300 PRC update
- Thread starter DAVETOOLEY
- Start date
This is my 300 PRC that we assembled last weekend. Started life as a Remington 700 300 win. Green mountain barrel 1in 8 twist, KRG Bravo stock, Vortex Viper HS LR. She was easily ringing steel at 832 yards. Was shooting factory 225 eld Hornady. It was 5 moa flatter than my buddies 338 LM with 300 grain federal ammo. Love the cartridge so far.
If you are in the DFW area & need some ammo, Gunmaster in Plano has some 225gr match in stock for $43/20 rounds.
I went to a private range today for some load development. Good and bad on this front.
Bad:
I am having serious consistency issues on full length resizing. I've never had this before and am not sure what's causing it. Lengths are varying by as much as 6 thousandths. As such, I was only able to have 15 rounds that were consistent. I did 5 3-round groups at 75.5, 76, 76.5, 77 and 77.5 gr of H1000 with the 225 gr ELD.
Good:
It was 70 degrees today, not a cloud in the sky (ok, a few whispy ones), and I was in the hills by myself popping off rounds (after LD and also with my 6mm CM) at 600 and 850 yard steel targets. The operators also said there are places where they think I can get out to a mile after things dry out a bit.
Anyway... here's what data I could collect. All groups shot at 200 yards.
77.5 gr - Group Size: 1.32
2858 fps
2873 fps
2879 fps
77 gr - Group Size: 1.25
2873
2862
2871
76.5 gr - Group Size: 1.09
2834
2845
2835
76 gr - Group Size: See attached pic
2826
2807
2842
75.5 - Group Size: 1.41
2781
2814
2791
I'm loving the spread on 76.5 and 77 grain loads, and am surprised at the group on 76 with the spread it has. I'll probably do another load development day (hopefully I can get my consistency issue figured out) going from 76 to 77 at .2 gr increments. This range seems to yield the best spread, and groups were likely impacted by consistency, even after sorting.
Bad:
I am having serious consistency issues on full length resizing. I've never had this before and am not sure what's causing it. Lengths are varying by as much as 6 thousandths. As such, I was only able to have 15 rounds that were consistent. I did 5 3-round groups at 75.5, 76, 76.5, 77 and 77.5 gr of H1000 with the 225 gr ELD.
Good:
It was 70 degrees today, not a cloud in the sky (ok, a few whispy ones), and I was in the hills by myself popping off rounds (after LD and also with my 6mm CM) at 600 and 850 yard steel targets. The operators also said there are places where they think I can get out to a mile after things dry out a bit.
Anyway... here's what data I could collect. All groups shot at 200 yards.
77.5 gr - Group Size: 1.32
2858 fps
2873 fps
2879 fps
77 gr - Group Size: 1.25
2873
2862
2871
76.5 gr - Group Size: 1.09
2834
2845
2835
76 gr - Group Size: See attached pic
2826
2807
2842
75.5 - Group Size: 1.41
2781
2814
2791
I'm loving the spread on 76.5 and 77 grain loads, and am surprised at the group on 76 with the spread it has. I'll probably do another load development day (hopefully I can get my consistency issue figured out) going from 76 to 77 at .2 gr increments. This range seems to yield the best spread, and groups were likely impacted by consistency, even after sorting.
Attachments
Looking like the 245 EOL has been scrapped completely or put on the back burner of a stove that isn't even in the kitchen. Not listed in 2019 catalog and someone posted an email from Berger about the 329 gr EOL that basically stated neither one is a priority right now. Well that sucks.
Could you guys PLEASE stop hording brass....so I can start hording brass 
Finding components is starting to get stupid for 300PRC.
Finding components is starting to get stupid for 300PRC.
Could you guys PLEASE stop hording brass....so I can start hording brass
Buy loaded ammunition, shoot it for fun & enjoyment, then reload?
I guess I have to. I just got a reply from Peterson that they aren't looking at producing 300 PRC brass at this time. BOO!!!!!
Based on Hornady’s past practices, I don’t think there’s gonna be too much issue with finding stuff. Save your clams, and go big when the sales hit. Then tend to do that early in a products cycle.
So I got to try out my 300 PRC. It's always a joy to shoot but I had a sticky bolt no matter the charge weight.
I loaded 1x fired brass from D. Tubbs that I bought. FL resized with the hornady match diet set.
225 eld pills
COL = 3.66"
Cci 250 primers
Top row is Retumbo bottom is H1000.
OCW ranged for Retumbo 76.9 to 79.4
H1000 74.8gr to 78.2gr
What say you? OCW charge and why the sticky bolts. I had to mallet every round out!
I loaded 1x fired brass from D. Tubbs that I bought. FL resized with the hornady match diet set.
