Recommended load for 28" barrel

duke1

duke1

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Bought not too long ago a T/C Encore Pro Hunter in 300 WM with a 28" barrel. I can't recall the barrel twist rate (1:10 from T/C) but I'm sure I can find it if important in choosing bullet weight.

What I'm looking for is the recommended powder and weight of bullet for long range moose hunting - up to 400 yards. I tend to prefer the heavier bullets - hunt with 180 grs at the moment with a 24" barrel.

I hunt moose in Northern Quebec in clear cuts with high probabilities of long shots.

Any advise would be much appreciated.

Duke1

PS. Hard to believe but the overall length of my TC Encore with the 28" barrel is around 4 in shorter than my Tikka T3 Lite, also in 300 WM.
 
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Each fiream is as individual as you and me. I would suggest that you gather some data from reputable sources, and do load development, questing for maximum accuracy first, and velocity second.
FWIW: Even a plain Jane square base 180 gr. bullet at 2900fps will retain over 1700ftlbs of energy at 400yds, more than enough to humanly dispatch any moose. Anything beyond that is just adding deader to dead.(and flattening the trajectory a bit.)
With Hornady SP's expect this:
+2.5"@100=~-18"@400@2900fps(1740ftlbs)
+2.5"@100=~-16"@400@3000fps(1875ftlbs)
+2.5"@100=~-15"@400@3050fps(1950ftlbs)
+2.5"@100=~-14"@400@3100fps(2000ftlbs)

With a 180 gr. sleek high BC bullet like an Accubond expect this:
+2.5"@100=~-13"@400@3100fps(2190ftlbs)

I'd be more inclined to personally work on my marksmanship, and load reliabilty, and purchasing some top end optics, before making quantum leaps in barrel lengths, action style etc. But then again as they say "your milage may vary."
 
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The 200 grain Nosler Accubond with its extremely high .588 BC would be my bullet of choice.

~3000 fps should be very "doable" in a 28" tube using a wide variety of powders. .
 
Lefty #### said:
200gr. AB @ 3000fps
+2.5"@100~=-13.6"@400(2520ftlbs)
Still say your better off spending your $$ on optics and practice.
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Thanks for the advice.

Optics and practice are well looked after. My main concern is getting best results with a 28" barrel. After all, you don't make a 28 " barrel just for looks.

Also, all of the reloading information published in the more popular reloading manuals is usually developed with 24" barrels for most regular calibers and 26" barrels for Weatherby calibers. So, I thought that someone might have some experience in load development for the TC 28" barrel or for that matter, any other 28" or more barrels.

Again, powder type + amount followed by bullet selection is what I'm looking for and the rest can be addressed in due time.

Don't get me wrong, I believe that I'm capable of working from zero but why waste the efforts in doing this if someone has already experimented.

Thanks again,

Duke1

:)
 
'Boo said:
Because EVERY rifle is different. Even 2 sequential rifles off the same assembly line may like different bullets and/or powders.
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Could'nt have said it any better.
Time at the bench is time well spent.
Like I said get an accurate shooting load first, the rest will work it's self out.
As for bullets they are kinda like opinions, everyone has one.
180 or heavier is all you need, and even that could be debated, but it sounds like you have your mind made up there.
 
Have decided to start with:

Jacketed Sierra HPBT 200 gr. with BC of .565 or Nosler Accubond SBT 200 gr.(BC of .588 quoted above) and one of the following powders in order of preference:

1. Reloader 25, Alliant
2. IMR-7828, IMR
3. H-1000, Hodgdon
4. 8700, Accurate

With the proper choice, I should be able to reach safely at least 3000 fps or close to it.

Cheers,

Duke1

PS. Twist rate for the 28" T/C barrel is 1:10 for the 300
WM caliber
 
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