300 Ultra Mag..question?

[wak'm&stak'm]

I bought a Rem Model 700, which is chambered for the Rem 300 Ultra Mag, on this is mounted a weaver grand Slam that is capable of handling the recoil.

I have shot a couple boxes of factory (Rem) 180 grs thru it and I am not happy with the accuracy at all. The gun was sand bagged and the group was the gun not the shooter.

I am dealing with about a 3 inch group at a hundred yards..........barf!

Has anyone else delt with this or worked up a load they feel good with???? Thanks

[KingFisher85]

Lose the Remingtons and find some new loads.

[TheTexan]

I think Rems are the only load for that caliber right now. I had the Browning in the same caliber and it wasn't broke in until after 40 rounds. I also had to clean the copper out after each visit to the range. During the first 20 or so rounds I like to clean the bore after every other shot. I think someone once told me this burnishes the bore and is important. Use as close to fully jacketed rounds for the first 40 or so rounds. Good luck.

[kenai]

I agree with extex, I bought the rem 700 bdl in 300 ultra mag for my Alaska gun. first 2 boxes of factory ammo I was all over the place, I thought it was the scope. On the 3rd box that rifle turned into the most accurate rifle I have ever shot. I've worked up some loads but the best I've found are 180 grain spitzers loaded by 4C ammo in beaverton. Let me know and I can get a hold of him. Try them before you sell the gun.

[wak'm&stak'm]

Thanks for the input......I will burn up a few more shells and then work on a new load.

[shawn2010]

I had the same problem with my ultra mag, Might want to run some JB compound through your barrel after each shot for about 10 rounds, It sure helped out, I am shooting rem 700 RMEF mounted w/ LPS

[Firedog]

wak em, go over to this webpage, a lot of info on the Ultra mag along with a lot of other's Acurate Arms Reloading Page Scroll down to the Medium bores page or the relaoding page and you shoul dbe able to fond the info you need.

[ 12-15-2002, 01:34 PM: Message edited by: firedog ]

[DOUGS]

I have a 300 ultra mag cindero and it shoots a 1" group at 100 with 97.5 grains h-1000,180 grain nossler balistic tip, 3200 ft/s. When we up the powder charge to get the 3300 -3400 ft/s the shot groups get larger and larger, something like the 3" you talk about. You might try reloading your own.

good luck

[nerta]

[img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img] before loading lots of different loads check the crown on the barrel. look for burrs and such. also check the stock for any undue pressure on the barrel. if every thing looks good you might want to lap the barrel. most target rifles have the barrels lapped to remove the rough tooling marks created duriing the machining process. nowdays most factory loads should shoot as well as the one's we make, it,s just more fun to roll your own. :grin:

[Megabites]

I agree with all of the load recommendations. I have found a large differance in hand loads vs. factory.

Two other things to consider:

1. Is the scope and mounts you are using able to handle the heavy recoil? I have had problems with scopes like busnell. I finally went to a Swarovski and have been very happy.

2. The recoil is heavy on this load and I found that after about 5 shots I was pulling very poorly in anticipation of the recoil. I sent the gun out and had a quality muzzle brake installed and the trigger reworked for 0 creep and a 3.5 lbs pull. Made all of the difference in the world.

The otherwise factory Sendero now shoots 3/4" groups at 100 yrds with hand loads. Loads are 180gr. Nosler Bal Tip, 92 gr. Reloader 22 in remington brass. Vel is 3350fps on average.

I don't know if anyone else emntioned you should be using a copper cleaner as well. Very important during break in.

Good Luck

[wak'm&stak'm]

Thanks again to all of you..

[Lured In]

As ex-tex said, double check to make sure you are not getting copper fouling. Also, be sure to let the barrel cool somewhat or you will see the effects of a hot barrel playing into this as well.

Good luck.

[onstep]

I've got a buddy who has one these in the custom shop ks 300 UM. and it has done the samething. I would check the crown of your barrel and look at how the round chambers. My buddy has had huge problem with copper fouling. I believe we have solved that buy going to the 200 gr. nosler. The major problem he had with this thing was the recoil had trashed the inside of his Swaroski (sp?) which floored both of us and the guys at Northwest Armory. I bought the same gun in 300 winnie and have to say when it comes to smackem way out there it has no problems. All comes down to the man on the trigger....

[Big Willie]

My good friend has one of those 300 Ultra Mags. What a freakin' canon...put a real nice half moon tatoo over my eye. $#@&%#. [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img]
That think belongs on a turret of an M1, not in a gun rack! I'm not bitter. :grin:
If there is ever a Wooly Mamoth hunt you guys will be ready!

[Megabites]

Hey Big Willie I know the feeling. I did the same thing the first time I shot the UM. The muzzle brake made it a real nice shooting gun however. They say it is a 40% reduction in recoil. I can now shoot all day without a sore shoulder. Really help the accuracy as well. Best 200 buck I ever spent. :grin:

[Tunamaster]

W&S - Find a good bench mark load from someone reputable with a similar gun, back it down a ways and Reload! Working up a sweet load and driving tacks with it is a great feeling of accomplishment! Hopefully you have access to a chronograph. Once you tune your load to the individual characteristics of your gun, you will be pleased. Make sure you have someone knowledgeable to safely guide you through the process. Due to it's recent popularity, there are many articles available regarding test loadings for your gun. Shooting Times has featured several. This would be a good area to start concentrating on. The Rem 700 action/gun is one of the most accurate off-the-shelf firearms. I would be very surprised if it is caused by a manufacturers defect.

