Do you guys think this is a good load?

[superhondaz50]

For the .300 Whisper. LC .223 (Federal A.E.) brass, CCI small rifle primer, 18gr of H110, Hornady 150gr FMJ. This is out of an AR-15 with an E.R. Shaw 16" 1x8 twist. Going for a good super-sonic load. From what I hear this seems to be the best load for what I want. Any thoughts from you guys?

Here it is, my first .300 Fireball/Whisper/.300-221
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e103/superhondaz50/300whisper002.jpg

[320pf]

For the .300 Whisper. LC .223 (Federal A.E.) brass, CCI small rifle primer, 18gr of H110, Hornady 150gr FMJ. This is out of an AR-15 with an E.R. Shaw 16" 1x8 twist. Going for a good super-sonic load. From what I hear this seems to be the best load for what I want. Any thoughts from you guys?

Here it is, my first .300 Fireball/Whisper/.300-221
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e103/superhondaz50/300whisper002.jpg

superhondaz50


This load is one grain over the maximum load listed in the Sierra reloading manual and 1.8 g over the maximum listed in the Hornady reloading manual. I prefer W296 myself... I know H110 and W296 are supposed to be the same powder, but I always get tighter groups and slightly higher velocities with W296.

I listed some reloading data using Winchester .308 147g FNJBT on this board just yesterday. Here is the link (Note, there are no data listed for this powder in the Sierra reloading manual. However, in the Hornady reloading manual the maximum load listed for IMR4227 is 17.4 g)

http://www.quarterbore.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2013

Here are the reloading data from these manuals for 150 g bullets

Sierra velocities for a 10-inch barrel:
(with a 16-inch barrel the velocities will be ~200-250 fps faster)

AA#9 starting-12.4g (1400fps)____max-15.5 (1700fps)
2400 starting-13.4g (1400fps)____max-15.7 (1700fps)
N110 starting-11.8g (1400fps)____max-16.5 (1800fps)
H110 starting-13.8g (1500fps)____max-17.0 (1800fps)
W296 starting-13.8g (1500fps)____max-17.0 (1800fps)
N120 starting-15.1g (1400fps)____max-18.7 (1700fps)
1680 starting-14.7g (1400fps)____max-18.8 (1700fps)

Hornady velocities for a 10-inch barrel:
(with a 16-inch barrel the velocities will be ~200-250 fps faster)

AA#9 starting-13.0g (1500fps)____max-14.3 (1650fps)
2400 starting-12.9g (1500fps)____max-13.7 (1650fps)
N110 starting-13.1g (1500fps)____max-15.5 (1700fps)
H110 starting-13.5g (1500fps)____max-16.2 (1750fps)
W296 starting-13.2g (1500fps)____max-17.0 (1800fps)
IMR-
4227 starting-14.4g (1500fps)____max-17.4 (1800fps)
1680 starting-15.9g (1500fps)____max-20.0 (1850fps)

There is a more reloading data posted here:

http://reloadersnest.com/frontpage.asp?CaliberID=135

Most of the loads posted under "Not yet verified user loads" are mine. There are contributions from others listed there as well.

I hope this helps
Good Luck, Be Safe, and Have Fun

320pf

[superhondaz50]

So I assume the 150gr with W296 @ 16.5gr would be a pretty good surefire load without maxing out the load. Am I wrong?

[320pf]

So I assume the 150gr with W296 @ 16.5gr would be a pretty good surefire load without maxing out the load. Am I wrong?

superhondaz50,

It sounds like you have a Model-1 barrel. They have a tendency to be a little tight. So I would not assume that you could start with a 16.5 g load.

I would start with the approximate starting loads listed in the manuals and reload 5 rounds each with... Let's say 14.0, 15.0, 16.0. 16.5, and 17 gr W296. Recover the brass for each set and see what it looks like. I am assuming that you are new to reloading (my apologies if you are an experienced reloader.) Most of the reloading manuals what to look for as far as high pressures go.

Do you have access to a chrongraph? It is very useful if you can use one. Generally, the velocities will increase pretty linearly with increasing powder charge until you get near the max. For example 1 g increase in charge will increase the velocity by ~70 to 100 fps. At some point a 1g increase in the powder charge only produces a small increase in velocity...LIke 20 to 40 fps.


Here are the W296 data for 150 g bullets from both the Sierra and Hornady manual.

Sierra W296 data for 150 gr bellets (10-in. barrel...for a 16-in. barrel add ~200-250 fps)

13.8---1500
14.8---1600
15.9---1700
17.0---1800

Hornady W296 data for 150 gr bellets (10-in. barrel...for a 16-in. barrel add ~200-250 fps)

13.2---1500
14.4---1600
15.1---1650
15.7---1700
16.4---1750
17.0---1800

Hope this helps...

Good Luck and have fun!

320pf

[superhondaz50]

been reloading for about 10 years, but this is my first "wildcat". Usually I start with "middle" loads or close to max. I'm just trying to see were a good starting point is and from what you said I assume now that minimum is best. my end result is to have something that mimics the 30-30, which is why I asked if I should start around 16.5gr. I do have a M1S barrel, so i'll see were that leads me. I also have a chrono but is two hours away in 29 palms so I wont be able to use it my first trip with this gun. I did pick up a Hornady manual from work today so I can also use that.
-Superhondaz50