• Watch Out for Scammers!

    We've now added a color code for all accounts. Orange accounts are new members, Blue are full members, and Green are Supporters. If you get a message about a sale from an orange account, make sure you pay attention before sending any money!

300 PRC

Having good results with 8133 so far, excited to narrow the node down and find some good ES numbers with fired brass.

BulletSeating DepthNeck TensionBrassBrass ConditionPowderWeight# ShotsMV AvgESSDNotes
Berger 230 OTM Hybrid Part # 301122.889.001"ADGNEWIMR 813375.5326743920.5Too Slow
Berger 230 OTM Hybrid Part # 301122.889.001"ADGNEWIMR 813375.832716Too Slow
Berger 230 OTM Hybrid Part # 301122.889.001"ADGNEWIMR 813376.1326934423.9Too Slow
Berger 230 OTM Hybrid Part # 301122.889.001"ADGNEWIMR 813376.432717Too Slow
Berger 230 OTM Hybrid Part # 301122.889.001"ADGNEWIMR 813376.732723Too Slow
Berger 230 OTM Hybrid Part # 301122.889.001"ADGNEWIMR 813377327304120.6Too Slow
Berger 230 OTM Hybrid Part # 301122.889.001"ADGNEWIMR 813377.3327562914.43 Shots 1 Hole
Berger 230 OTM Hybrid Part # 301122.889.001"ADGNEWIMR 813377.7327532212.2Very Little Horizontal Spread
Berger 230 OTM Hybrid Part # 301122.889.001"ADGNEWIMR 8133783277884.5Very Little Horizontal Spread
Berger 230 OTM Hybrid Part # 301122.889.001"ADGNEWIMR 813378.3327852210.7Very Little Horizontal SpreadNext try .2 gr increments from 78.2 - 78.8
Berger 230 OTM Hybrid Part # 301132.889.001"ADGNEWIMR 813378.632807189Same Group as 78.3 and 78
Berger 230 OTM Hybrid Part # 301142.889.001"ADGNEWIMR 813378.9328484924.4New group, higher and right
Berger 230 OTM Hybrid Part # 301152.889.001"ADGNEWIMR 813379.2328432212.5New group, higher and right
Berger 230 OTM Hybrid Part # 301162.889.001"ADGNEWIMR 813379.5328663517.3New group, higher and right
 
  • Like
Reactions: Defender3
This are my test results looking for the best sitting depth for my Ruger RPR, load used: 80 gn of N565, Hornady 230 A-TIP HBN coated, CCI 250, ADG Brass shot 4 times. It was a pretty cold day them was between 0-1 C.
Can't post group size pictures because we mostly shoot electronic targets here in Switzerland and I have to wait for the "paper" ranges to open.
I'm really happy with the low SD and ES. COAL measured with hornady comparator. Max COAL for my rifle is 75.59 touching lands.
05-12-20​
TEMP1CH. 450 mHpres
952 hPa​
AVGSDES
12345COAL (mm)
869​
871
878​
879​
880​
73.7
875​
4.5​
11​
883​
885
871​
877​
880​
73.7
879​
4.9​
14​
883​
877
881​
885​
882​
73.85​
882​
2.7​
8​
886​
885
887​
881​
882​
74​
884​
2.3​
6​
888​
880
883​
889​
73.75​
885​
3.7​
9​
884​
884
881​
877​
880​
73.9​
881​
2.6​
7​
885​
883
885​
880​
877​
74.05​
882​
3.1​
8​
887​
876
877​
883​
881​
75.1
881​
4.0​
11​
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Defender3
This are my test results looking for the best sitting depth for my Ruger RPR, load used: 80 gn of N565, Hornady 230 A-TIP HBN coated, CCI 250, ADG Brass shot 4 times. It was a pretty cold day them was between 0-1 C.
Can't post group size pictures because we mostly shoot electronic targets here in Switzerland and I have to wait for the "paper" ranges to open.
I'm really happy with the low SD and ES.
05-12-20​
TEMP1CH. 450 mHpres
952 hPa​
AVGSDES
12345
869​
871
878​
879​
880​
875​
4.5​
11​
883​
885
871​
877​
880​
879​
4.9​
14​
883​
877
881​
885​
882​
882​
2.7​
8​
886​
885
887​
881​
882​
884​
2.3​
6​
888​
880
883​
889​
885​
3.7​
9​
884​
884
881​
877​
880​
881​
2.6​
7​
885​
883
885​
880​
877​
882​
3.1​
8​
887​
876
877​
883​
881​
881​
4.0​
11​
I’m assuming that your SD ES numbers are in FPS, yeah? Looks good
 
