Two bullets touching, one flier, what gives? .300wsm

S

shorttrac

Regular
Rating - 100%
165   0   0
Location
Mid-west Ontario
So I have some decent loads worked up for the .300wsm. Seems to always put two touching and one strays an inch to an inch and a half in no specific direction. Just wondering if the load could be tweaked to be more consistent or should I just be happy with these results. Have seen this in other calibers as well but just moved on to different combinations that worked. Always wondered if anyone has fixed this with simple tweaks or is the load just inherently always going to do this. Wouldn't worry about it but in this caliber I have had a real time finding real accurate combinations. If anyone has any 150-180 grain combinations that are real accurate I would be happy to hear as well. Thanks
 
Last edited:
Have not tried varying setting depth. Loading for a Tikka only allows loading so long with the magazine. I believe SAAMI max coal is to long to feed properly feed in them. I just went with what would feed reliably and then tried different powder combinations. To be quite honest I have not spent the proper time varying combinations as I should have due to time constraints. I do plan on doing a proper ladder test when I get time, just looking for if anyone had any similar results such as pushing too hard or too light causing this.
 
I have the same issue with my Tikka T3 lite alway producing a flier with two touching or close together so you're not alone with this experience. Either the barrel heats up and theirs stress in the barrel that causes it to throw a flier or it's load a different velocity producing the flier. I've yet to go back and do a OCW test to see if this resolves the "flier" issue and see if it can produce tighter groups. All my previous load testing was using the ladder method. Bullet loaded to mag length and tried Interbond and TSX bullets. Powders I've tried R19, H4350, IMR4350, H4831sc all with varied result but none producing cloverleafs or MOA results. However I probably cleaned my rifle to often back then.

I haven't shot my T3 for 2.5 years but just getting back into it reloading for it. Since then I've changed out my stock to a B&C, installed a muzzle brake to mitigate recoil, refined my reloading equipment and methodology and moved to the OCW testing. So hopefully my groups for this rifle will improve as a result.
 
shorttrac said:
So I have some decent loads worked up for the .300wsm. Seems to always put two touching and one strays an inch to an inch and a half in no specific direction. Just wondering if the load could be tweaked to be more consistent or should I just be happy with these results. Have seen this in other calibers as well but just moved on to different combinations that worked. Always wondered if anyone has fixed this with simple tweaks or is the load just inherently always going to do this. Wouldn't worry about it but in this caliber I have had a real time finding real accurate combinations. If anyone has any 150-180 grain combinations that are real accurate I would be happy to hear as well. Thanks
Click to expand...

Shorttrac - try changing seating depths (most likely you'll have to single load) start 5 thou off and back off in 5 thou increments - that worked for me AFTER i bedded the factory stock and lug - replaced aluminum recoil lug with a steel one (also a T3 300WSM, 63ish gr H4350 and 180 accubond). Sadly tho the best shooting group had OAL that was too long for the mag.
Have a look at the recoil lug and see if it is peened from recoil - if so, your action is moving in the stock which won't help matters, your choice whether to fix that or not.
 
With the T3's at least my son's 6.5x55 the gun cannot be held tight.It must be held firm but lightly allowing it to recoil where it wants.His makes pretty much one hole if you let it do it's thing.........Harold
 
Thanks for the info guys. Tried same load in a browning X-bolt carbon hunter and still produced the flier. Guessing its just the load but when its the most promising load you've got id like to work with it. Always hear about the inherent accuracy with the short mag, but I have not seen it. I have seen mediocre accuracy and finicky brass and headspace issues.
 
From what I remember it was usually, if not always the third. Would have blamed the gun but did have a consistent shooting load out of the Sierra manual with 200 SGK and rl 19 at max. Guy I loaded for did not like the recoil of a max loaded 200. 150-180 have been inconsistent at best. Should add I have reloaded for at least 15 other calibers with great success over the last ten years or so. I generally started mid to top level loads and always comes together nicely with very little work up. Loads derived from manuals, crossed referenced from internet accuracy loads and previous experience to ensure safety. My next steps are starting from min loads which I have never done. I realize accuracy trumps all but I'm really interested in .30-06 power level either. FYI, I shoot .30-06 myself and love it
 
My hunting experience has been that I only get one good shot. I want my hunting rifle to be accurate and stable. That is, the first shot has to go where it is aimed. If the second shot does the same, that is a nice bonus. Who cares where the third shot goes?

You already have a good hunting load. Congrats.
 
Ganderite said:
Is the flier random in the string, or always #1. Or #3?

If it is always the same shot, it is the gun, not the ammo.
Click to expand...

My first thought was along these lines. I remember another thread that it was always the last shot in a 5 round mag. Makes me think it might be a mag issue.

Maybe try shooting 2, put another round in the mag and shoot the third shot with one still in the mag, see if it makes a difference.
 
If anyone has any 150-180 grain combinations that are real accurate I would be happy to hear as well. Thanks
Click to expand...


First off, I'd join the "bed it" team if it were mine. I'd rather put a few bucks worth of Devcon into a rifle than several hundred bucks worth of components on a rifle that being a #####. However that's not what you're asking so I'll take a crack at load advice.

When I got my .300 WSM I was playing around with a Nathan Foster book and he had made a comment that H4350 was the only powder you need for 300 WSM. Seeing as I had some, I figured what the heck, might as well start there. Worked too, with 180, 165, and 150 grain Ballistic tips seated to the lands. For a lark, I loaded some 150s with Superformance just to see the chronograph light up to 3400 fps. That one looked promising out to 200 but fell apart before 500. The H4350 loads with 165 and 180s stayed sub MOA out to 500, with a Kimber that weighs about the same as thistle down.

I've had my share of problem guns over the years, and have picked up on some patterns. First off, if you are getting the speed and velocity is consistent there is nothing wrong with the powder. Next, if a Ballistic Tip seated to the lands doesn't shoot, then good luck getting any boat-tail to shoot. Oh sure, you can try but that little sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach isn't likely to go away.

On rifles that bullets can't be seated to the lands because of short magazines or long throats boat-tails are a crap shoot. They may shoot very well, but don't bet on it. You could throw every bullet on the shelf at it, and that might work but again don't bet the farm on it. Keep in mind that a new barrel costs less than one of everything on the shelf, and trading it off is cheaper yet.TSXs will often bail you out at this point, they love to jump. If they don't work move to the next stage.

Next stage; flat base bullets. (Weatherby guys, are you listening?)If a rifle won't shoot a flat based Sierra, or probably a Hornady interlock its a good time to wrap it around a big tree. If its a family heirloom you might want to go the last step and put a round nose in it. Rifles are sort of like women, if its that hard to make them happy they're not worth it. Even if you fluke into a lucky load it isn't going to be happy long.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom