300 guidance.

[ThisGuy]

I am looking to build 30cal 1 Mile rifle. I have narrowed it down to the 300WM, 300PRC and 300 Norma. I do have some restrictions, can not go larger than 30cal and faster than 3100fps. I like the idea of shooting shooting the 230 Berger Hybrids. Maybe try the 230smk, but not sure I want to commit to the 1:8 barrel. I am buying a new action, so I figured I would go with a LA. I know there are some great SA rounds that would get the job done.

At this point I am leaning to the 300WM because it has the most information available, quality brass is easy to find and I know it will get the job done. I have read some good posts on the heavy bullets in the WM with good results. Also shooting past 2k prob will not happen, so I am not sure I need the speed.

I like the idea of the 300PRC but brass seems to be the biggest issue. If I did not reload, I would prob go with that round. I know eventually other companies will start making brass, but not sure I want to be stuck waiting and using Hornady brass which does not sound like it is working right now.

The 300 Norma would be fun, a little better speed, but not sure the cost of the brass and the extra powder will really pay off, or if the round is really that efficient. Also from what I have read, Norma brass sucks and the Peterson and Lapua is hard to find. Not looking to pay over $2 a piece and only get 3-4 cycles.

Any opinion would be appreciated.

 

[gnochi]

FYI you can make 300PRC brass out of 8x68S brass; there are a few posts various places about it. Since you reload, there’s also the 30 Sherman Magnum (used to be 300PRC Sherman Improved) that buys you a bit more velocity or a bit less pressure.

As yet another option, ADG makes brass for 30 Nosler. 30-28 Nosler also exists with a few extra grains water capacity.

Finally, as you’re well aware, 300WM has a lot of data supporting it but you’ll need to be careful picking a reamer if you’re going for the longer bullets.

 

[Bender]

I forgot what the name is, but they make a 300WM variant without the belted case.

That would be my choice.

Or just the Win mag. It’s not new or flashy, but it is a sledge hammer.

 

[THEIS]

Hi,

Is this going to be a dedicated 1 mile setup? As in not really going to pull it out of the case for the under 1k distance stuff?

If so, may I ask a couple questions:
1. Is it safe to assume you are limiting your MV due to public range regulations on MV for their metal targets or is there some other reason?
2. Do you have a particular reason you are not really wanting to commit to an 8 twist barrel? You intend to shoot lighter projectiles at closer targets type thing?
3. Do you have an expected barrel life preference?

Sincerely,
Theis

 

[Kickin45]

My personal opinion would be 300prc. Best all-around LA 30cal.
Not sure how many reloads you can get out of factory Hornady brass, but it is plentiful online.

 

[Vargmat]

I really like my 300 WM, it is easy to load for and there is plenty of components avaliable. I have mainly used Norma brass and they last between 5-8 cycles or so. Some seem to get a loose primer pocket faster than others.
I've had great results with Lapua 220 grain Scenar-l and Hornady 212 grain Eld-x.

 

[wildcats]

If your going to use a standard Rem magnum action,the i'd say go with the 300WM ,300PRC or 300RUM.
If you are going to step up to custom action like a Defiance Deviant,Surgeon,then go with the 300 Norma mag.you can get Lapua brass from Tesro in Canada. btw 9 twist is all you really need,unless you are going to shoot the new 250grainers.,then i'd say go with a 8.5 twist to be safe.barrel lenght 28-30"

 

[1moaoff]

300 norma

 

[b2lee]

300 PRC due to my own personal confirmation bias....heh

But seriously... I can't stand the belted brass of the 300wm....and I don't like the idea of shoving a big bullet way down inside the neck either.

I've only shot a 300 Norma a few times...and I was going with that before the 300 PRC came out...I simply felt that once the Achilles heal of limited brass selection was rectified....the 300PRC would win out in the end.

In the end...I don't really think you can lose with whatever you pick. Have fun...shoot more.

 

[GBMaryland]

TRG-42... 300WM... use a faster twist barrel... and solid copper rounds...

Nothing fancy... 1 Mile is not an issue.

