Ruger Precision Rifle - 300 WM - 225gr ELD Match - Range Report

Tim Spivak

Private
Minuteman
Nov 9, 2018
12
7
Hi all - completed some initial load work-up and pressure testing of RPR in 300WM. IMPRESSED with this rifle. Under $1,400, and was grouping under 1/2 inch at 100 yards after the first few shots. It appears Ruger is performing barrel break in at the factory prior to shipping, as it was evident the rifle had been fired several times. Initial coating of copper, and cleaned easily.

Components:
Brass: Norma Factory (Neck tension 0.003 inch)
Powder: H1000
Primers: 210M
Projo: Hornady 225 gr ELD Match

I used a dummy round determine distance to lands, which measured Ogive (Og) of 2.801 inches;
Loaded three batches:
74.2 gr H1000: Og = 2.796 inches, 0.005 Jump - 3 rounds one hole, MV 2710, 2712, 2711 as measured with LabRadar
74.7 gr H1000. Og = 2.771 inches, 0.030 jump - 10 rounds, 1- inch group avg MV 2,721 fps Sd = 18
74.7 gr H1000, Og = 2.741 in, 0.060 jump - 5 rounds, 3/4 inch group avg MV 2,723 fps Sd = 13

The 0.005 jump looked the best in terms of tight group and Mv, so I built a pressure test with 0.005 jump running from 74.5 gr to 80.0 gr H1000.

74.5 gr H1000 - no data (radar not aligned properly)
75.0 - no data
75.5 - 2.765 fps (first three rounds same hole)
76.0 - 2,803 fps
76.5 - 2,800 fps (still printing in same hole - group less than 1/2 inch at 100 yds)
76.8 - 2,826 fps (bolt felt very slightly sticky from this point on - no signs of primer flattening)
77.0 - 2,833 fps
77.2 - 2,829 fps
77.4 - 2,825 fps (these last four shifted up 1/4 inch, but still substantially tearing into same hole as previous shots
77.6 - 2,855 fps
77.9 - 2,855 fps (impacts started to drift outside the centroid, 1/4 -1/2 inch)
78.2 - 2,869 fps
78.5 - 2,833 fps (moved to aim point since target was ragged hole, impact point exactly center, same as shots that started at 74.5 gr)
78.8 - 2,833 fps (low right, 1/2 inch - primers starting to show shallowing of primer impact cavity)
79.1 - 2,886 fps (low right 1 inch)
79.4 - 2,909 fps ( low right 1 inch)
79.7 - 2,909 fps (low right 1 inch or so, bolt significantly more sticky- so I quit at this point.

I ran some dimension checks on the brass when I got home, most would still chamber, albeit tight at higher loads. I resized the last shot (79.7 gr) with Hornady match die (0.333 bushing) to see if I could get the base back to spec. I then used Larry's collet die to work the belt region. The belt came back to spec and fit the chamber gauge properly, however the head had swelled about 0.003 inch dia so cartridge would not chamber in the rifle. I concluded this piece of brass was over pressured and trashed it. All other brass came back properly to spec. Cases for the hotter loads had stretched about 0.003 inches.

Bottom line -great rifle, forgiving loading conditions, and tight groups out of the box.

Based on these tests, I head to the 1,000 yard line in a few weeks with two batches:
74.7 gr and 76.2 gr.

I'll pass along the results then.

PS - rifle weighs 20 pounds fully loaded, recoil is comfortable (about like a 8 pound 308), though it got a bit more snappy at the higher powder wts, but nothing that affected my trigger finger.

Regards, Tim
 
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Hi all - completed some initial load work-up and pressure testing of RPR in 300WM. IMPRESSED with this rifle. Under $1,400, and was grouping under 1/2 inch at 100 yards after the first few shots. It appears Ruger is performing barrel break in at the factory prior to shipping, as it was evident the rifle had been fired several times. Initial coating of copper, and cleaned easily.

Components:
Brass: Norma Factory (Neck tension 0.003 inch)
Powder: H1000
Primers: 210M
Projo: Hornady 225 gr ELD Match

I used a dummy round determine distance to lands, which measured Ogive (Og) of 2.801 inches;
Loaded three batches:
74.2 gr H1000: Og = 2.796 inches, 0.005 Jump - 3 rounds one hole, MV 2710, 2712, 2711 as measured with LabRadar
74.7 gr H1000. Og = 2.771 inches, 0.030 jump - 10 rounds, 1- inch group avg MV 2,721 fps Sd = 18
74.7 gr H1000, Og = 2.741 in, 0.060 jump - 5 rounds, 3/4 inch group avg MV 2,723 fps Sd = 13

The 0.005 jump looked the best in terms of tight group and Mv, so I built a pressure test with 0.005 jump running from 74.5 gr to 80.0 gr H1000.

