300 Norma Mag Load Data

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Just starting in with the 300 Norma Mag. I've got several boxes of Hornady 225gr ELD-M bullets and several pounds of IMR 7828 I'd like to use. The problem being I can't find any load data for those components. :(
 
Do you have Quick Load or Gordon's Reloading Tool ? I looked at Hornady's 11th edition manual and they didn't have that powder in their list for that bullet.
That powder should work though from what I see the software prediction shows, according to the default settings
 
I don;t have Quickload or that Gordon's tool. I checked out an online ballistic predictor and it shows 7828 as producing relatively low velocity. Maybe its not the right powder for the 300 NM?
 
Gordons Reloading tool is free. Anyone that is into handloading should check it out if they don't want to pay for Quickload. They are both good for predictions when variables are tuned to the application, ie case volume and seating depth etc.
IMR 7828 should still be able to achieve 2800 fps
 
I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but you might find that IMR 7878 is a bit on the fast side for heavy 30 cal bullets like the 225gr ELD-M in the 300 NM. The 300 NM does not like powder charges with fill ratios much less than 90% which makes it “tricky” to load for due to the possibility of unanticipated pressure spikes. My research and experience with heavy bullets suggests slow powders near the bottom of the speed charts (VV570, RL33) and high case fill ratios are where it performs the best. I’ve included some load testing results for my 300NM using 230 gr Berger bullets and VV570.
 

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The only data I can find for a powder I've got on hand is for US869. Hodgdon has data for 220gr and 230gr bullets so I can easily split that difference and feel reasonably safe.

The downside is that I have already developed loads for 338 LM using US869 and between the two big cartridges I'm gonna go through my stock of US869 fairly quickly.

There is data for 338 LM using IMR 7828 so I may have to figure out something that works in the 338 using 7828 and save the US869 for the 300 NM.
 
Screen Shot 2024-11-06 at 05.58.19 AM.png

Here is what I found. Powder Max charge is a little over 81gr at 21 degrees C. The graph shows 1gr increments do I would likely start down towards 75/76 and work my way up but thats just me. (I have found pressure signs early on some case/powder combos.)

Predicted Velocity out of a 24" barrel shows 2858 FPS with 4083 Ft-lb of energy. Load ratio is 88.5% and my understanding is thats good and you burn 100% of the powder.

I also ran a powder test and the following powders get the best velocities with the 225 ELD-M

Screen Shot 2024-11-06 at 06.04.19 AM.png

Hopefully this helps.

B
 
Here is what I found. Powder Max charge is a little over 81gr at 21 degrees C. The graph shows 1gr increments do I would likely start down towards 75/76 and work my way up but thats just me. (I have found pressure signs early on some case/powder combos.)

Predicted Velocity out of a 24" barrel shows 2858 FPS with 4083 Ft-lb of energy. Load ratio is 88.5% and my understanding is thats good and you burn 100% of the powder.
DUDE, that's awesome, Thank you. :)

Gives me a place to start and suggests the velocity will be in the same region as what US869 should produce. :)
 
I’ve had fantastic luck with n570, 230 Berger. N570 is very bulky and gives good case fill / speed. Only downside is kernels are big so metering isn’t quite as smooth depending on the dispensing system
 
The only data I can find for a powder I've got on hand is for US869. Hodgdon has data for 220gr and 230gr bullets so I can easily split that difference and feel reasonably safe.

The downside is that I have already developed loads for 338 LM using US869 and between the two big cartridges I'm gonna go through my stock of US869 fairly quickly.

There is data for 338 LM using IMR 7828 so I may have to figure out something that works in the 338 using 7828 and save the US869 for the 300 NM.
Isn't that powder (US869) pretty widely available for good prices right now? Gotenda has it on sale for $50.99 right now, and Tiger Arms has it for $47.74. Considering some powders are getting close to $100/lb and you've got two big cartridges to use it in that sounds like a perfect scenario for "buy it cheap, stack it deep".
 
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