You can also call KRG, and see if they have anything laying around.

 

[Huskydriver]

I forgot what the name is, but they make a 300WM variant without the belted case.

That would be my choice.

Or just the Win mag. It’s not new or flashy, but it is a sledge hammer.

30 nosler what you thinking about? It's a bit bigger than a wm though.



You don't need a 1/8 to shoot 230 class bullets. 1/9 and even 1/10 do it fine. 300 Norma if you like the idea of a lapua action.

300 prc if you want to keep it in a reg long action.

300 wm if your a fud who shoots an moa scope.

 

[TigernLionGSP]

30 nosler what you thinking about? It's a bit bigger than a wm though.



You don't need a 1/8 to shoot 230 class bullets. 1/9 and even 1/10 do it fine. 300 Norma if you like the idea of a lapua action.

300 prc if you want to keep it in a reg long action.

300 wm if your a fud who shoots an moa scope.

so if I am shooting 300 wm with a MIL scope what would I be ?? super fud or plain old fud

 

[Huskydriver]

so if I am shooting 300 wm with a MIL scope what would I be ?? super fud or plain old fud

The word I would choose is...quaint ?

 

[camotoe]

I vote 30nos. Possibly the most accurate of all those.


Adg has brass.

 

[ThisGuy]

Thanks for all the input gents. I have been humping it laying a new driveway all day, and need to read everything. Thanks.

 

[longshooter]

You could build a Bat HRPIC switch barrel with 2 bolts and run whatever you want.

 

[longshooter]

Strange, I just did my driveway. Smoooth.

 

[TigernLionGSP]

The word I would choose is...quaint ?

I'll take it

 

[ThisGuy]

Hi,

Is this going to be a dedicated 1 mile setup? As in not really going to pull it out of the case for the under 1k distance stuff?

If so, may I ask a couple questions:
1. Is it safe to assume you are limiting your MV due to public range regulations on MV for their metal targets or is there some other reason?
2. Do you have a particular reason you are not really wanting to commit to an 8 twist barrel? You intend to shoot lighter projectiles at closer targets type thing?
3. Do you have an expected barrel life preference?

Sincerely,
Theis

I don't think I would say it is only a dedicated 1 mile gun, but prob 1k plus. I have a 6cm PRS built rifle that does everything under 1k.

1- Yes, that is the main reason. My closest private range that I would shoot at has that restriction. I don't think I would ever shoot over 1 mile, maybe attend a match one or twice a year, so having a something that is bigger or faster is not completely necessary. I doubt very much I would ever go over 2k

2- From what I have read, I guess I am concerned about having a barrel that is spinning to fast and the only round that is recommended is the 230smk. I have tried the 110smk and it seems to be extremely finicky.

3- not too worried about barrel life, I have a friend who spins my barrels, so I only have cost of the blank and reamers.

Thanks!

 

[ThisGuy]

My personal opinion would be 300prc. Best all-around LA 30cal.
Not sure how many reloads you can get out of factory Hornady brass, but it is plentiful online.

Agree, I can find it anywhere, and not terribly expensive.

 

[ThisGuy]

If your going to use a standard Rem magnum action,the i'd say go with the 300WM ,300PRC or 300RUM.
If you are going to step up to custom action like a Defiance Deviant,Surgeon,then go with the 300 Norma mag.you can get Lapua brass from Tesro in Canada. btw 9 twist is all you really need,unless you are going to shoot the new 250grainers.,then i'd say go with a 8.5 twist to be safe.barrel lenght 28-30"

THe action I am using has the option for mag or Lapua bolt face.

 

[ThisGuy]

30 nosler what you thinking about? It's a bit bigger than a wm though.



You don't need a 1/8 to shoot 230 class bullets. 1/9 and even 1/10 do it fine. 300 Norma if you like the idea of a lapua action.

300 prc if you want to keep it in a reg long action.

300 wm if your a fud who shoots an moa scope.

Well, I do not shoot MOA, lol

That's why I am prob stay with Bergers 230s, they seem to be the most lax with barrels and twists. I have a 6cm with a Krieger 7.5 twist and it will not shoot the 110smk.