225 eld pills
COL = 3.66"
Cci 250 primers
Top row is Retumbo bottom is H1000.
OCW ranged for Retumbo 76.9 to 79.4
H1000 74.8gr to 78.2gr
What say you? OCW charge and why the sticky bolts. I had to mallet every round out!
29" barrel from Dane @DMR rifles. I didn't have a chrono handy. They are ok groups. But the sticky bolt is an issue
I'm not sure what doctor's barrel length is. Mine is 28" Bartlein #9 1-9 with a Lil Bastard brake.
Well that's good to know. The one being built for me is a 28" Bartlein #9 1-9 with a Lil B too.
I don't know how big you are or how well you are able to absorb recoil, but for me, this rifle feels perfect. Just enough thump to let me know I'm letting loose something substantial, but not so much that I'm not able to keep the target in the scope and watch the impact. I can fire this thing all day long with no ill effects. When the rifle was chambered in 300 WM with no brake, I had a very difficult time controlling the recoil. If it was just barely off center of mass, it would bounce all over the place. I was good for maybe 35 shots before I had to pull out my 6mm. Now I'm like, "crap, I'm out of ammo. Time to pull out the 6mm."
Not that the 6mm isn't fun to shoot, it's just not as fun as this. Now if Lapua will just make some brass...
well... 5'6" 185lbs...but generally shoot prone and with good technique loading the bipod. Recoil doesn't bother me. Never had an issue with anticipating recoil and affecting my shots. I heard people complain about not wanting to shoot their K98's with steel buttplates more than a few rounds...or their 91/30's...same deal....never had a problem with either. On a modern chassis with a muzzle brake...I don't think there will be an issue.
Good to know the Lil B gets the job done, I was considering the Fat B for mine but it sounds like maybe it isn't necessary.
I've heard that bigger people tend to try to absorb recoil rather than rolling with the punch. I'm a couple inches taller and weigh in at a little more than you... well... yeah, just a little more. And I don't roll so well. But it's all muscle!
Anyway, there is a good post on Precision Rifle blog doing a brake comparison here: https://precisionrifleblog.com/2015/08/21/muzzle-brake-summary-of-field-test-results/
Ability to stay on target comparison: https://precisionrifleblog.com/2015/07/25/muzzle-brakes-ability-to-stay-on-target/
Finally, recoil reduction comparison: https://precisionrifleblog.com/2015/07/17/muzzle-brake-recoil-reduction/
I really like the last one as it gives percentage recoil reduction. The Little B comes in third at 43% reduction in recoil, trailing its big brother and the Alamo Four Star by only 3%. I also heartily agree with the overall comparison that the APA brakes are loud. I double up on hearing protection with ear plugs and electronic muffs. On my 6mm (yes, I have the same brake on both), the cheek riser sometimes causes my ear muffs' seal to just barely break. My hearing is still a little wonky in that ear from Saturday... I just ordered some better plugs.
The main thing on the APA brakes that I like is that they are very easy to install and level with their reverse nut mounting mechanism. So simple, yet so effective.
If anyone here has a few fired cases that they'll part with, e-mail me with details. I have made two wildcats on the 375 Ruger case. My 8mm x 66mm Mag. is a real bear to case form, from 375 R Brass. This 308 cal. may make it possible to do it with only one or two strokes on my old RCBS rockchucker press. FYI, these 66mm Ruger cases were made to work through standard length actions. Adding another 0.3" inch for streamlined bullets kind of defeats it's avowed purposes. I also have a take off SS REmington 300 Winnie Mag barrel, which I had my G.S. run a neck throat reamer into it's chamber, and now I make an improved case with a 3.14 inch long neck, out of 300 Wea. Pull Downs. The 300 Win. Mags are the max capacity in .30 which Hodgdon lists H- 4895 Reduced loadings for. I'm loading down, not up, and have some pretty close to the old 308 Win.'s power levels. I also had to buy a loaded RCBS sizing die for the 300 Win. Mag. to F. L. size these long necked cases. I doubt that these new Hornady bullets will seat properly, even in a long necked 300 Win. Mag. case.
I talked to Ken at GAP yesterday, and based on what he said it sounds like 8 or 9 twist is going to be the way to go for heavies, especially the 225. Playing with the numbers on the 225 with a reasonable hand load (2900-3000FPS) is what made me decide that I want a 300PRC for an ELR rig.
That would be a pretty good poll. Ask why people started their journey down the 300PRC road. For me, I found a bullet I wanted to push at a certain speed. After looking at specs of different calibers I decided on 300PRC. At the time I had no idea about any military applications or other hype.
My decision-making steps were:
- I had stock work done and had a new Decelerator pad put on. Superior overall stock, but not as forgiving as my last recoil pad.
