As to the velocity discrepancy, this is quite normal. Bear in mind the data which is published is for a particular barrel, or gun. Those chambers and bores used for the published data can be significantly different from what you have. Conversely, it's sometimes possible that a consumer barrel can't handle the published load because of excessive pressure and much higher velocity than published. Published data is nothing more than a guide. The velocity is a little low for a 300 but I'd sure rather have the accuracy than the velocity, given a choice. It may be that the chronograph is a bit off. Several chonographs are very susceptible to changing light conditions, notably Pact and Chrony. I've had both of those and finally got rid of them because of erratic and inconsistent readings.
As to the primers, bear in mind that Alliant, and Hercules before them, did NOT recommend using magnum primers with their powders unless they specifically recommend. Time after time on these boards many have stated that their best accuracy is with standard primers in both 300 and 338 using any of the Alliant powders. That has always been my own experience with both those cartridges using either RL19 or RL22. After developing a load my custom is to try a variety of primers at the tail end to see if any affect the group positively. Primers can and do make a difference. I've seen what you experience many times. It may be that in your 300 a slightly faster powder, like H4831, might give you more velocity, if that's what you seek. Or you might give IMR 7828 a try as well. However, were it me, I'd be satisfied with the tight groups and low SD.
Re your 338, I use RL22 or N160 with 225 Noslers. Both yield velocity near 2900 with respectable accuracy. Presume your question relates to the drop from 100 to 200 yards. What you quote is about what I would expect. I typically sight in at 100 yards, about 3.9" high. This puts me dead on at 300, or at least close enough that a bit of tinkering gets me right there. Seems about right for your velocity.
I also settled on RL-19 for more velocity and less pressure in the 338 Win. I also like H4831 in the 338....I use Fed. 215 primers and get 1/2" groups average for 5 groups with a number of loads, but my gun is not sincitive to primers or powder charges and it also puts most loads into the same hole....
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Ray Atkinson
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"A school of Tuna led by a Shark can beat a school of Sharks led by a Tuna"
You sound like you have also gotten good results with your .338 work. It sounds like you should be able to get 2800 fps with the 225 grn Partition, another option is to go to the 210 grn Partition. I have heard nothing but good things about the 210 grn'r, Ray Atkinson swear's by them.
I think that the lighter .338 bullets have a place and time, the caliber is such a incredably versatile one. Give the 180grn B-tip's a try for giggle's ; I did , And found the most accurate load for my rifle in doing so. I fully plan to hunt deer and 'lope's with my .338 and 180 grn B-tip's, thats how accurate that bullet is in the .338win.
I think you have things under control. If you want to "play" and keep, discovering the .338, then buy a small can of IMR-4350 and give it a try. The .338Win is capable of fabulous accuracy and I think there is much your rifle is capable of that you havnt discovered yet.....good shooting...........10
I went home and brushed the barrel followed by clean patches until it was completely clean, and then returned to the range. I fired two factory Winchester FS rounds, and to my amazement the bullets printed right next to each other. That's all I needed to know before hunting season. That year I killed a moose with one shot through the shoulders at 200 yards (broke both shoulder bones, too). I still have the target with the two holes next to each other. This year I killed another moose with one shot through the lungs at 250 yards. I used a Federal HE 250-grain NOS Partition bullet.
Of all the bullets I have used on moose I have only recovered one. This one was a 230-grain FS. I have been using FS bullets for a few years now, except for this season, but it seems that every .338 bullet I use kills moose just as well. The .338 Magnum is a great cartridge, and the more I shoot this rifle the more I am impressed with it. It is simple to reload for, it does not take too much powder to create loads with a wallop!
With 230-grain bullets I use 72.5 to 73 grains of RL-19, and as much as 75-grains RL-22. Both powder drops produce around 2,840 fps, but be aware that those are what I consider maximum powder drops for my rifle. Start below those maximums and work your way up if you can do that safely.
[This message has been edited by Ray, Alaska (edited 09-22-2001).]
Your 72 gr. load is very mild....76 grs. of RL-19 is max load in the Barnes manual for the 225 gr. Nosler....I used that load in my 338 Win. on a couple of Safaris, Then went back to the 210 Nosler at 3005 FPS..It kills better, and actually penitrates better.
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Ray Atkinson