74.5 gr H1000 - no data (radar not aligned properly)
75.0 - no data
75.5 - 2.765 fps (first three rounds same hole)
76.0 - 2,803 fps
76.5 - 2,800 fps (still printing in same hole - group less than 1/2 inch at 100 yds)
76.8 - 2,826 fps (bolt felt very slightly sticky from this point on - no signs of primer flattening)
77.0 - 2,833 fps
77.2 - 2,829 fps
77.4 - 2,825 fps (these last four shifted up 1/4 inch, but still substantially tearing into same hole as previous shots
77.6 - 2,855 fps
77.9 - 2,855 fps (impacts started to drift outside the centroid, 1/4 -1/2 inch)
78.2 - 2,869 fps
78.5 - 2,833 fps (moved to aim point since target was ragged hole, impact point exactly center, same as shots that started at 74.5 gr)
78.8 - 2,833 fps (low right, 1/2 inch - primers starting to show shallowing of primer impact cavity)
79.1 - 2,886 fps (low right 1 inch)
79.4 - 2,909 fps ( low right 1 inch)
79.7 - 2,909 fps (low right 1 inch or so, bolt significantly more sticky- so I quit at this point.

I ran some dimension checks on the brass when I got home, most would still chamber, albeit tight at higher loads. I resized the last shot (79.7 gr) with Hornady match die (0.333 bushing) to see if I could get the base back to spec. I then used Larry's collet die to work the belt region. The belt came back to spec and fit the chamber gauge properly, however the head had swelled about 0.003 inch dia so cartridge would not chamber in the rifle. I concluded this piece of brass was over pressured and trashed it. All other brass came back properly to spec. Cases for the hotter loads had stretched about 0.003 inches.

Bottom line -great rifle, forgiving loading conditions, and tight groups out of the box.

Based on these tests, I head to the 1,000 yard line in a few weeks with two batches:
74.7 gr and 76.2 gr.

I'll pass along the results then.

PS - rifle weighs 20 pounds fully loaded, recoil is comfortable (about like a 8 pound 308), though it got a bit more snappy at the higher powder wts, but nothing that affected my trigger finger.

Regards, Tim
Hi Tim. Thanks for the excellent in depth report on the RPR 300 Win Mag. I have had mine since late November and share your enthusiasm. It seems that very few people have shared their experiences with this weapon on The Hide. I also am using H1000 mine prefers Hornady 212s to the 220s that I have tried. Agree that it is an easy to shoot(low recoil and fairly easy load development) rifle. Please keep us informed after your 1000 yd experience (my longest has been 610 yds). There is something satisfying about 220+gr. rounds at 3000 fps. I ripped a 6x6 inch plate off of its strap and sent it flying 15 feet the other day. you may want to move this to the RPR thread. Have a great week. Brent B
 
Hi Tim. Thanks for the excellent in depth report on the RPR 300 Win Mag. I have had mine since late November and share your enthusiasm. It seems that very few people have shared their experiences with this weapon on The Hide. I also am using H1000 mine prefers Hornady 212s to the 220s that I have tried. Agree that it is an easy to shoot(low recoil and fairly easy load development) rifle. Please keep us informed after your 1000 yd experience (my longest has been 610 yds). There is something satisfying about 220+gr. rounds at 3000 fps. I ripped a 6x6 inch plate off of its strap and sent it flying 15 feet the other day. you may want to move this to the RPR thread. Have a great week. Brent B
Hi Brett - appreciate the feedback - how do I move this to RPR thread (didn't know it existed when i started this)
 
Just curious, what's your COAL with a 2.801" BTO?

Interesting that velocity was flat around 77gr +/-.

I got a new RPR .300 win mag and I didn't see any evidence of it being fired much, if at all, from the factory, certainly not to the extent you mentioned.

Hopefully I can shoot mine soon too. I'll be using very similar components except for prep'd Winchester brass, GMM215M primers, and .025" jump (at least to start).
 
