Trying to remember...but out of about 1600 rounds of 300PRC...using 2...well three types of brass now....I've never split a neck. I barely work my necks and shoulders. I anneal EVERY time....I use the largest neck bushing I can get away with...for the neck tension I want....and I bump it out slightly with a neck mandrel. I had a friend splitting necks on some ADG 300PRC brass...he was setting up the resizing die like the instructions on the paper said...he was bumping back 9+ thou....running an expander ball through it.....and not annealing. I think on reloading #4 he started seeing split necks.
300 PRC update
- Thread starter DAVETOOLEY
- Start date
My 6.5PRC brass (Hornady) was only getting .001 bump on shoulder and my Chamber is SAAMI. Normally, I have had very good luck with Hornady brass but this one particular had some peculiar thing happening. I talked to Hornady tech support and, after they saw pics of the brass and where it failed, they sent me another box of it as a replacement.
I've been using BR2s since I first started. I find them to be slightly more consistent that 215Ms. Since I'm not shooting in really cold weather, I don't need the extra umph from magnum primers.
Ok...so in reference to my on going sub thread of converting 375 Ruger Brass to 300PRC Brass....I decided I wanted to finish out the reloading process and see how this stuff loads after the initial fire form. So, I got bored and decided to seat some primers. Everything went in very consistent and with a nice bit of force. Primer pockets after ONE firing are good to go. Dropped 49 rounds of powder with the ATV3 at 75.0gr of RL-26 and then took the tray to the K&M Arbor Press using the Sinclair/LE Wilson Arbor Press Micrometer Bullet Seater. The first time around, bullets went in rough. Most were tough to seat...even after my normal neck mandrel...some took 80 inch pounds of force to drive in. With the short throw arm of the K&M....it seemingly feels like you have to stand on your head.
So, after a full run through my normal reloading process....I seated 49 bullets.....only 1 of them could I tell a difference in seating force. They all were seated with about 20 inch pounds of force and they were all 'butter'...just smooth...no grittiness no popping from going through a smooth section and then grabbing in a donut.....none of that. These were seated at magazine (CIP) length....so the boat tail is passed the neck/shoulder junction. This is where you expect to get a pop when hitting a donut. I felt none of that.
It will be interesting to see how these shoot across the chronograph. I expect much tighter ES's and lower SD's. We'll see. I'll shoot them using my ~1400 round barrel soon. Hopefully I can cherry pick a group or two. Again, I will not dial in a load with seating depth changes....nor will I use an ATS Tuner. I'll get whatever I get.
So, after a full run through my normal reloading process....I seated 49 bullets.....only 1 of them could I tell a difference in seating force. They all were seated with about 20 inch pounds of force and they were all 'butter'...just smooth...no grittiness no popping from going through a smooth section and then grabbing in a donut.....none of that. These were seated at magazine (CIP) length....so the boat tail is passed the neck/shoulder junction. This is where you expect to get a pop when hitting a donut. I felt none of that.
It will be interesting to see how these shoot across the chronograph. I expect much tighter ES's and lower SD's. We'll see. I'll shoot them using my ~1400 round barrel soon. Hopefully I can cherry pick a group or two. Again, I will not dial in a load with seating depth changes....nor will I use an ATS Tuner. I'll get whatever I get.
I sure appreciate the effort and knowledge your sharing.
I used up most all my 225gr this summer chasing issues. My balance beam was giving me issues on the upper end. Replaced it with a RCBS autotrickler, best thing ever for reloading.
One thing I don't appreciate is Hornady sending me a teaser for 2021 products. That's just mean when nothing is available haha.
I have seen some of the Hornady aluminum tips available but I don't want to go through finding the perfect load agian. As soon as some 225gr comes available I'll go practice again.
Yeah, I got my Hornady teaser mailing today. I have 500 225s on backorder so I know I'll get them at some point. I was thinking about the A-tips, but the price put me off. I have a stock of the 225s and Berger 220s, so I should be able to reload well into this year.
