Contender 300 blackout

[Snider shooter]

I have a barrel on the way for my Contender in 300 Blackout, 16.25”. I am wondering what people’s loads were for it. I have multiple bullets and powders available. I was thinking of trying some subsonic loads with the Lee 230 gr lead bullet. I also have a good supply of Hornady 150,165 and 180 jacketed available for faster loads. Anyone have any recommendations on where to start for loads?
Rob

 

[legi0n]

http://www.encoreclassifieds.com/forum/index.php?t=msg&th=19535&goto=46193&

 

[Snider shooter]

That data is interesting as I have 3 of those powders so may have to try so loads. Thank you.

 

[Hush07]

Great write-up. That Accurate mould I would like to have. I'm looking for a way to check that long Lee bullet for being true, after coming out of the mould. I'm getting the odd flyer, quite sure the odd one is 'bent'. Maybe I should get a concentricity gauge. 5 grains of Unique works well for me.

 

[Snider shooter]

I found the Unique load which was supposed to show good results. I also worried about the Lee bending due to being soft coming out of the mould. I have a wet towel I rest the mould on to cool it before I open it. Before I did that I also noticed the occasional flyer. I also started cull them by weight. I was using them in a Swiss K 11. Couldn’t push them fast as groups opened up.

 

[Hush07]

I haven't given up on the 230 g Lee. I appreciate the advice on casting it. Weighing any cast rifle bullet seems a must. In desperation I chucked the sized Lee in my bench drill press, just lightly, and found many wobbly ones. As an amateur at casting, I realize I have a lot to learn. I'm not sure that placing the finished round in a concentricity gauge is the right way to find one with a bent 'nose'. I could use some advice on that.

 

[Snider shooter]

Roll the bullets on a flat surface. Eliminates anything you can see wobble. Cooling the bullet down before it leaves the mould made the biggest difference for me getting straight bullets.

 

[Hush07]

Okay, I'll try that. What are you using for lube?

 

[Snider shooter]

Lee Alox.

 

[I Dont Care About You]

There is no good reason to use the very heavy bullets for subsonic loads. I mostly run 150gr jacketed. Lighter projectiles have less recoil and a flatter trajectory.

For a manual action, smaller charges of faster burning powders work just fine. The majority of the published loads are meant to cycle a semi-auto.

 

[Snider shooter]

My barrel has arrived. SSK 300 Whisper. My dies hopefully I pick in the next night or two. I have started case forming with a couple different die sets.