Loading 300 Blackout - ep 5 - More supersonic load workup for 168gr A-Max

Published on September 14, 2015
Duration: 47:11

This video details the process of reloading 300 Blackout supersonic ammunition, specifically focusing on the 168gr Hornady A-Max bullet. The instructor emphasizes precise case preparation, including cleaning and chamfering, followed by accurate powder charging and bullet seating to achieve consistent overall length. The goal is to develop a reliable and accurate load for the 300 Blackout cartridge, with considerations for velocity and potential environmental factors affecting performance.

Quick Summary

Reloading 300 Blackout supersonic ammunition involves precise case preparation, including trimming to 1.368 inches and chamfering necks. Winchester 296 powder is often used, with a target overall length of 2.230 inches for 168gr bullets. Factors like wind and temperature can significantly impact accuracy, as demonstrated by inconsistent results during load workup.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Load Workup Plan
  2. 00:46New Gear & Ammunition Options
  3. 01:34Expected Velocities for 300 Blackout
  4. 02:20Hunting Bullet Options: Barnes, Hornady
  5. 03:08Future Reloading Plans: Subsonics
  6. 04:15Focus on 168gr A-Max Load Development
  7. 04:50Powder Selection: Winchester 296 & Alternatives
  8. 06:06Brass Inspection & Preparation
  9. 07:22Case Length Check & Neck Chamfering
  10. 09:38Loading Strategy: 50 Rounds
  11. 10:16Testing Plan: 14.3-14.7 Grains
  12. 11:02Match Ammunition Preparation
  13. 11:49Primer Pocket Cleaning
  14. 13:00Final Case Prep & Priming
  15. 13:40Priming Cases
  16. 13:58Powder Charging Strategy
  17. 15:56Powder Charging: Weighing & Measuring
  18. 17:00Bullet Seating Die Setup
  19. 18:26Achieving Correct Overall Length
  20. 20:35Bullet Seating Challenges & Corrections
  21. 21:17Seating Bullets & Handling Errors
  22. 21:40Powder Sticking & Re-charging
  23. 22:05Dealing with a Live Primer
  24. 22:46Re-seating Bullet After Error
  25. 23:02Finalizing Bullet Seating Length
  26. 24:36Bullet Seating Frustration
  27. 25:31Completing Bullet Seating
  28. 26:16Final Powder Check & Bullet Seating
  29. 26:44Visual Powder Inspection & Final Seating
  30. 27:10Addressing Bullet Seating Die Issues
  31. 27:45Final Rounds & Weather Concerns
  32. 28:16Range Day Preparation
  33. 28:26Target Setup & Load Plan Review
  34. 28:41Trigger Spring Installation & Initial Impressions
  35. 29:22First Shots & Accuracy Testing
  36. 30:02Shooting Group 1 (14.3 Grains)
  37. 31:21Primer Strike Issue
  38. 32:44Shooting Group 2 (14.4 Grains)
  39. 32:53Magazine & Hammer Spring Adjustment
  40. 33:52Shooting Group 3 (14.5 Grains)
  41. 34:15Shooting Group 4 (14.6 Grains)
  42. 35:20Shooting Group 5 (14.7 Grains)
  43. 36:00Switching to Fun Targets & Zeroing
  44. 36:11Practice Target Zeroing
  45. 36:36Adjusting for Elevation
  46. 37:03Adjusting for Windage
  47. 37:44Moving to Next Dot
  48. 38:05More Shooting & Grouping
  49. 38:50Test Rounds on Specific Target
  50. 39:49Final Adjustments & Grouping
  51. 40:00Magazine Loading & Target Engagement
  52. 40:42Group Results & Reddit Match Score
  53. 41:16Disappointing Shoot Day Summary
  54. 41:49Comparing Current vs. Previous Accuracy
  55. 42:12Analyzing Factors: Wind & Temperature
  56. 42:44Chronograph Issues & Velocity Data
  57. 43:12Temperature Sensitivity of Powder
  58. 43:30Learning Curve & Data Gathering
  59. 43:46Accepting Suboptimal Results
  60. 44:04Moving On From Current Load Development
  61. 44:53Forgotten Earplugs & Lead Sled Interference
  62. 45:31Shooting Rest Stability vs. Eye Relief
  63. 45:53Conclusion of 168gr A-Max Testing
  64. 46:04Transition to Hunting Bullet Load Workup
  65. 46:44Next Steps: Hunting Bullet Loads
  66. 47:05Outro

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum case length for 300 Blackout ammunition?

The maximum recommended case length for 300 Blackout ammunition is 1.368 inches. Reloaders often trim cases to around 1.358 inches to ensure proper functioning and consistency in their reloaded cartridges.

What powder is recommended for supersonic 300 Blackout loads?

Winchester 296 (W296) is a commonly used powder for supersonic 300 Blackout loads. For higher velocities with lighter bullets, powders like Hodgdon H110 and Alliant Reloder 10X may also be considered.

What is a typical overall length for 300 Blackout reloads with 168gr bullets?

For 168-grain bullets in 300 Blackout, a typical overall length is around 2.230 inches. Achieving this precise length is crucial for proper feeding and chambering in semi-automatic firearms.

What factors can affect accuracy when reloading ammunition?

Accuracy can be affected by numerous factors including wind, ambient temperature (which impacts powder burn rate), consistency in powder charges, bullet seating depth, primer pocket condition, and the shooter's ability to maintain a stable shooting platform.

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