Still pretty good, looks like you’ve got a good node in the middle maybe with a bit more seating depth exploration you can really have a nail driver.
Anything below .5 moa will make me extremely happy!! This is the cheapest .300 PRC I can buy in CH and by cheap I mean $3500
 
Tomorrow, I'm going to try the laziest load development I've ever done. I've been shooting the 230gr A-Tips with a lot of success. Just now, I loaded up 20 rounds of 245gr Berger EOL's with the same powder (RL-26), Same charge weight (75.0), and close to the same seating depth...I didn't alter the seating die....they will....barely....magazine feed (CIP).

My goal tomorrow is to run a few A-Tips through the chronograph and get a reading for the temperature..whatever that may be...probably around 40F by the time I get out there. Then I'll run some Bergers across the MagnetoSpeedV3. If the speed is remotely close...I'll be happy. Next, I'll shoot some two shot groups and change the settings on my barrel tuner. Once I get two holes touching....I'll shoot three shot groups. Once happy...I'll shoot 5 shot groups with what I have left over.

Total round count of Bergers...20....I shouldn't need any more shots than that to dial in the new load. If I'm extremely unhappy with a slow speed...or they are somehow showing pressure...I'll just stop the test then and revisit Friday.

I'll post results here tomorrow night after a nice steak dinner.

bergertest.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: BFuller
I've loaded enough rounds with the Wilson arbor seater die to be convinced. My last batch of 50 230 A-Tips had an SD of a bit over 3 fps and the gun shot better than it ever has. I've been looking for a Redding full length bushing die, but as you know dies are like unicorns these days. Once I find the Redding, I'll list the Whidden dies in the PX as I doubt that I'll use them anymore.

Anyone used the Lapua 300 PRC brass yet?

Edit: I'd looked on Precision Reloading's site right before posting that ^^^ and they were out of stock. Got a wild hair and refreshed the page a minute ago and - BINGO! - in stock. Score!

Re-Edit: @Defender3:

 
Last edited:
I've loaded enough rounds with the Wilson arbor seater die to be convinced. My last batch of 50 230 A-Tips had an SD of a bit over 3 fps and the gun shot better than it ever has. I've been looking for a Redding full length bushing die, but as you know dies are like unicorns these days. Once I find the Redding, I'll list the Whidden dies in the PX as I doubt that I'll use them anymore.

Anyone used the Lapua 300 PRC brass yet?

Edit: I'd looked on Precision Reloading's site right before posting that ^^^ and they were out of stock. Got a wild hair and refreshed the page a minute ago and - BINGO! - in stock. Score!
Am I doing something wrong? I don't even see it listed on PRs site.
 
Am I doing something wrong? I don't even see it listed on PRs site.

Not sure how, but I missed your post back in the spring. In case you are still looking:

 
  • Like
Reactions: Defender3
I finally got around to shooting an OCW for the 300 PRC.

AX-MC 30" Bartlein, 1:9
ADG brass, 1st firing
VV N-565
Federal 215M
Hornady A-Tip 230 grain
BTO: 2.886"

After chamfering and deburring the mouths, I ran a .3055 mandrel, then loaded them up. BTD ran spot on down to about 1 thousand under on the Whidden gage. I'll re-measure the shot cases when I get time. Concentricity out near the intersection of the copper an the tip aluminum ran 1 to 2 thousandths across 50 rounds

I waited for the heat of the day to shoot the OCW. Temps ran from 82F at the beginning to 88F at the end. We shot at about 5000' ASL. MV's are from a Labradar.

In terms of target POI, it looks like there is a node in the area of 78 - 78.2 grains. Here's the MV chart:

ChargeMVSt DevES
77.2​
2937.7​
8.7​
10.0​
77.4​
2951.3​
3.1​
6.0​
77.6​
2965.8​
12.0​
31.0​
77.8​
2973.7​
5.1​
11.0​
78​
2982.7​
1.5​
3.0​
78.2​
2992.7​
5.1​
10.0​
78.4​
3005.7​
2.1​
4.0​

We had minor primer cratering in the higher charges but no ejector marks or swipe. We had a very minor bolt lift on one of the 78.4s. I kinda wish I'd loaded up a 78.6 set. On a hot day, factroy Hornady ELDM 225s run about 3025 to 3050 FPS through this barrel, so I'm not certain I topped out the OCW. The best 3-shot group was for the 78.4 load at 0.36 MOA. Factory Hornady ELDM 225s tend to run around 0.5 MOA at best. I have not measured jump to the lands but will do that soon then load 10 each at 78 grain loads while varying seating depth. I think I'll also load 5 at 78.6 just for shits and giggles.

I finally got off my butt and started working up a load for Vihta Vouri N-568. I'm basically seeing a trend similar to that shown on Vihta Vouri's website:

VV N568.png



So VV ran ~7 grains more 568 than 565 at max load and got 39 FPS higher muzzle velocity. I only have limited muzzle velocity info from my gun for 565 at low temps. It's a little freaky seeing their max for 565 at 74.8 grains while I'm running 78.0, but I digress. For 568, I only pushed a ladder up to 82.5 grains and I got about a max of a 15 FPS bump in muzzle velocity, but remember the 568 rounds were shot around 50F and the 565s were shot in the 80-90F range.. So consider this a preliminary bit of info. I'm planning to load up an OCW with narrow bumps in charge in the 81 to 83 grain range. Not sure how high I can go because I've never tried to push the limit on compressing a load.

I'm undecided on if I should shoot the OCW in cold temps or wait till it gets to 70 degrees or hotter. I don't usually make cold weather and hot weather ELR load recipes but maybe now's the time to do that. I've been working on cold versus warm loads for the 6ARC and it's been an eye-opener.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Defender3
I have two "Reference Loads" (AKA: OCW's) for my 300-PRC ... a Barrett MRAD. Figured I'd share them here. One is with Accurate MagPro, and the other is with Hodgdon Retumbo. Both shoot sub-MOA and hit 1-mile targets (when the human functions correctly). Developed two options due to supply availability. I also have a recipe for Berger 220's, but (a) I can't find anymore, and (b) it's slightly less accurate (SD's of 5-ish).

1646143390306.png
 
So...my load for the 1 mile Benchrest Tactical Division....Record Score of 39....was shot with a 245gr Berger at 2925fps with 76 grains of RL-26. Still my personal pet load. I'll stick to that as long as I can keep getting more Bergers.
 
So...my load for the 1 mile Benchrest Tactical Division....Record Score of 39....was shot with a 245gr Berger at 2925fps with 76 grains of RL-26. Still my personal pet load. I'll stick to that as long as I can keep getting more Bergers.
And how ... pray tell ... are you "getting more Bergers"? I can't find the 220's to save my life.
 
And how ... pray tell ... are you "getting more Bergers"? I can't find the 220's to save my life.
It's been more difficult than normal...but I had about 10k on backorders from different places....once they start hitting hard...I won't be able to afford all my backorders...so some may sneak out to you guys...heh. On the 6mm 108 Elite Hunters...I've been REAL LUCKY lately. The 245's....I get some here and there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JBarton
So...my load for the 1 mile Benchrest Tactical Division....Record Score of 39....was shot with a 245gr Berger at 2925fps with 76 grains of RL-26. Still my personal pet load. I'll stick to that as long as I can keep getting more Bergers.

