.300 WSM and Varget powder

bladerogers

bladerogers

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OK, I have looked high and low, and to no avail. I am wondering, is there a reason I cannot find anywhere, load data for the .300 WSM using 168 and 200 grain bullets (Ballistic Silvertips and Sierra Matchkings respectively)? I am thinking that perhaps, such recipes do not exist because the bullet weights are just to high for Varget? I mean, recipes are plentiful for bullet weights 150 grain and under, but not these weights. Please, any assistance would be greatly appreciated!
 
Yes, you are right: Varget is much too fast for best performance with bullets heavier than, say, 150gr.
You'd be better off with slower-burning powders , something like H-4831SC or Retumbo.
PP.
 
OK. I did come across some load data for the 165 grain, and figured I could probably load at same spec, of course starting at low range (starting loads). I think I'll load say 10 @ 54 gr and 10 more at 56 gr. The rifle was recently acquired in a trade, and has not been fired before, so want to throw a few down range, with the clean in between every 3 rounds or so. Guess I will have to buy some new powder as well for the serious loads. Thanks PP!!
 
PerversPépère said:
Yes, you are right: Varget is much too fast for best performance with bullets heavier than, say, 150gr.
You'd be better off with slower-burning powders , something like H-4831SC or Retumbo.
PP.
Click to expand...

+1

Varget is too quick (as stated) you will have better luck w/ 4350, 4831, RL19, 7828, N550 etc...

I've found (in my rifle, anyways) RL19 to be the ticket for 165/168gr bullets, and H4831 for the 180's.
 
300 Winchester Short Magnum
Primer: WLRM Test Firearm: Win. Model 70
Case: Winchester BBL Length: 24"
Twist: 1x10" Trim-to Length: 2.090"
Bullets:
#2140 .30 Caliber/7.62mm (.308) 165 gr. HPBT OAL 2.800
#2145 .30 Caliber/7.62mm (.308) 165 gr. SBT OAL 2.800
#2200 .30 Caliber/7.62mm (.308) 168 gr. HPBT Match OAL 2.800


Powder/Velocity 2700 2800 2900 3000 3050
VARGET 51.3 53.7 56.1 58.5 59.7


Energy/ft.lbs. 2720 2925 3138 3358 3471 3585

Accuracy Load: H4895/ 57.8grs. 3000fps/ 3358ft. lbs.

Hunting Load: Varget/ 59.7grs. 3050fps/ 3471ft. lbs.

Sierra does not recommend MatchKing bullets for hunting applications.
Copyright 2003 Sierra Bullets, LLC.
 
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12 RELOADING MANUAL • 5TH EDITION 30 Caliber (.308 inch/7.82 mm Bullet Diameter) *This bullet requires a barrel rifling twist rate of 1x9" For rifles, Sierra offers a total of nine MatchKing bullets in 30 caliber. MatchKings are the pride of the Sierra bullet family, unmatched worldwide and truly world class in all respects. Competitive shooters have relied on the consis- tent accuracy of Sierra’s MatchKings for decades, resulting in a history of state, national and world records that is the envy of our competitors. Sierra offers the widest selection of 30 caliber match bullets in the world today, producing bullets suited to nearly every form of long-range competition. Originally designed and developed for 300 meter international matches, the 150 grain #2190 and 168 grain #2200 were introduced in the late 1950s. Their first major competitive match was in the 1959 Pan American Games. The Sierra 168 grain #2200 was used by the first-place winner, and it has been the bullet of choice for World Class Shooters ever since. Recognized the world over for flaw- less construction and shot-to-shot consistency, MatchKings hold more records than all other bullets combined. They are the choice of champions. The 155 grain #2155 was designed especially for PALMA competition (800, 900, and 1000 yds.) and is now the official bullet for the International PALMA Competition. First introduced at the 1992 PALMA matches held in Raton, New Mexico, this bullet has earned high praise from long-range competitive shooters around the world. .308 dia 150 grain MK bullet #2190 .308 dia 155 grain Palma MK bullet #2155 .308 dia 168 grain MK bullet #2200 .308 dia 175 grain MK bullet #2275 .308 dia 180 grain MK bullet #2220 .308 dia 190 grain MK bullet #2210 .308 dia 200 grain MK bullet #2230 .308 dia 220 grain MK bullet #2240 308 dia 240 grain MK bullet #9245*

I have decided to reload only using Sierra bullets for many reason, but wanted to draw to your attention the twist rate. I cannot establish tight groups with match kings through my .300WSM, due to a 1X11 twist rate. The bullet doesnt stabalize properly. 165 SBT is a great shooter, if the matchking doesnt work out for you.
 
