.300 Win Mag hunting loads

[baddean]

I am working up loads for my Savage model 116 in .300 Win Mag.
It shoots factory Nosler 180gr E-Tip fairly well. I have enough once fired brass to start working up my own loads to tighten up the groups a bit.
My question pertains to whether I should be concerned about group size versus velocity/energy for hunting purposes.
Current base load info: Nosler case, Fed LRMP, 180gr E-tip. From there I'm experimenting with powder charge and OAL.
Hodgdon puts H4831SC at 67.8gr on the low end and 71.8gr on the high end. At the low end I get 1/2moa groups at 100yds at 2637 fps.
On the high end I get 3/4 moa groups at 100yds at 2855 fps. As I get near the top of the powder charge range the group POI climbs 1-2 MOA but stays together. Nosler factory 180gr E-tip ammo runs 2900fps (on my chrono).
OAL listed for .300wm max is 3.34. The factory ammo I'm using varies from 3.30-3.315. I'm experimenting at 3.327 which is giving me my best groups.
Don't ask how far off the lands. In this rifle, to get the OAL such that it seats the bullet near the lands the round wouldn't fit the magazine nor would it be secured well in the case. By my calculations I'm about .18 off the lands.
Anyway... groups or velocity/energy?
I'm not looking for one hole groups (would be nice) just minute of elk at 400 yds.
My wife thinks I'm being too anal. Well it is a belted magnum so I'm being pretty anal about the loads.
Thanks for any insight.

[Shumba]

If you are not getting pressure indications at the high end I would say you are good to go with the top load and your best seating depth. .75 MOA is just dandy.
My Custom Shop 700 has a very long throat and I had to be at or beyond max indicated loads of 4831 or RL22 to get good accuracy. No pressure signs.
My Browning Safari is just the opposite: short throat and best results well below max.
It likes 180 Sciroccos and IMR4350.
HTH,
Shumba

[baddean]

Thanks for the insight Shumba.
No pressure signs. In fact I expected the cases to stretch a bit but after 2 firings but they are still short of the trim length.
I really like these Nosler cases. I have a stash of Hornady cases that are also under trim length after 1 firing. The Remington and Federal cases I have all stretched beyond the trim length after the first firing. I probably won't use any of those.
My Savage likes these E-tips. Tried some Federal and Hornady 180grainers and had 3-4 moa groups at 200yds. Went to 180gr E-tips and the groups dropped to 1 moa at 200yds.
I think I'll stay at the top powder charge. Hunting in Colorado it wouldn't be a stretch to shoot elk at 400-450 (my last one was 210) and the velocity and energy would be beneficial.
I got a bullet back from the last elk that had hit a shoulder bone and it expanded perfectly. Started at 180gr and I got it back at 179.(a little bone damage)
On a side bar I run my Savage suppressed (Omega). I have found no difference in velocity or POI running the suppressor with these loads.
Thanks again

[Hambo]

No pressure signs. In fact I expected the cases to stretch a bit but after 2 firings but they are still short of the trim length.
I really like these Nosler cases. I have a stash of Hornady cases that are also under trim length after 1 firing. The Remington and Federal cases I have all stretched beyond the trim length after the first firing. I probably won't use any of those.

To clarify, did the Remington and Federal cases stretch on the first firing after you trimmed them?

I need some pics or video of your rifle and can. I'm impressed that it doesn't change POI or velocity.

[5pins]

The vitals size of an Elk is about 14 or so inches. If your load is doing .75 MOA at 100, and assuming the MOA size holds to 400 yards, then its only 3 inches at 400 yards. I would just stick with the load you have and practice shooting off the bench at distance.

[okie john]

The vitals size of an Elk is about 14 or so inches. If your load is doing .75 MOA at 100, and assuming the MOA size holds to 400 yards, then its only 3 inches at 400 yards. I would just stick with the load you have and practice shooting off the bench at distance.

This. Your rifle and load are more than good to go. Now it's time to train for the hunt: work on cardio and long slow distance work, hit the gym for strength training, get your long-range zeros dialed in, and start shooting prone off of a backpack. Also shoot a bunch of offhand at 50 and 100 yards--you may see your elk in the timber.


Okie John

[baddean]

To clarify, did the Remington and Federal cases stretch on the first firing after you trimmed them?

I need some pics or video of your rifle and can. I'm impressed that it doesn't change POI or velocity.

The Rem and Fed cases stretched after he first firing from the factory box. I have only deprimed and cleaned them. They haven't been reloaded, and at this point probably won't.
I'll get some pics of the rifle up. May be a while before I get video up.
My original test of suppressed vs. unsuppressed was using factory Nosler 180gr E-tip. Nothing scientific here, just seeing if there was a noticeable difference.
1st round unsup. produced 2895fps. 2nd shot was 2900fps. Cooled barrel before threading suppressor.
1st shot sup. was 2893fps. 2nd was 2913fps.
The four shots ave. 2900fps which is just what Nosler claims I should get from that factory load. I've got my scope zeroed at 3in high at 100yds using the factory ammo. That's right where the test rounds went at about 1.5moa.
I did the same test with my reloads and got similar results albeit at an ave. of 2855fps.

[baddean]

Thanks Okie John and 5Pins. Good reminders.
I've obviously been a little vague about the purpose of the post.
I've got elk, mule deer and white tail under my belt over the years. I've hunted and hiked the same area of Colorado since the Eighties.
I've shot my Savage out to 930 yds using the factory Nosler ammo I hunt with. Since I had no dope at that range it took three shots to "walk" it in but connected on the fourth on 18in steel gong. I wouldn't even attempt that on an elk.
I've also been reloading for about 15 years. Many pistol and some other rifle calibers and shotshells.

What I haven't done is reload .300 wm belted ammo. I feel I'm being too picky about overthinking group vs downrange energy. Especially since I've got what appear to be good groups at factoryish velocities.
I appreciate everyone's feedback. I'll quit fretting, load 'em up and go shoot.

Okie, your post about shooting in the timber made me laugh because it reminded me of something that happened last year. I was wearing what I call my "pumpkin suit". Orange parka, hood, hat, you could see me from the moon. I'm in the timber leaning on a tree when a spike approaches me from behind and comes up to within sniffing distance. I'm thoroughly convinced that they can't see orange. I let him hang around hoping that something bigger would show. No luck.

[Hambo]

The Rem and Fed cases stretched after he first firing from the factory box. I have only deprimed and cleaned them. They haven't been reloaded, and at this point probably won't.

That's pretty normal IME. I trim cases after the first firing and they're good for another 4-5x.

[baddean]

That's pretty normal IME. I trim cases after the first firing and they're good for another 4-5x.

Thanks for that info. I'll probably use some of these to practice trimming since I haven't had to do that prior to these belted cases.