My initial handload testing was RL-26 versus VV 565 for the 230 A-Tips. In my gun, the rise into pressure signs happened real fast with RL26, compared to 565, so I benched RL26 for the time being. I've got something like 7 pounds left and plan to wring it out once I cure this terminal laziness. We need to go stage a protest at Berger's front gate. Play Lynyrd Skynyrd's Gimmie Back My Bullets at 145 dB. Actually, I'm putting most of my reload tweeking time lately into 6 ARC, 357 magnum and 44 magnum and the real crux is too much overtime in the day job. Time to retire and play every day!
 
I'm getting halfway decent groups (sub-half MOA) with 72 grains of 7828 and 215M primers and Lapua brass. Has anyone else tried a combination like that?
 
I finally got off my butt and started working up a load for Vihta Vouri N-568. I'm basically seeing a trend similar to that shown on Vihta Vouri's website:

View attachment 7818172


So VV ran ~7 grains more 568 than 565 at max load and got 39 FPS higher muzzle velocity. I only have limited muzzle velocity info from my gun for 565 at low temps. It's a little freaky seeing their max for 565 at 74.8 grains while I'm running 78.0, but I digress. For 568, I only pushed a ladder up to 82.5 grains and I got about a max of a 15 FPS bump in muzzle velocity, but remember the 568 rounds were shot around 50F and the 565s were shot in the 80-90F range.. So consider this a preliminary bit of info. I'm planning to load up an OCW with narrow bumps in charge in the 81 to 83 grain range. Not sure how high I can go because I've never tried to push the limit on compressing a load.

I'm undecided on if I should shoot the OCW in cold temps or wait till it gets to 70 degrees or hotter. I don't usually make cold weather and hot weather ELR load recipes but maybe now's the time to do that. I've been working on cold versus warm loads for the 6ARC and it's been an eye-opener.

After the 568 ladder, I put my documents into the 300 PRC handloading binder and ran across a ladder test over a year ago with N570. I'd totally forgot that I'd even shot a 570 ladder. The thing is, the VV table above shows 46fps more with 570 than 568 and 85fps more with 570 than 565. I shot the first 565 ladder the same day as the 570 ladder and got basically the same MVs, but the groups I shot had higher SDs for 570 than 565, so that's why I bailed out on 570 at that time. I think another comparison is in order, and I'll include RL26 again while I'm at it. It's gonna be a busy spring.
 
  • Like
Reactions: max1840
After the 568 ladder, I put my documents into the 300 PRC handloading binder and ran across a ladder test over a year ago with N570. I'd totally forgot that I'd even shot a 570 ladder. The thing is, the VV table above shows 46fps more with 570 than 568 and 85fps more with 570 than 565. I shot the first 565 ladder the same day as the 570 ladder and got basically the same MVs, but the groups I shot had higher SDs for 570 than 565, so that's why I bailed out on 570 at that time. I think another comparison is in order, and I'll include RL26 again while I'm at it. It's gonna be a busy spring.

@TripleBull have you had a chance to do anymore work with the N568? I see this stuff coming available on occasion and I'm really tempted to give it a try.

Thanks
 
@TripleBull have you had a chance to do anymore work with the N568? I see this stuff coming available on occasion and I'm really tempted to give it a try.

Thanks

Prepping brass now. Too much work not enough play. I got a bunch of Lapua brass a few months and need to throw that into the mix too. Sorry, plenty of excuses but no new data. 568, 570 and RL26 all worth a shot IMO.
 
