.338 win barnes xlc load info

[demontang]

Ok guys looking to see if anyone has some load data on the 225 gr xlc for a win mag? ive looked around and cant find any on them.

[Lincoln4]

The Barnes website?  Although I didn't notice (maybe I missed it?) the XLC.

http://www.barnesbullets.com/information/load-data/data-338/

[Bscman]

I have a load worked up for my Weatherby MOA with a 225gr TSX if you're interested.
I'll have to dig out my notes when I get home...will PM!

[demontang]

Ive looked at there site and have found the 210gr data but not the 225gr. I have read in more then one place that the tsx has higher pressure at lower charges then the xlc . Ive found a smoken deal on them and just want to know data first before I buy them. Thanks for the help though guys

[Skinnyman]

They are a smoking deal because they are old stock. They stopped making the XLC (too expensive to manufacture) about 5-8 years ago. And they found that they achieved similar results by putting grooves in the bullets (tsx, TTSX, and MRX bullets). The whole point to the XLC was to reduce pressure and fouling, and they found the grooves did the same thing and were much cheaper to manufacture. So all that to say, that is why you cannot find any info, because they haven't published that info in quite a few years.

The downside is if you find you like the XLC and you want to stick with it, you most likely wont be able to find them again, unless you find another person's old stock. So a lot of work to dial in a load, for not.

I have a 338 WM and shoot the 225g TTSX, incredible accuracy!! If you are wanting to try something new, try the TSX or the TTSX. They are increbible shooting and performing bullets, but they have an incredible price tag to go with them. For practice I use a less accurate much less expensive bullet (nosler Silvertip ballistic tip.). Accuracy isn't so great, but for overcoming recoil jump, and getting used to trigger snap who cares if it a 3/4" group or a 3" group. But I use the TTSX for Sighting and hunting.

[Skinnyman]

I forgot, I did the same thing, I bought some 210g X bullets (no grooves, and they are no longer made as well) on closeout just to play with them. ANd they shot very poorly out of my gun (I love picky guns!!). The old X bullet and the XLC bullets were the same bullet, one just had the XLC coating on it. I could not get them to group, I went the the range 4 or 5 times with them to keep trying, and no such luck. I ended up throwing them away.

[Skinnyman]

I got a chance to look: 225g TTSX with 67g IMR4350 and a Federal GM215M primer. It gets me somewhere between 5/8 and 3/4 MOA @ 100yds. Dont have a chrono so not sure of the speed, but the chart says it should be a little over 2700 fps.

[demontang]

Well I'm thinking of sticking to the noslers. I know the black bt noslers shot great out of my gun but at close range they are a little to explosive. The accubonds are able to stand up to the high speeds up close so I guess I'll just stay with them for now. I'm thinking of trying the 180gr for the lighter recoil since my back is acting up and the 225 are a little stiff at 2882fps.

[robmill70]

The TSX bullet is awesome....I use it in my 257 weatherby and my 300 weatherby. 

[Skinnyman]

Well I'm thinking of sticking to the noslers. I know the black bt noslers shot great out of my gun but at close range they are a little to explosive. The accubonds are able to stand up to the high speeds up close so I guess I'll just stay with them for now. I'm thinking of trying the 180gr for the lighter recoil since my back is acting up and the 225 are a little stiff at 2882fps.

The explosion factor is why I only use them for paper. Especially going at 2800 FPS.

All guns are picky to some point, some more than others. So if you have a bullet that your gun eats well, and consistly groups well, stick with it. Unless of course you have had bullet failure on an animal in the past and want to make a switch. It just happens that my 338 WM REALLY likes the TSX bullets. But on the other hand my 30-06 cant stand them (4 to 6 inch groups at 100 yds). Your gun will either love or hate them. Doesnt seem to be much inbetween on TSX bullets.

[WDFW-SUX]

Im shooting 210 noslers partitions @ 2830 out out my 338 browning a bolt this year.... clover leaf at 100....

XLC are not near the same quality as the TSX or MRX

[Huntbear]

Im shooting 210 noslers partitions @ 2830 out out my 338 browning a bolt this year.... clover leaf at 100....

XLC are not near the same quality as the TSX or MRX

WDFW-SUX  lets compare notes on loads.  I may be able to help you tighten up that group.   

My brother's gun, with the loads I worked up are shooting 1.5 in. groups at 400 yds.  Shooting Nosler 210's pushed by RL 19.

[WDFW-SUX]

I dont have time for reloading right now I broke my other rifle and the browning is my back up.... those groups are Federal premium factory crap


338 is my favorite killing stick...total hammer and those 210 noslers are beasts.


                       

[300UltraMagShooter]

In all seriousness, why shoot a .338 when a .257/270/260 will do just as well?  I'm really searching for answers.  Not being a smartass.

I dont have time for reloading right now I broke my other rifle and the browning is my back up.... those groups are Federal premium factory crap


338 is my favorite killing stick...total hammer and those 210 noslers are beasts.


                       

[Huntbear]

In all seriousness, why shoot a .338 when a .257/270/260 will do just as well?  I'm really searching for answers.  Not being a smartass.

I dont have time for reloading right now I broke my other rifle and the browning is my back up.... those groups are Federal premium factory crap


338 is my favorite killing stick...total hammer and those 210 noslers are beasts.


                       

If you ever see what they do to a bull elk out to 400 yds.  It would answer your questions.  It will flat knock them down, never to get up again.  Our group has several confirmed with rangefinder kills out to 410 yds.  not one of the bulls took a step farther.  They shoot flat, hit hard, and kill quick.  Now they are a bit over kill for Blacktail.  But I know guys that use that caliber all the time for big muleys.

[WDFW-SUX]

Im hunting muleys.. I like this rifle because its really accurate and shoots almost any factory load great.  Its my back up rifle for all big game from brown bear to deer.

As stated above animals big and small dont take another step there DRT.

I can find ammunition for it almost anywhere and with my rifles KDF muzzle break it kicks less than a 270....

338 win mag is the best all around caliber for North american game IMO.

[Skinnyman]

I love my 338. It is my all around hunting rifle. The recoil can be a little stiff if you are not used to it (but its not that bad). But the bone crushing anchor it has on animals is amazing. I agree it is a little excessive/overkill on deer, but dead is dead.

[demontang]

Yeah I love the cal just this damn back injury is killing me when I shot the thing. It will flat knock things down and I like that about it.