Took the 375 to the range again today. I'm using 270 TSX's and have tried RL15, Varget, VV N160 and finaly today VV N550. Rifle hated RL15, was so so with Varget around 1" N160 was just to much compression so goups were erratic. N550 gave me 3 charges that were promising 70gr at .580" (cold clean bore), 74.5gr at .900 (two in .3 and one up and right as I let the rifle torque up and right) and 76gr at about 1" with 2 rounds cutting the same hole and one just out (15rounds). I'm thinking copper fouling is partially to blame as I still haven't gotten a lot of jacketed bullets down the tube and I didn't remove the copper between strings. Most loads I have tried have shot around 1.25 whith a few doing far larger and acouple doing far better.

I'm considering trying the NF's just out of curiosity. TOhse who have shot both TSX and NF which has typically given you better results?

It depends on your rifle. My M-70 375 does not digest X bullets well but loves North Forks while my Ruger 375 and Mauser 458 shoot X bullets best. you can't go wrong with either.

Rhys,

My 450 Dakota much preferred NF's to either Barnes X or Trippl;e Shock.

One hole groups with all three NF's, (composite group of CP, soft pint and FN solid) vs 1/12-2 inch w tripple shock and 3-4 inch with Barnes X.

Bullet performance much more important than accuracy in a DGR so go with NF regardless of group size.

Andy

458Win. I believe that he was referring to TSX bullets NOT X bullets. I agree that X bullets did not have a reputation for accuracy, but TSX bullets seem to have an excellent reputaion for accuracy, and incidentally, seem also to have a reputation for low copper fouling.
I have had bad experencies with X bullet accuracy, but excellent experiences with TSX bullet accuracy.
Peter.

Peter, I have had better luck with the TSX bullets in some rifles but certainly not all of them. The TSX design was intended to reduce friction and boost velocity, which it does, but the accuracy claim is as much sales hype as anything, although it has becoming dogma in some circles. I have numerous rifles that shoot X (I still call them all X bullets) superbly. which proves there is nothing wrong with the design but my M-70 doesn't particularily like either flavor- although it is sufficiently accurate for it's intended purpose, and I still use them anyway because of the dependable, deep penetration that I have learned to expect from all X bullets.

In my 375 RUM the 270 XLC are exremely accurate all 3 shots in one ragged hole @ 100dys. Have some 300grn TSX loaded up but have not shot any yet for results.

I have a variety of makes but the Barnes just seem to be a go to load without need of any others no matter how much I have spent for Swifts or North Forks or Partitions and have them around. Oh well it is hard to improve on something that works.

just my .02

Haven't tried North Forks but between a buddy and I we have 4 .375s and they all sing with the 270gr TSX over 74.0gr RL15, 1/2" groups at 2,700fps. What RL15 load did you try with the TSX and how far off the lands are you?

Andy

As follow on to Adrook- in almost every rifle I've tried from 6.5 mm to .416 TSX loads are the most accurate I've found, if I can seat them according to Barnes instructions. This greater than usual gap or clearance seems important for accuracy in my rifles. If not feasible, due to throats too long with too short magazines, fortunately the NF step up to the plate. My M70 loves 270 TSX with RL15 and 300 gr with IMR 4064 (the former is ~ moa and latter is << moa). I've found drop tube is helpful with some loads to get enough powder in with those long TSX bullets.

I have tried Barnes bullets both the regular and unleaded(TSX) as well as the North Fork soft points and almost to a rifle, the North Fork bullets will out shoot the Barnes. I think that the North Fork bullets are far more predictable that any of the Barnes. They will open up on time, they will stay together and will be less pressure prone. I am sold on the North Fork stuff, their entire product line is perfect.