RL25
Lapua virgin brass
Fiocchi LR primers
COAL: 3.68”
24” barrel (new)
13Degrees Celsius
Magneto speed ( verified with a proven load )

73gn 2441
73.5 2475
74 2517
74.5 2512
75 2544
75.5 2573
76 2576
76.5 2594
77 2606 (book max - claimed 2850 using fed 215s)
77.5 2630
78 2649
78.5 2646
79 2693
79.5 2718
80 2736 - ejector stamp

This powder will be shelved for now. Interested if anyone did more work with N570
 
  • Like
Reactions: georgelza
Interesting ... velocity seems low for a 300-PRC to start seeing pressure signs. Mine (heavy bolt) showed up with H1000 just as I was going over 3000 ft/sec.
 
Velocity seems low all around. Can’t find any other data online to say this is an anomaly with the rifle or just the powder/primer combo
 
Oops ... sorry ... was looking at 300-Norma data. My 300-PRC "sweet spot" is in the mid-2800's shooting 77.4 grains of Retumbo.
 
This powder will be shelved for now. Interested if anyone did more work with N570
My load for 300 PRC is 79.5 grains of N-570 pushing 230gn A-Tips. Velocity is right around 2950. I shoot this out of a Desert Tech and have a 30" barrel.
 
RL25
Lapua virgin brass
Fiocchi LR primers
COAL: 3.68”
24” barrel (new)
13Degrees Celsius
Magneto speed ( verified with a proven load )

73gn 2441
73.5 2475
74 2517
74.5 2512
75 2544
75.5 2573
76 2576
76.5 2594
77 2606 (book max - claimed 2850 using fed 215s)
77.5 2630
78 2649
78.5 2646
79 2693
79.5 2718
80 2736 - ejector stamp

This powder will be shelved for now. Interested if anyone did more work with N570

What bullet? How many rounds down the barrel so far? It might take 100+ rounds to get the barrel up to speed. 24" barrel is not helping you.
 
Forgot to add it sorry, 225eldm in a new barrel

I’ll revisit it after trying a few different loads and the barrels broken in
 
RL25
Lapua virgin brass
Fiocchi LR primers
COAL: 3.68”
24” barrel (new)
13Degrees Celsius
Magneto speed ( verified with a proven load )

73gn 2441
73.5 2475
74 2517
74.5 2512
75 2544
75.5 2573
76 2576
76.5 2594
77 2606 (book max - claimed 2850 using fed 215s)
77.5 2630
78 2649
78.5 2646
79 2693
79.5 2718
80 2736 - ejector stamp

This powder will be shelved for now. Interested if anyone did more work with N570
havent heard too many people using RL25. it might be just a little fast. out of the Reloader powders most are using RL26 and even some RL33.
 
So...my load for the 1 mile Benchrest Tactical Division....Record Score of 39....was shot with a 245gr Berger at 2925fps with 76 grains of RL-26. Still my personal pet load. I'll stick to that as long as I can keep getting more Bergers.
Are you referring to the Long Range Hybrid Target ? Cant find them anywhere.
 
245gr EOLs....which you also can't find...heh But hte LRHT were in stock last week in a few places.

Berger has been getting some product out. I recently got 1500 of the 109 grain 6mms and 500 of the 245 EOLs off the shelf at the local Scheels. Scheels has also had many of the best primers so I'm pretty much overstocked on all calibers I load for.
 
Question for folks here. I just had a new barrel chambered in 300 PRC. Had an older one but wanted a longer barrel. I reload for it as well and was using Hornady brass but switched over to Lapua. Everything chambered just fine in the older barrel.

Now the new barrel not so much… the Lapua is clearly larger than the chamber. By about 4 thou or so. I sent the barrel back and the smith ran a go gauge and said that it was fine but the Lapua seemed to be larger than Sammi…. He is bumping the chamber to accept the Lapua but has anyone else heard of this before?
 
Question for folks here. I just had a new barrel chambered in 300 PRC. Had an older one but wanted a longer barrel. I reload for it as well and was using Hornady brass but switched over to Lapua. Everything chambered just fine in the older barrel.

