Reloading for 300 WSM

madmax0311 · 07-30-2008, 02:01 PM

I have been reloading for pistols for several years. I now have a 300 wsm and considering loading for it. Does anyone have any recommended powders and bullet combos that have worked well for them? Since I am new to loading for rifles I know that there are MANY more considerations and options available.

Since I'm posting here anyway, I'll ask. I currently have a single stage Lee press. I know it's slow but it works well for my handguns. I have started looking for dies and found that Lee makes them for the 300 wsm but it's a 2 die set. I'm used to the 3 die set for handguns. (maybe it a broad question but...) is there anything that I would need to do different or consider loading for the 300wsm? I generally practice with what I'll be hunting with but at $50+ a box, loading could mean a little more range time.

HEAD0001 · 07-30-2008, 02:38 PM

300 WSM is a dandy cartridge. You will really like it.

I have one, and have had one other one that I sold to a friend.

I have loaded for three different ones. We use them for long distance ground hog shooting, and deer hunting.

The powder I settled on was H-414. I seems like H-414 gives a little extra oooomph to the cartridge.

The bullet we are shooting is the Sierra 155 grain Palma. A lot of people will say that this is not a good deer bullet. Well I say "Horse Puckey" to that. The bulet is devastating on deer. I would not elk hunt with it, but for deer the bullet is fine. You can buy the expensive bullets that I am sure some hunters will recommend, but IMO for deer these expensive bullets are completely unnecessary(but it is your money).

The 155 grain bullet makes the 300 WSM a fantastic flat shooting long distance cartridge. The BC on the Palma is fantastic. So you have great long distance capability.

We have also had good luck with the 165 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip. Tom.

nksmfamjp · 07-30-2008, 04:45 PM

Depends on what you are shooting and how far. The 300 WSM is amazingly versitle. Out of my Savage 12 BVSS, I shoot 190gr Bergers behind Reloader 19 and use Federal Gold Metaal match primers. I worka little bit to fit my cases to the headspace length and seat my bullets near the lands. For this work, I get .5" 5 shot groups at 100 yards.

I use Forster Bench Rest dies with the Micrometer seating die. I weigh every round.

steve4102 · 07-30-2008, 04:51 PM

What you are going to shoot or huntis a big factor in bullet design and weight. Tell us what you have planned for your new toy.

I load for three 300WSM rifles and they all really like Ramshot Hunter. Although I have been playing around with Norma MRP and it looks very very promising. For Hunting bullets I like Nosler Partitions in 165 and 180gr. The Partition is just about the best hunting bullet available today and it can be had at cup and core prices, when they are in stock of course. http://www.shootersproshop.com/?p=11&b=8&s=150&t=30

madmax0311 · 07-30-2008, 05:30 PM

Oops! I plan on hunting elk in Colorado. That was the main reason I bought it. Now there may be a hunt for whitetails in VA in my future this fall. (I know a little overkill)

thndrchiken · 07-30-2008, 07:03 PM

180 gr Partitions or Accubonds, Imr 4350, H414, H4831sc, RE19, RE22 would be my starting point. I load for a 270 WSM and have had wonderul results with 4350. Depends on how much your will to spend for bullets. Lee dies will get it done for cheap, I prefer Redding myself but still have a few sets of Lee and RCBS dies that I don't see any need to replace.

steve4102 · 07-30-2008, 08:31 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: madmax0311

(I know a little overkill)

No such thing as "overkill".

spaniel · 08-01-2008, 08:05 AM

#1, I would recommend spending a few extra bucks and getting RCBS dies over Lee -- RCBS has a locking washer, which makes it easier to swap dies on the press without losing your settings. My seating die is Lee and I have to reset it every time, but RCBS you just screw in tight and go (assuming you set it right the first time).

For elk, I'd recommend going with a 180gr bullet for the WSM. Is your rifle a short action or long action? The one thing weakness of the WSM is that it needs to be in a long action to really shine -- with the longer bullets, you will either lose the use of your magazine if you seat the bullets out to use all your case capacity, or your chamber will be cut too short to seat them out. Either way, you will be left with sub-max loads. Custom gun guys like the WSM because they put it in a long action and throat the barrel for a longer-than-factory cartridge length and get 95% standard WM performance without the belted case.

Powders are hard to recommend, many work. I like Re22 but I have no reason to think that those given by others aren't as good.