Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Reloading 300 WSM

Howdy guys,

New member, but longtime hunter and reloader.
I picked up a new gun over the summer,but with salmon fishing and honey-do list a mile long I haven't got to reload any ammo yet for the beast.
The gun is a Browning X-bolt in stainless/synthetic,chambered in 300 WSM.
I have all the components for loading but haven't found too nuch data that has been tried.
I have Barnes 168 gr TTSX bullets,Reloder 17 powder and Norma brass(new). I have Federal 215 and CCI250 primers to pick from.
Any reloading data would be great.
Overall case length is another issue as well.

THanks for any loads you can pass along.

There isn`t alot of published RL17 data yet. But you can go to the Alliant site (under "Products".."RL17") and get some recipes which is what I did for RL17 use in my 300 WSM. I use the WLRM primer.

No Barnes bullets are listed there, but they do show the 165 gr Speer showing a max charge of 68 gr using RL17. Listed velocity is 3217 (probably from a 24" barrel). As I remember, the COALs are also shown there.

With your 168 gr Barnes, you should be fine starting at about 62-63 gr and then working up in 1/2 gr increments.

Another source for some RL17 loading data, is over on the "reloadersnest" site ("rifles" section), as a few RL17 loadings have been submitted on that site.

max load of Viht N550, some 180 to mag length.

I think that the reloading press you will probably need is the RCBS Bix Max. Some of those short magnum dies don't fit right in regular size press frames.

Your best bet is to buy a reloading manual and work up your loads slowly. I would take accuracy over velocity.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/28760128/RCBS-Reloading-Press-Rock-Chucker-Supreme

It takes a number 43 shell holder - the largest shell holder of the group. I would mic the base to make sure the shell will chamber in your rifle before I reloaded many shells.

Reloader 17 data for 180 g at Alliant was way too hot for my .300 WSM

Take Barnes #4 data using IMR4350, reduce your starting charge 5% below the MINUMUM starting charge for this powder (not the max) and work up, looking for either
a) normal pressure indicators (e.g., ejector marks, heavy bolt lift, cratered primers, etc.)
OR
b)stopping when you are 50-100 fps over the published max velocitiy given for IMR4350

Why b)? - loads using RL17 may not show the typical brass indicators until you are well over safe-pressures. Case in point, my .300 WSM only started to show ejector marks when my velocity was in the 3290 fps range using 180 GRAIN TTSXs - this was attained when I reached the max load of 66 g listed on the Alliant site (i.e., when I was probably way way over safe pressures).

FYI. Quickload data suggest that the max for 180 g TTSX in a .300 WSM using RL17 is 61.0 g (i.e., way below Alliants listed max).

fwiw---I worked with 2 300wms's from 2 buddy's. On the first the guy had factory 165 nos partitions in fed premium that we got our brass from after firing. They weren't very accurate and runnout on the factory ammo was pretty bad. These clocked 3120 out of his browning and we did see some ejector marks. We worked up to 65.5 re17 with 168 ttsx's and got the same 3120 and stellar accuracy. (and no ejector marks...no problems with primer pockets after 6 reloads either). He went to AK and got a really nice moose and big carribou.
I just started work with the other buddies gun. Started with the 168ttsx and 65 grains in his sako. It only clocked 3000 fps. So you can see there are different strokes for different guns. We'll continue to work up in that gun....hopefully shooting for about the same velocity.
We were using wlrm primers.....trying to keep the fed 215's on the shelf till we can get more but wouldn't be surprised if they clocked another 30fps.

Ditto for me too (although with 165gr. bullets). 66gr of R17 gave me 3180 fps with hndy gmx's and I saw no need to push any further. I would definately start low and work up slowly with this powder. Also remember your rifle has a 22" barrel rather than a 24" so your expected velocities will be slightly lower than most reloading manuals listings.

When I started loading for the 300WSM, RL-17 wasn't around. I loaded to 69.5grs of IMR-4831, WLR or Fed 215M, 165gr Sierra BTHP Gameking. I have now used that load in several 300WSMs with excelent results.Rick.

I just settled on a load of 66.5 RE17, CCI250, WW Brass, & a 168gr TTSX @ 2.193" Ogive. Gives me 3/4" or less at 100yds @ right at 3100fps from a 21.5" bbl Rem 700.

I have always used 70 gr RE 19 and 180 gr TSX's at 3000 fps. Great accuracy and knocks stuff over everytime.

Ditto here. Groups were bragging sized with the Sierra 165gk's.

I loaded up some Swift 180gr. A frames using IMR7828ssc and speed was close to 3000 but very good accuracy. I hunt in heavy cover.

My M70 shoots the 168 TTSX well with Varget. Very consistant and the most accurate.

63grs H414 behind 150gr SGK is lights out tack driving from a Ruger M77. No MV.

63.5grs H4350 behind 150gr Nosler eTip. This load is from the Nosler manual and half a grain below Hodgdons starting load. If memory serves, just shy of 3050 MV.

I don't know if you have ever loaded eTips before, but Nosler states that the data from their other offerings of the same weight can be used for the eTip line. Because of the longer length of the eTips, you probably(more than likely) pressure out before hitting the max load.

Personally, I've had good results at the range with eTips and GMX's but when the day arrives to load up the truck for a deer hunt, I grab the TSX/TTSX's.