Now the new barrel not so much… the Lapua is clearly larger than the chamber. By about 4 thou or so. I sent the barrel back and the smith ran a go gauge and said that it was fine but the Lapua seemed to be larger than Sammi…. He is bumping the chamber to accept the Lapua but has anyone else heard of this before?
??? You were reloading for you old barrel using Hornady brass but switched over to Lapua . . . so, the Lapua brass was used in the old barrel?

It'd help if you took actual measurements of the Lapua brass and posted it here that we can see how those numbers might actually fit into SAAMI specs; like measuring the diameter at the web ( at .020 above the base), at just below the shoulder-body junction and headspace measurement.
 
??? You were reloading for you old barrel using Hornady brass but switched over to Lapua . . . so, the Lapua brass was used in the old barrel?

It'd help if you took actual measurements of the Lapua brass and posted it here that we can see how those numbers might actually fit into SAAMI specs; like measuring the diameter at the web ( at .020 above the base), at just below the shoulder-body junction and headspace measurement.
No sorry. I guess that was confusing. Both Lapua and Hornady brass fit and chambered fine in my old barrel.

In the new barrel only new Hornady brass is chambering. New Lapua is not. When I measure the Hornady brass post firing it’s 4 thou larger than the new Lapua.
 
is it a headspace issue or a body issue?

There have been instances where reamers were undersized and people couldn't size fired brass body enough. solution was custom dies or a dif reamer.

edit to add: It can headspace fine on a go/no-go guage because its actually the body diameter near the base thats out of spec.
 
Last edited:
Jump down the rabbit hole and google JGS AW2 300PRC reamer. Use a sharpie and color a piece of brass. Try to chamber it. If it’s rubbing at the .02 mark you need a reamer. I had to buy one because my once fired ADG brass was giving me a really stiff bolt lift.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fishkat
I had similar issue(s). The new barrel will chamber new Copper Creek loads with Lapua brass perfectly. but my new Lapua cases are a bit harder(spongy) to put into battery. I ran them through the Redding full sizing die and that did the trick.
 
Anybody try RL33 in their 300prc? I apologize ahead of time if this has been talked about already.
I have some inconclusive data while starting to find a max load for 250AT's in my quest for 2850fps thru 30"bbl.
they are as follows

Lapua brass(new and sized), GM210M, 3.830(-020"), 85*F
79.0: 2749
79.5: 2744
80.0: 2774
NOTES: started a little low in absence of published load data, none of the 4 signs of over pressure, yes i see the anomaly in MV and will continue gingerly, as I only have so much case space.
Hope this helps.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nomad Farrier
Anybody try RL33 in their 300prc? I apologize ahead of time if this has been talked about already.
 
Anybody try RL33 in their 300prc? I apologize ahead of time if this has been talked about already.

Yes...too slow of a powder...RL-26 for those 28-30" barrels...H1000 for the shorter barrels....and VV N565 or N568 as a back up.
 
Yes...too slow of a powder...RL-26 for those 28-30" barrels...H1000 for the shorter barrels....and VV N565 or N568 as a back up.
Doesn’t burn rate also depend on bullet mass? In theory a 30” barrel and a heavy bullet could use a slower powder….
 
Last edited:
Doesn’t burn rate also depend on bullet mass? In theory a 30” barrel and a heavy bullet could use a slower powder….

Yea...but we are all running about the same bullet in 300PRC. The difference between a 230 A-Tip and a 245 EOL is nothing. I run 245 EOLs and 245 Hybrids....and run RL-26.....RL-33 failed my test miserably.
 
Yea...but we are all running about the same bullet in 300PRC. The difference between a 230 A-Tip and a 245 EOL is nothing. I run 245 EOLs and 245 Hybrids....and run RL-26.....RL-33 failed my test miserably.

In my limited testing with RL33, I found the same. I've got quite a few 1lb bottles gathering dust.