 

[ThisGuy]

Strange, I just did my driveway. Smoooth.

I just laid millings and rolled them. I have a 10th mile drive I share and a semi large parking area. Did not want to spend the money on asphalt. I did crush and run 5 years ago and figured I would try the milling route.

 

[Ledzep]

I went with a 31" PRC for pretty much the same intentions, dedicated big heavy bitch for 1000+. I had looked at 300wm, 300 Norma, and 338 Lapua before and between belts and .589" bolt face actions I was kinda turned away.

The PRC gets you 300wm performance plus 50-100fps, no belt, no special dies, no special chamber reamer, and it still fits in a 1.350" diameter 700 footprint long action. With a longer barrel you can get 230's to 2900-2950fps under SAAMI max pressure, and probably over 3k if you want to hot-rod.

My experience has been if you stay within published book data with a SAAMI chamber, Hornady brass is lasting at least 6-7 loads (maybe further-- that's just how many I have on mine so far and primer pockets are still holding fine). But I believe a few companies that make tougher brass have it on their radar, and as was mentioned you can do the 8x68 conversion right now.

It's a bit of a hair-splitting contest, YMMV, whatever.. but the 300 PRC made sense to me and tipped me over the edge to get into the 1000-2000yd realm.

 

[ThisGuy]

I went with a 31" PRC for pretty much the same intentions, dedicated big heavy bitch for 1000+. I had looked at 300wm, 300 Norma, and 338 Lapua before and between belts and .589" bolt face actions I was kinda turned away.

The PRC gets you 300wm performance plus 50-100fps, no belt, no special dies, no special chamber reamer, and it still fits in a 1.350" diameter 700 footprint long action. With a longer barrel you can get 230's to 2900-2950fps under SAAMI max pressure, and probably over 3k if you want to hot-rod.

My experience has been if you stay within published book data with a SAAMI chamber, Hornady brass is lasting at least 6-7 loads (maybe further-- that's just how many I have on mine so far and primer pockets are still holding fine). But I believe a few companies that make tougher brass have it on their radar, and as was mentioned you can do the 8x68 conversion right now.

It's a bit of a hair-splitting contest, YMMV, whatever.. but the 300 PRC made sense to me and tipped me over the edge to get into the 1000-2000yd realm.

What bullet are you using? Good info here.

 

[Gilly]

300 Norma mag 9 twist 27-29” range and don’t look back. Better performance with 230 than a WM and no belt. Going to have lapua brass at some point or right away if you buy loaded Berger ammo. Very easy to tune a load for

 

[Ledzep]

@ThisGuy a mix of 225 ELDM and 230 A-tips so far.

 

[jaybigboy34]

It would be an interesting comparison to see which of the 3, plus the 30 nosler, is the most consistantley accurate round.

 

[THEIS]

Hi,

Based off your replies to some of the questions and comments...

I would suggest 300NM and get as fast as twist as you want. Do not focus on it being "too fast" in regards to then only being able to use the 230smk...just skip the jacketed bullets all together and go monolithics.

Sincerely,
Theis

 

[b2lee]

It would be an interesting comparison to see which of the 3, plus the 30 nosler, is the most consistantley accurate round.

And after the comparison...you'll hear a bunch of caveats and 'yea but...' ....then followed by a bunch of personal confirmation bias....and then a full on troll war...and so on.

You'll like see the 300PRC, 30 Nosler and 300 Norma all outperforming the 300WM at different bullet weights...but in the real world...will it be enough to have you re-barrel, buy new, and change over everything you know?...probably not.

You'll most likely see the 30 Nosler performing wonderul at the 150-168gr level...but we want to shoot big boy pills...so

You'll most likely see the 300 Norma performing lights out with the 180-215gr bullets with the ability to shoot bigger...but primarily sticking its chest out and claiming it is the greatest at the above weights.

Then you'll see someone buying some off the shelf ammo for the 300 PRC and making fun of those of us who spend every waking moment prepping brass and measuring everything in percentages of a gnats rectum.....while they make 1500yds with a 225ELD-M look boring as hell.