I don't think I've ever back ordered anything. Probably should. I almost did, but wondered if some other big retailers that aren't taking backorders might get inventory first?
It's a big retailer. I figured if I had them on backorder, my order would be immediately filled when they arrive versus having to hope I receive an in stock email in time to order.
Have you seen the weather for Grand Island? I got a notice Hornady has closed all their facilities due to a vicious winter storm. It has been blizzard conditions all day, still snowing, winds at 20+ and current temp 21 degrees. Not looking much better for tomorrow.
It's flippin' Nebraska, isn't it like that from October - June?
Been to Grand Island a few times but in early summer. It was always hotter than the boiler room in hell!
I thought I saw a mountain there once but it turned out to be a berm at the range.
There were some 250 grain A-Tips in stock at a local retailer a few weeks ago.
I did not take them as I'm just learning this long range stuff and snagged a 250 box of Berger Hybrid targets in 220 grain which I am using for load development now. First shots last weekend in fact.
I was wondering about seating stems for the A-Tips if I decided to get some.
I have RCBS match master dies.
Will the RCBS seating die properly seat an A-Tip?
Or do I need to buy a Hornady seating die and applicable stem to seat them?
Thanks!
I did not take them as I'm just learning this long range stuff and snagged a 250 box of Berger Hybrid targets in 220 grain which I am using for load development now. First shots last weekend in fact.
I was wondering about seating stems for the A-Tips if I decided to get some.
I have RCBS match master dies.
Will the RCBS seating die properly seat an A-Tip?
Or do I need to buy a Hornady seating die and applicable stem to seat them?
Thanks!
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I'd be interested in your Berger testing as I also have the 220s. I have some loaded with N565 and RL-16, but I had an equipment issue before I could test them.
I am starting to see a lot of the Hornady 230 gr and loaded ammo hitting the shelves out here.
I put in a backorder. I didn't want to give my email out to every retailer and get spam everyday.lol
Go away storm. People need their Hornady products!
I have see much 230 gr with the aluminum tip bullets, quite a bit of the 212 gr hunter loaded and maybe fifteen boxes of the 225 match loaded. This has been over the past week but it looks like it is starting to hit the market.
***add on*** the 225 gr .300 PRC was only $46 and change, I picked up ten boxes.
I wish it didn't cost so much...so more people could get one. It's hard to play in the precision game...when you don't have precision instruments. I'll be straight up honest with you.....if I beat you at a match...I didn't do it with shooting skill....I simply beat you in the reloading room. I may be one of the few people...that absolutely love reloading....the physics...the theories.....the magic.
I don't have good data yet really.
I am loading with Accurate MagPro, started at 73 grains working up to 76 with those Bergers.
Trying to 0 out my scope and break in the barrel only shot a dozen rounds.
Went from 2645 first shot at 74 grains to 2852 at 76. Barrel only has a dozen rounds through it.
Going to try some actual load development this next weekend.
Again, I'm a noob to precision reloading although I have done regular reloading for years, shotgun, rifle, and pistol, but all to factory based loads without doing a lot of experimentation.
Reposting this question, just curious if there was any feedback on using RCBS Match Master seating die to seat A-Tips?
Or do I need to get a Hornady seating die and applicable stem?
Thanks!
I have taken stems to my local machinist and had him grind them to fit a bullet I provided. (Not that that answers your question in any way.)
There are quite a few 300 PRC load threads in the reloading dept. Try a search there.
I just ordered 500 Lapua 220gr Scenar-Ls for some load development. The 136gr shoot lights out in my .260, so I'm hoping the 308s will do the same. 
I
I have been looking for a new powder measure for a while now. Will be putting the Chargemaster on the PX soon. The Chargemaster has been good, but just looking for the next level of accuracy and speed to reduce reloading time.
edit: not sure why it quoted your post twice...
For powder dispensing, I am using this, just bought it about 2 months ago... (Damn you b2lee... ;-) )
www.rcbs.com
RCBS ChargeMaster Lite
Chargemaster Lite | RCBS
Buy Chargemaster Lite at RCBS, the leading producer of high-quality reloading equipment supplies for over 60 years.
