps
69.5gr - 3,023 fps
70gr - 3,023 fps

After the trip on 04/28, plugged my case capacity and velocities into QL and it looked like I probably had some head room, so I worked up another 1.5 gr. I'm going to focus on Staball next time, although most of the RL16 groups were moa-ish, and some below (I'm pretty happy given the scope I'm using). I think Staball is going to be a better burn speed for velocity, and I've had good luck with it in Creedmoors, .30-06 and .280ai.

One bummer is that my scope (Athlon Helos BTR2 2-12x42 FFP) took a dump a few shots into the second trip. At every shot the parallax would change and when the scope came back on target from recoil, everything was blurry.... I was actually able to shoot groups fine, but had to adjust the parallax after every shot (wasn't going to waste the drive up). That's what I get for using cheapy ChiCom scopes I guess, Athalon refused to RMA even though it was basically brand new, so I sent it in to the warranty department today, we'll see what they do. Either way I'll probably need to get a different scope for this particular rifle because the windage turret blocks reliable ejection from the Tikka.

The plan is to eventually put a 19"-20" 7mm PRC prefit on this rifle, but I'm liking the 300 WSM for now. By using Tikka new 6.5 PRC specific magazines I'm able to load out to ~3" instead of the ~2.85" of the WSM magazines.

 

[jmr40]

I had a 300 WSM in a SS Winchester Classic for a few years. I like the round and if I ever felt the need for anything with a magnum headstamp the 300 WSM is the one I'd buy. Alas, for what I do it was more gun than I needed, and I sold it. And right now Tikka is my rifle of choice. You do need a better scope.

I used H4350 and my rifle was almost exactly where book loads said it should be. A max load with 180's gave me 2950. I did experiment some with 200 gr ELD-X's briefly. I don't recall the exact speed but it was an accurate load.

The 300 WSM has a reputation for not losing much speed from shorter barrels, and your data confirms that. Your fastest loads are less than 100 fps slower than my manuals show for 24" barrels.

I like it.

 

[Peakbagger46]

Nice results! Maybe forget the 7 and go smack some meat with those big 200 grainers…

 

[Gtscotty]

I had a 300 WSM in a SS Winchester Classic for a few years. I like the round and if I ever felt the need for anything with a magnum headstamp the 300 WSM is the one I'd buy. Alas, for what I do it was more gun than I needed, and I sold it. And right now Tikka is my rifle of choice. You do need a better scope.

I used H4350 and my rifle was almost exactly where book loads said it should be. A max load with 180's gave me 2950. I did experiment some with 200 gr ELD-X's briefly. I don't recall the exact speed but it was an accurate load.

The 300 WSM has a reputation for not losing much speed from shorter barrels, and your data confirms that. Your fastest loads are less than 100 fps slower than my manuals show for 24" barrels.

I like it.

Thanks, yeah it looks like Staball 6.5 is going to be in a nearly perfect burn rate for the WSM. I think I'm probably going to shoot 68gr, 68.5gr, 69gr and 69.5gr for groups with the 168gr E-Tips and 165gr TGKs, the only heavier bolt lift I had was with 70gr under the 165gr.

Nice results! Maybe forget the 7 and go smack some meat with those big 200 grainers…

Yeah, I'm pretty interested in the 7mm PRC, but the WSM is working out better than I expected, if it groups with some of the healthier loads of Staball, it's going to be hard to make a reasonable pitch to replace this tube with a PRC (although the plan is really to get a shouldered prefit and be able to switch back and forth if I want).