Latest Update.

Spent the afternoon at the range with the 180 gr Barnes XBT. I stuck with the 70.3 gr load of IMR 4350 that gave such a consistant 2943 fps velocity.

After setting up targets at 100,200, and 300 yards, I proceeded to further tweak my Que Brake equipped 300 WM Remington 700 BDL.
Got good 100 yard groups but they would wander at 200. So adjusted the brake in some more to try to stabilize the 200 yard groups.

Final results were 5 shots into 1 5/8 inches at 200 yards!!! 4 were into 3/4 inch with the one shot pulled out to 1 5/8. Group was a bit high and left so I made a few clicks on the scope. I also figured it was a fluke and I probably couldn' t repeat this.

So after a bit, I fired 2 more just for verification. Dead on at 200 with another 3/4 inch spread.

With the scope on the 14x setting at the 300 yard target, I could hold over and use the point of the Heavy post below the crosshairs as an aiming point for accurate hits. This figured it to be about a 9 inch drop at that range/power.

Groups were fired from prone with a bipod and bag rest. Rifle is equipped with a Leupold Vari-X III 4.5x14 scope, an H-S Precision stock and the stock trigger tuned to 3#.

I realize this is much better than necessary hunting accuracy. However, under actual hunting conditions and excitement, we all know the group size can easily double, triple or worse.

Thanks to this forum and the sound advice (and some deserved bashing) , I found a much better elk load for my trip. Now if I can only find that elk to try it on.........