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I used some Varget in my 300saum when I had it, with 165 gr. bullets. THe capacity of the saum is nearly that of the wsm.

IIRC my velocity was around 2850 fps, a medium load.

you'd be much better off with some 4350 or 4831


​
 
bladerogers said:
OK. I did come across some load data for the 165 grain, and figured I could probably load at same spec, of course starting at low range (starting loads). I think I'll load say 10 @ 54 gr and 10 more at 56 gr. The rifle was recently acquired in a trade, and has not been fired before, so want to throw a few down range, with the clean in between every 3 rounds or so. Guess I will have to buy some new powder as well for the serious loads. Thanks PP!!
Click to expand...

Blade... The .300WSM will hold 70 +gr of RL22 with a fairly long throat. It comes from the factory with around 69 gr of a Win. ball powder under a bulletr seated short to fit a magazine. Why would you want to load it with 50 odd gr. of Varget. The case is only 3/4 full. I like a powder that fills the case to the base of the bullet. Like the others have said, you need to consider a slower powder. eg.. 4350/4831/RL19

NormB
 
Actually, 55 grains of varget fills the case to the top of the throat. It's that pelletized powder. These are specs I came across for this bullet (168 Grain STBT) with the starting load being 52 I think and max load being 59. I simply chose the lower range, as first attempt at 57 actually overflowed, so thought I'd cut back. I have every intention of moving to a different powder for the .300 WSM. That said, perhaps you can attempt to load with 70 grains of varget and let me know how it goes ;) (JK, kids, don't try this at home). Thanks!

Also, probably better that I did hold back a bit, as I had to choke back the COL from recommended 2.86 to about 2.8, for mag clearance.
 
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You might want to check out this site for wsm go to www.shortmags.org
I have tryed, H4350, wxr,magpro & H 4831sc the 4831s/c gave the best accuracy, in a 7mmwsm, the magpro was best for velocity but have to give up accuracy. hope this helps
 
bladerogers said:
Actually, 55 grains of varget fills the case to the top of the throat. It's that pelletized powder. These are specs I came across for this bullet (168 Grain STBT) with the starting load being 52 I think and max load being 59. I simply chose the lower range, as first attempt at 57 actually overflowed, so thought I'd cut back. I have every intention of moving to a different powder for the .300 WSM. That said, perhaps you can attempt to load with 70 grains of varget and let me know how it goes ;) (JK, kids, don't try this at home). Thanks!

Also, probably better that I did hold back a bit, as I had to choke back the COL from recommended 2.86 to about 2.8, for mag clearance.
Click to expand...


Well I just loaded a 300WSM case with 69gr of my Varget powder to the base of the neck. My Varget is a grey, fairly fine, stick powder... not what I would call pelletized. 55 gr. of my Varget only comes up 3/4 on the body of a 300WSM case.

So if you didn't open that keg of Varget, and break the factory seal yourself, I would suspicious that it isn't Varget powder.

NormB

I had another thought, The problem could be either wrong powder, or wrong case. Is the one you are loading a .308 Win. not a .300WSM? The volumes you indicate seem closer to a standard .308 than a .300WSM, as indicated in your first post.

Norm
 
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Well, I will double check NormB. Definately something unusual if that's the case. will double check all weights etc, and perhaps snap a photo of the powder and powder in case. Thanks for letting me know.
 
Well, turns out that I am incorrect. Luckily I have not attempted to fire any of those rounds, nor will I until I pull the bullet and determine exactly how much powder I put in there. I measured out 60 grains and that is about what it looked like before I capped each round. Still to high for Varget with this bullet/cartridge. Damn, glad I asked this question. Not likely to have won a darwin award, but spared me an embarassing situation at the range I would bet. Sum #####, now I wish I could rewind the clock and find out exactly what went wrong. I checked the zero on the scale, all is well. I HAD to have set the main weight over 2 to many (at 70 instead of 50), but I cannot understand how I would let that one get by me. I am baffled. I'll let you all know what the actual powder charge is in those rounds once I've pulled and weighed.
 
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