Bear Hunter 300WM load development

[IronworksTactical]

I have a brand new Bear Hunter in 300wm that I am about to start loading for. The only thing I have so far is the brass. I will primarily be using this to hunt with but I will definetely be using this for some range time because I believe you should be very comfortable and accurate with your rifle before ever hunting. I am looking for suggestions on where to start as this is a completely new caliber for me to be loading.

The brass I have is once fired (in my rifle of course) Hornady brass. I could really use powder suggestions as well as bullets that are good hunters and arent so expensive I cant shoot them regularly, or a completely seperate load for shooting is fine also then all I have to do is re zero to hunt.

[nso123]

I have had good luck with H4831 and 180gr Nosler Partitions. I don't have my load data in front of me, but remember it was in the middle of the Hodgdon load data.

[Jetpig]

I don't think you can go wrong with the 4350's, 4831's, or RL-22 for powder. I have always found the best performance for mine was in the 180-190g bullet range loaded rather warm. Ladder up as always.. I think you will find most bullets from Sierra, Nosler, Barnes or Berger will give you great results in that grainage range or heavier.
How do you like the muzzle brake on the Bear?

[IronworksTactical]

I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet as I'm still waiting on my optic. I did install a karsten cheek riser though. The stock put my cheek so low my line of sight was leave with my EGW scope base. Now I'm trying to figure out rings while I wait for the optic and gather powder and primers to test loads once I can shoot it.

[thermaler]

I have a brand new Bear Hunter in 300wm that I am about to start loading for. The only thing I have so far is the brass. I will primarily be using this to hunt with but I will definetely be using this for some range time because I believe you should be very comfortable and accurate with your rifle before ever hunting. I am looking for suggestions on where to start as this is a completely new caliber for me to be loading.

The brass I have is once fired (in my rifle of course) Hornady brass. I could really use powder suggestions as well as bullets that are good hunters and arent so expensive I cant shoot them regularly, or a completely seperate load for shooting is fine also then all I have to do is re zero to hunt.I'm brand new to this caliber too--can't wait to modify my gun and start reloading.

[1983Weatherby]

4350, 4895. Both good choices.

[22 Mag]

1983 Weatherby

The 4895 powder should be too fast for this case size and bullets of 150-180gr.

22 Mag

[1983Weatherby]

Not so. I use 180grain partition loads with this powder and shoot sub MOA.

Once you step up to 220 grain I would agree.

Oops, meant 4831!

I use 78 grains in 180grain bullet

[Jetpig]

1983 Weatherby

The 4895 powder should be too fast for this case size and bullets of 150-180gr.

22 Mag

I have seen data using 4895 with loads up to around 150g but wouldn't think it would be optimum for anything other than the lightest bullets although, see it pushes the upper end of the pressure spectrum also which in a lot of cases, is where the 300 likes it. 1983W, Can you share some more details on your 4895 useage?

I am also running with a 28in barrel which I could see where 4895 may see good use with a shorter barrel.
Thx Pig

[IronworksTactical]

Well I have IMR4350, H4350 H414 to play with as well as some Berger 155 VLDs and Barnes 165TSX to screw with.