300 Norma Mag

[Major Clayton]

Does anyone know what type of powder Hornady uses in their 300 Norma ELD M rounds off the shelf? These shoot pretty well for me, but are way shorter in length (3.585") than my optimal COAL of 3.600". Thus, I'd like to experiment with a similar recipe by longer COAL. I pulled apart one of their rounds and measured the weight of the powder and its way lower than what I'm using with Norma 217 and getting similar muzzle velocities, so I assume it is a different brand. I also have RL-33, but to be honest, all 3 powders look identical to me, so I have no way of knowing what powder they are using?

Anyone know?

 

[Stevo3556]

I've also been tinkering with the 225gr ELDM, but I'm in the same boat.

I use 92.6grs of RE33, which seems to be the accuracy node for both bullets. Both loads are under 5 standard deviation. But the Berger shoots much tighter groups. No idea why.

BD,

What rifle are you using? Do you know about what MV you are achieving? Any signs of high pressure? How many rounds down the bbl?

I really liked that load and had outstanding accuracy and flat shooting. When I saw the high pressure and talked to AI I reduced the load and found another node at 87.8 I believe. Still good accuracy and great SDs, but a least 200 FPS slower.

Still love the cartridge.

I have some Bergers, might try some for fun. I thought I would try the Hornadys first because of the difference in price, $30 a box instead for $51 a box. If I found a load that worked then stick with it. Will try some next time out.

MC,

Sorry I have no idea what powder they use. I do know at 1,000 yards the point of impact was much lower than when I was using the 92.6grs of RE33.

Steve

 

[marzo2]

Think I’m done load development for now

Lapua brass
H1000 (85.6gr)
Fed magnum primer
Hornady eld march 225

3020 fps ave (10 shots)
ES: 8
SD : 4

26 inch barrel, 1-8 twist

 

[jaybigboy34]

Think I’m done load development for now

Lapua brass
H1000 (85.6gr)
Fed magnum primer
Hornady eld march 225

3020 fps ave (10 shots)
ES: 8
SD : 4

26 inch barrel, 1-8 twist

that's awesome! Can you go through your brass prep real quickly? Thank you

 

[marzo2]

that's awesome! Can you go through your brass prep real quickly? Thank you

Here it is, not in order:
Skim neck-turned my brass

Always FL (Forster non bushing die), expander ball remover. I use a Sinclair expander die to up-size the neck

Anneal brass after each firering (amp)

Trim with Forster 3 way Cutter

Charge are dropped from my Chargemaster, but 2gr short, so I can trickle to my charge (leaving the pan on the Chargemaster).

 

[jaybigboy34]

Here it is, not in order:
Skim neck-turned my brass

Always FL (Forster non bushing die), expander ball remover. I use a Sinclair expander die to up-size the neck

Anneal brass after each firering (amp)

Trim with Forster 3 way Cutter

Charge are dropped from my Chargemaster, but 2gr short, so I can trickle to my charge (leaving the pan on the Chargemaster).

Thank you! A couple of questions. What size sinclair expander die do you use? And what do you use to trickle the last 2gr with?

 

[missed]

Thinking really hard about putting together a 300 NM

 

[marzo2]

Thank you! A couple of questions. What size sinclair expander die do you use? And what do you use to trickle the last 2gr with?

I just use the regular Sinclair 30 cal expander mandrel

As for the trickler, I use an Omega trickler (regular model)

 

[aauya]

that's awesome! Can you go through your brass prep real quickly? Thank you

What program number are you using for your Lapua brass on the amp annealer

 

[gnatmm]

What program number are you using for your Lapua brass on the amp annealer

Aztec sw on mine said 181, and works well for me. Ymmv.

 

[aauya]

Aztec sw on mine said 181, and works well for me. Ymmv.

I have the original unit without the Aztec it only goes up to 126 program
thank you anyway
hopefully someone has one of the older ones and can let me know the setting

 

[jaybigboy34]

What program number are you using for your Lapua brass on the amp annealer

Aztec on mine is 186 for the Amp

 

[marzo2]

What program number are you using for your Lapua brass on the amp annealer

Mine is 0271 (Lapua brass)

 

[aauya]

Mine is 0271 (Lapua brass)

Is that for the first model annealer I do not have the Aztec on this

 

[marzo2]

Is that for the first model annealer I do not have the Aztec on this

Yes, we (I both it with friends) ad the Aztec a few month ago

 

[jeffmedlin]

My Amp Annealer Mark II - Aztec mode was 0180 for Peterson brass... then after turning necks to .015" - code changed to 0171

 

[gnatmm]

Is there anybody shooting light Bergers (200 and 200.20x) in their Norma here?

