I just loaded and shot some 165 gr. Interlocks in my 300WM. The loads were from 71gr of IMR4350 to 74 grs of the same powder I moved in .5gr incriments to the max load . The best accuracy was with 72.5gr. but it was not a great group, about 2in at 100yds. The rifle is a ruger 77MKII. The velocity per my manuals should be about 3100fps. Is it possible that I'm pushing these bullets too fast?? I will use a premium bullet for hunting and was only using these for load research. The higher charges had a much larger spread.

Your not hurting the bullet at that speed at all. For some reason your barrel just isn't a match to those loads. In general hornady interlocks have a great reputation for accuracy. Many people call them the best of the non premiums. They have shot real well for me in many guns. I have a friend who has a rifles inc custom 270 weatherby that just loves the 150 interlock. You would be shocked at the mounts in his game room that came from that combo. He completed his grand slam of sheep with a one shot kill over 600 yds with the same gun. What shoots good for one gun may just be the worst for another. It's just how crazy this game of reloading is.

Every rifle is diff. My .338-06 won't shoot any brand of 225gr worth a crap. It will hit 1moa w/ 210rgNPs & any 250gr, go figure. BTW, estimating your vel. from the manual is a guestimate at best. Ask to run your loads over a fellow shooters chronograph, real eye opener.

My rifle shoots 180gr. TSX pretty good, also Accubond 180gr. The reason I'm trying the lighter bullet is it loves 110gr.VMAX!!It will clover leaf 3 shots over and over again. I thought maybe it liked lighter bullets better. Maybe I'll try some 150gr.bullets.I tried RE22 and H4831 with the 180gr bullets. I could hold a 2 in group at 100yds. That would be fine for general hunting but I was hopeing to shave them down a little.

quote:

Originally posted by ELKMAN2:
Is it possible that I'm pushing these bullets too fast??

Too fast to be accurate? Yes, it is "possible" but that is only one among numerous variations that may be the culprit. Not too likley that lower velocities are going to solve any inaccuracy you might have with that rifle.

As the others have said, guns can be fickle. It probably just doesnt like that particular bullet.

FWIW--I have a 30-378 in a Sako TRGS that loves lightweight bullets. I'm shooting barnes 150's with decent accuracy at 300 yds. I would recomend that you might try some 150 tsx's and see how they perform. They will work on any north american game (except dangerous game) from pretty much any angle. Also don't necessarily give up on the longer bullets. One of my favorite loads in my 300 wby is the 180 barnes. This is a pretty long bullet and will only shoot 1.5" groups at 100 yds but they shrink to 3-3.5" at 300 yds. Your 300 mag is more than a 100 yd gun. Start "walking" it at 250-300 yds and take note of the accuracy there. You may be surprised and the performance of the 180's at that range and the 110's may drop off severely at 300 yds. Not sure what kind of hunting you are planning but if you can get a good hunting bullet shooting good groups at 300 yds you will gain confidence that can really work for you in the field!!

kraky, Thanks. I hunt elk etc. here in wyo. I've shot some 180gr TSX and they shot OK. I have not done much bench work at longer distances yet. I've been trying to get it grouping good at 100 first but I will shoot it at a longer distance just to see how they work. I'm not afraid of the 150 gr. bullet at all. I have always been a small bullet high speed guy anyway! I will buy a box and give them a spin.I don't know if I will try another powder yet, I like the IMR4350 and I can use it in several other guns, but if I have to I will keep trying others or go back to RE22..Again thanks to all of you..P