Advice on 300WBY

[LouD]

I'm getting a new 300 WBY next week and am looking for advice on reloading this cartridge.  I'm not looking towards max loads for now, just accuracy.  My questions are regarding case sizing and case life expectations.  Can I get away with neck sizing only?  Has anyone ever used the RCBS X-dies and how did they work out?  Lastly, with (relatively) light to medium loads how many reloads might I expect to get from a WBY factory case.  

Thanks !!!

PS.  Ditto the above questions for 300WSM ...

[warf73]

Glad to hear your getting a 300WBY.

I reload for 2  my dads and mine.

I'm useing RCBS reg. dies. On my rifle I can get away with neck sizing, but his for some reason after the 2nd fireing have to be full length sized.

We are useing Remington brass its cheaper but the case volume is a little smaller. So far I've gotten 5 reloading off of this brass and I'm starting to get close to trimming them(within .002" of max length)probly after the next fireing.

Small note on the Remington brass(atleast on the last lot we bought)the cases were .005" beyond max length. So we had to trim all 500 cases what a pain in the ace.

I've notice on our 2 rifles that anything below 180gr. doesn't shoot worth a dam in our guns. Also noticed that his rifle shoots boat tails ok but mine won't at all. His groups with BT is 1"-1 1/2" mine is well over 2". But with flat based bullets I get sub 1/2" and he gets sub 3/4".

The best accuracy so far has been with IMR 4350, IMR 4831, Reloader 19, and Reloader 22. Useing CCI mag primers.

Bullets as of now with best accuracy:
Barns X Spitzer 180gr.
*Swift Scirocco 180gr.
Honady Interlock SP 180gr.
Wooleigh 180gr.
Nosler Partion 180gr.

* The Swift Scirocco is the only BT bullet that shoots sub 1" and dad just loves them.

As you might already know all rifles are different.
Dads rifle has a sweet spot that all the above bullets seat with in +or - .020" of each other off of the Ogive.
Mine is + or - .010" of each other.

Hope this helps you out.

Warf

[Daniel]

Good cartridge the .300 Weatherby is. I've got a Sako 75 chambered for it and I've been reloading for it for about 4 years. Here are some random thoughts about it:

I neck size only using the Lee collet neck die. When brass gets too large to chamber (about 6 or 7 loadings) I throw it away and buy new Norma brass and start again. The Lee collet neck die is the greatest thing since sliced bread in my opinion. For seating I use the Forster Ultra seater. I measure for concentricity and these dies working together (along with the Forster Co-Ax press) produce very straight ammo which aids in the accuracy department.

I've had luck with RL22, H1000, H4831sc and IMR7828. Of these, IMR7828 has consistently been the best. It'll work with just about any 180 gr. bullet. It produces good velocity and good accuracy.  If it's a reduced load you're considering, I've had good luck with H1000 and 165 gr. Hornady SST's. I use 87 grs, which starts these out at about 3050 fps and accuracy is outstanding.

My current favorite load utilizes the 168 gr. Barnes Triple Shock bullet and RL22 (IMR 7828 works well too). This has been an accurate combination and on game it is devastating.

I've tried the Swift Scirocco and while it's pretty accurate, I don't like it's performance on game at all. It expands way too much for my taste. I like the Barnes TSX mentioned above best followed by Northfork, Nosler Partitions and Speer Grand Slams.

The only primer I've ever used in the .300 Wby is the Federal 215 (and 215M), so I can't really comment on using different primers. I will only say that the Fed 215 seems to work really well.

Rifles chambered for Weatherby cartridges have quite a bit of freebore (unless it's a custom job), so there's virtually no chance you can seat a bullet out close to the lands. I've loaded rounds as long as the magazine will allow and I've loaded them to the length the reloading manuals suggest. I haven't noticed much of a difference in accuracy either way.

Well, that's all I've got time for. Hope this gives you some things to think about and good luck with the new rifle.

[blackhawkbob]

I've been working with my 300 Wby. for a few months and I was wondering if anyone of you who shoot this cartridge use muzzle brakes? The older I get the less I want the recoil but still want the performance of the big cartridge. I'm considering using a mercury recoil reducer as well as a muzzle brake. Very interesting about the various bullet weights being used. I too have found that my rifle doesn't like the lighter (less than165 gr.) projectiles. I also shoot a 338 mag. so I've been around the recoil scene for a little while. Any suggestions that maybe you have used? Thanks

[Patriot_1776]

BHB,

As for the brake part, I say try to get an Accu-brake installed.  I have one, and the best reason why: because it is removable.  Secondly, it reduces recoil by a wide margin; my 30-06 hurts a little more than the WBY with it on.  Third, I'm sure combined with a brake and a mercuric insert, it will kick less than a 243.  Hope that helps.   Patriot

IMO, don't ever go for a $50 job and have someone drill holes into the barrel for a brake.  A removable brake is worth the extra cost, especially if you like to hunt with that particular gun.

[blackhawkbob]

Thanks Patriot, I appreciate the info. BHB