 

[MattSplat]

My Amp Annealer Mark II - Aztec mode was 0180 for Peterson brass... then after turning necks to .015" - code changed to 0171

I just ran my first case (fire formed, 35 degree improved) through my updated Annealer Mark II with Aztec mode to analyse a piece of Peterson brass neck turned to .014" for code 0164. it smoked the case. i was planning to use it for my modified case, but not anymore!

 

[Clearlight]

I have the original unit without the Aztec it only goes up to 126 program
thank you anyway
hopefully someone has one of the older ones and can let me know the setting

I’m using standard setting 120 with Norma brass . Since I dropped back to a mid 80 grain node of
H1000 with 230s , brass life has been greatly extended with use of the AMP . Some cases are on
the 10 th firing and still holding primers ok .

 

[aauya]

I’m using standard setting 120 with Norma brass . Since I dropped back to a mid 80 grain node of
H1000 with 230s , brass life has been greatly extended with use of the AMP . Some cases are on
the 10 th firing and still holding primers ok .

Thank you

 

[odoylerules]

I just ran my first case (fire formed, 35 degree improved) through my updated Annealer Mark II with Aztec mode to analyse a piece of Peterson brass neck turned to .014" for code 0164. it smoked the case. i was planning to use it for my modified case, but not anymore!

Aztec mode destroys the case as you found out

 

[MattSplat]

Aztec mode destroys the case as you found out

 

[Yerman]

Can someone with 300NM Lapua brass please provide an outside diameter with seated bullet on a case that has not been turned? Thanks.

 

[bjay]

Can someone with 300NM Lapua brass please provide an outside diameter with seated bullet on a case that has not been turned? Thanks.

These are all lapua brass
.im getting .3375-.338

 

[Yerman]

View attachment 7058782
These are all lapua brass
.im getting .3375-.338

Thanks, thin necks compared to Peterson brass. Loaded Peterson brass is 0.3405.

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

I'm about to start load development with my 26" 8 twist 300 NM that I just put together.
I found 3 lbs of N565 and would like to give it a try with 225 ELDM's, anyone tried that combo yet?
I'm throated for 3.6 oal with those bullets.

 

[gnatmm]

I'm about to start load development with my 26" 8 twist 300 NM that I just put together.
I found 3 lbs of N565 and would like to give it a try with 225 ELDM's, anyone tried that combo yet?
I'm throated for 3.6 oal with those bullets.

I am having nice results with Bergers 200.20x and N570 in Peterson brass, Keystone acc custom built, Curtis Axiom and Krieger 5R 26" 1/10 Heavy varmint profile. With 84.5gr and 2.800 CBTO I got:
- 3010 fps single digit ES
- one ragged hole all day at 100m
- still a mild load very gentle with brass, same recoil as a 308w with a good brake ( a419 sidewinder, Heathen or a Muscle Brake)
I can shoot it all day long, and very clean. If you use more power VV gets really dirty.
- piece of cake on a 20"x20" plate at 1000m, with less than 8 mil on the elevation
N565 should be very similar only smaller kernel size (N570 is really a big seed, 0.1 grain per kernel on my FX120)
My buddies are shooting N570 88gr under 215 or 230 bergers with great success. Work up your load as YMMV.
With a 8 twist I would look at solids also you might become really hard on ELDM jacket. Maybe not for you if you are hunting

 

[joseph-98]

Berger 215
85 gr h1000
Lapua brass
3141 fps

 

[D46Infinity]

Just an FYI. Grafs has Lapua 300 Norma brass in stock.

 

[jmw]

Otm has Lapua 300 Norma brass as well

 

[SIDS01]

Just an FYI. Grafs has Lapua 300 Norma brass in stock.

And $20/100 cheaper than Peterson

 

[jeffmedlin]

Lapua is the way to go with the 300NM

 

[BCX]

Lapua is the best in any caliber hands down. Some guy on FB 338 forum starting running his mouth about Lapua is garbage in the 338 Lapua i had to step away......

 

[wildcats]

Lapua is the best in any caliber hands down. Some guy on FB 338 forum starting running his mouth about Lapua is garbage in the 338 Lapua i had to step away......

Lapua has been my go to brass for all my calibers.even for my 300wm when it was available many moons ago.

 

[BCX]

I spoke w Lapua. 300WM brass will be available the end of this year.

 

[Yerman]

Shot some of the 250gr A-Tips out of my 300NM today.

Hornady 250gr A-Tip
Peterson Brass
Federal #215 Primers
Retumbo

No Pressure Signs

I'll further explore 86.0 - 86.5 grains

 

[bjay]

Shot some of the 250gr A-Tips out of my 300NM today.

Hornady 250gr A-Tip
Peterson Brass
Federal #215 Primers
Retumbo

No Pressure Signs

View attachment 7145935

Thats a very impressive fps with 250gr

 

[Yerman]

Thats a very impressive fps with 250gr

I thought so as well. I was hoping for 2850 so I was happy to get those speeds without pressure signs.

