Range Report Berger 230 OTM out of 300wm

[PaulStafford]

Shot the Berger 230 gr OTM over a range of H1000 powder loads. Topped out at 2,880 fps over 76 gr H1000, 26" bbl, 1:10. About 75F at the time, and H1000 is pretty temp-insensitive. No over-pressure signs even at that load.

Ballistically, the 230 (G-7 = .368) at 2,880 will be much better than 208 AMAX (G-7 = .324) at 2,945 fps. JBM shows about 20-24% less windage, and the 230 remains supersonic to 2000 yds. Will do some tweaking of load and seating depth for accuracy next.

Additionally, the OTM loads more smoothly from an AI mag than the 208 AMAX.

 

[jrob300]

Re: Berger 230 OTM out of 300wm

Paul,

It was great shooting with you as always. Can't wait to see your LR validation testing as well as accuracy data. Might be the "go to" LR bullet for the WM.

Sure wish Dan would get his 30" monster going. I'm dying to try some of these next to the Hornady 225 and the TacHybrid 230.

John

 

[PaulStafford]

Re: Berger 230 OTM out of 300wm

you, too, John, always fun

if Dan doesn't care about mag loading, the 230 target hybrid might be even better, G-7 of .380 vs .368 for the OTM. not much different, but if you're searching for the perfect bullet...

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Berger 230 OTM out of 300wm

The 230 OTM has already become my go to bullet in 300WM. My OCW test showed a great node with Retumbo. I have used the load to finish second and win in the last two matches out to 1000 yards with it. I also never had to play with seating depth to get great accuracy. I wish I had a place to stretch them out farther than that.

 

[Bigwheels]

Re: Berger 230 OTM out of 300wm

I have had great results with the 225 Hornady @ 2836fps in 300wm. Still debating whether to try them head to head against the 230gr Bergers.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Berger 230 OTM out of 300wm

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bigwheels</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have had great results with the 225 Hornady @ 2836fps in 300wm. Still debating whether to try them head to head against the 230gr Bergers. </div></div>

I say if you've had great results with something you should stay with it.
In my case I had been shooting the 190 SMK and felt like I could get more from a heavier bullet.

 

[Bigwheels]

Re: Berger 230 OTM out of 300wm

If you are used to the 190smk, & like it, you will love the heavies. I switched from the 208 A Max to the 225hpbt, & never looked back. It shoots .192" @ 100yd, & will shoot just over 1/4 moa above 1000yd if I do my job. I have started shooting @ clay pigeons @ 1250yd with the 225hpbt now days.

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: Berger 230 OTM out of 300wm

Yes, I love Hornady's 225 bthp. I'm running them at 2802 fps in my 300WM with Retumbo out past a mile. I have thought about playing with the 230's, but at twice the cost of the Hornady's, I don't think I'll get twice the performance! It would be a great bulet, no doubt.

 

[sdman11890]

Re: Berger 230 OTM out of 300wm

Anybody try these out of 1:11? I know they're only supposed to stabilize out of 1:10, but... shoot what ya got, eh? I love the ballistics of the bullet, and I bought some... but I don't know if they'll shoot or not.

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: Berger 230 OTM out of 300wm

You will just have to try them and see.
Also, Bryan Litz from Berger is a member here and would know. He has done extensive testing on them.

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: Berger 230 OTM out of 300wm

An 11" twist is right on the edge of stability for a 230 OTM. I run the 225's out of a 11" twist just fine. From talking to Litz, he said this bullets NEEDS a 10" twist. But I have not tried it to see.

 

[Bob L Swagger]

Re: Berger 230 OTM out of 300wm

I tested a few loads this afternoon with the 230's from 73.0gr to 75.5gr of H-1000. 75.5gr's showed a shiny ejector mark on the head stamp so I discontinued at that point, I probably could have pressed on, but I didn't feel the need. The best load for my rifle (24" Krieger 5R 1:10) was 75.0gr of H-1000 / Norma brass / Fed 215M /.030" out of the lands. Average velocity was 2770 fps. (All groups were 3 shots and measured less than .30" @ 100 yards. 75.0 gr. load - 3 shots measured .077") I am going to load some more tonight and test them at further distances tomorrow. These pills ROCK!

 

[Bob L Swagger]

Re: Berger 230 OTM out of 300wm

Shot the above load (75.0gr H-1000 / 230 OTM) today at 300 yards and produced a .359 MOA 3 shot group. (3.75 MOA elevation adjustment from a 100 yard zero.)

 

[Bob L Swagger]

Re: Berger 230 OTM out of 300wm

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bob L. Swagger</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I tested a few loads this afternoon with the 230's from 73.0gr to 75.5gr of H-1000. 75.5gr's showed a shiny ejector mark on the head stamp so I discontinued at that point, I probably could have pressed on, but I didn't feel the need. The best load for my rifle (24" Krieger 5R 1:10) was 75.0gr of H-1000 / Norma brass / Fed 215M /.030" out of the lands. Average velocity was 2770 fps. (All groups were 3 shots and measured less than .30" @ 100 yards. 75.0 gr. load - 3 shots measured .077") I am going to load some more tonight and test them at further distances tomorrow. These pills ROCK!

</div></div>

Ran this same load again today @ 300 yards. 3 shots - .525" (.167 MOA)

 

[popapi]

TAG

 

[Woodsman777]

Ruger m77 27" 1-9 twist Benchmark bbl - 230gr OTM Rl33 2925fps .4" groups at 100. last time out 580yards three shot group was 1.5" ctc

 

[Aimsmall55]

So I've been getting REALLY good results with Retumbo out of a 30" Broughton 1:10. 76.3 at mag length is About 2890 fps. Light load but VERY accurate. 230 OTM btw.


[MENTION=41016]PaulStafford[/MENTION] , I got to ask what's your COAL and charge weight with the h1000? That's some serious speed for the 230 with a 26". Thanks , Aimsmall

 

[Michael Courtney]

Shot the Berger 230 gr OTM over a range of H1000 powder loads. Topped out at 2,880 fps over 76 gr H1000, 26" bbl, 1:10. About 75F at the time, and H1000 is pretty temp-insensitive. No over-pressure signs even at that load.

Ballistically, the 230 (G-7 = .368) at 2,880 will be much better than 208 AMAX (G-7 = .324) at 2,945 fps. JBM shows about 20-24% less windage, and the 230 remains supersonic to 2000 yds. Will do some tweaking of load and seating depth for accuracy next.

Additionally, the OTM loads more smoothly from an AI mag than the 208 AMAX.

Often, my daughter's 300 WM doesn't show signs of pressure until the brass is reprimed, and then the loose primer pockets are obvious.

This has been the case with H1000 and heavy bullets. Thinking a couple loads were good, ruined more than a few cases.

Have you reprimed the cases yet? How tight were the primer pockets?

 

[Tricky Dickey]

tag

 

[para72]

Tag...... good info!

 

[jrpilot]

What free bore do you all use with the 230. I'm building another 300WM and have been wondering if a .098 FB would work. Thanks for the info.