Chronographed: 7x57 and 300 H&H loads

[Steve Steyr]

Too windy today to shoot for accuracy but lately I have enjoyed shooting over the chronograph to see the speed
All shots taken quickly at 50 yards in 10-30 mph winds from the left front

Winchester Model 70 Lightweight 7x57 22" barrel:
48 gr H414/140 gr Rem PSPCL/PMC brass/WLR primer/3.08" OAL = (3) 2716 fps/29 ES/15 SD
50 gr H414/140 gr Sierra BT/PRVI brass/WLR primer/3.02" OAL = (3) 2818 fps/43 ES/30 SD
50 gr H414/140 gr Sierra BT/W-W brass/WLR primer/3.08" OAL (4) 2901 fps/28 ES/15 SD

Winchester Model 70 XTR 300 H&H Magnum 24" barrel
74.5 gr MRP/165 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip/W-W brass/CCI250 primer/3.63" OAL = (3) 3095 fps/88 ES/47 SD
65 gr IMR4350/165 gr Hornady BT/W-W brass/CCI250 primer/3.575" OAL = (3) 2717 fps. Accurate.
65 gr RL17/155 gr Hornady HP Match/W-W brass/CCI250 primer/3.63" OAL (3) 2994 fps/8 ES/4 SD. Very accurate.
180 gr Nosler Accubond Trophy Grade factory loads. Nominal velocity = 2950 fps.
Actual velocity (4) 2766 fps/18 ES/9 SD. Very low velocity compared to claimed.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Wow but thanks

 

[Steve Steyr]

I have more loads to fire but the winds threatened to blow over my chrono and I had to get home to tend to honey-do's...it's ALWAYS melon season!!!!!!!!!!
Also, it was only 84 degrees but the barrel really, really got hot and most of my time was spent waiting for it to cool.

 

[lwaters]

I have more loads to fire but the winds threatened to blow over my chrono and I had to get home to tend to honey-do's...it's ALWAYS melon season!!!!!!!!!!
Also, it was only 84 degrees but the barrel really, really got hot and most of my time was spent waiting for it to cool.

 

[Ray B]

That WW load looks to have real potential. Was that the last in the order of firing?

 

[lwaters]

I have a chronograph also and also found factory loads do not measure up to claims. A good handloaded 06 or 270 is as good or better than a factory loaded 7mm or 300

 

[Steve Steyr]

The 7x57 loads? Yes, I fired the 50 H414/140 Sierra with W-W brass last in the series of three loads. I was surprised that the velocity was higher than the PRVI brass load with the same bullet. I believe the W-W cases hold 60.x gr of H2O. The rifle is most accurate with either 50.5 gr or 51 gr H414 but I didn't have any more loaded with that charge.

 

[Steve Steyr]

Yes, I was shocked at the anemic velocity of the Nosler 180 gr 300 H&H factory load. It was amazingly consistent and looked to be very accurate but showed 184 fps under nominal.
I believe some older yellow box W-W 180 gr silvertips, with a nominal velocity of 2880 fps, clocked 2830 or so in my Remington 700 Classic 300 H&H 24". That was at the Rio Salado Range in Mesa some years ago.

 

[sestoppelman]

Surprised by the result of the two H414 50 gr loads as it appears the only thing different is the brass maker. Usually Win brass is the most capacious and would normally show I would have thought the lower velocity. How does the PPU brass compare to the Win in weight empty? Your Win 300 H&H must be a rare one in XTR. I had a distributor model years ago that they made for the WAMO company, had beautiful wood. But alas, like an ass, I sold it! BTW, I have had the best luck in the 300 using R22 powder. I recently tried some 180 gr Barnes TTSX bullets and they are showing good promise. I have an early 60's vintage Model 70 .300 Hollands.

 

[Desperatezulu]

180 gr Nosler Accubond Trophy Grade factory loads. Nominal velocity = 2950 fps.
Actual velocity (4) 2766 fps/18 ES/9 SD. Very low velocity compared to claimed.

This would make me question the accuracy of your chrony (battery running out of juice/alignment/wind having some effect?)
Factory ammo is usually pretty reliable in the premium brands and your ambient temperature was reasonably high, so no obvious reason for such low velocities. Probably worth verifying over a 2nd chrony.

 

[Ray B]

I've found that loading a cartridge into a hot barrel, unless it is fired immediately, will heat the powder charge and increase pressures & velocities- which could be part of the reason the last string of cartridges had a higher velocity.

 

[Steve Steyr]

My Chrono's a Chrony, the one they used to call the "Master Beta". Interesting name, huh? Most of my hand loads run pretty close to what the manuals predict but any device I have ever owned could be off. The battery was fairly fresh and I disconnect the battery when I box up the unit. All loads were shot at @12'.
My scale is an older Lyman 1200 Electronic. I check it periodically with the weight it came with and it is seldom off more than .1 grain in 1200 grains.
I measured PRVI 7x57 brass at 59.75 grains of H2O and the Winchester at 60.3 grains. The barrel was very warm when I fired the W-W loads.
I did fire the 300 H&H 180 gr Accubond loads last in the series but I allowed the barrel to cool for 7 minutes. It was still hot, as was the wood. I may try some more of the Nosler "store boughts" in another 300 H&H.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH for the background story on my Winchester Model 70 XTR 300 H&H. It does have 3x or 4x wood. I assumed someone had replaced the original stock with a Super Grade unit.
Great discussion, guys. I always appreciate feedback on handloading. I have always enjoyed researching and handloading and analyzing the results.

 

[sestoppelman]

Mind you I don't know if that is the rifle you have, only that its what I had. Without some provenance with your rifle there is no way to know for sure. It does sound like the one I had though, they were a very limited run of I think about 300 guns. My brother and I both bought one and both sold them. A friend of mine has my brothers gun and still shoots it.

 

[Steve Steyr]

Wish I could figure out how to send photos. I would like you to see the M70 XTR 300 H&H to verify if it was from the special run you mentioned. Part of my joy is studying and learning about all things firearms related.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Wish I could figure out how to send photos. I would like you to see the M70 XTR 300 H&H to verify if it was from the special run you mentioned. Part of my joy is studying and learning about all things firearms related.

If the photos are on your computer it's pretty easy. Hit the "Upload a File" button next to the "Post Reply" button. Another popup from there for selecting the files. Navigate to the file directory and choose the photo you want. It will then upload to the AH server. From there look for the buttons that say "Thumbnail" and "Full Image" next to the file you uploaded. Whichever you choose it will insert the pic where the cursor currently is in the text field of your reply.

 

[Steve Steyr]

Hello Phoenix Phil, I added three photos under the "Videos & Photos" section under the heading "firearms and ammunition". Hey-that was too easy! Must be a catch. Now I can post photos like crazy. Thanks for your guidance.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Hello Phoenix Phil, I added three photos under the "Videos & Photos" section under the heading "firearms and ammunition". Hey-that was too easy! Must be a catch. Now I can post photos like crazy. Thanks for your guidance.
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Very nice wood!

 

[sestoppelman]

That looks exactly like the two I have seen especially the wood quality. I cannot say for certain its one of the WAMO guns but I would almost bet it is. Very nice!

 

[Steve Steyr]

Thank you. As I stated, I thought someone had restocked with Super Grade wood. It has seen some use but doesn't seem abused.

 

[PaulT]

Hello Phoenix Phil, I added three photos under the "Videos & Photos" section under the heading "firearms and ammunition". Hey-that was too easy! Must be a catch. Now I can post photos like crazy. Thanks for your guidance.
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Stunning rifle !