300 Weatherby Mag, Need some suggestions

S

StevenF

New member
Guys, I've got a Vangaurd sporter that I've had four about five years and I've only shot one load through it (165 grain Remington corelokt in front of 84 grains of H4831). Problem with this load is when I worked it up, the best I can get for accuracy is about 1 1/2 to 2 moa. Also these bullets tend to fragment badly. I know I shoulda bought a better bullet.

So now I'm thinking that a heavier bullet might get me a little closer to 1 moa. I'd really like to make it dependable out to four hundred yards. Anybody have any ideas what bullet/powder combos really shine in these rifles?

I do have a box of Hornady 180 grain SST's but I've not read many good reviews on them. Thanks a bunch for any sugestions.
 
I have the same gun and it is very accurate with Rem. factory ammo (180 gr corelock) but none of the hand loads I have tried have been close .Most are 2MOA .I have tried H1000 with the 180 corelock and I get about 1.5MOA .I have tried Hornaday 165 and 180gr SST's ,Speer 165gr boat tails(all with H1000) .I think you are having the same problem I am and I think it's the gun.I am about convinced that these guns hate boat tails which I find strange.If anybody has any thoughts I would like to hear them .

I have found Corelock bullets to be very reliable and a good quality bullet.
 
I shoot 180gr Hornady Interbonds in my 300 weatherby with 86 grains of Reloader 25 (I think that the grains would have to look at my notes to be 100% sure) I shoot a Mark V synthentic and have the gun shooting 3/4" groups, sometimes under if I'm having a good day.
 
Thanks guys, I'll have to dig around a bit for some RL-25 data. Ramjet, I like the remmy bullets too. I just think the velocity may be at the edge of it's threshold. Did you ever chrono the factory loads compared to your loads? I did use a light crimp on my 165 grain loads. Thinking about leaving that out of the future test loads. Anyone else???
 
Did not crono and used a Lee Factory crimp on all loads .My neighbor has a 270WBY and does the same thing and they shoot great .I am about to try 4831ssc because it works so well in my 7mag .I also wonder if the shorter barrel of the Vanguard is preventing full burn of the slower powders(this is why I am about to try 4831ssc ). I have added a B&C Medalist stock and a Timney trigger set at 2.5lbs (these mods have had no effect) .
 
Took a look at my notes and my load is 85.5grs of RL-25 the average through my chrono is 3274 fps out of a 26" barrel. This was the most accurate out of my rifle. At 86.5grs my velocity was an average of 3335 fps, this is .2 grains off max load. I don't crimp my loads.

The only factory ammo I've shot and chrono'd has been Federal Premium 180 NP the average on those was 3231 fps, the box advertised them at 3190 fps. All my testing takes place at an elevation around 7500 ft.
 
OK guys, here's my next question. I've decided to work up a load with the 180 grain SST's that I have on hand. There is apparently a lot of freebore in this gun as I can't seat a bullet out far enough to engage the lands. So where do you think I should start at for seating depth? In my thinking I can either start with seating it to fill the case neck or I can seat down to the cannelure. What do you guys think?

Or do I look for a bullet that will engage the lands quicker? Ramjet,Maybe this is why the boat tails aren't working? They do tend to have a longer ogive. Sorry if my terminology isn't exact but I think you can see where I'm going.
 
I also have a 300 Wby Vanguard and it is the most accurate rifle I have shooting factory loads (Rem 180gr Core-locks) into about .75MOA. With handloads I have tried 165 and 180 Nosler Ballistic Tips and Sierra 165 HPBT Gamekings with IMR-4831 and RL-22. If I do my part it will do 1 MOA or better with handloads. I am shooting my Wby at 300 Win velocities.

With the SST's, if you even come close to the lands, you will be too long for your magizine. I had to seat my bullets to fit the mag.

WVHILLBILLY
 
Steve

The COL of my load is what the Hornady book says to use. I haven't played with changing it at all. I have been happy with these results and that's where I've left it.
 
StephenF , I think you would set the COL to the COL (3.560") stated in the reloading manuals because this length will cycle through the gun reliably.I have measured Rem. factory ammo and it is always about .002" shorter than the recommended COL but Weatherby ammo is dead on .I am going to H4831sc which is a little faster than H1000 with the hope that I will get a more consistant burn in the 24" barrel. I am going to start with 180gr Corelokts and then try the boattails again.This will take a few weeks cause deer season is in full swing.
 
Be careful trying to get too close to the lands. From what i have heard the Wby needs free bore, can't recall why. I have a Mdl 70 and my brother has a vanguard. Both shoot 180 grn TSX's right at .75 MOA with RL22 pushin'. I load on the light end 79.5 grns.
 


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