Short magnums, ultra magnums, and heavy bullets

FirstFreedom · March 10, 2005, 12:00 PM

I'm wondering in general, and specifically in .30 cal rounds, will the largest of the bullets (220 grainers) actually fit within the COL and still have enough room for the desired charge of powder, in:

.300 WSM
.300 RUM
.300 RSAUM

???, particularly the WSM and RSAUM - I'd think it may not be possible or ideal at least to load the heavier bullets in these, there just not being enough room, without sacrificing the desired/appropriate powder charge. If that's the case, it makes them much less interesting to me than the traditional win mag, or perhaps the long action RUM.

Ditto for the heaviest bullets in any given bullet weight in other short mags. What's the deal, reloaders?

scottys1 · March 10, 2005, 09:51 PM

I have a .300 WSM but haven't done much load development yet so my experience is somewhat limited.
The info I have gathered has indicated that in comparison to a .300 Winchester everything is pretty much equal until the bullet weight gets above 180-190 grains or so. I'm sure the story is the same with a .300 RSAUM. You have to keep the COL short enough that it will feed and chamber and heavy bullets take up powder space.
I think it's similar to the difference between a .308 and a .30-06.
The .300 RUM is a whole different story. With a case that can hold 100 grains of powder, you can use any reasonable bullet.

March 10, 2005, 12:00 PM	#1
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,451	Short magnums, ultra magnums, and heavy bullets I'm wondering in general, and specifically in .30 cal rounds, will the largest of the bullets (220 grainers) actually fit within the COL and still have enough room for the desired charge of powder, in: .300 WSM .300 RUM .300 RSAUM ???, particularly the WSM and RSAUM - I'd think it may not be possible or ideal at least to load the heavier bullets in these, there just not being enough room, without sacrificing the desired/appropriate powder charge. If that's the case, it makes them much less interesting to me than the traditional win mag, or perhaps the long action RUM. Ditto for the heaviest bullets in any given bullet weight in other short mags. What's the deal, reloaders?

March 10, 2005, 09:51 PM	#2
scottys1 Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 2004 Posts: 316	I have a .300 WSM but haven't done much load development yet so my experience is somewhat limited. The info I have gathered has indicated that in comparison to a .300 Winchester everything is pretty much equal until the bullet weight gets above 180-190 grains or so. I'm sure the story is the same with a .300 RSAUM. You have to keep the COL short enough that it will feed and chamber and heavy bullets take up powder space. I think it's similar to the difference between a .308 and a .30-06. The .300 RUM is a whole different story. With a case that can hold 100 grains of powder, you can use any reasonable bullet.