300 Whisper/Fireball

[jinx44]

Are there any 300 Whisper/Fireball shooters on here?

I just ordered some parts to put together another AR, and went with a barrel in 300/221. I have been wanting one for awhile, but finally decided to go with it.

I am curious what loads you are working with. I am thinking the new 208gr A-max would be a great bullet in this gun. It should have good accuracy, and still be killer on coyotes as well as deer.

What brass are you using? I have some once fired mil in .223, as well as some used .222. Or I can pick up new .221. I am curious what everyone feels is the better option.

[ndmp40]

Originally Posted by jinx44

Are there any 300 Whisper/Fireball shooters on here?

I just ordered some parts to put together another AR, and went with a barrel in 300/221. I have been wanting one for awhile, but finally decided to go with it.

I am curious what loads you are working with. I am thinking the new 208gr A-max would be a great bullet in this gun. It should have good accuracy, and still be killer on coyotes as well as deer.

What brass are you using? I have some once fired mil in .223, as well as some used .222. Or I can pick up new .221. I am curious what everyone feels is the better option.

I am sorry that I dont know anything about that caliber- but are you really talking about a 208 grain in a .222/.223 brass? For coyotes????? Just asking!

[jinx44]

Originally Posted by ndmp40

I am sorry that I dont know anything about that caliber- but are you really talking about a 208 grain in a .222/.223 brass? For coyotes????? Just asking!

Yes. You take .221 fireball brass and neck it up to 30cal, or take .223 brass and cut the shoulder off and neck it down.

The round was actually intended for 220-250 gr bullets, but the new 208 gr A-max sounds like it will be a good performer in this caliber as well.

As for using it on coyotes, I will probably try it a few times. It should actually be effective on deer or anything out to 200yds.

Here is a picture showing the stages of the case sizing. Far left is a standard .221 Fireball brass, next is the Fireball brass sized with a 7mm expander, next is sized with the 30 cal expander. Then the loaded 300 whisper round, and finally a .223 round.



This picture is of the new 208gr A-max bullet, and a loaded 300 whisper round with the 208 gr in it:



The whisper rounds are SUB-sonic. I may even apply for the tax stamp and buy a suppressor. With the low velocity and high bullet BC, the round is said to be extremely accurate and even highly wind resistant.

[ndmp40]

I did some reading on it and I think its a real nice round! Might give it a try sometime. Let us know how it works out for you.

(But I still think its overkill for cuyutes!)

[jinx44]

Originally Posted by ndmp40

(But I still think its overkill for cuyutes!)

Quite possibly. But I don't pelt hunt, just population control so damage isn't a concern.

If you consider the load date energy of a 300 Whisper compared to a .22/250 though, the whisper only has about 1/3 of the energy at the muzzle. However, due to the high BC and low wind resistance because of the low velocity, it maintains velocity and energy better than any supersonic cartridge. At 200 yds, it only drops a few ft/sec and has about half the energy of what the .22/250 has at 200yds.

That is "on paper" though. They say due to the low velocity, the bullet actually tends to tumble through whatever it hits instead of trying to blow through it, so the energy exerted into the target is actually much higher than shown on paper.

[ndmp40]

Originally Posted by jinx44

Quite possibly. But I don't pelt hunt, just population control so damage isn't a concern.

If you consider the load date energy of a 300 Whisper compared to a .22/250 though, the whisper only has about 1/3 of the energy at the muzzle. However, due to the high BC and low wind resistance because of the low velocity, it maintains velocity and energy better than any supersonic cartridge. At 200 yds, it only drops a few ft/sec and has about half the energy of what the .22/250 has at 200yds.

That is "on paper" though. They say due to the low velocity, the bullet actually tends to tumble through whatever it hits instead of trying to blow through it, so the energy exerted into the target is actually much higher than shown on paper.

Its a situation that doesnt make sense initially, until you really map it out, then its compelling. I like it!

[kountryboy2]

Jinx44,
Years ago I used to shoot a .30 apatchy. It was a 223 necked up to 30.

[jinx44]

Originally Posted by kountryboy2

Jinx44,
Years ago I used to shoot a .30 apatchy. It was a 223 necked up to 30.

What did you think of it? Were you just necking up, or cutting down the case? The whisper is trimmed to 1.355".

What part of SO IL are you from? Are you at Benton much?

[kountryboy2]

Originally Posted by jinx44

What did you think of it? Were you just necking up, or cutting down the case? The whisper is trimmed to 1.355".

What part of SO IL are you from? Are you at Benton much?

Just necked up the 223 case. Believe I used a case full of H335 and a sierra 155 gr bullet. I'm thinking the speed was around 2300-2400 fps. This weekend i'll try and find my old notes and let you know,my loads and speeds.

I'm in pinckneyville and go to benton 1 or twice a year to watch.
I do alot more shooting now than racing.

[kountryboy2]

my load for the 30 Apache
F205M primer
winchester brass
28 gr H335
125gr sierra
velocity 2360 from a 24" barrel
it would group around 1.312 @ 200 yards this was from a sporter weight barrel
I also tryed imr4198...it was to fast
I also try a 168 gr sierra hp match bullet velocity was 2200
150 gr speer was 2250
190 gr hornady match bullet 2075 fps
I made my own loading dies............the sizer was the hardest
the rifle I used was a remington 788 in 223 that I rebarreled.
it would knock down 500 meter rams at a silhouette range.

[jinx44]

Well, the rifle is now built, and the dies are on order.

I gathered up some assorted, once fired, .223 factory brass and started cutting them down last night. I used a tubing cutter to shorten the cases just below the shoulder. Current length is roughly 1.400".

When the dies get here on friday, I will size them, then trim to 1.355" and chamfer. Definetly some of the most involved case prep that I have done. It sucks because I know I will not find half of my fired brass. lol

I picked up the 208gr A-max, along with some 220 and 240gr Sierra MKs. It seems most subsonic 300 whisper shooters like Accurate Arms powder loaded at 8.6-9.0 gr.

I should be able to send some rounds down range on saturday and sunday, so expect some pictures and opinions on monday.

[Donut]

Originally Posted by jinx44

When the dies get here on friday, I will size them, then trim to 1.355" and chamfer. Definetly some of the most involved case prep that I have done. It sucks because I know I will not find half of my fired brass. lol

What about using a brass catcher?

[ndmp40]

Originally Posted by jinx44

Well, the rifle is now built, and the dies are on order.

I gathered up some assorted, once fired, .223 factory brass and started cutting them down last night. I used a tubing cutter to shorten the cases just below the shoulder. Current length is roughly 1.400".

When the dies get here on friday, I will size them, then trim to 1.355" and chamfer. Definetly some of the most involved case prep that I have done. It sucks because I know I will not find half of my fired brass. lol

I picked up the 208gr A-max, along with some 220 and 240gr Sierra MKs. It seems most subsonic 300 whisper shooters like Accurate Arms powder loaded at 8.6-9.0 gr.

I should be able to send some rounds down range on saturday and sunday, so expect some pictures and opinions on monday.

You should build me one if this works out well. Keep us informed.

[kountryboy2]

Jinx,
Go to habor frieght and get you a small lathe. I think its 7X10 for 375.00-400.00. It will make your case work effortless,fast and easy! Your hand/fingers eill thankyou later