Last edited:
Hi all - COAL = 3.686 with Ogive of 2.796 (0.005 jump)

I head to NC 1,000 yd range this week, with three H1000 loads (74.7gr, 76.2,gr and 77.6gr) to assess MV and Sd for factory brass (0.003 neck tension) vs re-sized brass (0.001 tension). Annealed all once fired brass, then full length sized with Hornay match using 0.333 bushing for the neck, then touched up base with Larry Willis collet (excellent product). Will give you full report upon my return.
 
Hi all - completed some range testing yesterday. Shot at steel only out to 1,000. The best I could tell grouping well under 1 MOA at 900. That's the only target that was painted and clean to show impacts.

Compared six lots of ammo for MV and Sd:

Once fired Norma Brass (resized and Larry Willis base size, no trim needed) - (0.003 tension, 0.005 jump, H1000, 210M, 10 rounds each, LabRadar)
74.7: MV = 2,742 / Sd = 16
74.7 (second set): First rounds showed MV 2740 and Sd 3, then took a break and next 4 rounds shifted to yield overall MV 2759 and Sd 21 not sure why)
76.2: 2,829 / 22
77.6: 2,882 / 12

New Norma Brass (0.003 tension, 0.005 jump, H1000, 210M, 10 rounds each, LabRadar)
74.7 grains: MV=2,730 / Sd=12
74.7 (second set): 2,733 / 18
76.2: 2,815 / 12
77.6: 2,865/15

Observations: No sticky bolt or signs of pressure.

Conclusions:
1. New brass higher neck tension leads to ~10-20 fps gain in MV
2. Sd - nothing great, except those first 6 rounds at 74.7 (could just be barrel temp or statistical anomoly)
3. Need to shoot on paper at 500 (that'll have to wait till March)
4. Still a great rifle, easy to load and shoot's well, recoil significant but not overwhelming. Fired 90 rounds in 3 hours and came away with a smile
 
Hi all - completed some range testing yesterday. Shot at steel only out to 1,000. The best I could tell grouping well under 1 MOA at 900. That's the only target that was painted and clean to show impacts.

Compared six lots of ammo for MV and Sd:

Once fired Norma Brass (resized and Larry Willis base size, no trim needed) - (0.003 tension, 0.005 jump, H1000, 210M, 10 rounds each, LabRadar)
74.7: MV = 2,742 / Sd = 16
74.7 (second set): First rounds showed MV 2740 and Sd 3, then took a break and next 4 rounds shifted to yield overall MV 2759 and Sd 21 not sure why)
76.2: 2,829 / 22
77.6: 2,882 / 12

New Norma Brass (0.003 tension, 0.005 jump, H1000, 210M, 10 rounds each, LabRadar)
74.7 grains: MV=2,730 / Sd=12
74.7 (second set): 2,733 / 18
76.2: 2,815 / 12
77.6: 2,865/15

Observations: No sticky bolt or signs of pressure.

Conclusions:
1. New brass higher neck tension leads to ~10-20 fps gain in MV
2. Sd - nothing great, except those first 6 rounds at 74.7 (could just be barrel temp or statistical anomoly)
3. Need to shoot on paper at 500 (that'll have to wait till March)
4. Still a great rifle, easy to load and shoot's well, recoil significant but not overwhelming. Fired 90 rounds in 3 hours and came away with a smile


Thanks for the update. Glad you're happy with the new rifle. Not bad given the factory barrel. Can't wait for bartlein or kreiger to come out with replacement barrels similar to the non-magnum rpr. One of those barrels should really make it shoot lights out.
 
Hi Tim, just curious if you’ve tried RL26 yet. I have a Remington I’ve just started working with. It’s got a 24” barrel and with 74.2 he’s, Hornady brass, and CCI215 primers I’m averaging 2,960. The barrel only has about 50 rounds through it bu accuracy seems to be quite good a 100 yards.

Mike
 
Hi Tim, just curious if you’ve tried RL26 yet. I have a Remington I’ve just started working with. It’s got a 24” barrel and with 74.2 he’s, Hornady brass, and CCI215 primers I’m averaging 2,960. The barrel only has about 50 rounds through it bu accuracy seems to be quite good a 100 yards.

Mike


HI Mike - sorry for delay in responding. I have not, however a friend has. He's at 72 grains RL26 with MV of 2880 and Sd of 9. He's at OAL of 3.578. He's happy.