.300 win mag bullet help

[jones39]

Went to the range this morning with my Howa hogue 1500 win mag shooting 180 grand n Barnes tsx and it sprayed them all over the target. What do you guys shoot in your Howa? I’ve always had good luck with the Barnes in my other rifles.

 

[p_ham]

I don't have a howa but my 300wm really likes 200gr partitions.

 

[The Hedgehog]

I don't have a Howa, but this is the bullet you might want to try: https://www.hornady.com/bullets/rifle/30-cal-308-208-gr-eld-match#!/

 

[Wally Dog]

180 gr Nosler partitions through my H&H

 

[406LIFE]

What do you mean by sprayed all over? Did you let barrel cool down after shots? Brand new barrel? Recently cleaned?

I shoot Accubond 180g made by Choice. Keyholes all the time.

 

[grandejuan]

What is the barrel's twist rate?. GJ

 

[jones39]

Before this morning, the barrel had been broken in about a month ago per Howa's break in procedure. I shot 3 shot groups this morning and then let the gun cool before shooting another 3 shot group. There just seemed to be no consistency with what so ever. It would shoot one 3-4 inches high and then one of the next couple may be 3-4 inches low and also did the same with left and right. I've never owned a gun that did this so I'm searching for answers.

 

[MThuntr]

How consistent are the individual groups?

Standard things to check...rings, bases, stock/action screw, stock binding, is the scope junk, are you flinching

 

[jones39]

What is the barrel's twist rate?. GJ

1:10

 

[jones39]

How consistent are the individual groups?

Standard things to check...rings, bases, stock/action screw, stock binding, is the scope junk, are you flinching

I would say the individual groups would fit in a 6 “ circle. Everything seems to be tight. I have a vortex viper 6-24-50 on it. I had it in the sled and don’t feel like flinching was an issue. It shot a whole lot better when I broke the barrel in with the Remington core lokt.

 

[TimeOnTarget]

I don't have a Howa, but this is the bullet you might want to try: https://www.hornady.com/bullets/rifle/30-cal-308-208-gr-eld-match#!/

Beware though, This is not a hunting bullet.

 

[TimeOnTarget]

What do you mean by sprayed all over? Did you let barrel cool down after shots? Brand new barrel? Recently cleaned?

I shoot Accubond 180g made by Choice. Keyholes all the time.

Sounds like a crown issue.

 

[The Hedgehog]

Beware though, This is not a hunting bullet.

Darn, wish we'd have known that last weekend, and maybe for the last 5 years..

 

[BrownBag]

Have you tried a 168 grain TTSX? If you look at stability calculators, 168 grain Barnes TTSX is a bit more stable in the 1:10 twist of the Howa. Also, if you like the performance of the Barnes it is worth trying some of the other options for non-lead, monolithic bullets. Nosler e-Tip, Hornady GMX, Norma Kalahari, Federal Trophy Copper, etc. I have a Howa 1500 30-06 that doesn't shoot the Barnes loads all that well but shoots the 180 grain Federal Trophy Copper well.

 

[belly-deep]

Before this morning, the barrel had been broken in about a month ago per Howa's break in procedure. I shot 3 shot groups this morning and then let the gun cool before shooting another 3 shot group. There just seemed to be no consistency with what so ever. It would shoot one 3-4 inches high and then one of the next couple may be 3-4 inches low and also did the same with left and right. I've never owned a gun that did this so I'm searching for answers.

Go back and try the core lokts again.

Wandering groups usually mean a problem with scope/mounts or a bullet too long to be stabilized by the twist rate.

I doubt the latter. If the core lokts group then you can rule out the scope/mount issue.

 

[cahunter805]

I would do as suggested and try the core lokts again. If they group well then maybe the gun just likes them better. Also in the Barnes the 168TTSX are a great choice.

Another recommendation. Try shooting some groups not in the lead sled. I'm not a fan of them at all. Seen them cause many problems with rifles and accuracy. I prefer a bipod and rear bag.

 

[jones39]

Have you tried a 168 grain TTSX? If you look at stability calculators, 168 grain Barnes TTSX is a bit more stable in the 1:10 twist of the Howa. Also, if you like the performance of the Barnes it is worth trying some of the other options for non-lead, monolithic bullets. Nosler e-Tip, Hornady GMX, Norma Kalahari, Federal Trophy Copper, etc. I have a Howa 1500 30-06 that doesn't shoot the Barnes loads all that well but shoots the 180 grain Federal Trophy Copper well.

Thanks a lot. I haven’t tried them in the .300 but shoot them out of my .308 that has the same twist and it absolutely loves them. I’ll try some.

 

[jones39]

Go back and try the core lokts again.

Wandering groups usually mean a problem with scope/mounts or a bullet too long to be stabilized by the twist rate.

I doubt the latter. If the core lokts group then you can rule out the scope/mount issue.

That’s in the plans for later this week.

 

[zachthebowhunter]

I never was able to get my Browning 300 win to shoot worth a crap out of a lead sled. May not be your issue here but worth looking into.

 

[Don Fischer]

I've never owned a 300 mag but loaded for a friend years ago. Seem's like these days the 180gr bullet is the go to bullet. Back then I always figured the 200gr bullet was the way to go. Better for long range and with a 200gr bullet it wouldn't tear up the bullet with velocity. But hit a deer up close and the damage will be fairly big!