300 Win Mag - Savage 110 Precision - Finishing break-in

Published on February 11, 2021
Duration: 57:31

This video details the process of finishing the break-in and conducting extensive load development for a Savage 110 Precision rifle in .300 Winchester Magnum. The instructor tests a wide array of bullet weights (110gr to 240gr) paired with numerous powders, meticulously recording velocity, group size, standard deviation, and extreme spread data. The content emphasizes a systematic approach to finding optimal loads, troubleshooting issues like hang fires and cold-weather performance, and offers insights into bullet stabilization and powder burn rates.

Quick Summary

Extensive load development for a Savage 110 Precision .300 Win Mag involved testing bullets from 110gr to 240gr with various powders. Key findings include the impact of cold weather on velocity consistency, the reliability of IMR 4451 and H4350, and the excellent performance of Reloader 26 with heavy bullets like the 240gr Sierra Match King.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Savage 110 Precision .300 Win Mag Break-In
  2. 00:16Bullet and Powder Selection Strategy
  3. 01:05110gr Hornady Z-Max Load Testing
  4. 01:42125gr Speer TNT Load Testing
  5. 02:07125gr Hornady SST Load Testing
  6. 02:52135gr Sierra Varmint Load Testing
  7. 03:09147gr FMJ-BT Load Testing
  8. 04:26168gr Sierra Tipped Match King Load Testing
  9. 04:56180gr Nosler Partition Load Testing
  10. 05:18185gr Berger Hybrid Target Load Testing
  11. 05:29220gr Hornady ELDX Load Testing
  12. 05:46240gr Sierra Match King Load Testing
  13. 06:08Primers and Ammunition Preparation
  14. 06:39New Brass Neck Tension Testing
  15. 08:05Reloading Press Setup
  16. 10:32Range Setup and Initial Shots
  17. 11:11First Load: 110gr Z-Max with Power Pro 2000 MR
  18. 15:05Second Load: 110gr Z-Max with Accurate 4350
  19. 17:39125gr Speer TNT with IMR 4451
  20. 19:32125gr Speer TNT with H4895
  21. 21:17125gr Hornady SST with H4350
  22. 23:01125gr Hornady SST with Reloader 17
  23. 25:21135gr Sierra Varmint with Reloader 16
  24. 26:43135gr Sierra Varmint with IMR 4451
  25. 28:18147gr FMJ-BT with Shooters World 4350
  26. 31:39147gr FMJ-BT with BLC-2
  27. 34:05168gr Sierra Tipped Match King with Reloader 22
  28. 35:46168gr Sierra Tipped Match King with H4831 SC
  29. 37:32Day 2: 180gr Nosler Partition with H1000
  30. 39:24180gr Nosler Partition with IMR 4350
  31. 41:03185gr Berger Hybrid Target with H4831 SC
  32. 43:14185gr Berger Hybrid Target with H1000
  33. 45:10220gr Hornady ELDX with Reloader 26
  34. 47:41220gr Hornady ELDX with Power Pro 4000 MR
  35. 50:36240gr Sierra Match King with IMR 7977
  36. 53:15240gr Sierra Match King with Reloader 26
  37. 55:48Overall Performance and Future Plans

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key considerations for breaking in a new Savage 110 Precision .300 Win Mag rifle?

The break-in process involves shooting a variety of factory and handloaded ammunition to seat the barrel and identify optimal bullet and powder combinations. It's crucial to meticulously record group sizes, velocities, and any anomalies like hang fires or feeding issues to understand the rifle's performance characteristics.

How does cold weather affect .300 Win Mag ammunition performance?

Extremely cold temperatures can significantly impact powder ignition and burn rates, leading to inconsistent velocities, large extreme spreads, and potential hang fires. This necessitates careful load selection and awareness of environmental conditions during testing.

Which powders are recommended for the .300 Winchester Magnum cartridge based on this testing?

Based on this extensive testing, IMR 4451, H4350, Reloader 16, IMR 7977, and Reloader 26 demonstrated excellent performance with various bullet weights, providing good accuracy and consistent velocities. Reloader 26, in particular, showed exceptional standard deviation numbers with heavy bullets.

What are the challenges of using heavy bullets like 220gr and 240gr in a .300 Win Mag?

While heavy bullets can offer excellent ballistic performance, they require sufficient barrel twist rate for stabilization (1:9.33 is generally adequate for up to 240gr). Load development can be more complex, requiring slower-burning powders and careful attention to pressure signs and velocity consistency.

What advice is given for reloading new brass for .300 Win Mag?

For new brass, especially for magnum cartridges, using an expander mandrel to achieve precise neck tension is recommended. An extra-long expander body die may be necessary to ensure proper neck expansion without damaging the case mouth.

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