Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Berger 210 VLD Hunter + 300 Win

I’m working on a load for using Berger’s 210 G VLD hunting bullet for my 300 Win mag. Nosler cases fire formed with .002 headspace. This is the first time I’ve had experience with Berger’s bullets. I’m seating the bullets .010 off the lands and have an OAL of 3.64”, which still have clearance in the magazine. Berger’s book OAL is 3.340”. I’ve got .001” of neck tension. 26” barrel 1 in 10. Using H1000 powder. Book max load is 75.5. In the first session temps were in the mid 60s. I started at minimum suggested load and worked up to 2 grains over max the first time out, looking for excessive pressure as I went. I didn’t have the chronograph set up on the first session. I found a node at 77.5. The second session I had the chronograph set up. Temps were in the mid 70s. I loaded 3 foulers at 75.5 then jumped to where I found the node - .2 grains at 77.3. It was grouping well about the same or a little better than the first session. I was shooting 3 shot groups running several patches through the barrel after each group. Incrementing .2 grains I started at 77.3, and went as high as 78.5. Berger’s approx max velocity is 2804 with H1000 at 3.34” OAL. At 77.3 average velocity was 2850. Groups opened up at 77.9 and started to close again at 78.7 grains extreme spreads were coming down as well. At 78.7 there is still a good amount of room in the case. I didn’t see any high pressure signs at all at 78.7. At 78.7 grains velocity ave was 2962. In Berger’s manual there is a section discussing loading long and how pressure drops with increased velocity in many rifles using this method, which allows above max loads. The limiter in many loads is mag length. Fortunately I don’t have an issue there. My question is this: I am inclined to increase this load a little to see if I’m on the cusp of another node. From 77.3 to 78.7 velocity increased 100fps. From 78.3 to 78.7 there was a 30 fps increase. I was getting from 15 to 20 FPS for each .2 grain increase above 77.9 grains. Am I pushing my luck, or am I correct in thinking I can safely increase this load 1 or 2 steps?

I would drop back to your 77.5 grain load if that was performing well. Your chronograph is telling you somewhere around 78 grains is max./near max. for your rifle. The slight increase in velocity is not worth it. The velocity you are getting now may indicate you are already over SAAMI pressures which is 64,000 psi. I have run the WSMs up to what should be 65,000 psi and things got squirrely. Even a fouled barrel could run up pressure too high.

As far as seating long it can take up to two grains more just to reach the velocity I get in a standard chamber. But I don't expect to get a significant increase in velocity by seating long. It's about like the difference between thick and thin brass. Loads may be one or two grains different but the velocity will be about the same +/- 50 fps. at the same pressures.

I revert to the bad old days of P O Ackley, Bob Hagel et all and will run up to an overload just to see how much powder that is, this is pretty unscientific as it is based off the usual voodoo signs but it alleviates the concern that my loads are over the limit but not showing pressure signs. I don't load till I blow primes like the old timers did. In fifty years of reloading I have never blown a primer. I have come close but never had anything more than severe cratering or a stuck case.

Thanks Tejano, you make some valid points. I'll proceed with caution.

You could check some of the other Long range hunting sites. When I was searching for R26 data there were several long threads on the 210 Berger and R26 and other powders. If they don't list barrel length then the velocity is suspect as many of the rifles have 28*' plus barrels.

Yes I posted on Long Range Hunting. Replies I received seemed to indicate that many shooters were loading up to 79 grains with the 215s, Another replied he was getting 2950 with the 215 at 76.5 grains. I've been testing with the daytime temps between 65 and 75. We're getting up into the mid 80s and the forecast for next week is more of the same, so I'm going to back down and test again and see how it does. I actually will be interested to find out how temp sensitive H1000 is or isn't.

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I can assure you that H-1000 is very stable in the .300 Win.