300wm past a Mile

Bigwheels

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
  • Jun 16, 2007
    1,819
    298
    58
    Anacortes WA
    Just got back from another elr session with my 300wm head to head with my buddies 338lm. I'm running the Hornady 225gr hpbt @ 2836fps, & the 338 was running the 300gr otm @ 2850fps. We started yd@ 1490yd for some warm up, & then went out to 1734, 1803,1920, & 2075+/-. My little 300wm held its own 'till we went past 2000yd. We couldn't get a lrf to range the one @ 2000+ yd, & after guessing it was close to 2100yd Joe walked into a rock out there, but we couldn't see any splash from my shots there so we gave up, & I went back to 1920yd, & finished with a center hit. I was needing about 5-7moa more than the 300gr otm, but I was able to hold about 1 moa out there not counting a few blown wind calls. All in all I was impressed with my little 300wm.
     
    Re: 300wm past a Mile

    Yeah. Amazing how another 75gr of lead makes a difference. I think if I could have had an accurate range @ 2100+/- I could have had a better chance of walking in on that rock. But my little bullet is dropping about 4' for every 10 yd out there. The 300gr, not so much. When I got home I Google Earth ranged it. So I know it was @ 2075+/-.
     
    Re: 300wm past a Mile

    Cool. Thanks for sharing. .308" bullets keep getting better.

    I'm loading up some Hdy 225s for my 26" 308Win, expecting 2600 fps. I'm going to see what it will do at a mile.

    At .710 BC, 4500', Quicktarget predicts 74 moa, 1163 fps, 676 ft-lbs. Should be dry enough around here to see splashes well enough.
     
    Re: 300wm past a Mile

    Ok. I don't have photoshop, so I can't mark where the actual rocks are in the pic, but I e mailed it to a friend that does, so when I get a chance I'll mark them, & post again.
    Load is:
    WW Brass neck turned, & trimmed to 2.615"
    WLRM primer
    74.1gr H-1000
    225 Hornady HPBT seated to .005" off the lands.
    28" Krieger 1:10" gives 2836 fps.
    Atmos:
    79*-83* F
    25.21" Hg
    14% Humidity
    DA 7000'-7300'
    [img:left]
    2012-08-18111534.jpg
    [/img]
    The pic is a little dark, so I guess that I should have waited a few hours so it would be better lit.
    The warm up rock @ 1490 is in the big rock slide in the center. towards the top.
    The 1734 rock is just under the left most peak.
    1803 is in a open spot under the center peak.(which is another ridge itself actually)
    1920 is in an open spot @ about 4 O'clock from the center peak.
    2076 is about the center of the rock slide on the far right about 1/4 the way from the bottom.
     
    Re: 300wm past a Mile

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Halcyon612</div><div class="ubbcode-body">"We started at 1490yds"

    I am ridiculously jealous... </div></div>

    It's easy to take for granted what we have here. The last time I got together with MontanaMarine our first rounds downrange were either just under 1800 or 1900 yds. I forget. He has a really big back yard.
    wink.gif


    BigWheels... I've said it before... this is a HIGHLY underrated round. My shooting partner just finished developing a load for his 26" Stiller actioned 300WM with the Berger 230 OTM's. 2950 fps over H1000 with a MagnetoSpeed chrono. WOW. I should have my hands on my son's new long throated 30" WM by Sept. for load development with the Hornady 225 and Berger 230 TH. I can't wait to get behind that now.

    John
     
    Re: 300wm past a Mile

    Yeah. I still remember all the grief I got when I first posted a pic of my 1st go @ 2000yd. There were a ton of guys that told me I was full of it. Some pointed out that it COULDN'T be that far because the bullets hit point first. Thanks Montana Marine for helping me straighten them out!
    J Rob...2950 with a 225 in a 300WM? WOW!!! I was delighted I got over 2800! That thing will be a BEAST! As for being under rated I think the word is getting out. My buddies 338LM definitely out shined my 300WM out there in shear performance, but my group sizes were at least as good as his with a bunch more elevation, & a lot less energy, but IIRC I was still carrying about 700ft/lbs @ 1900. Had some training to do with our spotter, as he was expecting to see splash right after the boom...Got him straightened out tho. We didn't need him, as we had about 3 sec. to get back on after recoil. Not that, that has been a problem for me of late.(Thanks Snipers Hide for helping me learn to run the stick!) I'm also very happy with the "new" Krieger barrel I put on a yr ago June. Just hit the 2000 rnd mark on this trip, & it's still holding up.
     
    Re: 300wm past a Mile

    It's a Montana 1999 action that had one of their barrels for the 1st few thousand rnds. I bought the Krieger from Brunell's, & Benchmark Barrels in Arlington mounted it for me. It has a tighter than SAMMI chamber, & It's a short throat as well, but that hasn't kept it from shooting great.
     
    Re: 300wm past a Mile

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bigwheels</div><div class="ubbcode-body">J Rob...2950 with a 225 in a 300WM? WOW!!! I was delighted I got over 2800! That thing will be a BEAST! </div></div>

    We need to stretch it out and verify speed via elevation, but yes... pretty impressive. Here's the weird thing. He's using almost exactly the same powder charge that give him 2940 from his 208's (verified on 2 chrono's). Oh and they're *230's*! Even MORE impressive.

    Photo of dummy round with 225 Hornady used to cut custom reamer for my son's rifle next to the 3.65" COAL 208 from my 22" WM.

    IMG_0772-1.jpg


    There's a lot of room for powder under there. Might have to go to Retumbo to make use of all that barrel.

    John
     
    Re: 300wm past a Mile

    I'm with you. I'll probably go to the 225 in my rifle, but my son is hoping for 2500 yds. and may NEED the Bergers just to get there. We'll see. It's his money.
    wink.gif


    John
     
    Re: 300wm past a Mile

    2500 would be doable with the 225's with a 40moa base, & a 35mm scope tube. I'm thinking 150moa travel would probably get there. But you're right the 230's would make it easier.
     
    Re: 300wm past a Mile

    He's got the 40moa base. Elevation might be an issue. We'll be using a Bushy 3-21 that has a little over 27 mils total (about 92 moa). We have 10 mil holdover for a total of 37 mil (126 moa). *IF* we can get 2950 from the 230, we should be good. Lot's of "ifs" in there though. If it was easy, everybody would be doing it.
    wink.gif


    John
     
    Re: 300wm past a Mile

    WOW I stopped at the 2725fps node with the 230 OTM over 72.7gr of H1000. I never seen any pressure signs. Max from Berger was 73.0. Maybe I should try for more speed. I have a Hart barrel at 25". AJ Brown build. the chamber has a nice compromise between AI mag and touching lands. When seated at the lands I still have .030 of the mag left. This impresses me with Alan's reamer. Still have room for barrel burning and feed from the mag.
     
    Re: 300wm past a Mile

    Berger must be pretty damn conservative then.
    I just checked Hodgdons web reloading data and they max out on 220gr SMK at 78. I think I'm going back to the testing bench.
    This barrel is going to be toast before I get it figured out.
     
    Re: 300wm past a Mile

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bryce6750</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Berger must be pretty damn conservative then.</div></div>

    Berger is VERY conservative. Think liability lawsuit. Learn to spot the major pressure signs or find someone who understands them to help you, start low and work up conservatively. Every rifle is different. You might be surprised what yours can do.

    John
     
    Re: 300wm past a Mile

    OK. Here is the pic I promised with the target rocks, & yardage. My Painting skills are far below my shooting abilities, but I think you can see them well enough.
    [img:left]
    MarkedTGTs.jpg
    [/img]
     
    Re: 300wm past a Mile

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bigwheels</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'd love to shoot @ an abandoned airport. No canyons with fickle winds. </div></div>

    I'm with you BW. The spot we normally shot is in a dry lake/marsh. Winds are flat and facing. We recently put up steel at a friends place across a gorge. 1 moa steel at 890 yds. Between updrafts, downdrafts and gusting winds hundreds of feet in the air, hitting *once* made me "happy". Yuck.
    mad.gif


    John
     
    Re: 300wm past a Mile

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jrob300</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bigwheels</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'd love to shoot @ an abandoned airport. No canyons with fickle winds. </div></div>

    I'm with you BW. The spot we normally shot is in a dry lake/marsh. Winds are flat and facing. We recently put up steel at a friends place across a gorge. 1 moa steel at 890 yds. Between updrafts, downdrafts and gusting winds hundreds of feet in the air, hitting *once* made me "happy". Yuck.
    mad.gif


    John </div></div>
    Sounds familiar. Welcome to my world. Sometimes I have fired 20+ rnds @ a full size silohet @ 1250 just to get one hit. I was going to hit it or run out of ammo trying!
     
