Gents,

I have a Tikka T3 Lite in 300 Win Mag that I like very much and is mostly quite accurate. I used it last year with 180gr TSX loads in the Limpopo province of RSA. The accuracy of these loads is okay, but not great.

I was using the non-tipped version and have tried the TTSX lately, but just not impressed at all with the accuracy.

So, I'm looking for suggestions, perhaps I need a better recipe for the TTSX. I don't know.

Anyway, I'd like to have a round that I can depend on to 300 yards to take game as large as Eland and Gemsbok.

In the 300 mags either the Swift Sirocco II or the Acubond for a long range effective loading.

I find both very accurate in several calibers I load them in and VERY effective on game. Every time I load the either, they are nearly as accurate as my Berger dedicated long range target loadings.

For a long range load in the 300, I'm using the 180 grain variety.

Good luck.

You should really consider a 200gr bullet for your 300 Mag......this is real flat shooting hunting bullet that will take any thin skinned animal.

I have taken both eland and oryx with the 200 grain Nosler Partition.......the oryx was taken at 350 yds and I had complete penetration on the eland. For softer game, I also use the 200gr Nosler A-bond, but since eland is on the ticket I personally would stick with the 200gr Nosler Partition.

The 200gr bullet has a high B.C. and S.D. and it will allow you to "take" your trophy at a less than ideal angle (i.e., broad side).

Some people like the Barnes X......I don't.

180gr Accubonds with 74.0gr of RL22 and 215 primers for me in my Sako m75ss 300WM. Sighted in @ 3.5" high at 100 metres, puts me a zero @ close to 300m if I remember correctly. Furthest shot for me was 554m one shot kill on a 8x7 whitetail buck. Moose was 425m one shot kill. Both were double lung complete pass thru penetration. Small entrance wound...HUGE exit.

I really never gav the TSX a chance in my 300WM....I was very happy with the performance at the range and on big game with the Accubonds.

Have you tried moving the seating depth? Sounds like this is a good way to find accuracy with the Barnes bullets.

My .300 Sendero also likes a max. load of RL22 with Fed. 215 primers and a 180 gr. bullet.

quote:

Originally posted by RMiller:
Have you tried moving the seating depth? Sounds like this is a good way to find accuracy with the Barnes bullets.

Tikka T3's have a clip and it allows for very little length beyond SAAMI. Those TTSX's and TSX's just don't seem to get along with my rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by MHC_TX:
You should really consider a 200gr bullet for your 300 Mag......this is real flat shooting hunting bullet that will take any thin skinned animal.

I have taken both eland and oryx with the 200 grain Nosler Partition.......the oryx was taken at 350 yds and I had complete penetration on the eland. For softer game, I also use the 200gr Nosler A-bond, but since eland is on the ticket I personally would stick with the 200gr Nosler Partition.

The 200gr bullet has a high B.C. and S.D. and it will allow you to "take" your trophy at a less than ideal angle (i.e., broad side).

Some people like the Barnes X......I don't.

Yeah I think I'm going to move back towards the Partition. I got away from my beloved bullet for my first safari, perhaps caught up in the TSX craze. The TSX performed greatly for me on the 100 yard and closer shots. But going beyond 200 yards is questionable for my Tikka.

The NP's while not super accurate is still a bullet I feel confident to 300 yards.

Now having said that, the 300 grain TSX's are the most accurate bullet I've shot so far in my .375H&H, go figure.

Regarding Accubonds, I have shot those in my .375 and with great accuracy. After pouring over the web, I come across lots of conflicting reports. Some say they're great, some they well... that they suck in regards to terminal performance.

In fact one report I read, the guy shot a number of African animals and while he didn't lose any there was always a chase. The complaint seemed to be that the bullet just explodes too quickly like a ballistic tip. But the common thing I found seemed to me to be shooting them too fast, that if you kept them to 2800fps, then you'd be okay.

Not to stir a pot, but can you guys fill me in a bit on this?

