Custom Load talk 300wm: HELP!

[pcweidman]

I put this on the reloading forum and didn't get any traction. I hope someone who is a hunter who uses military gear as i do or any of you fellow gear heads have any words of wisdom.

http://www.appliedballisticsllc.com/berger230tgt.html

Does anyone have any experience with this round? I just purchased 40. In addition to trying out this one I am looking for a proprietary round to shoot out of my300wm for target and use for long range hunting. What are you physics minded shooters opinions of the quality of this bullet as a hunting round in specific on expansion and tissue destruction. Is it impressive bc it's big, or is it overkill? Is the mk248mod1 or a vld or amax in the 200-220 range better? In specific I am looking at all the sniper central loads but if anyone knows a bad ass reloader let me know!

I am looking for a round for the 300wm that is over 200gr and provides the sweet spot for velocity, deadliness, wind deflection resistance, and 1000yard + capability. I like to find 2 rounds I love and stick with it. For instance, in my .308 for hunting inside 3/400 yards I use 168 Barnes brand tipped tsx and target I used bthp168 black hills. I use these bc I know exactly what to do with them all the time in every condition. I don't have enough time in life to chrono, chart, and learn 5 loads. I will shoot a bthp at a pig at 50 or 500 yards if that's what I have in the bag at that time because i know the load even though the Barnes is better suited. If i know it, I use it; but my 300 is new and will be my primary going forward starting this weekend for friendly competition, hunting, and developing my shooting.

Thanks guys!

I shoot a:
300wm AICS
26 inch 6 groove Hart helical fluted barre 1/10
Stiller tac300 action 700 clone
NF optics
Surgeon bolt knob

Recommendations?

 

[pcweidman]

Re: Custom Load talk 300wm: HELP!

Crickets......

 

[jrob300]

Re: Custom Load talk 300wm: HELP!

Some useful info in here:

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3613899

Because rifles are far less formulaic then any of us really want to admit, you will most likely have to do some playing to find out the best compromise.

Length of throat, diameter of barrel, who chambered the rifle, brass mfg., powder, seating depth, distance from the lands... the first variables that come to mind that make it impossible to give finite answers to your question. I will say that the military chose the 220 SMK because it gives decent LR performance while mitigating some of the sensitivity to variables from rifle to rifle.

The 208's perform really well for the price, and the 225's are very attractive as well. The 215/230OTM/230TH are pretty pricey and make me ask just how much I'm willing to pay for performance.

John

 

[scubadds]

Re: Custom Load talk 300wm: HELP!

I am going to start out with the 208 amax. Build a load with h1000 as a start.
Seems to be a solid choice, haven't even put my .300 wm barrel on my dta yet.
Curious to see what others say

 

[pcweidman]

Re: Custom Load talk 300wm: HELP!

Thanks bro that is a perfect link! I am going to get some 208's made up or purchased. Do you have any experience with how hard an amax hits compared to a bthp? I would imagine amax expands much faster. I have "zipped" a few doe at close ranges with a 168gr in .308 an had problems with no blood trail and long distances to track the animals.

 

[O_W]

Re: Custom Load talk 300wm: HELP!

i run the 208AMAX and 208 horny BTHP interchangeably in my 300. They shoot awesome. 26" Krieger AMU.

I run 78.5 H1000 in mine and get 2975-3000FPS at sealevel. 28$ for the 208BTHP at PV is hard to beat. If you point them they are even better.

 

[jrob300]

Re: Custom Load talk 300wm: HELP!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pcweidman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do you have any experience with how hard an amax hits compared to a bthp? I would imagine amax expands much faster. I have "zipped" a few doe at close ranges with a 168gr in .308 an had problems with no blood trail and long distances to track the animals. </div></div>

OTM bullets have mixed reviews on game. I would think that the poly tip on Amax's would initiate expansion better... but I have drilled holes in steel past 600 yds. with them...

If you want guaranteed performance, the 200 Accubonds are stunning on game and I've shot them with excellent accuracy past 1300 yds.

John

 

[Eric B.]

Re: Custom Load talk 300wm: HELP!(Berger recommend

Bought three boxes of Berger 230 Tactical Hybrid bullets and talked to Berger about loads.
They recommended:

Using IMR 4831 (Short Cut only) and Fed. 215 primers
Start Load -> 60 gr.
Max Load -> 66.9 gr.

VELOCITY -> 2388 to 2647 (26" barrel)

This bullet will retain supersonic velocity longer than lighter .30 cal bullets in this cartridge.

 

[pcweidman]

Re: Custom Load talk 300wm: HELP!

REALLY! Past 1000 with good expansion? I dont know if its true but I just think and I may be wrong, that a bullet that expands well doesnt fly as well as a more "target" type bullet. I guess I should just call HSM or Berger and Barnes myself.

 

[pcweidman]

Re: Custom Load talk 300wm: HELP!(Berger recommend

Lite Hiker I had Applied make me some of these and they are SUPER IMPRESSIVE looking! They look like a darn mini cheytac round in 408. Totally the way a magnum should look. I would shoot these 230s all the time if I thought the expansion was going to be good enough. HOWEVER we all know that shot placement is everything!!!! Whatever is STILL getting hit with a bullet!

 

[Eric B.]

Re: Custom Load talk 300wm: HELP!(Berger recommend

pcw,

I forgot you're using these for hunting. The Berger 230 gr. Tactical Hybrids are TOTALLY non-expanding. (They can't be expanding and be used for military/police work.

In fact the bullet box states (unusually) that they were made for use in the XM 2010 rifle.

 

[SOLO LOBO]

Re: Custom Load talk 300wm: HELP!

I use:

208 BTHP
76gr. H-1000
M215 primer
Win. Brass

Use it in a TRG-42. 300WM
Shoots one ragged hole @ 100yrds all day!

Hope this helps!

M

 

[pcweidman]

Re: Custom Load talk 300wm: HELP!

Thanks sniper!

 

[SOLO LOBO]

Re: Custom Load talk 300wm: HELP!

No prob.
Happy I could help!

Good luck !!!

 

[PaulStafford]

Re: Custom Load talk 300wm: HELP!

keep in mind there are TWO versions of the Berger 230:
Tactical Hybrid - G-7 BC of .380, NOT for use on game
OTM (open tip match), G-7 BC .368, good for game and magazine ops

I am working up loads in my 26" .300wm for the OTM using H4831.
Using Fed 215M primers, .030" off lands I get 2,890 fps (SD 12) at a DA of 4000' (using Magnetospeed chrony). That's only 30 fps slower than my 208 AMAX load (74.8 gr H1000)

significant wind drift advantage over 208 AMAX (my previous go to), and drop is less after only 400 yds

As John points out, they are quite a bit more expensive than the 208