300 rem ultra mag

mveniot

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A buddy of mine purchased a 300 Remington ultra magnum (Remington bolt action rifle).
He asked me if I would reload his ammo.
I have limited reloading experience.
Should he purchase full length dies or neck sizer dies or does he need both? Brass is going to be shot through one firearm only.
Because of the recoil should all bullets be crimped?
What powder works well on 180 grain bullets?
 
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you'll need both FL and neck size dies. I am not certain they should be crimped, but opinions vary. If you FL size, the cases will go back to SAAMI chamber specs and fit any rifle, if you neck size the body of the case will fit the chamber exactly. The problem is that if you use the cases a couple times they'll get to fit so well, you won't be able to close the bolt on them. At this point you'll have to FL size them again and then be able to neck size for a couple loadings.
YOu'll definitely want to check the unprimed cases in the rifle after any neck sizing to make sure that the bolt closes. I'd say do it with each case, so you don't get stuck in a situation where you need that next round and can't get the bolt closed.
Generally, you'll get a few firings in between FL sizings and will not have to trim after neck sizing or not as much. I am not sure how a RUM will behave, I used to neck size my 22-250 all the time, but the RUM is a pretty intense cartridge. I also neck size with the 264 win and 300 Win. I did have a generic neck sizer from hornady that worked for my 30-378 and it seemed to work well, but the cases had to be FL sized when I got a different rifle.

A word of caution: It is never a good idea to neck size if you are planning on hunting dangerous game with that ammo. It could cause a jam that would cost you your life. This is the same reason that the 375 H&H has such a long tapered case, to allow the smoothest possible feeding in situations where there is teeth or tusk on the other end.

JT.
 
Thanks for the advice. :)
I was thinking about using Retumbo also. Checking powder manufacturers on the net, I found it is used in a variety of different loads in different bullet weights. My partner doesn't want to shoot anything lighter than 180 grain. What about crimping? Do you think it has enough punch to move a bullet in the case inside the magazine?
 
I've use a neck sizing die without trouble. It's good for several reloads before the need to FL resize to move the shoulder back.

I've had no trouble with bullets moving in the rounds in the magazine without a crimp. This with a full power 200gn bullet load.
 
RL-25 and Retumbo will get the most out of a 300 Ultra.

Full length size with enough bump to close the bolt without resistance.
Why anyone would neck size a 300 Ultra is beyond me?
 
Why anyone would neck size a 300 Ultra is beyond me?

For the same reason other cartridges get neck sized, to improve chamber fit for an improvement in accuracy and to decrease working of the brass for lengthened brass life.

Also, runout went from >.005 to <.002 in one easy step.

....and why wouldn't you neck size a 300 Rum anyway? Why would you neck size (or not) any cartridge? What is it about neck sizing this cartridge that is beyond you?
 
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