    Re: 300wm past a Mile

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: whit</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am trying to get my wife to move away to somewhere just so I can shoot that far. </div></div>Why would you want to shoot your wife.
    grin.gif
    laugh.gif
     
    Re: 300wm past a Mile

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: whit</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I envy you for being able to shoot that far. I am trying to get my wife to move away to somewhere just so I can shoot that far. </div></div>

    You can shoot that far in Ohio .... Thunder Valley
     
    Re: 300wm past a Mile

    The first chance I get, gonna try the 200grn Accubond @ a mile. Just found out a buddy can get over a mile shot on the ranch he lives on...
    smile.gif


    Is the idea of the 200 Accubond hitting at a mile far fetched, depending on velocity and everything else?
     
    Re: 300wm past a Mile

    I also use the Hornady 30 cal 225 gr. What BC is everyone using that works past 1k?

    I'm pushing 2835 FPS through my AI and I can't get a BC that matches my drop charts. I'm using Ballistic FTE and past 1k it's so wrong it's sad.

    I wish companies would publish a variable BC and not only try to sell bullets labeled with the best BC possible.
     
    Re: 300wm past a Mile

    For best performance, mine is single feed. But it's limited to 3.40" COAL in the mag... 3.65" .020" off the lands. Pretty boring velocity and lots of jump when mag fed.

    John
     
    Re: 300wm past a Mile

    Thanks guys, just asking as I'm contemplating a rebarrel and was wondering if I should have barrel setup to mag feed or single feed and set them out long.
     
    Re: 300wm past a Mile

    Another thing to think about if your action will support it (talk to your builder) is using modified 338LM AICS or 338LM AICS CIP mags. *REALLY* long COAL. But if your action won't feed them it won't matter.

    John
     
    It's a Montana 1999 action that had one of their barrels for the 1st few thousand rnds. I bought the Krieger from Brunell's, & Benchmark Barrels in Arlington mounted it for me. It has a tighter than SAMMI chamber, & It's a short throat as well, but that hasn't kept it from shooting great.

    Bigwheels,
    I called Benchmark Barrels in Arlington and discovered that they use the PTG (Pacific Tool and Gauge, Inc) 300 Win Mag Match Grade Reamer. This is likely the reamer used to chamber your Krieger Barrel.

    http://www.pacifictoolandgauge.com/

    Here are the chamber/reamer specs,

    e5epe8yj.jpg


    in comparison to SAAMI specs.

    esesaze5.jpg
     

    Attachments

    • ImageUploadedByTapatalk1374728177.754943.jpg
      ImageUploadedByTapatalk1374728177.754943.jpg
      22 KB · Views: 67
    Last edited:
    Direct quote from personal email from Bigwheels

    "I can tell you that I am crunching powder even using a drop tube with this load, & some more free bore would be nice. My lands are @ 2.850" +/- with these bullets, & COAL is just @ 3.6" which barely fit the mag.

    The free bore is a consideration for ease of loading, but also mag length. I have the long mag for the 375 H&H in mine, & the 230's barely fit. I had no issues with the 208, 210, 220, & 225's as they are all shorter than the 230's."

    Questions:

    1) Would slightly extending the free bore (match lead 0.144) change accuracy of the 208 and 210 gr rounds?

    2) Would slightly extending the free bore improve 230 gr accuracy?

    3) What are the ideal Chamber and Ammo (COAL) specs to optimize Berger 230 Bullets in the 28" Krieger Barrel?

    Thanks,
    Rich
     
    Last edited: