I am having a heck of a time finding the right load combo for my 300 sendero.
I am trying to shoot the horady sst 180gr.
I have tried different col's, powder, powder wght, and primers.
What I am wanting to do is use this bullet for my general hunting and shooting and save my barnes triples for the occasional hunt (expensive).
If any one has any load data, it will be gladly noted.
Oh yeah, the best that I can bring the sst's in is about 1.25".
Have you tried a faster powder? Maybe something like IMR4350. My accuracy improved alot with this powder. I have tried them all. I just couldn't deal with 3075fps 180gr load for a 300RUM. Thats the only reason I don't use the 4350 anymore. I have had good luck also Sierra 180gr prohunters with Re22.
Sometimes a rifle just does not like a particular type of bullet. I had a .300 Winchester Magnum that I was bound and determined to shoot Hornady 190 grain Boat Tail Spire Points out of. I tried 3 or 4 different powders, different primers, different brass, different seating depths etc. Went through a whole lot of bullets and powder before I gave up. Tried the 180 grain version of the same bullet and within a few experimental groups I was onto a load that would shoot accurately and consistently.
With the information you have given I would be tempted to say your Sendero doesn't like that bullet. Maybe buy a box of Nosler ballistic tips and see what happens with them.
I would guess that your Sendero is like mine. My Sendero just does not like Hornady Bullets. I get 1/2 to 3/4-inch groups with Nosler Partitions & Nosler Accubonds. If you try the same load with Hornady bullets I get a pattern not a group.
I am lucky, I have an old Ruger M-77 300-win mag that just loves any bullet(except barnes-x) you feed it. I have been useing my Hornady's in it with good results.
I know exactly what you're going through. I've been working for the past 6-8 months trying to find the 'right' load for my 300 RUM. Hook up with Bigcountry and listen to what he says. He's been thru it all and helped me work thru it. I've discovered that my particular rifle, Rem 700 BDL Stainless, doesn't like it when I turn up the heat. The faster I try and push a bullet, the worse my groups get. I've finally settled on a 180 Nosler partition over Re22 with a Fed mag primer. This recipe gives me sub moa at 100, 1 1/2" at 200 and about 3" at 300 yards. Granted, this isn't the best shootn rifle, but it'll get me in the woods next month for elk. I've even seen a difference in the 2 different styles of 180 partitions and the way my rifle shoots them. I disagree with 300winnie and using the ballistic tip. I personally think that the 300 RUM will push the BT too fast, just my 2 cents, especially if you're pushing full power loads. Good luck and keep us in on how you're making out.
I agree with Highpower in relation to the ballistic tips when used in a hunting situation. Stubblejumper will disagree, and he has a lot of experience with ballistic tips and 300 RUM's. I was merely suggesting that if a gun won't shoot ballistic tips with a little bit of work, then I would probably be looking at more than the bullet to see what is wrong. After re-reading my original post what I meant to say wasn't what I said. Confused yet?
Both of my 300ultramags group the best by far with 180gr ballistic tips and reloader 25.However each rifle is an individual and you must let it show you what load it likes by testing various bullets as well as powders.As far as the 180gr ballistic tips are concerned,they have performed very well on the five elk and two moose that I have taken with them.
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RE: Hard time with my 300 rum
I overheard a conversation today about the 300 rum, apparently this guy was having really good luck with Hodgdon Retumbo powder, and 180 grain hornady SST's. he had a target with a sub 1 inch group. I dont know what range he was shooting at but I'm assuming atleast 100 yards.
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Don't know if this will help or not...in my Rem BDL 300 UM, I get 1.25" group @ 200 yds,using 98.7 gr. of H1000, 180 gr Accubond, Fed primers. Average 3300 fps. Was getting 6" group until i floated the barrell. Now I have the accuracy i can live with.
Hard time with my 300 rum
