Hunting Washington Forum
Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: engelwood on July 26, 2011, 11:07:16 PM
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Alright, so I got excited about the new Barnes LRX bullets as they are Barnes first off (generally shoot great out of my gun) and because they are copper solids, which wreak havoc on animals. I purchased a box of Barnes LRX 175 gr. bullets for my 300 WSM and loaded up a few test loads. I am using Alliant Reloader 17 for Short Magnums and have had great speeds and accuracy with other loads I have made up recently. Long story short, I made up three (3) shot loads and tested the groupings. Speed was not an issue as I figured, but the accuracy of the bullet was not what I would consider acceptable at 100 yards (we are talking 2-3" groups). I'm shooting the TSX at under 1" consistently. The LRX is appealing as it has a high B.C. at .504 as compared to the TSX which is in the low .400's. Question is this, does anyone know any tricks to making up this bullet load to make it more accurate? Does anyone have any ideas on what I can do to increase accuracy? (ie. back it off more from the lands, etc.) I am loading at the maximum coal of 2.86" which has not been an issue in the past as I mentioned for accuracy. Would speeding it up help? Anything helps. I'm shooting a Remington 700 XCR 300WSM with a Leupold VX III 6.5-20 x 50. Thanks for the help!
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Just need to play with things some. Try different powder charges and different lengths. Its amazing what as little as half grain powder charge will do. I like the x bullets but there are better choices for what I am looking to do. Wouldn't mind trying some 200good grain lrx. In my rum though. Good luck.
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I don't have any experience with that caliber but I do with the 270WSM and 300WSM. Start by making two groups of the same loads starting with a few grains below the max in .3 gr increments. Once you find the groupings where the sweet spot is load some more with .1 gr difference. Also, use a COAL gauge for your specific rifle. You may want to try different primers such as the Federal's and CCI with the same loads just different primers. You will be surprised at the difference results.
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You might try a different powder as well. I was having the same problem with the Barnes ttsx in my weatherby, called Barnes and they suggested trying reloader 19. Amazing the difference it made.
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I would try H4350.
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first, set the OAL to place the bullet .050-.055 off the rifling if your magazine will let you go that long...then start a bit below 95% of max load, then work up .2 gr at a time. look for accuracy, let the speed take care of itself. if you dont see what you want...look at RE-19 and IMR/H 4350. Same rules apply.
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I would run a full ladder test first. If you dont get any good groups, then i would try a different primer and run another ladder test to comapere with the first primer choice. If thet doesnt work, then i would try a different powder and run a full ladder test. Its possible your gun doesnt care for that bullet too, but i suspect if you play with O.A.L that would make a considerable difference.
You could find your best load so far, and start moving O.A.L. and run tests with that by increasing and decreasing seating depth by. 005 increments. Run test increments and the groups should grow and shrink with changes made. If you only make a handfull of different powder charges, and you dont run the ladder test, you may miss the accuracy node your looking for.
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From barnes site
http://www.barnesbullets.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/300WSMWeb.pdf (http://www.barnesbullets.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/300WSMWeb.pdf)
In the years that I used Barnes bullets, I found that once you figured out the oal, you back off 10 to 15 thousands.
Once you have that, getting the correct number of grains of powder is a trial or error process.
I always look at tables that show most accurate load. Pick the powder where the maximum load is not the same as the most accurate load. That will give you some wiggle room.
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Have you shot 175 grain all copper bullets out of this rifle before?
These will be longer than lead 175 grain bullets and may need a faster twist to stablize.
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Per Barnes, the recomended twist is 1:10 or faster. 1 in 9 or 1:8 would probably be best.
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I would try H4350.
:tup:
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Have you shot 175 grain all copper bullets out of this rifle before?
These will be longer than lead 175 grain bullets and may need a faster twist to stablize.
Beat me to it.
Needs fast twist due to length.