[wak'm&stak'm]

Thanks again...I picked up supplies (and poles, and reels, and backpacks, and rilfles, hats, and a truck load of other stuff) yesterday and will work up a new load between showers.

Work of caution.....don't go to the Sportsmans Warehouse if you plan on having money for anyone elses presents.

[Big Willie]

Mega...I would bet a muzzle break would do the trick! Another friend put one on a 300 WinMag and made it a nice shooter.
That Sportsmans Warehouse is very addicting!
Gary

[RogueFishr]

Megabites,
what kind of muzzle break did you have installed? What kind of increase (if any) did you notice in noise level when shooting? I am looking for one to put on my .338.

RF

A muzzle break is a 4" waste of space. If you can't take the recoil (not a jugment) have your barrel ported.

A .338 shouldn't kick that bad. Is it lighter than 9 lbs? A mercury filled recoil supressor in the stock might help and it won't make your rifle any longer. I'm thinking about putting on in my 8-1/2 lb .375x8mm Rem (21" bbl) This rifle kicks the snot out of me, I shouldn't have turned as much off of the barrel.

[Sturgeon Tom]

I have a new Remington 7mm ultra mag. Unfortunately I do not reload. Have shot 8 rounds in it. 2" grupe @ 100 yards. Kicks like the dickens. 160 gr nosler partition.
If I could get someone to reload what would be the best load?
Would a mercury recoil reducer, muzzle brake, or ported berrel be better? Does anyone know what they cost and where is the best place to go to get them?
Thanks Tom

[ 12-18-2002, 01:07 PM: Message edited by: Sturgeon Tom ]

I feel that a brake is a waste of space, unless you are hunting very open country. Port it.
I would also recomend using 175 gr bullets.

[Tunamaster]

I'm assuming that Keta is suggesting something along the lines of Mag-Na-Port. This is a very effective method of reducing muzzle jump and some recoil. My dad has his .358 Norma ported in this manner. If you really want to reduce felt recoil, I would highly recommend adding a removable brake. They don't cost much and they will make working up loads much more enjoyable. I had a Mag-Na-Brake added to my .338 Arnold and my brother's .375. I couldn't be happier with my choice. I believe it is less than 2 inches long and is removable for hunting. It also looks great. A thread protector is included. I have never been recoil shy, but it makes repetitive shooting easier. Shooting with the brake on requires dual hearing protection, I feel. It's Money well spent in my opinion. Check out Mag-Na-Port's website.

[Megabites]

The muzzle brake I had installed was a custom from Accuracy Systems, Inc.. (www.accuracysystemsinc.com) It only added 1.5" to the barrel length. They do very nice work. As far as noise goes, it is loaded to your sides but quieter down range. Muzzle blast is redirected out and back to stop the recoil so the noise follows.

[SLEDDER]

For what it is worth. I had a 7 rem. mag. I converted it to 7mm Rem. ultra mag. 26" barrel, thumbhole fiberglass stock. Barrel is fitted with a muzzle brake that was custom made. (nothing fancy). I shot the rifle without the brake, won't be doing that again. Screwed on the brake with some loctite, and shot it. It was like shooting a 243, or 25-06. I was very impressed and relieved by the difference. The rifle is definatly overkill for deer, but will do nicely for elk, if I decide to hunt with rifle. Accuracy of rifle, it is too early to tell yet, barrel has not been worked enough yet. I found everything I needed on e-bay Except for the bolt.

[willametteriveroutlaw]

FYI, Porting will cost you velocity, not much like 50-100 fps, Which trakes your UM and makes it about par with a standard WM. Muzzle breaks do not though.

[Sturgeon Tom]

Teriffic information, I didn't know about the velocity factoy. That makes a difference to me.
Thanks Tom

Why have an Ultra Mag if it only pushes a bullet 50-100 fps faster? 1/8" less drop at 100 yds isn't worth the extra powder.
I don't have the balistics for the Ultra Mags so I am going by the Outlaws numbers.

[kenai]

Bigger, better, faster syndrome for me. I admit it, I got caught up in it. But I still love this cartridge for long range accuracy and KO. I coudnt afford the Wby and this was the next best choice for me. 300 UM balistics

[brshooter]

wak'm&stak'm,
Back to your accuracy problems. Before you rule out the handloads, I agree you need to check the copper fouling. Give it a good cleaning with Sweets or Butch's Bore Shine. Both will do a good job on copper fouling. Did you follow any break in procedures? Is everything tight? The big magnums tend to work everything loose. Bedding screws, scope base and ring screws. How is your trigger? Remington has a pretty good trigger from the factory and can be cleaned up really well with just a hone. Even better if you know someone with a milling maching who can square it up. Has the rifle been bedded? I recommend pillar bedding over glass or composite bedding. Is the barrel free floating?

Handloading will be a big help. You can tailor the loads to what your gun likes. I don't know how experienced you are with precision handloading, but there are lots of variables that can influence accuracy. Every piece of brass I use has had the primer pocket uniformed, the case head squared, the neck turned, and the cases are sorted by weight. I do this for my hunting rifles as well as my bench guns. Bullet seating depth is a big key. Factory loads are manufactured to fit a variety of chambers and throats. USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN ADJUSTING WITH BULLET SEATING DEPTH. You can generate dangerous pressures if done incorrectly. Most of my rifles shoot best with the bullet seated within .005" of the lands. This not always possible if the loaded round has to feed through a magazine.

Good luck.

[ 12-24-2002, 10:57 PM: Message edited by: brshooter ]

[wak'm&stak'm]

Thanks again for all the help and it maybe a spring project now.