More 350WSM Targets - 310gr. Woodleigh RNs

[Whelen B]

Thought some might be interested;

I did a little more load testing with my 350WSM Ruger77 today out at the range. It's shooting pretty well I think with "heavy-for-calibre" 310RN Woodleighs at about 2400MV. Here are two of my targets.

They were five successive shots. The president of my gun club fired the first target with two shots at 100 yds. He said the recoil was more than he liked but he still shot it well (500S&W revolvers are his thing). Also he commented on the effectiveness of the limbsaver pad. The three shots I fired at 200 were were done fairly fast - all three within 45 seconds total approximately.

Also, with an extra grain of powder I chronographed three shots that when averaged and corrected (+10 fps) = 2454 MV at 4144 ft/lbs and a Taylor KO of 38. At this early stage pressures seem OK but I'll be measuring case heads to confirm. It was a fairly accurate load too.

My magazine box has been deforming under recoil (the bullet tips acting like little hammers). But last night I shimmed ahead of it to fill up the small air space to stop that. It seemed to stay put and not bend today - so far so good.

Not driving tacks yet but not angle of hubcab either. All in all I'm pretty pleased.

Regards

Whelen B.

 

[JasonYuke]

I know your working on heavy bulets but have you chronied any 250s or 225s out of the beast. Was wondering how it fairs compared to the Norma or Mashburns. I am sure they are all close to each other.

Regards

 

[Boomer]

A thin strip of Teflon or ABS glued into the front of the magazine box will protect it and is slippery enough that the rounds won't drag on it. If it's thin enough it won't have much effect on your OAL. You have a very powerful rifle there, approaching .375 Ruger performance, and I think those heavy Woodleighs are an excellent choice.

 

[Takujualuk]

Great Report!

What is the twst rate of your rifle? I have played with the 300 Barnes originals and still have 77 of them squirelled away along with 123 275 Grainers. I have very similar groups to yours and find the 14 twist on my Sako a bit better than the 16 twist on my Ruger. The Ruger will stabalize the heavy bullets especially if I shoot them over 2400ft/sec.

The kick definately goes up as opposed to the 250's. The 300 Barnes original is a real penetrator at 2300-2400 but at 2500ft/sec can shed it's core. and at 1800 won't expand much. The Woodleigh should be better in this regard. I had the same issue with the bending magazine box in my Ruger 358 Norma and ended up solving it the same way you did.

I also needed to switch stocks to a heavily reinforced walnut one as the synthetic kept shooting loose as it had too much flex for such a heavy recoil in such a light rifle. I also trashed a few variable scopes before settling on a 2.5 X loopie. Now I am in business.

Good shooting!

 

[Whelen B]

I know your working on heavy bulets but have you chronied any 250s or 225s out of the beast. Was wondering how it fairs compared to the Norma or Mashburns.

Just on the heels of the 358 Norma but not very close at all to the Super Mashburn and the like. I get 250s out the door at 2750MV or so. You can see my initial 350WSM experimental development loads here - http://www.35cal.com/ruger77_350wsm.html

Hey Takujualuk - As always thanks for your sharing your experiences. When I read your email last night I was remembering your bullet study and how those Barnes 300s couldn't be stopped it seemed at low velocities. No such thing as cover if one of those is coming along at 1900 or so. I have some Barnes300s also with the thicker .049" jacket - for elephants I suppose. I haven't tried em yet.

My Ruger 350WSM is a 1 in 12". I have several 35 Whelens that are 14" and several 16". I will give them a try with 310s too some day. Woodleigh sent me a 35 Whelen load using ReL15 (no suprise) they said launches their 310 at 2435 !!! They also said a 12" twist was needed for the 35Whelen. But I'm going to test my own rifles anyway as I know of one 16" twist rifle that actually stabilised those 300Barnes at only 2225MV. For now just my 350WSM has been getting a "Woodleigh Workout". Fun playing with those heavy weights though.

Regards all.

 

[Takujualuk]

I have a 16 twist 350 Rem Mag that stabalizes the 300 Barnes very nicely.

The heavy Barnes have the .049 jackets and they usually hang together but pushed fast and they will separate. I generally use my canneluring tool to make a double cannelure at the bullet base, This acts like a bit of a interlock device and helps a lot.

I still have a bunch of 115 6mm's and the pure copper and lead sure expand nicely, especially when core locked with the double cannelure.

 

[Whelen B]

I have a 16 twist 350 Rem Mag that stabalizes the 300 Barnes very nicely.

Now I know of two.

Interesting technique with th canelure device. Very inventive. You should get a job at Hornady - being the "interlock installer guy".