- I need a brake, but my barrel isn't threaded.
- Spend time and money to thread a partially worn factory barrel? Difference is basically just the cost of the barrel, so no.
- Get a new barrel - do it in 300 WM?
- Well, I've heard about this new 300 PRC, how about looking at that?
- Looks like a superior round in just about every respect.
- What about the brass? Hornady only? Now I'm not sure...
- It's based on 375 Ruger - Nosler makes a 375 Ruger case, I can neck it down. Brass problem solved.
- OK - let's go for new barrel in 300 PRC
- Crap, Nosler discontinued 375 Ruger. So, what about the brass?
- Deal with it until someone comes out with something better.
Long story short: I set out to modify the stock, ended up with a whole new rifle (except the action).
More data from another day at the range.
Temp: 68 F
Range: 200 yds
Bullet: Hornady 225 ELD
Powder: H1000
Loads tested: 76 - 77 gr, .2 gr increments
# of shots/group: 4
77gr - group size: 1.258" - ES: 17 fps
2883 fps
2887 fps
2893 fps
2876 fps
76.8 gr - group size: 1.073" - ES: 16 fps
2876 fps
2887 fps
2889 fps
2873 fps
76.6 gr - group size: 1.115" - ES: 26 fps
2875 fps
2863 fps
2879 fps
2853 fps
76.4 gr - group size: 1.008" - ES: 28 fps
2864 fps
2875 fps
2847 fps
2859 fps
76.2 gr - group size: 1.038" - ES: 15 fps
2866 fps
2867 fps
2869 fps
2881 fps
76 gr - group size: 1.481" - ES: 15 fps
2862 fps
2860 fps
2859 fps
2874 fps
Notes:
- Muzzle velocity is up over last visit.
- 76.2 gr looks like a good place to play, 76.8 is similar
- Not sure why my 76.2 gr loads have a higher average than 76.4...
- Still having some consistency issues on full length resizing. Called Hornady, they are at a loss too. Going to try a few things.
EDIT: Also dropped 3 out of 4 in about a 4" group on steel at 750 using 76.5 gr. 4th took group to about 7"
Also also, was shooting steel to test my new portable steel hanging setup - worked like a champ. Unfortunately I didn't take any pics. Will set it up in my yard and take a few. Boy do these 225s move the plate and sound the gong.
Temp: 68 F
Range: 200 yds
Bullet: Hornady 225 ELD
Powder: H1000
Loads tested: 76 - 77 gr, .2 gr increments
# of shots/group: 4
77gr - group size: 1.258" - ES: 17 fps
2883 fps
2887 fps
2893 fps
2876 fps
76.8 gr - group size: 1.073" - ES: 16 fps
2876 fps
2887 fps
2889 fps
2873 fps
76.6 gr - group size: 1.115" - ES: 26 fps
2875 fps
2863 fps
2879 fps
2853 fps
76.4 gr - group size: 1.008" - ES: 28 fps
2864 fps
2875 fps
2847 fps
2859 fps
76.2 gr - group size: 1.038" - ES: 15 fps
2866 fps
2867 fps
2869 fps
2881 fps
76 gr - group size: 1.481" - ES: 15 fps
2862 fps
2860 fps
2859 fps
2874 fps
Notes:
- Muzzle velocity is up over last visit.
- 76.2 gr looks like a good place to play, 76.8 is similar
- Not sure why my 76.2 gr loads have a higher average than 76.4...
- Still having some consistency issues on full length resizing. Called Hornady, they are at a loss too. Going to try a few things.
EDIT: Also dropped 3 out of 4 in about a 4" group on steel at 750 using 76.5 gr. 4th took group to about 7"
Also also, was shooting steel to test my new portable steel hanging setup - worked like a champ. Unfortunately I didn't take any pics. Will set it up in my yard and take a few. Boy do these 225s move the plate and sound the gong.
I have a 21" barrel with a 1:8.5" twist.
Shooting Hornady factory 225gr ELD-Match I'm averaging 2708 fps.
Shooting Hornady factory 225gr ELD-Match I'm averaging 2708 fps.
I just did something that is likely going to be stupid (related to my 300 PRC). I'll post just how stupid after the product of my aforementioned stupidity arrives.
More to come...
More to come...
I would like to get a 300 PRC barrel for my AXMC. Has anyone here had a barrel for your AXMC made? If so, what length, twist rate, and contour did you go with? Additionally, who made your barrel? I appreciate any help with this as I'm ready to add a 300 PRC barrel to my 300 win mag AXMC.
Contact Dave Tooley and discuss it with him and he can make you what you want.
