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I've just acquired a Browning X-bolt in .300 WSM and was wondering if anyone has any ideas on loading and data.

I intend to use it for longer ranges (600mtrs) plus and it's for target shooting. I want to be able to drop man sized targets (head shots ideally) at 1000+mtrs/yards as there are some 'knock down' targets on my local military ranges that have my name on it

thanks for the input

Rob

Do you think there might be a reason why no one else seems to be shooting this calibre?

If it is a 300WSM then you need to decide on the weight of bullet to shoot based on twist followed by powder availability and from there you can decide on a suitable load.

If it is a 330WSM no idea although I do have some load data for a 338WSM

Not sure about the Twist of the A-bolt, but my Tikka T3 in .300 WSM is 1:11. We shoot 155s and 175s successfully. Don't expect your barrel to last too long especially with hotter loads and/or double-based powders.

My guess is that your A-bolt will have a sporter-weight barrel and thus will kick like a donkey, this may influence your choice of load.

Suggest Reload Swiss RS 60/62 which we use with 155s and Vihtavuori N550/560 for 175s.

Does the MoD range you have in mind allow HME (high muzzle energy) cartridges, and if so is there an HME zeroing facility? Most ranges don't allow HME usage to keep life simple and those that do such as Bisley (although it's the NRA national shooting centre it's part of the MoD Pirbright Ranges for safety operation) have a mandatory HME short-distance zero test pre-shooting on the normal distance ranges.

Barton Road do allow HME however there are restrictions above and beyond 7500 Joules maximum including absolutely no .338

It's quite easy to keep the ME below the HME limits.

DW58 wrote:It's quite easy to keep the ME below the HME limits.

It's also quite easy to exceed them with a 308 Win - most top FTR shooters do. Given this, why would one wish to get a .300WSM and load it to the same performance as that given by a good load in the 308 whilst running it at much lower pressures than it likes but still burning considerably more powder?

If you already own a 300WSM as a deerstalking rifle and want to participate in a range day on an MoD facility with HME restrictions, fair enough, but to buy one for long-range shooting and then download makes no sense.

As an RCO I have had people want to shoot 300WSM at 4500 Joule limit ranges because they were 'Downloaded' I have always said no. In my opinion visually inspecting or giving a loaded round a shake to see how full it is does not give me an indication of if it exceeds range limits or not.

Ovenpaa wrote:As an RCO I have had people want to shoot 300WSM at 4500 Joule limit ranges because they were 'Downloaded' I have always said no. In my opinion visually inspecting or giving a loaded round a shake to see how full it is does not give me an indication of if it exceeds range limits or not.

yes that is a tricky one , it used to be ok to shoot HME ammo without any of this new nonsense , the ranges haven't changed just the stupid regulations