Not the fastest but it does work.For powder dispensing, I am using this, just bought it about 2 months ago... (Damn you b2lee... ;-) )
RCBS ChargeMaster LiteChargemaster Lite | RCBS
Buy Chargemaster Lite at RCBS, the leading producer of high-quality reloading equipment supplies for over 60 years.
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Already had some bullets in my cart so I added 100 of these. (already have 100 ADG)
Thanks!
Picked up two of these. Thanks for the tip this should keep me learning and shooting for a while.
I'm working up some loads using Nosler Custom Competition Bullets 30 Caliber (308 Diameter) 175 Grain Hollow Point Boat Tail from Midway.
I do not currently have a long range to shoot at here in S.W. FL.
My longest range that is within a decent driveable distance only has ranges up to 600 yards.
So I'm holding on to my Berger long range hybrid 220's until I get to a longer range facility.
I know most guys here are shooting longer ranges, but for 300 PRC plinking the Nosler 175's noted above are at Midway for $125.00 for a 250 count package.
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I'm just a man, I can only do so much.Can you be on primer watch please?Midsouth brass came in already.
My brass arrived today also so, I cancelled my Ruger 375 brass back order.
It will be good....most likely will be great. There is a place between N565 and N570 that this will fill it. Do we run N565 or N570?....depending on our bullet choice...or the nuances of our particular chamber...or barrel length?.....how about we split the difference and just run N568.
Rest assured...I will test it...and I would like it to be an improvement....but...I'll be honest in my assessment....I have a bunch of RL-26 and N565....it needs to be a noticeable difference before I push those powders to the side in favor of a new one. I will test it on 230 and 250 Atips...and on 245EOL Bergers....currently those are the only bullets I'm interested in.
It would be nice if Lapua Brass, Fed 215M's, N568, and a 245EOL was the Mulan Schezwan Sauce of the 300PRC world.
Currently waiting on my rifle and looking for RL26, N565, N568 and 215M primers.....at this rate even waiting on Bartlein barrels is gonna be quicker than finding powder and primers!
Just out of curiosity I put N565 and N568 into GRT using 26inch tube and 230 A-tips. According to GRT N565 gets to about 94.5% burn and N568 to about 92.5% burn. RL26 gets to 100% after only about a foot of barrel, again accord to GRT.
Interesting thing to me is that folks on here have been saying they get basically the same performance from n565 as rl26......time and testing will tell I guess.
Just out of curiosity I put N565 and N568 into GRT using 26inch tube and 230 A-tips. According to GRT N565 gets to about 94.5% burn and N568 to about 92.5% burn. RL26 gets to 100% after only about a foot of barrel, again accord to GRT.
Interesting thing to me is that folks on here have been saying they get basically the same performance from n565 as rl26......time and testing will tell I guess.
I have more experience with N565 in the 300 PRC than RL26, but I would not call their performance the same. I need about a grain and a half less of RL26 to get the same muzzle velocity as N565 and N565 has shown less pressure signs at higher muzzle velocities than has RL26. Different guns show different behavior but I've seen similar trends reported by other shooters. For sure, some guns get very good results with RL26, so I would not hesitate to go with it if I couldn't find N565.
I've had decent luck getting powder over the last year by following two paths. For online buys, I set up auto-notifications and even with those in place I take a look a time or two per day just to see if new stock pops up. I'm also taking road trips to gun shops in smaller rural towns in the area and that has been good for finding primers and powder. I am struggling to get some of the bullets I want and brass has been very sporadic. It's been a time sink but our fucked up political situation tells me it's worth my time to stock up.
I'm testing loads using Ramshot Magnum powder. It's probably not as popular as RL26 or H1000 which is why I might have been able to pick up a couple of pounds when the more well known powders were out of stock.
I am just getting into the long range game so not as experienced as almost everyone else here. However my 1st set of loads with Magnum did look good.
I am just getting into the long range game so not as experienced as almost everyone else here. However my 1st set of loads with Magnum did look good.
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