300 Win Mag / Barnes TTSX Ladder Test

[TackDriver284]

Headed to my buddy's place to test 6 rounds with Barnes 180 TTSX and RL 25 in Lapua brass and .050" off the lands. 77 - 79.5 grains in .5 grain increments for the ladder to check pressure and velocity. I was expecting mid 3000 on the first round, but surprised on the speed.
77 gr. - 3139 fps
77.5 gr. - 3174 fps
78 gr. - 3206 fps
78.5 gr. - 3236 fps
79 gr - 3235 fps
79.5 gr. - 3261 fps

No ejector marks and no primer cratering. I cleaned the barrel before firing #1 as a fouler on a separate target, #2 - #6 shots on a 2nd target. #1 seems to stack up with #2 and #3 in same POI if you put them together.
Shots #4, #5 and #6 on the right. I see that there may be a node where speed leveled off with shot # 5 by 1 fps. Speed is pretty impressive clocking over 3200 fps with a 180 grain bullet. I will try 77.8 grains as a start and 78.8 grains and see how it does. Should be a killer load for those tough nilgai. Going to play with Quickload using these loads.

 

[SJB358]

That’s for sure excellent speed. Pretty much 300 wby speeds honestly. I’d gun the flat spot in velocity and tweak seating depth but from how it’s looking it won’t take much. Hard to argue with how well Barnes shoot. Awesome stuff TD.

 

[TackDriver284]

Ran the data on Quickload, the pressure maxed out at 79 grains. 79.5 grains was at 66,250 psi just 2,250 psi over the safe psi factor of 64,000 psi which isn't much.

 

[JD338]

Mark,
You have some impressive speeds. It shouldn't take long for you to settle on a great load. It's absolutely going to hammer a big Nilgai.

JD338

 

[RL338]

With the relief bands cuts the Barnes don’t build pressure like one would think.
I believe you found yourself a killer load.

 

[Aussie Wanderer]

That is incredible speed and accuracy. That load has me seriously questioning why I have RUM. That is a proper thumper

 

[TackDriver284]

Ran a stout 78.8 grain load of RL 25 and 180 TTSX, still seated .050" off the lands. Velocity : 3234, 3243, 3236 with 3 shots @100.
I pulled high on the 3rd shot, was flinching with those crappy earplugs awaiting the big boom from the muzzle brake. Was windy out, around 25-30 mph headwind as well. I did not mess with seating depth, I don't think its worth messing with at this point until I'm ready for another nilgai. Will run that 180 TTSX through both shoulders and see its performance at that speed. It's a Thor's hammer. Would be fun to run it through some water jugs.

 

[sako2]

thay will work. Nice loading and shooting.

 

[Ralt71]

I'm very impressed with your speeds in that 300 win mag. The accuracy looks great with that load too. What are your thoughts on the TTSX? I've heard so many mixed answers on mono bullets. They all seem to shoot great and do well with game, I'm just afraid of the rumors.. what they do to the barrel.

 

[TackDriver284]

I'm very impressed with your speeds in that 300 win mag. The accuracy looks great with that load too. What are your thoughts on the TTSX? I've heard so many mixed answers on mono bullets. They all seem to shoot great and do well with game, I'm just afraid of the rumors.. what they do to the barrel.

It's my first time using the mono bullets. I always have used 180 Accubonds with the 300 Mag and I love em' and they do work on those tough nilgai. Two years ago, the ELD-X 200 grain is too soft for bone, and did not do so well on the nilgai cow shoulder bone, they busted up just one shoulder and the opposite shoulder was untouched. I have shot another cow nilgai behind the shoulder with the same ELD X bullet and it passed through both lungs and the skin closed up and it ran a ways, about 80 yards in high grass before we found it. Nilgai skin is elastic, and they close up after being shot. I wanted to see the performance with the Barnes on the shoulders on those big bulls. Many swear by that bullet, but its best to use it on bone. Yes, the speed is impressive. I'll take a look in my barrel with the Teslong later and see how it looks, hopefully no heavy copper fouling.

 

[JD338]

That's some great speed and accuracy Mark. Nice job with your load development and shooting. I agree with you, that load will crush game.

JD338

 

[RL338]

You have yourself a fine load right there.
I’ve never ran a TTSX into a shoulder before , just heart and lungs with a light switch results. With them traveling along in the 3200’s they should auger their way thru a shoulder.
Good luck on the next hunt.

 

[trapper10]

Headed to my buddy's place to test 6 rounds with Barnes 180 TTSX and RL 25 in Lapua brass and .050" off the lands. 77 - 79.5 grains in .5 grain increments for the ladder to check pressure and velocity. I was expecting mid 3000 on the first round, but surprised on the speed.
77 gr. - 3139 fps
77.5 gr. - 3174 fps
78 gr. - 3206 fps
78.5 gr. - 3236 fps
79 gr - 3235 fps
79.5 gr. - 3261 fps

No ejector marks and no primer cratering. I cleaned the barrel before firing #1 as a fouler on a separate target, #2 - #6 shots on a 2nd target. #1 seems to stack up with #2 and #3 in same POI if you put them together.
Shots #4, #5 and #6 on the right. I see that there may be a node where speed leveled off with shot # 5 by 1 fps. Speed is pretty impressive clocking over 3200 fps with a 180 grain bullet. I will try 77.8 grains as a start and 78.8 grains and see how it does. Should be a killer load for those tough nilgai. Going to play with Quickload using these loads.

Fantastic!!! 26" Barell?

 

[TackDriver284]

Fantastic!!! 26" Barell?

Yes

 

[Ralt71]

I'm very interested to see hear what your thoughts are after checking your barrel and cleaning. I'm really interested in these, just haven't wanted to take the dive on the supposed abuse they impose on your barrel. Without that, i would have been shooting them already. I love My accubonds, partitions, and ballistic tips (silvertip primarily) enough and have got the results i desire out of them that a jump has never been needed. I'm more curious than anything and always see nice groups out of these TTSX regardless of caliber or gun model.

 

[JD338]

I've only used the .308 130 TTSX in the 308 Win and the .375 250 TTSX in the 375 H&H Mag but they shot great. Shot a couple of crop damage deer with the 250 TTSX and they absolutely hammered them at 160 yards.
No issues with barrel cleaning.

JD338

 

[RL338]

The TSX and TTSX don’t foul the barrel any worst than other bullets. The original Barnes X did foul worst unless they were the blue coated ones.

 

[DrMike]

I've used Barnes bullets in a variety of cartridges without a problem. As stated above, the TSX and TTSX don't foul any worse than any other bullet. The TSX was my preferred bullet in a variety of my rifles. They killed pretty much everything that needed killing before I brought them home to dinner and to meet mama.