Note...for confirmation bias...I went 300PRC...but I'm still going to handload 230gr A-Tips.

 

[ThisGuy]

Well, I picked up a 31" Bartlien in 8 twist, Bughole had them in stock. Now I just have to decide pick everything else out. And work more OT! Definitely leaning to the 300 PRC and 230 pills. I won't be getting really into this until after PRS season is over in Oct.

 

[b2lee]

Well, I picked up a 31" Bartlien in 8 twist, Bughole had them in stock. Now I just have to decide pick everything else out. And work more OT! Definitely leaning to the 300 PRC and 230 pills. I won't be getting really into this until after PRS season is over in Oct.

Greg made me a 300PRC in a 9 twist bartlien in a defiance deviant tactical...I was going to put it in a J Allen chassis...but alas...if you read the other threads....they are now gone

Most likely looking at MDT now....and I worked a butt-ton of OT already.

 

[ThisGuy]

Greg made me a 300PRC in a 9 twist bartlien in a defiance deviant tactical...I was going to put it in a J Allen chassis...but alas...if you read the other threads....they are now gone

Most likely looking at MDT now....and I worked a butt-ton of OT already.

I am running a CC Vector and very happy with with the design, I'm looking at the Helix. But there are plenty of options. I've also handled a Ultimatum Deadline, and was very impressed with the design and the fit/ finish. Plenty of options.

 

[jaybigboy34]

And after the comparison...you'll hear a bunch of caveats and 'yea but...' ....then followed by a bunch of personal confirmation bias....and then a full on troll war...and so on.

You'll like see the 300PRC, 30 Nosler and 300 Norma all outperforming the 300WM at different bullet weights...but in the real world...will it be enough to have you re-barrel, buy new, and change over everything you know?...probably not.

You'll most likely see the 30 Nosler performing wonderul at the 150-168gr level...but we want to shoot big boy pills...so

You'll most likely see the 300 Norma performing lights out with the 180-215gr bullets with the ability to shoot bigger...but primarily sticking its chest out and claiming it is the greatest at the above weights.

Then you'll see someone buying some off the shelf ammo for the 300 PRC and making fun of those of us who spend every waking moment prepping brass and measuring everything in percentages of a gnats rectum.....while they make 1500yds with a 225ELD-M look boring as hell.

Note...for confirmation bias...I went 300PRC...but I'm still going to handload 230gr A-Tips.

Hahahaha! Gnats rectum, that's funny!

 

[wadebrown]

I would go with the 30-28 Nosler, the capacity is almost identical to the 300 PRC but you can get ADG brass for it. I built a 30-375 Ruger (what is now he 300 PRC) a year before the 26 Nosler came out and would neck up the Nosler brass if it would have been an option. The hornady brass does not have the same quality that the ADG brass does.

 

[Ledzep]

Said it before, probably say it again... Hornady brass is fine if you keep it within SAAMI pressure. Hot-rod it and you'll get loose primer pockets in 2-4 firings.

Loose primer pockets are a sign of over pressure, regardless of the primer radius or lack of ejector swipe. A lot of the other signs show up well over 65ksi. I've been at the upper end of book data now for 3 firings, 5-6 total firings on my 300 PRC cases and all of them are still holding primers tight. Guys that go a grain over max get loose pockets. Stay in SAAMI and use easy brass or form 8x68s or wait for someone else to make it so you can run 70ksi loads-- your call.

At some point along the way, it became the cool thing to do to use max loads as a soft reference and assume all the published data was uber conservative...

 

[ThisGuy]

Said it before, probably say it again... Hornady brass is fine if you keep it within SAAMI pressure. Hot-rod it and you'll get loose primer pockets in 2-4 firings.

Loose primer pockets are a sign of over pressure, regardless of the primer radius or lack of ejector swipe. A lot of the other signs show up well over 65ksi. I've been at the upper end of book data now for 3 firings, 5-6 total firings on my 300 PRC cases and all of them are still holding primers tight. Guys that go a grain over max get loose pockets. Stay in SAAMI and use easy brass or form 8x68s or wait for someone else to make it so you can run 70ksi loads-- your call.

