I am loading Barnes 300 Gr TSX's for my Winchester Mdl 70 Safari Express. The rifle is new and has been glass beaded.

The Barnes namual shows the preferred powder being RL-15, so that is what I'm using. I have loaded 68 Gr, 69 Gr, 70 Gr, 71 Gr and 72 Gr. loads. 72 Gr is listed as the max load for Barnes X. Each loading shot very close to the same, 1 1/4" - 1 1/2" 3 shot groups. Usually with 2 bullet holes touching and the third a flier. The rifle was cleaned after each group and the flyer was not the first round.


In my Ruger Mdl 70 416 Rigby using TSX's, I get sub-minute of angle groups.

Can anyone recommend a proven load for this rifle and bullet combination?

First of all, if you're getting 1¼ to 1½ inch 3 shot groups I would say those are good groups and I wouldn't call any of them "fliers." It sounds to me like RL-15 is working well for you as it also does in my 375 H&H Mag.

Unless you intend to clean your barrel after every 2 or 3 shots while hunting, I would see how your gun shoots with a "dirty" barrel as well.

I've developed loads for several Model 70 .375 H&H rifles and for me that's about as good as they shoot with hunting bullets. Nosler's were about the best hanging around 1" to 1 1/4". The only Barnes I used at the time were the original X bullets and they were consistently 1 1/2" no matter how close or far from the lands.

Two things you might try....I found the factory triggers to be miserable ....have you had any trigger work done? And, you might try Varget.

Thanks you guys. And yes, I had the trigger done, slicked up the action and put on a Brockman pop-up peep.

It just seems that I can get a better group when I compare it to my 416. While it would be fine for most hunting, I'm worried about trying to hit a croc in his golf ball sized brain with such a group.

I've been having great results with the 300 grain TSX in my M70.

I've worked up to:
77 grains of H4350 (Compressed) for 2489 fps
68.5 grains of IMR 4064 for 2503 fps

I'm seeing no pressure signs yet and all the loads from 2400 fps and faster shot MOA or less
and the 4064 loads are running close to 1/2 MOA.

I love my 375!!!!

Now that, is what I'm looking for! Thank you!

My final results so far:

(19" Barrel Sako AV)

300g TSX 38F Sea Level

74g RX 15 2247fps

69g IMR 4064 2431fps

79g Big Game 2514fps

Had trouble getting enough RX 15 into the case with the TSX....didn't even try the IMR4350 that 300g Sierras like best for that reason. The IMR4064 was very consistant in velocity, but I'm concerned about its temperature sensitive reputation. There is no Barnes data for the TSX and Big Game, but the Ramshot manual lists 75.6 as max for the regular 300g X bullet---

All these loads were quite safe in my gun, but work up with yours (I don't know how much cool temps are impacting this!)

Again, primary issue I have with the 300 TSX is the case volume it eats up. Accuracy looks promising.

Wish I shot as well as Fjold!


Cheers,

Dan

Frank,
Did the 68.5 grains of IMR 4064 for 2503 fps produce the same types of groups as depicted?

SBT,

Like Frank I also have a L/H Win. Mdl. 70 Safari Express in .375H&H with a Kahles 1.5-6x42 in Leupold bases & rings.

I had a touch more than 2" lopped off the barrel and a barrel band front sight & sling swivel stud installed but have not played with the bedding or done more to the trigger than adjust it to my desires. The rifle shoots the same a Frank's target pictures above, not EVERY day but consistanly enough to convince me that the reason for larger groups is me - not the rifle, scope, bullets or loads.

I'll qualify this by saying I also occaisionally get the itty-bitty, one hole clusters Frank depicted above AND 1", 1 1/4" or 1 1/2" groups from my loads on any given shooting day. Perhaps I'm doing something wrong - I only scrub my bore about once a year?



Am I proud of the varmint rifle small groups; you betcha - do the larger groups disappoint me? Nah!

I'm using 300 Gr. TSX's, 300 gr. Sierra SPBT's and 300 gr. PMP Round Noses, all with 75.0 grs. of H-4350, the only difference is the OAL on each specific bullet. I can't seem to get too much more powder in the cases and don't have the heart to compress the powder too much - I use it too much in African heat.

In 9 years hunting with this rifle I've never had a bullet bounce off an animal and all were one-shot kills.

Like Grum, DB, Frank & Dan have all related, I wouldn't get all lathered up in a sweat about group size with this rifle; sounds like you're on the right track anyway. Just do your level best, go out and shoot this rifle & have a good time!

Try 4320 - start about 64 grains. You won't run out of space and should be able to get 2550 (equivalent out of 24 inch barrel). I load 67.5 grains 4320 - WW cases and mag primers. 24 inch M70 for 2520, very accurate. with about any bullet, including some old Barnes originals 300 gr. No pressure signs. Should work well with TSX.

SBT try some IMR 4064 in your 375. My Ruger has shot many 3/4-5/8 inch groups with the 270gr Barnes TS with this powder.

SBT

Before I started trying other powders, etc., try not cleaning it every three shots. It may just be getting fouled enough to shoot good about the time you clean it again. On some of mine after a thorough cleaning, the second group will always be beter and some will pick up velocity on the chronograph until 7-8 shots then stabilize. 1.25 isn't bad for a big bore, but most .375's will shoot MOA or real close for three shots. I'd bet it shoots better without cleaning.