what powder do you think would be better to start with? which do you think will produce higher velocity? is any one inherently better for the .300 win mag? in regards to recoil, velocity, accuracy? interested to know from some of the more experienced reloaders for this caliber. thanks

Actually, IMR-4831 From 59.4 grains to 75.5 grains
Winchester WLR Primer would be your best bet (at least I found it best).

But if you insist on the RL powders...

RL-19 From 62.8 grains to 76.0 grains
Winchester WLR Primer
RL-22 From 63.5 grains to 77.0 grains
Winchester WLR Primer
RL-25 From 64.8 grains to 82.3 grains
Winchester WLR Primer

I'd say RL22 would be your best bet.

Maybe RL19 could give you better groups, and RL25 could give slightly more velocity, but RL22 should be pretty close to both.

I think all 3 are capable of a 180 gr. @ 3000 fps or a bit more. RL25 will have much higher charge weights, which should slightly increase recoil. RL19 would be better for 125-165 gr. loads, RL22 for 165-200 gr., RL25 for 180 gr. and up weights.

alaskadude -- I started off shooting IMR 4350 with my .300 Winny, then when 7828 came out I thought it was wonderful, then RL-22 claimed the day. I could get good speed with others but pin point accuracy and more speed came with the RL-22. My primer is the Fed 210M, if I use a magnum primer, I blow the group to an inch or better. I use 78 grains of powder, do not start with this load. You might try 73 grains and see how your barrel likes that, then increase as you see fit. My average speed is 3100 fps, with the Nosler Partition or North Fork. Good shooting.

I've used RL 22 in a 300 for many years. I've always had excellent results, but always at a charge 1.5 to 2 grains below max. My 180 grain Barnes X grouped below and inch, as did Nosler 180 BT. Velocity was a consistent 3030. I tried RL 25 and had excellent results with that as well. Mild loads produced 3100 FPS with the same bullets. I've since replaced the 300 Win with a 300 WSM. I'm using RL 22, mostly becasue that was the only data I could find. I had excellent results and killed 3 deer with it in November. I tried IMR and it proved to be inconsitent. My rifle grouped four inches, if lucky, and more othen shot pie plate groups. I adjusted, and the groups expanded. I loaded both IMR and RL and fired both in groupd of three. RL a consitent inche group, IMR pie plates, not matter what the charge. I used the IMR to fertilize my lawn.

i went to the range yesterday and tried 81 grns of RL25 with fed215 and 180TBBC. the first group was about an inch. then i went home cleaned the gun and went back, they blew up to about 2.5 inches? (3 shot group). they were cruising at 3060fps (avg). i did notice the recoil was quite a bit more than other loads though. guess ill try RL 22 or imr4350 to see what they do. thanks for the help

I'll be trying RL22 ASAP. Sounds like a great balance between velocity and accuracy.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned AA3100 here. I've gotten great results, all with Sierra bullets, from 168 to 220 grains.

72 Grains of IMR4350 works well in my 300 Win Mag.

83gr. H-1000 fills the case and gives an honest 3150fps with 180gr. A-frame from a 24" Lilja barrel on my 300 Win. mag. This is with W-W cases and Fed 215 M's. 80gr. of the same powder gives a 200NP 2975fps. Both of these loads will give consistent sub MOA. I don't feel a need to experiment further with powders in this gun. These are both books loads right from the Hodgdon manual.

My 300 Win Mag really dislikes RL 25 for some reason. The velocity spread is terrible, something in excess of 100 fps. In addition the 100 yard groups were quite a bit bigger than with Rl 22, which is my personal favorite.

Using the same 10 cases that have been hand selected and prepped gives velocity spread of less than 20 fps for 10 shots as long as I space the shots about 2 minutes apart using Rl 22 and Federal 215 match primers with 175 gr Sierra Matchkings.