At some point along the way, it became the cool thing to do to use max loads as a soft reference and assume all the published data was uber conservative...

So you are saying there is a line? lol

Thank you for all the comments, very helpful. At some point I will have to pull the preverbal trigger on a reamer.

 

[Runnineh]

I was in the same spot earlier this year on what to build. I chose 300 NM and don't regret it at all. The round is capable of doing anything most people are wanting to do. Load development is pretty easy. Very enjoyable to shoot with the right brake on it. Its an absolute laser out to about 1200 yards, 1500 yards is almost cheating. Im hoping to take it out further when i get back.

 

[camotoe]

Also don't forget about 300wsm
Build it on a long action.

 

[Supersubes]

I think the PRC is a pretty easy choice here. Nice case design, saami reamer is very good, works in a standard mag action. I’m a premium brass snob, but Hornady brass is perfectly serviceable. As far as I’m concerned, it’s already won the popularity contest. Just a matter of time before we see one or more premium brass manufactures pick it up. Half moa capable factory ammo for 40 bucks a box, yes please.

Im exactly 22 rounds into my PRC barrel and I already have the “ honey badger don’t care what It eats” vibe.

 

[wildcats]

30 nosler what you thinking about? It's a bit bigger than a wm though.



You don't need a 1/8 to shoot 230 class bullets. 1/9 and even 1/10 do it fine. 300 Norma if you like the idea of a lapua action.

300 prc if you want to keep it in a reg long action.

300 wm if your a fud who shoots an moa scope.

?

LOL,hey i'm a fud that shoots a 300nm and 300wm with an MOA scope... ?

 

[Huskydriver]

LOL,hey i'm fud that shoots a 300nm and 300wm with an MOA scope... ?

Everyone has some faults

 

[ThisGuy]

Thanks everyone for the info, it was very helpful. At the moment, I am committed to the 300NM. Hopefully will have it built around November.

 

[Huskydriver]

Thanks everyone for the info, it was very helpful. At the moment, I am committed to the 300NM. Hopefully will have it built around November.

Better start looking for retumbo now lol

 

[ThisGuy]

Better start looking for retumbo now lol

Yup, I just noticed that. I picked yup some RL33, hoping to see some good stuff out of that.

 

[TN_Flash]

I have a bughole, bartlein 1:8 with a Stiller Tac300 action and Trigger Tech trigger in an XLR Chassis. My gunsmith got his reamer from Sierra and made especially for the 230SMK. I'm curious as to what load you come up with if you use the 230SMK's.

 

[Long Range 338]

Thanks everyone for the info, it was very helpful. At the moment, I am committed to the 300NM. Hopefully will have it built around November.

300NM is hard to beat. It really is splitting hairs there are many choices in the 30 cal but the 300 NM is top performer with the most options at the moment. Believe it or not I've had pretty good luck with Hornady factory ammo out to a mile and further. I don't know how the brass will hold up but it's surprising how good factory loads are getting to be. I would imagine the AB stuff is even better.

 

[ThisGuy]

I have a bughole, bartlein 1:8 with a Stiller Tac300 action and Trigger Tech trigger in an XLR Chassis. My gunsmith got his reamer from Sierra and made especially for the 230SMK. I'm curious as to what load you come up with if you use the 230SMK's.

I have a box of the 230smk, that is the plan. Right now, just have RL33 to try for now. I am not going to build it until October.

 

[jmw]

I have a box of the 230smk, that is the plan. Right now, just have RL33 to try for now. I am not going to build it until October.

Set up your stock/chassis to run CIP length. I sent my brass, bullets and magazine to Lri when they did my 300 Norma and they throated it to take full advantage of the length.

 

[jmw]

Thanks everyone for the info, it was very helpful. At the moment, I am committed to the 300NM. Hopefully will have it built around November.

You will like it. Load development was a breeze with mine . Everything I tried shot great.