Good starting load for 208gr. A-MAX/.300WM

[Tactical30]

I have got the new Hornady book and see no data for the 208gr. A-MAX and H-1000 but see many of you using it.

I am wondering what is a good starting point and max point for this load? I have checked the load page and looked and noticed 77.2gr, 78.9gr and 79.5gr (w/ Winchester brass).

I will be using a 26" 1-10 twist Bartlien barrel #7 Contour, Winchester Brass, Fed215M Primers. Also Redding Type "S" Bushing Comp. Dies with .332" Bushing. I will not be neck turning. I measured the neck diameter of some I loaded w/o the bushing die and the neck measured .334", thats why I used the .332" bushing with the Redding dies.

<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">What is your load data with the 208gr. A-MAX and H-1000? .300WM</span></span>
Any info would help
thanks

 

[Tactical30]

Re: Good starting load for 208gr. A-MAX/.300WM

Wow, nobody?

I loaded some test loads up tonight.

5 rounds each to test w/ H-1000. I figured this is a good place to start but I would like to see what other guys are using.
This is what I started with.
76.5gr.
77.0gr
77.5gr.
78.0gr.

 

[woodspider]

Re: Good starting load for 208gr. A-MAX/.300WM

Just got started like you are, with .208 Amax and H-1000.As well as order the new 8th edition book and it was delivered today but havent seen it yet, as I am not home yet.
I started with a ladder test at 76.0 grains with .2 grain bumps all the way to 79 grains. Unfortunately I HAD to STOP at 77.1 grains as I hit 3000 FPS, and the heavier grains loads were showing some pressure signs specifically I shot 77.4 and 77.6 but thats where the pressure signs started and Iwas getting some fast crono readings @ almost 3100 FPS, so needles to say I came home with some unfired rounds.I just bought a bullet puller with the book and am gonna pull the unfired hot loads today.
On another range outing I loaded up 7 rounds for testing at 500 yards of only 77.1gr. of H-1000, w/ new hornady brass and Fed mag primers, seating them long at 3.620. I Fired a 7 round group at 500 yards and got a nice 7 shot MOA group. However my crono failed so I have no FPS whatsoever for that outing, that was disappointing as I needed that info badly I think the crono failed because it was too cold? 4 degrees at time of shots. brrr!!!
Im in Northeast Ohio so our data should be similar send me a pm and maybe we can share data and help each other out, with this powder/.208 Amax combo?
Watch out for those heavier grain loads in my gun they were too fast. Crono was at 10 feet exactly.

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: Good starting load for 208gr. A-MAX/.300WM

There's a ton of data in the 300WM reloading section with these components. H1000 is a great choice, and Retumbo is also good. Retumbo is a little more finiky to find a load for, but will get you more velocity than anything else.

 

[jrob300]

Re: Good starting load for 208gr. A-MAX/.300WM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: longrange30</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Wow, nobody?

I loaded some test loads up tonight.

5 rounds each to test w/ H-1000. I figured this is a good place to start but I would like to see what other guys are using.
This is what I started with.
76.5gr.
77.0gr
77.5gr.
78.0gr. </div></div>

Be interested to see the results of your test. 78 gr. in Win. brass in my rifle shoots the frickin' lights out, but at temps over 80 deg. loosens primer pockets.

How far out are you seating? A test I ran showed pressure goes in a "U" shaped curve with highest pressures coming from the shortest COAL and closest to the lands. Lowest pressure was middle.

Get your load close on velocity and groups, then vary seating depth to fine tune (keeping in mind that pressure will go up as you approach the lands and this *is* the coldest time of year... pressures are only going to go up!)

Good luck.

