Copycat Barnes Vor-TX 300 WM 150 TTSX

[SkunkedAgain]

Howdy All,

Working on making a copycat load for my father-in-law. He shoots Barnes VOR-TX, 150 gr TTSX out of his 300 WM. He hadn't found any in a while so I thought Id try my hand at making something similar, if not the same. Muzzle velocity is 3285 fps from the factory rounds. Hopefully once I can find primers I can set up an ACME style montage of loading a couple hundred.

Thought I'd start with IMR 4350 and then move to H4831SC if I can't get a consistent load around 3290 fps. If both those don't work out I have some H4350.

Any pointers? I managed to squirrel away one of his few rounds for bullet seating, any thoughts on measuring out the powder?

I've heard manufacturers us custom powders so measuring the amount won't tell you anything, but wasn't sure if that applies to ALL of them.

 

[Dmagna]

Barnes has load data on their website. I have used h4350 with lighter bullets in the 300 win worked good.

 

[FireFlyFishing]

Lots of powder options for that load. You can use Hodgdon's load center to find a powder Here.

 

[SkunkedAgain]

Thanks, I've gotten load data from Hodgdon's site but never seen that particular page. Looks better than the one I'm used to. Thanks!

 

[ridgewalker]

I cannot get Hodgdon's new reloading site to work on my iPad. Personally I preferred the old site. At least it worked. Must have been designed for Microsoft. Am I doing something wrong?

Never used the Barnes 150, but their 165 TTSX has done very well in my Tikka using H4831. It hits 3,189 fps and stacks bullets. I've taken Texas Dall, antelope, and elk as well as a coyote at 185 yards. Opened excellent on all. No bullets recovered.

 

[Upsidedownjack]

I think that about everyone that shoots a 300 WM has tryed about Everything! That said, have been using H-1000 @ 79.5 gr, 180 gr SST Pills with CCI LRM Primers. At the Max length for my Magazine without jamming into rifling. Last Elk was Aprox 800+/- yds. One shot, one kill!

 

[SkunkedAgain]

I think that about everyone that shoots a 300 WM has tryed about Everything! That said, have been using H-1000 @ 79.5 gr, 180 gr SST Pills with CCI LRM Primers. At the Max length for my Magazine without jamming into rifling. Last Elk was Aprox 800+/- yds. One shot, one kill!

SSTs, that's awesome! I bought a bunch for elk hunting a few years ago then guys at work talked me out of using them.

 

[SkunkedAgain]

Next question, would y'all anneal the brass?

Two different head stamps so I'll have to make sure they act the same once loaded.

 

[FireFlyFishing]

Next question, would y'all anneal the brass?

Two different head stamps so I'll have to make sure they act the same once loaded.

I do mine every 2-3 loadings. Yes, but it depends on how often you want to do it. There's different schools of thought on how often.

 

[Shane Lindsey]

With the 150 class, the H4350/RL17/RL16 Stabal 6.5 is going to be your hucklebearer.

I had a good load with the 150 TTSX and RL17.

FWIW 6.5 Stabal with a 152gr Hammer is loafing along at 3415 FPS from a 24" barrel. It's "warm", but not not hot.

 

[SkunkedAgain]

With the 150 class, the H4350/RL17/RL16 Stabal 6.5 is going to be your hucklebearer.

I had a good load with the 150 TTSX and RL17.

FWIW 6.5 Stabal with a 152gr Hammer is loafing along at 3415 FPS from a 24" barrel. It's "warm", but not not hot.

I have a pound of 6.5 Stabal that I'll mess with. Really wish I could get my hands on some of the RL powders for 300 wm.

 

[Shane Lindsey]

From what I hear, the Stabal is more temp stable. RL17 varies with temp. RL16 is supposed to be temp stable, but I can't afford the $80/pound local price tag, so the Stabal it is. Has been good in a few other cartridges as well.

Settled on 76gr of the 6.5 Stabal with the 152gr Hammer Hunter, Fed nickle cases (cause their so pretty), CC250. 3.335" COAL to fit in a Ruger mag box.

 

[FireFlyFishing]

I have a pound of 6.5 Stabal that I'll mess with. Really wish I could get my hands on some of the RL powders for 300 wm.

I just walked away from several pounds of RL16 at the LGS. $65/lb.

Really really like staball 6.5.

 

[SkunkedAgain]

Thank you sir!

Anyone have a preferred trimmer? I'm going to be at it for a while!