300 Win Mag and 208 A Max reloading concern

[nursindude]

Hello folks. New poster, long time snooper!! I have a Remington 700 5R tactical coming to me in 300 WM and was doing some loading so I can put some rounds down range when it gets here next week. Opted for the 208 A Max as it seems its a reputable bullet. New Winchester brass (2.62") using the Winchester Mag rifle primers (all I can seem to find) and H1000 powder. Hornady's 9th edition didn't have the H1000 listed, so I shopped around various posts here and elsewhere and the consensus seemed to be 74grains was a good starting point up to 78 grains in .3 or .5gr intervals. Problem I have is at 75grs the load is already compressed and I am getting the circled indentation around the bullet and the seating is being affected as well. Went with the standard COAL of 3.34" as I'm not sure as of yet what the chamber length will be and it seems that the load is compressed enough at that level I can't get consistent lengths. Guess my true question is if I should stop at the present load and check it when rifle comes in or is this a common finding? I'm using the Hornady Custom Grade dies. Long time reloader of pistol and non magnum rifles. Thanks for any advice. As of now these are the components that I have available.

Kevin

 

[DIBBS]

Welcome to the hide Your inconsistent case lengths may be due to the bullet backing out some, depending on the level of compression. Also, you can seat the bullets out as far as the magazine will allow, provided that you are not jamming them substantially in the lands. I probably wouldn't load too many UNTIL you recieve your firearm, then determine what will function through the chamber/magazine, as well as what is a maximum load in YOUR rifle. Lots of good data in the reloading depot for these components, and with this combination many folks find a sweet spot between 75-78 grains. You may want to try Federal 215's as well if you can find them. (I've shot some damn good groups with Win Mag primers in a 338 WM) You probably will have a little more case capacity after fireforming your brass.

 

[nuclear_shooter]

I know the Hornady manual doesn't have anything, but H website does. You can look up loads here: Cartridge Loads - Hodgdon Reloading Data Center - data.hodgdon.com they say the max safe load is 78C. Of course you should start out lower and work your way up. It could be your brass just has less volume than whatever they worked their load data up on.

 

[nursindude]

Thanks guys. Wasn't to concerned with the load so much as the indentation of the bullet. From reading other posts it seems mostly cosmetic, but was a little surprised to run into it at the median load. Thought about the case capacity; however, if I were to "full size size" the rounds the "fireforming" shouldn't increase the capacity, right? I have ordered the "Neck sizing die" as well as it seems the most common practice. I'm sure when I get the rifle I will be able to seat the bullets a bit longer, was just going with the book on that to start. Once again thanks. Appreciate the Hodgdon website resource.

Kevin

 

[jagged77]

By seating to 3.34" you are loosing quite a bit of case capacity with the 208 - Hodgden list 3.42" COL on their on line data. I'd wait for the rifle to arrive and then accurately measure the distance to the lands so you can tailor your seating depth according to mag length and jump. Using a drop tube also helps to settle the powder in the case in a more compact fashion, you really don't want to be ramming a bullet down on top of the charge to such an extent the bullets backing out and the seater plug is marking the bullet.

 

[nursindude]

Thanks much Jagged! I had pulled all the bullets and was gonna look for some RL22; however, loaded a few to the 3.42" and no indentation. I will see how it all turns out next week and then group them according to powder groups then play with the oal. Good day to ya'!

Kevin

 

[tiNdvenTFHwMdqKW]

Hornady has a special seater stem for some of their AMAX bullets. I get inconsistent seating results with standard .308 dies and much better results with the Hornady dies:

Hornady Custom Grade New Dimension Die Seater Stem 30 Cal A-Max Bullet

 

[Burleyboy]

Definately get the amax seater plug. It will distribute pressure over the bullet more evenly and is less likely to distort the tip. Also, you should be able to load them out further in most rifles 3.34" is pretty short for the long sleek ogive on the 208.

Bb

 

[Aimsmall55]

Given the infamous "long throat syndrome" that Remington's have you better seat them at like 3.45 or 3.5." When I first got mine my load was 3.525 to be 20/1000 off the lands. They aren't going to shoot jumping I wouldn't think unless you got one of the good ones where everything is aligned perfectly. My OAL now is 3.625 with the 208 and 3.713 with the 215. I wouldn't jam the 208 but they (in my experience ) love to be 20/1000 to 40/1000" off the lands and at Sammi specs you probably are way off.