John

 

[Tactical30]

Re: Good starting load for 208gr. A-MAX/.300WM

Here my load info (powder testing) I used for the 208gr. A-MAX and H-1000.
Barrel- Bartlien 26" 1-10 Twist #7 Contour (.300WM)


DATE: 1/23/2011
CALIBER: .300 Winchester Magnum
BULLET TYPE: <span style="font-weight: bold">208 gr. Hornady A-MAX</span>
BRASS CASE: Winchester
RELOADINGS: 0 - New Brass
TRIM LENGTH: 2.611"
PRIMER TYPE: Federal Gold Medal Match 215M (Magnum)
POWDER TYPE: H-1000
POWDER CHARGE: 76.5 gr. 77.0 gr. 77.5 gr. 78.0 gr.
DIE SET USED: Redding Type "S" Match Bushing Comp. Full Length Die Set
SIZE BUSHING USED: .332"
NECK MEASUREMENT .334"
CRIMP DIE USED: none
CRIMP MEASURMENT: none
OAL MEASUREMENT: 3.598"
MAX OGIVE LENGTH: 2.890"
SEATED OGIVE LENGTH: 2.870"
(") OFF THE LANDS .020"
ROUNDS LOADED: 20 ct.
LOAD DATA REFERENCE: Estimated 200gr. Bullet data from Sierra book + Snipers Hide Data
BULLET CONCENTRICITY: .001" or less (checked)

Heres the 190gr. Sierra Matchking Load data.
I have yet to test either of these loads listed. Im going to get some 210gr. Bergers and 220gr. SMK's loaded up next for testing.

DATE: 1/1/2011
CALIBER: .300 Winchester Magnum
BULLET TYPE: <span style="font-weight: bold">190 gr. Sierra Matchking BTHP Match</span>
BRASS CASE: Winchester
RELOADINGS: 0 - New Brass
TRIM LENGTH: 2.610"
PRIMER TYPE: Federal Gold Medal Match 215M (magnum)
POWDER TYPE: RL-22
POWDER CHARGE: 70.5 gr. 71.0 gr. 71.5 gr. 72.0 gr. 72.5 gr.
DIE SET USED: RCBS (non-bushing)
SIZE BUSHING USED: none
NECK MEASUREMENT .334"
CRIMP DIE USED: none
CRIMP MEASURMENT: none
OAL MEASUREMENT: 3.485"
MAX OGIVE LENGTH: 2.925"
SEATED OGIVE LENGTH: 2.910"
(") OFF THE LANDS .015"
ROUNDS LOADED: 25 ct.
LOAD DATA REFERENCE: Sierra Book + Snipers Hide Data
BULLET CONCENTRICITY: .001" or less (checked)

Let me know if any of you guys have used similar data to this and how well did it shoot for you?

 

[Driftwood]

Re: Good starting load for 208gr. A-MAX/.300WM

I called Hornady and Hodgdon in asking about the 208Amax / H1000 combination. I posted this in response to a question about 208Amax in a 220 SMK thread but it seems more appropriate here.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I called Hornady in reference to the 208 Amax. All the load data they had was based on a 1-12 twist rifle. I told him I had a 1-10 twist and he said "You may get better stability by slowing down the velocity". I asked if there was an issue with a 1-10 twist with a 300 WM and he replied "No it just that all our data comes from a 1-12 twist barrel" He suggested seating .005-010 of the lands for starters. He stated that the case volume would be more important than the seating depth. He suggested H4831 and IMR 7828SC for powders. He had no data on H1000 and suggested I call Hodgdon, which I did.

The man at Hodgdon was very friendly, but had no data on 208 Amax bullets. He suggested I use the data for the SMK220 as a guide with H1000. He didn't like the suggestion of IMR 7828SC, but thought the long cut version would be ok. He did suggest H4831 as a good powder for 210-220 grain bullets.</div></div>

 

[Tactical30]

Re: Good starting load for 208gr. A-MAX/.300WM

I noticed the new Hornady book does not list H-1000 very much at all with the .300WM data. Its funny cuz it seems everyone has the best accuracy with the H-1000 and 208gr. A-MAX combo.

 

[TheShooter]

Re: Good starting load for 208gr. A-MAX/.300WM

I had great luck with 71-73 g of Re 22 and 208 A-maxes.

 

[dworrel]

Re: Good starting load for 208gr. A-MAX/.300WM

What kind of velocity do you get with the 208 amax in a 300WM.

I haven't loaded anything heavier than 190gr VLD's

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: Good starting load for 208gr. A-MAX/.300WM

R22 72.5 grains. Wlrm primer. Trimmed brass to 2.10"' with an oal of 3.600" It is pushing right at 2900 fps. 500 yds 8 shot group, I hit the same hole three times. P.s. Shooting a700 police

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: Good starting load for 208gr. A-MAX/.300WM

Meant trim 2.610"