The rifle has the factory barrel, sitting in an Oryx chassis. I’m getting 3-4/5 well inside an inch with N170 and 8133 for the first group, although the CBS is consistently 1 3/4” high at 100. Letting it cool between groups, the last 2 of the second 5 are high and wide. Component availability is limited as you know. The 1 or 2 out of 5 that open every group up to 1 3/4”+ are not consistent certain shots in the group. My shooting technique is always accused online, but several 375 and a 338 hunting rifle that were much lighter were not a problem. Changed scopes (3 different ones), rings and rail tight, brake blue lock tite brake(yes, tried no brake, same issue), 2 boxes of factory ammo, faster and slower loads, changed primers, used a different die set to take that out, still the 1-2 out of 5 that fly off to somewhere I didn’t put them. I’m trying the Berger 190s tomorrow, but I can’t get them close to the lands. At least 30 thou off and bullets just in the neck. All my other 30 cal bullets are lighter. If the Berger’s are the same result I’ll do a tall target test next (used Razor 3-18). Anyone else had success with a Howa 300PRC and 220 ELD-X? I know MDT wrung out a factory Howa 300PRC, but I don’t know if they have run reloads through it. Maybe one of them can comment here. Next step is an IBI blank chambered by Corlanes because they are local.
300PRC Howa 220 ELD-X/190 Berger VLD?
- Thread starter emerson
- Start date
For the time being. Just using the factory stuff. It has been relatively consistent in other calibers, although the life isn’t always good.
3 things to start with, some of which may have to wait until you come back to the island to borrow my stuff........
skim turn the necks to make them concentric.....
deburr the flash holes on that brass, long column of slow powder is hard to get the same ignition case to case(ditch the CCI primers)
measure and sort your bullets base to ogive and see what the margin is on the bullets themselves, this is one of the main reasons that I've stayed away from Hornaday bullets when accuracy counts, but, sorted they should be okay, and .30 cal is much more forgiving then 224 and 243, so there is that working for you......
I have had good luck with the Lapua brass. Factory Hornady brass seems to want to stick in the chamber and cause hard extration. No problems with the Lapua. The 30 cal bullets seem pretty easy to find in heavier weights compared to the 6.5's.
I have found that RL26, Fed 215 and either 212 EldX or 225 EldM shoot constantly under 3/4. .025 off the lands.
Tried CCI 250 also. Similar results but slightly more ES. I have piles of each so stuck with the Feds.
Factory 225EldM shoots about 7/8"
Rem 700 IBI 1-8 26"
I have found that RL26, Fed 215 and either 212 EldX or 225 EldM shoot constantly under 3/4. .025 off the lands.
Tried CCI 250 also. Similar results but slightly more ES. I have piles of each so stuck with the Feds.
Factory 225EldM shoots about 7/8"
Rem 700 IBI 1-8 26"
Good thoughts. Yes Hitzy, the factory barrel is skinny and every time I look at it my CC cringes in anticipation. The Hornady brass hasn’t been sticking so far Ruger, but I know some folks have been unhappy with its consistency too. My IBI barrel revolutionized my T1X for sure. I’ll try some Lapua brass. I’ve got Rem 9 1/2 primers I tried first. Same results as the CCI. Yes, YoDave, more precise brass prep is nagging at me. Not sure about the island though, will see over the next few months. Making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear is a messy and involved process. When the budget allows the easy button I’ll call Insite.
I have the same rifle in 6.5PRC, it shoot pretty good, I stick to 3 round groups due to the pencil, heats up too much and throws rounds when it's hot.
Cold bore shot might not be so off in warmer weather, I would focus more on neck tension then the jump to the lands, most of the really long pills can handle a longer jump.
Do you have a chrony?
I do, and the weather is getting reasonable for getting it out again.
Im using magnum primers, CCI or Remington as the case may be. Today was the first time 5 shots stayed together vertically. The CBS I dialed 0.2 mils down before shooting.
I'f you've tuned out all the vertical, now tune the group up in velocity with powder until it comes together
I have 2 Howa rifles, and they are not strong enough to reliably smack a CCI primer, federal is all they get for that reason, I almost suspect they both came out of the same farmhouse in saskatchewan and were left cocked for half a decade behind a curtain or door....however......everything I have read about the 300 PRC, it's fussy and likes fed 215M primers, so there must be something to that.
My Bergara would throw wild shots, factory hornady brass, expensive bullets and powder, I skim turned the necks, annealed, deburred the flashholes, went up a bushing size from where I was initially prior to turning, and all of a sudden 2/3 MOA 10 shot groups at 300 yards, what I learnt there was Hornady brass needs lots of attention prior to reloading, now in the 300 PRC with factory, I get wild fliers with 225 eld-m ammo, yet 212 eld-x shoots 3/8 inch 5 shot groups at 100 yards and is boring at 300 yards. different lot of brass, and it measures 1/2 thou smaller in diameter on a loaded round.......do the best you can with the brass prep, sort your bullets base to ogive, then do a powder charge test and see what happens
I have 2 Howa rifles, and they are not strong enough to reliably smack a CCI primer, federal is all they get for that reason, I almost suspect they both came out of the same farmhouse in saskatchewan and were left cocked for half a decade behind a curtain or door....however......everything I have read about the 300 PRC, it's fussy and likes fed 215M primers, so there must be something to that.
My Bergara would throw wild shots, factory hornady brass, expensive bullets and powder, I skim turned the necks, annealed, deburred the flashholes, went up a bushing size from where I was initially prior to turning, and all of a sudden 2/3 MOA 10 shot groups at 300 yards, what I learnt there was Hornady brass needs lots of attention prior to reloading, now in the 300 PRC with factory, I get wild fliers with 225 eld-m ammo, yet 212 eld-x shoots 3/8 inch 5 shot groups at 100 yards and is boring at 300 yards. different lot of brass, and it measures 1/2 thou smaller in diameter on a loaded round.......do the best you can with the brass prep, sort your bullets base to ogive, then do a powder charge test and see what happens
With the 220 ELD-X yes. The target I posted was the first time 5 rounds that stayed vertically together. It was the first try with 190 Bergers.