Just ordered my dies from Rich (told me they should ship near the beginning of May) and will have the rest of my stuff in hand by Friday. I went with the build listed below
-Tl3 long action. I’m going to get the feed ramp adjusted to fit a CIP mag
- manners PRS2 CIP since it was in stock and weighs in the same as the TA’s I use in my other hunting rifle.
- proof 26 inch 1-9 twist barrel
- leopuld VX-6 3-18x50. First gen
- spuhrs new hunting mount.
I have a 280AI with the same components and it weighs in at 10 pounds. I think that not a bad weigh considering the cartridge.
Last edited:
very nice setup.
where did you get barrel from? Are you installing barrel your self or?
I ordered the barrel thru stockys. Still no sales tax so it was $750 to my door and I’ve got a local guy that does great work and can turn them around in 4 weeks so should be about perfect timing for my dies to get here. I have a 375 ruger already but the BC on the bullets isn’t great when compared to a 215 Berger or 240 SMK. I’m holding off on brass since rich is working with ADG to get it made with the right headstamp. OCD I know but worse case I can size some of my 375 brass since the PRC brass is harder to find than a unicorn.
It may be a purely OCD thing on the weight but I saw a 15 grain swing in brass weight and found 50 in the middle of the variance that fit in a 2 grain window. I choose this range as that what i see with a batch of new lapua or high quality brass. I didn't check concentrically of the ones i left out, but i'll see what they look like. Only the 50 i first selected after I ran them thru the FL sizer since i didn't have a 375 expander mandrel on hand. I trimmed and chamfered them all to a uniform length and saw the weight variance drop a little more.
It may be worth it just out of curiosity to grab a handful of the ones i pulled out and see what the SD looks like on them compared to the group I choose too move forward with
It may be worth it just out of curiosity to grab a handful of the ones i pulled out and see what the SD looks like on them compared to the group I choose too move forward with
im shooting a 338/375 ruger xl. Love it. I ran my reamer .025” deeper so I can use Norma or RWS 8x68 s brass and fire form with out trimming. Gained about 4% capacity. Shooting a 250 gr Berger at 3025 fps from a 30”
I think it's worth mentioning that i just switched away from Hornady brass in 300wm not from quality but wanted to try out Norma brass. I was able to keep 80% of that batch and it worked well for me. 215 hybrid at 2950 FPS thru 5 firings and still have life left so it's not bad brass
What barrel length and load where you getting that FPS with? I see pressure in many 300WM rifles that take CIP length mags and can seat them farther out, at the 2900+/- fps with the 215 Bergers in 26" tubes.
I’m using. 26 inch kreiger M24 countour and .020 off the lands. 76.5 grains of H1000. It was built by northwest action works and that was the load they recommended and they weren’t wrong.
Edit- just double checked my book. Velocity was 2970 after barrel break in. Coal is 3.552
I just got off the phone with Jeff at RCC Brass. This is related to my earlier cryptic post about doing something that by many standards would be considered somewhere up on the stupidity scale.
For those of you who don't know RCC, they machine brass in all sorts of wonky (and not so wonky) calibers - he told me they're making shells for the 75mm gun of a Sherman... This is not stamped brass, it's machined out of solid brass rod, and done so to very tight tolerances. Anyway, I asked Jeff if he could make 300 PRC brass, since it's not on their web site, and he said that since it's got a SAAMI spec, they can make it for $5.65 a case. That's a lot per case, but then the brass isn't worked much during forming, so it lasts longer. Even if it only lasts 50% longer, you're getting it for the equivalent of just over $3.75/case. Still a lot, but then you're also getting cases that measure out at +/- .1 gr of water per case, according to Jeff, so very consistent.
I ordered 100 cases. I'm going to run extensive tests after I receive them. Unfortunately they are a little backed up and I have to wait about 8 weeks. As always, I'll post the results. I'm looking forward to tinkering with them...
For those of you who don't know RCC, they machine brass in all sorts of wonky (and not so wonky) calibers - he told me they're making shells for the 75mm gun of a Sherman... This is not stamped brass, it's machined out of solid brass rod, and done so to very tight tolerances. Anyway, I asked Jeff if he could make 300 PRC brass, since it's not on their web site, and he said that since it's got a SAAMI spec, they can make it for $5.65 a case. That's a lot per case, but then the brass isn't worked much during forming, so it lasts longer. Even if it only lasts 50% longer, you're getting it for the equivalent of just over $3.75/case. Still a lot, but then you're also getting cases that measure out at +/- .1 gr of water per case, according to Jeff, so very consistent.
I ordered 100 cases. I'm going to run extensive tests after I receive them. Unfortunately they are a little backed up and I have to wait about 8 weeks. As always, I'll post the results. I'm looking forward to tinkering with them...
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