I have recently extracted a heavy-barreled 300 Win. Mag from the back of my gun safe that was barreled in 1996. I shot it about 50 times and it lost favor to the other toys. At the time I semi-retired it, I had settled on a load of 69.0 grains of IMR 4350 behind a 180 grain Sierra SBT (#2160)and it was doing what it was built to do. My best five shot group was 2.25" at 500 yards. It was a perfect morning, clear, cool and dead calm. The three manuals I owned at that time gave the following as loading ranges for a 180 grain bullet and IMR 4350:
Speer #7 1966 71-75 grains
Speer #12 1994 68-72 grains
Lyman #45 65-72.5 grains
It has been recently suggested that the 69.0 grains of IMR 4350 may by near max and I may want to consider something in the 67 grain range for a 180 grain bullet. My Hornady #5 does not have data for IMR4350 behind a 180 grain bullet. The nearest comparison is the 168 grain bullet and it lists the max at 69.8 grains.
I am curious as you other's loads for 180 grain and 168 grain bullets and IMR4350. I am not seeing any pressure indications with the 180 grainers but I do not want to spend the barrel any quicker than necessary. I just bought 1,000 rounds of the Nosler 168 grain HPBT CC to play with. Getting the bug again. It is a Douglas SS Premium Grade barrel and it was not cheap even in 1996 Is 69.0 grains considered hot for the 180 grain? What has happened to the suggested load ranges over the years?
Speer #7 1966 71-75 grains
Speer #12 1994 68-72 grains
Lyman #45 65-72.5 grains
It has been recently suggested that the 69.0 grains of IMR 4350 may by near max and I may want to consider something in the 67 grain range for a 180 grain bullet. My Hornady #5 does not have data for IMR4350 behind a 180 grain bullet. The nearest comparison is the 168 grain bullet and it lists the max at 69.8 grains.
I am curious as you other's loads for 180 grain and 168 grain bullets and IMR4350. I am not seeing any pressure indications with the 180 grainers but I do not want to spend the barrel any quicker than necessary. I just bought 1,000 rounds of the Nosler 168 grain HPBT CC to play with. Getting the bug again. It is a Douglas SS Premium Grade barrel and it was not cheap even in 1996 Is 69.0 grains considered hot for the 180 grain? What has happened to the suggested load ranges over the years?
