Nosler 220gr RN #30181 with 300aac

Who has had success with this bullet, particularly in 300aac?
For the life of me I can't get this thing to fly straight in any firearm I've tried. Every single one key holed.

Most of my loads have been with 11.5gr to 12.0gr of AA1680 used in a:
16" 1:8" twist barrel,
11 1/2" 1:8" twist barrel,
8 1/2" 1:7" twist barrel,
7 1/2" 1:7" twist barrel.
Velocities averaged 1195fps in the 16" barrel and 1116fps in the 7 1/2" barrel.
COAL was 2.095" with a light crimp from a Lee factory crimp to no crimp used at all.

I even tried it in a .308win with a 1:10" twist at 930fps and it also key holed.

I'd please love to here any success or failures with this bullet.
Obviously I don't know what I'm doing with it.

I have nothing constructive for you. I have never tried this bullet, but am interested to see what others have to say.


JTD

My guess is that it's to heavy. Try a 165 or 168gr bullet. I know the 308 was designed to shoot those two bullets. Maybe be the 300aac is the same.

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I think it would be worth contacting Nosler to see what they say.

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There should be a caution on the box. Something about velocities. "Close range .30-'06 and faster"
Not a ballistics guru but guessing . . . nose design,with all that weight/lead so far forward as compaired to a 220gr SMK.
With these,forward velocity AND rotational velocity is you friend. --- SAWMAN

From the Nosler site:

"New in 2018, the .308 Ballistic Tip® Round Nose bullet was built for subsonic use, designed for much lower velocities than its product family counterparts. Loaded into a 300 BLK and impacting at 1000fps, this bullet maintains 95% weight retention after 12" of expansive penetration.Optimal Performance Velocity: 1000-2500 fps"


At one time Nosler did have a suggested twist rate of 1:8" or faster but I can no longer find that on their site.

Bad part is, it cycles fine, groups well, expands as advertised at velocities listed but I can't make it stop flying sideways in 5 different firearms.

Based on their advertisement, you’re doing everything right. I wonder if you tried a different powder, if that would affect it any. Maybe call Nosler and see if they have any tips or tricks for you.


JTD

At 25 yards I would get a slight print on the paper of a yaw in the bullet. At 50 yards it is very pronounced. At 100 yards, it looks like a side view of the bullet.
I'll look back and see if I still have pictures.

Gonna try some 2400 with the next box.
No reason for it to work but got the bullets and powder, might as well try it.

For some reason at the moment my computer refuses to resize the pictures of the target.
These were retrieved from a dirt pile at about 25 yards.
Note the slight side impact expansion.
Attachment 960

I can see how the mushroom is off to one side. I’m curious how the 2400 will do. Definitely keep us posted.


JTD

I am always willing to learn but I cannot figure how this could have anything to do with ANY powder.
Bullet destabilization is a product of forward velocity,rotational velocity,vs bullet length (and possibly condition of barrel).
Anything else . . . please inform me. --- SAWMAN

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SAWMAN

I am always willing to learn but I cannot figure how this could have anything to do with ANY powder.
Bullet destabilization is a product of forward velocity,rotational velocity,vs bullet length (and possibly condition of barrel).
Anything else . . . please inform me. --- SAWMAN

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I agree but I got nothing to lose trying something else.
Another picture that won't resize for me is of a 55gr Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint fired from a 1:12" .223 that key holed religiously at about 1100fps muzzle velocity but did just fine at regular velocities around 2800fps.
I tried to get the velocity up higher in the 300aac but ran out of case capacity at 1242fps and it still key holed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Benny

I agree but I got nothing to lose trying something else.
Another picture that won't resize for me is of a 55gr Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint fired from a 1:12" .223 that key holed religiously at about 1100fps muzzle velocity but did just fine at regular velocities around 2800fps.
I tried to get the velocity up higher in the 300aac but ran out of case capacity at 1242fps and it still key holed.

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As I stated earlier. That grain bullet is to heavy. Drop back to a 165 or 168 and the problem is solved. The chance of you holding a hand grenade instead of a rifle gets more probable the more powder you add just to shoot a 220gr bullet. I wouldn't think that'd be worth it.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by EUDE75

As I stated earlier. That grain bullet is to heavy. Drop back to a 165 or 168 and the problem is solved. The chance of you holding a hand grenade instead of a rifle gets more probable the more powder you add just to shoot a 220gr bullet. I wouldn't think that'd be worth it.

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Actually I have since done just that.
I cast and powder coated some 166gr RN and got them a little over 1500fps.
Also have some 150gr RN jacketed at 1870fps.

Installed another resizer, it also has a mind of it's own.
Anyway, 50 yards and 100 yards.
5 shots each.

Attachment 961Attachment 962

The .308win.
2 shots @ 50 yards.
Attachment 967

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SAWMAN

I am always willing to learn but I cannot figure how this could have anything to do with ANY powder.
Bullet destabilization is a product of forward velocity,rotational velocity,vs bullet length (and possibly condition of barrel).
Anything else . . . please inform me. --- SAWMAN

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I can’t either, but at this point anything is worth a try. At least he has the powder on hand to give it a go.


JTD

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EUDE75

As I stated earlier. That grain bullet is to heavy. Drop back to a 165 or 168 and the problem is solved. The chance of you holding a hand grenade instead of a rifle gets more probable the more powder you add just to shoot a 220gr bullet. I wouldn't think that'd be worth it.

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The 300 blackout is designed to shoot 220gr bullets. 110gr- 225gr are well within its capabilities. That bullet was designed for the 300 blackout, so the OP is not doing anything dangerous or wrong.


JTD

Benny, did you not KNOW that a bullet that long,with that much weight forward,coming out of a 1:10 twist bbl at 930fps would not stabilize ??
It's lucky that the bullet did not do a U turn and come back to hit you between the eyes.
The above figures are about the greatest combo for bullet unstability that I have hear'ed tell about since Moby Dick was a guppy.
Look around the web and find that bullet stabilization formula. Several inputs later you will come up with a number that tells the "rest of the story".
After the bullet stability thing has been mastered,check over your barrel closely. If the bbl is flawed it could only show up when you get down close to the super vs sub vels but shoot the hot'ish supers just fine.
The bullet weight (actually length),forward velocity,twist rate,formula will get you goin' in the right direction. --- SAWMAN

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SAWMAN

Benny, did you not KNOW that a bullet that long,with that much weight forward,coming out of a 1:10 twist bbl at 930fps would not stabilize ??
It's lucky that the bullet did not do a U turn and come back to hit you between the eyes.
The above figures are about the greatest combo for bullet unstability that I have hear'ed tell about since Moby Dick was a guppy.
Look around the web and find that bullet stabilization formula. Several inputs later you will come up with a number that tells the "rest of the story".
After the bullet stability thing has been mastered,check over your barrel closely. If the bbl is flawed it could only show up when you get down close to the super vs sub vels but shoot the hot'ish supers just fine.
The bullet weight (actually length),forward velocity,twist rate,formula will get you goin' in the right direction. --- SAWMAN

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I LOVE IT!!
Thanks!

So, 9.0gr of 2400 made no difference in the 11 1/2” barrel with a 1:8” twist.
This was 100 yards. Figured 2 negative confirmations was enough.
Attachment 984