Reloading the .300 RUM

[Dukeoflawnchair]

hi everyone,

I'm looking at reloading for a .300 RUM. I'm told that factory ammo is sold in 3 different stages...

1 being equivalent to 30.06 velocities
2 being equivalent to .300wm velocities
3 being full out .300rum velocities.

When I look at my reloading manual, I only see the lightest loads starting at the upper end of .300wm velocities.

If I wanted to keep to lower velocities, where should I look for info / data / etc? I'm thinking of prolonging barrel life and different premium bullets on different game that'll have a more suitable performance at lower velocities.

Any info would be greatly appreciated! I'm sorry if this's already been covered, the search function is being as it is at the moment...

 

[dan belisle]

Reduced loads in large cases with powders commonly available to the public are chancey things. There isn't much data as it is pretty dangerous. I'm not saying it hasn't been done, it has, but unless you're an experienced reloader, I would tread very, very lightly. FWIW - dan

 

[Boomer]

Dan, you are usually spot on, but I think that the danger of reduced loads in large cases is A) over stated, B) is difficult to reproduce and, C) specifically relates to reduced charges of slow burning powder. Working up a load with 4895 should be able to produce velocities down to .30/30 levels without a safety issue. Check the .300 Ultra data in the Lyman 49, there is cast bullet data with quick to moderate burning powders that could be used as a starting point with jacketed bullets, which could then be worked up to .30/06 levels.

My own experience with the .375 Ultra is that I could get decent accuracy with 270 gr Hornady IL spitzers as slow as 1200 fps when backed with 18 grs of Unique. Now I have a nice supply of 300 gr cast, so I have abandoned the low velocity jacketed loads.

 

[dan belisle]

Ok, I stand corrected. My experience has been observational, not having blown up any of my guns (well, not this way, anyway, lol). I have seen the results of catastrophic failure attributed to this, which is why I tread lightly. There are combinations that work, certainly the Lyman manual has a few of them, and I wouldn't hesitate to use those. They check them out pretty thoroughly before they print them. I have seen some other data that frankly I wouldn't put in any gun I lifted near my face. FWIW. - dan

 

[skoalbandit]

Why not just buy other rifles suited to the game?

 

[500grhollowpoint]

Why not just buy other rifles suited to the game?

I never understood it either.

 

[dan belisle]

Versatility. Ken Waters used to do a lot of low velocity cast bullet research for various calibers, it lets you tailor your loads for whatever you might be hunting, large game or small. Less recoil for plinking, youngsters, etc. There's lots of reasons to do it, you just have to be careful. - dan