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1/29/2016 10:32:15 PM EDT
Today I loaded 20 rounds of 300 BLK, it was my first time loading this cartridge.   I ended up seating the bullets to an overall length of 2.10 to get the .250 mark on the bullet to sit on the ridge in a G.I. mag.  The Nosler loading data showed a length of 2.260.  Their minimum load started at 11.0 grains, so I started at 10.9.  My upper is a 10.5" barrel with a 1/8 twist rate, with adjustable gas block.  The rounds all functioned well, and the bolt locked back.  The primers were slightly flattened, but no other signs of overpressure, but I did notice that at least 6 of the  rounds were not completely stable at 25 yds.  I used a lee bullet seating die, and lee factory crimp die, the brass was done already.  Is this a common issue with short barrels, or is my twist rate not sufficient. or is it something I am doing.  I have fired Sig, Remington, and Gemtech 220 grain ammo and never noticed any stability issues at that distance.  Thanks for any input.

Recipe I used :

Converted LC brass
CCI SRP
10.9 GR. AA1680
Nosler Competition 220 GR HPBT
Length 2.10 +/- .02 due to differences in the bullet tips
1/29/2016 11:30:51 PM EDT
[#1]
Never mind Just saw it. I am running 1/7 and have not had that happen yet. I have not seen that barrel length is a factor. Your load is reasonable. nothing out of the ordinary. What barrel maker? Did run across a post in the 300 BO only thread and seems like he had same problem with 1/8 twist. Said 1/7 fixed it.
1/30/2016 1:26:49 AM EDT
[#2]
What bullet and weight? I have a 7.5" and 8.5" and never had bullet stability issues with 1/8 twist on these.
1/30/2016 4:46:22 AM EDT
[#3]
Load them at 2.260 like nosler says. Experiment by reducing lenght in increments to see which lenght your barrel likes.  Bullet seating depth makes a huge difference in accuracy and pressure.  I thought 300 blk would act like a rifle bottleneck round in which shortening decreases pressure, but it sometimes acts like a pistol round where pressure builds up when you shorten a round.  I think that's why you had pressure signs with such a low charge.
1/30/2016 11:07:42 AM EDT
[#4]
Quote History
Quoted:
What bullet and weight? I have a 7.5" and 8.5" and never had bullet stability issues with 1/8 twist on these.
View Quote

He is using Nosler Competition 220 GR HPBT.
1/30/2016 11:11:52 AM EDT
[#5]
With the tiny case capacity of the 300BLK, a big COAL difference (going from 2.1 to 2.26) is going to take a very different powder charge.  I'm surprised that at 10.9gr at COAL 2.1 you're not supersonic.  Seems to me that at your short COAL that's too much powder to be subsonic.
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