At 2950, I should be able to dial to 2800 + yards without holdovers and a 100 yard zero. Happiest I've been so far with my 300NM. But...still need to see how it groups on paper and what kind of ES and SD I get once I settle on a powder charge.

 

[Huskydriver]

I thought so as well. I was hoping for 2850 so I was happy to get those speeds without pressure signs.

That's insane I can't even push 220s faster than 2850 in mine with a 26" tube.

 

[Yerman]

That's insane I can't even push 220s faster than 2850 in mine with a 26" tube.

Not sure if it matters but I have an 8 twist barrel at 28". Barrel was cleaned and stripped of all copper fouling and I shot 5 foulers before shooting the string above.

What brass, primer, and powder are you running?

 

[Huskydriver]

Not sure if it matters but I have an 8 twist barrel at 28". Barrel was cleaned and stripped of all copper fouling and I shot 5 foulers before shooting the string above.

What brass, primer, and powder are you running?

9 twist proof. Norma brass, cci mag primers and retumbo

 

[kthomas]

Lapua is the best in any caliber hands down. Some guy on FB 338 forum starting running his mouth about Lapua is garbage in the 338 Lapua i had to step away......

It's best to avoid FB completely. Even the "good" precision rifle groups are full of BS, and rhetoric.

 

[Yerman]

9 twist proof. Norma brass, cci mag primers and retumbo

Maybe try Peterson or Lapua brass and the Federal Primers. I'm a big CCI fan but did not have luck with the CCI 250s. Never tried Norma brass so thats where I would start if your primers are working good for you.

 

[Tekardi]

Hello I m looking for someone shooting 250 ATIps with R33 or N565, VO 26 inch 1_8 , sounds like more near 2800 but still very promising

 

[M289]

Shot some of the 250gr A-Tips out of my 300NM today.

Hornady 250gr A-Tip
Peterson Brass
Federal #215 Primers
Retumbo

No Pressure Signs

I'll further explore 86.0 - 86.5 grains

View attachment 7145935

Impressive MV's
At what COAL do you run the 250gr A-Tips?

I was set on the 230gr MatchKing for my 300NM load but now I'm seriously considering switching to the 250gr A-Tips. Although more expensive, they seem to be worth it in the 300NM (G7 and MV).

 

[Yerman]

I'll have to wait until I load more to measure COAL. I measure to the ogive and was seating 20 thou off the lands. I never measure COAL but will when I get the next batch loaded up. However, my next batch will be seating depth on paper to check for groups so it will likely change from what I loaded above.

For those that are interested, here is Round 2 with 0.1 grain increments from 85.6 to 86.5.

I think I have decided on 86.1gr. Even though there is a spike, I think it was a fluke especially since the two loads on either side of 86.1 had an ES of 8.

For those of you that are wondering what the inside of an A-Tip looks like, I posted a picture of one of my misses I found on the ground near my target.

I also posted a pic of two hits I made at 2818 yards. I'm pretty happy with the hits given the fact that I was shooting a load workup with different powder charges / velocities.

 

[kthomas]

Those are some really impressive velocities with a 250! And nice shooting!

I must have a slow barrel and/or lot of Retumbo, out of a 28" barrel I can't push 230 grain hybrids much past 2950 fps without running into pressure.

 

[Yerman]

Hello I m looking for someone shooting 250 ATIps with R33 or N565, VO 26 inch 1_8 , sounds like more near 2800 but still very promising

Wasn't going to post this...but since you asked...

This is my 8 twist 28" 300NM shooting 250gr A-Tips with R33. I am steering clear but you might have better luck.

 

[Yerman]

Those are some really impressive velocities with a 250! And nice shooting!

I must have a slow barrel and/or lot of Retumbo, out of a 28" barrel I can't push 230 grain hybrids much past 2950 fps without running into pressure.

It might have something to do with the bearing surface of the A-Tips. I was very surprised as well as I was running into the same issue with sierra 230s. I'd say give em a try and work up like I did watching for pressure signs. And use good brass.

I just ordered 200 more of the A-Tips. They seem to be shooting well and I'm getting the velocity I want.

 

[kthomas]

It might have something to do with the bearing surface of the A-Tips. I was very surprised as well as I was running into the same issue with sierra 230s. I'd say give em a try and work up like I did watching for pressure signs. And use good brass.

I just ordered 200 more of the A-Tips. They seem to be shooting well and I'm getting the velocity I want.

This has me optimistic. I never considered A-tips as I didn't figure I would be able to push them fast enough to take advantage of the BC, based on my experience with the 230 hybrids.

How fast were you shooting the 230 SMK's when you found pressure?