.300 Savage 130 grain TSX or TTSX for elk?

[taylorce1]

Anyone tried either of these bullets on elk in this cartridge or a .308 win? My 12 year old daughter wants to hunt elk and is a little recoil sensitive. She usually shoots a 125 grain NBT in her .300 Savage for deer and tolerates it pretty well, thinking the 130 grain won't be much of a step up.

 

[DrMike]

I have not used the TSX or the TTSX for larger game. My budding young moose hunter used a 180 grain Hornady Interlock last fall to drop a fine moose at 120 yards or so. According to my calculations, his 22 inch Remington Classic in 300 Savage will generate ~2900 fps with the 130 grain TTSX, which should work very well for elk at reasonable yardages. In fact, I may suggest such a load for my budding young moose hunter.

Cartridge          : .300 Savage
Bullet             : .308, 130, Barnes 'TTSX'BT 30873
Useable Case Capaci: 44.423 grain H2O = 2.884 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.600 inch = 66.04 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder             : Accurate 2520

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-20.0   82    35.28   2286    1508   26150   5962     86.9    1.370
-18.0   84    36.16   2345    1587   27930   6160     88.2    1.335
-16.0   86    37.04   2404    1669   29850   6352     89.6    1.300
-14.0   88    37.93   2464    1752   31923   6539     90.8    1.266
-12.0   90    38.81   2524    1838   34163   6718     92.0    1.233
-10.0   92    39.69   2584    1927   36586   6889     93.1    1.201
-08.0   94    40.57   2644    2018   39207   7052     94.2    1.170
-06.0   96    41.45   2704    2111   42045   7205     95.2    1.140
-04.0   98    42.34   2765    2206   45087   7348     96.0    1.108  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0  100    43.22   2825    2304   48355   7479     96.8    1.074  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  102    44.10   2886    2404   51892   7598     97.6    1.042  ! Near Maximum !
+02.0  104    44.98   2946    2506   55729   7705     98.2    1.010  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  106    45.86   3007    2610   59897   7797     98.7    0.979  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0  108    46.75   3067    2716   64432   7876     99.2    0.949  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0  110    47.63   3128    2824   69378   7939     99.5    0.920  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0  112    48.51   3188    2934   74783   7986     99.8    0.892  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba    102    44.10   3037    2663   63987   7419    100.0    0.958  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    102    44.10   2681    2075   40641   7333     90.5    1.145

Cartridge          : .300 Savage
Bullet             : .308, 130, Barnes 'TTSX'BT 30873
Useable Case Capaci: 44.423 grain H2O = 2.884 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.600 inch = 66.04 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 52000 psi, or 358 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
Accurate 2495                      104.6     41.9     2.71    2908    99.8    52000    7534   1.060  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203 old                      110.0     45.5     2.95    2890    95.2    51778    7859   1.040  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2520                      102.2     44.1     2.86    2887    97.6    52000    7602   1.041  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4064                      110.0     44.1     2.86    2883    98.5    50637    7709   1.069  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-17                 110.0     47.2     3.06    2847    91.9    48187    8220   1.055  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H380                       108.2     45.3     2.93    2845    91.1    52000    7652   1.041  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2460                       96.9     42.7     2.77    2833    96.7    52000    7283   1.056  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414                       110.0     47.6     3.09    2818    86.0    49628    7768   1.050  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760                     110.0     47.6     3.09    2818    86.0    49628    7768   1.050  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4007 SSC                       108.6     45.1     2.92    2771    86.3    52000    7199   1.053  ! Near Maximum !

 

[taylorce1]

Thank you DrMike! I'll get maybe a little more speed as my daughter has a 24" Classic Rem 700. Looks like I might have to invest in some Accurate powders. Though I have plenty of H380, H414 and W760.

 

[DrMike]

I like Accurate powders and use quite a bit of A2495 and A2520 in several cartridges. Funnily enough, I've never used it in the 300 Savage. However, it does show some promise there. Alliant R17 will work as well, though it will be a somewhat compressed case. I did adjust to 24 inch pipe, which means you are just tickling 3000 fps, which is certainly adequate.

Cartridge          : .300 Savage
Bullet             : .308, 130, Barnes 'TTSX'BT 30873
Useable Case Capaci: 44.423 grain H2O = 2.884 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.600 inch = 66.04 mm
Barrel Length      : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder             : Alliant Reloder-17

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-20.0   90    38.56   2302    1530   25775   5542     78.3    1.440
-18.0   92    39.52   2364    1614   27537   5780     80.2    1.401
-16.0   94    40.49   2428    1702   29439   6015     82.0    1.364
-14.0   97    41.45   2493    1794   31494   6247     83.7    1.327
-12.0   99    42.42   2559    1890   33724   6473     85.4    1.290
-10.0  101    43.38   2626    1991   36139   6694     87.1    1.254
-08.0  103    44.34   2694    2095   38763   6906     88.6    1.219
-06.0  105    45.31   2763    2203   41620   7109     90.1    1.184
-04.0  108    46.27   2833    2316   44734   7302     91.6    1.150
-02.0  110    47.24   2903    2433   48138   7482     92.9    1.113  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  112    48.20   2974    2553   51870   7649     94.1    1.076  ! Near Maximum !
+02.0  114    49.16   3046    2678   55969   7800     95.3    1.041  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  117    50.13   3118    2807   60487   7935     96.3    1.006  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0  119    51.09   3191    2940   65483   8052     97.2    0.973  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0  121    52.06   3265    3077   71027   8149     98.0    0.940  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0  123    53.02   3339    3218   77178   8225     98.7    0.909  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba    112    48.20   3173    2907   62432   7729     99.3    0.989  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    112    48.20   2722    2139   42578   7001     83.6    1.185

 

[DrMike]

Several of the Accurate powders would work nicely with that bullet in the 300 Savage.

Cartridge          : .300 Savage
Bullet             : .308, 130, Barnes 'TTSX'BT 30873
Useable Case Capaci: 44.423 grain H2O = 2.884 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.600 inch = 66.04 mm
Barrel Length      : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder             : Accurate 2520

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-20.0   82    35.28   2337    1576   26150   5451     88.0    1.442
-18.0   84    36.16   2396    1657   27930   5625     89.3    1.405
-16.0   86    37.04   2456    1741   29850   5794     90.6    1.369
-14.0   88    37.93   2516    1827   31923   5956     91.8    1.333
-12.0   90    38.81   2576    1915   34163   6112     92.9    1.299
-10.0   92    39.69   2636    2006   36585   6260     94.0    1.265
-08.0   94    40.57   2696    2099   39207   6399     95.0    1.233
-06.0   96    41.45   2757    2193   42045   6530     95.9    1.201
-04.0   98    42.34   2817    2291   45087   6650     96.7    1.168  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0  100    43.22   2877    2390   48355   6760     97.4    1.133  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  102    44.10   2938    2491   51892   6859     98.1    1.099  ! Near Maximum !
+02.0  104    44.98   2998    2594   55729   6946     98.6    1.066  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  106    45.86   3058    2699   59896   7020     99.1    1.034  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0  108    46.75   3118    2806   64432   7080     99.4    1.003  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0  110    47.63   3178    2915   69378   7127     99.7    0.973  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0  112    48.51   3237    3026   74782   7160     99.9    0.944  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba    102    44.10   3085    2748   63986   6643    100.0    1.013  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    102    44.10   2735    2159   40641   6672     91.4    1.207

Cartridge          : .300 Savage
Bullet             : .308, 130, Barnes 'TTSX'BT 30873
Useable Case Capaci: 44.423 grain H2O = 2.884 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.600 inch = 66.04 mm
Barrel Length      : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder             : Accurate 2495

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-20.0   84    33.52   2368    1619   26367   5688     93.6    1.461
-18.0   86    34.36   2428    1701   28144   5843     94.7    1.424
-16.0   88    35.20   2487    1786   30061   5989     95.7    1.388
-14.0   90    36.03   2547    1873   32130   6125     96.6    1.353
-12.0   92    36.87   2607    1961   34362   6252     97.4    1.319
-10.0   94    37.71   2666    2052   36769   6368     98.1    1.286
-08.0   96    38.55   2725    2144   39367   6472     98.7    1.253
-06.0   98    39.39   2784    2238   42171   6564     99.1    1.222
-04.0  100    40.22   2843    2333   45201   6644     99.5    1.188  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0  103    41.06   2901    2430   48478   6709     99.8    1.151  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  105    41.90   2959    2528   52026   6761     99.9    1.116  ! Near Maximum !
+02.0  107    42.74   3017    2628   55872   6798    100.0    1.082  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  109    43.58   3074    2728   60049   6827    100.0    1.049  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0  111    44.41   3131    2830   64593   6852    100.0    1.018  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0  113    45.25   3188    2933   69545   6875    100.0    0.987  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0  115    46.09   3244    3037   74955   6894    100.0    0.957  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba    105    41.90   3090    2756   65163   6386    100.0    1.023  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    105    41.90   2762    2201   39698   6886     96.1    1.239

Cartridge          : .300 Savage
Bullet             : .308, 130, Barnes 'TTSX'BT 30873
Useable Case Capaci: 44.423 grain H2O = 2.884 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.600 inch = 66.04 mm
Barrel Length      : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder             : Accurate 4064

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-20.0   89    35.52   2350    1595   26203   5659     90.0    1.461
-18.0   91    36.41   2411    1678   28006   5830     91.3    1.424
-16.0   93    37.30   2472    1764   29927   5995     92.5    1.388
-14.0   95    38.18   2533    1852   31998   6153     93.6    1.352
-12.0   98    39.07   2594    1942   34234   6302     94.7    1.318
-10.0  100    39.96   2655    2034   36648   6442     95.6    1.284
-08.0  102    40.85   2716    2129   39258   6572     96.5    1.251
-06.0  104    41.74   2776    2225   42078   6691     97.3    1.219
-04.0  106    42.62   2837    2324   45129   6799     98.0    1.185  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0  109    43.51   2898    2424   48433   6895     98.6    1.148  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  111    44.40   2959    2527   52016   6978     99.0    1.113  ! Near Maximum !
+02.0  113    45.29   3019    2631   55906   7047     99.4    1.078  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  115    46.18   3079    2737   60136   7102     99.7    1.045  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0  117    47.06   3139    2845   64745   7143     99.9    1.013  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0  120    47.95   3199    2954   69778   7168    100.0    0.982  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0  122    48.84   3258    3064   75285   7179    100.0    0.952  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba    111    44.40   3105    2783   64929   6652    100.0    1.019  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    111    44.40   2749    2182   39960   6897     93.2    1.234

 

[Tobey284]

They work very well. I have had good luck with both IMR 3031 and 4064 with the 130 ttsx in 300 savage. Kids have killed elk, deer and javalina with them. We are using an old remmy 722 with 24" barrel and getting pretty impressive velocities with it.

 

[Dr. Vette]

FYI, I'm shooting 150 Speer Hot-Cor in the 300 Savage, and using LeveRevolution powder. I got the idea from here:
http://ataleoftwothirties.com/?p=1026

The LVR is nice because it is a low pressure powder and recoil seems to be less than with other powders while speeds are excellent. This seems to be true with its use in the 35 Remington ( I load that a lot) and from what I've seen in the 300 Savage too.

I know it's outside the box, but a faster/less recoil powder that lets you shoot a slightly heavier bullet (150 TTSX) could work out well.

 

[taylorce1]

FYI, I'm shooting 150 Speer Hot-Cor in the 300 Savage, and using LeveRevolution powder. I got the idea from here:
http://ataleoftwothirties.com/?p=1026

Good read thanks.

 

[Dr. Vette]

The comment used with LVR and the 35 Remington is that "you can't get enough (LVR) powder in the case to ever harm yourself or the rifle." As the 300 Savage is a very similar capacity, I have found the same to be true.

Keep us posted on what you decide to do.

 

[super-7]

I would surmise if the 130 gr/ .277 has worked well for years, that a 130 gr tsx in .308 would work equally as well. Hornady also makes a GMX in lighter weights in .308! And a 140 gr mono- flex bullet which is a Hy- brid bullet mono metal (gmx) with the flex tip to be loaded in the 308 marlin express , but may work well in your .300 savage aswell. Worth a look anyways.

 

[taylorce1]

Hornady only list 150 and 160 and that's a little heavier than I want to use. Barnes goes all the way down to a 110 TTSX though I don't think it's the answer for elk either. The thing is about the 130 grain TTSX if I can get 2900 fps out of it, I'm hitting as hard as the 150-160 grain bullets at 300 yards but 200 fps faster on average. At 2900 fps I'm a full 100 fps slower than what she shoots the 125 NBT at so recoil should be real similar.

My daughter is plenty capable of making 300+ yard shots on white tail deer, and has proved it on many occasions in the field and on the range. With elk being a bigger target I have no problems extending that range out to 400 yards with the right load. The key is to keep her shooting well, and she doesn't do that if she thinks the rifle kicks too much.

I've been fighting this issue since she was nine and took her first deer with a .223 Rem. I tried to get her into my 6X47 Rem or .243 Win when she wanted to start hunting. Even then I had to load down .223 55 grain bullets to cast bullet speed and work her up to full speed loads with 55 grain TSX bullets. She wouldn't tolerate 6mm bullets of 70-90 grains at cast bullet speeds back then, but she can handle them now at full speed a three short years later. It's really about striking a balance with her, she loves to hunt but she won't tolerate what she feels to be excessive recoil.

 

[SJB358]

I'd take the 130 at 2900 at day long. Betting it would work just fine. We are compelling you to water jug test one of them for us though and of course if your lucky enough to catch one in an elk.

I've got a M99 300 Savage I don't do nearly enough with but it shoots really nice with AA2520 and 150 SST's around 2650.

Wish you a ton of luck and hope your daughter scores. I'd die to put my daughter on her first elk in a few years.

 

[taylorce1]

The elk hunt may not happen this year anyway since my daughter didn't draw. I'll have to see what's available when the leftover list comes out. I want to just get her a hunt in an area with a high chance of success. I'm thinking something easy like a cow hunt or an either sex hunt where if we see something we can shoot it and not worry about trying to find something better. When we get a couple under her belt then we can start worrying about finding horns.

 

[SJB358]

I'm with you.... I still hunt like that... I like to eat them too much!

 

[taylorce1]

I'm more worried about her not connecting and hating elk hunting. When she's older we'll and she's killed a few she'll be ready to hold out for a trophy. Nothing seems to disappoint a kid worse than being unsuccessful, and I don't want her to loose the fever.

 

[taylorce1]

Picked up 200 of the 130 grain TTSX last night online from Cabela's. They're having a sale and I probably saved $40 minimum on the bullets and got free shipping.

 

[SJB358]

Picked up 200 of the 130 grain TTSX last night online from Cabela's. They're having a sale and I probably saved $40 minimum on the bullets and got free shipping.

Can't beat that.

 

[super-7]

Those should do the trick, and they should be zipping along quite nicely even with a mild load. Good luck to the both of you.

 

[Deerslayer0823]

This is just my opinio, but I think your daughter and you would be better served with a 150 gr Barnes TSX or TTSX, and pushing it along @ 2500 to 2600 fps. The .300 Savage is a mild caliber to shoot anyways. You'll have more deep driving capability, but will also hit harder in case of placing the bullet a little off course than expected.
Best wishes to you and your daughter on future hunting trips together.

 

[super-7]

This is just my opinio, but I think your daughter and you would be better served with a 150 gr Barnes TSX or TTSX, and pushing it along @ 2500 to 2600 fps. The .300 Savage is a mild caliber to shoot anyways. You'll have more deep driving capability, but will also hit harder in case of placing the bullet a little off course than expected.
Best wishes to you and your daughter on future hunting trips together.

The only problem with that is your limiting your effective range by quite a margin, if 1800 fps is mininum fps for proper expansion . With any mono metal bullet I like starting them off at or near the 3000 fps and above. This insures they should upset as expected.
If a 150 gr bullet was on the list a Partition would be my personal go to.