I have my 300 Jarrett set up with Nosler Partitions. I still like the concept of the soft front and solid rear. They're perfect for shots at large game beyond 200 yards, where velocity has slowed somewhat, but still lethal if an animal is encountered close up. Hard to beat that old design.

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
I have my 300 Jarrett set up with Nosler Partitions. I still like the concept of the soft front and solid rear. They're perfect for shots at large game beyond 200 yards, where velocity has slowed somewhat, but still lethal if an animal is encountered close up. Hard to beat that old design.

On my desk is a ziploc baggie with the mortality report for my just shy of B&C Shiras moose from Idaho. At the bottom of the baggie is the recovered 7mm Mag 160gr partition. Single shot at 175 yards, moose went 15 feet and dropped dead.

quote:

Originally posted by 7MMNut:

quote:

Originally posted by RMiller:
Have you tried moving the seating depth? Sounds like this is a good way to find accuracy with the Barnes bullets.

Tikka T3's have a clip and it allows for very little length beyond SAAMI. Those TTSX's and TSX's just don't seem to get along with my rifle.

Seating them deeper can work too.

In my Interarms Mark X 30-06 I cannot load most bullets to SAAMI.

quote:

Originally posted by RMiller:

quote:

Originally posted by 7MMNut:

quote:

Originally posted by RMiller:
Have you tried moving the seating depth? Sounds like this is a good way to find accuracy with the Barnes bullets.

Tikka T3's have a clip and it allows for very little length beyond SAAMI. Those TTSX's and TSX's just don't seem to get along with my rifle.

Seating them deeper can work too.

In my Interarms Mark X 30-06 I cannot load most bullets to SAAMI.

Really... who'da thunk? I guess my inexperience is showing. I'll give it a try, thanks.

I would try the 180gr. North Fork, Trophy Bonded Bearclaw, Swift A Frame, and the Nosler Partition.

If the 180's do not shoot good in your rifle then try the 200gr bullets from the same makers.

A 300 WM is my "go to" rifle.

I live in SA and I've hunted numerous Oryx, Blue Wildebeest and other game with it.

For long range the high BC bullets are the way to go. I agree with a 200gr and in high BC bonded bullets that limits you to the Accubond. That is the recipe that I intend to try next and just haven't got to yet... I will get 2800-2850 fps.

I do not believe in the really tough bullets like TSX or Fail Safes at long range as they can act like solids if impact velocity is too low.

I've used mainly a 210gr Berger VLD at about 2780 fps in my rifle and it worked geeat on everything, but you need to have discipline and wait for the right broadside shot etc. You will not always have the luxury of waiting and may never be offered that shot by the animal. If you've travelled halfway around the world for a hunt as you will, you need to be able to take the shot that you are offered. I do not believe that the Berger allows you that.

I do not consider a 30 cal an Eland rifle unless you are taking the behind the shoulder, or through the lungs shot. You talk of "long range". I don't think anything under a 250gr .33 bullet is long range Eland cartridge, although others may disagree.

currently working up loads for a well used M40 in 300wm. 180gr tsx, a slightly over max load of 4831sc and a standard Fed primer has it at 1 3/8" at 200yds. Still have to get my hands on some mag primers and RL22 before i'll call it done.

Love the gun but there just something about a 300wm i don't like. Might be having so much bullet stuffed in the case.

Boomer,

Move away from the monolithics and you won't have so much bullet in the case. If you aren't concerned about feeding from the magazine you may be able to work with a longer COL.

quote:

In the 300 mags either the Swift Sirocco II

Yup, a 150 gr. Swift Scirocco II w/H-4831SC - IMO great combo in this cartridge. Myself & several Buddies all use the same load.

my favorite long range load consists of 165 ballistic tips and lots of re19. Ive shot deer out to 500 yards with that load.

Unfortunately it needs to feed from the magazine and i'm seated roughly .02 off the lands. It's not my gun-just doing a favor for a friend that needed some loads for it and a 7-08. Previous owner had only used it with the 190gr SMK's and we needed a load for hunting. The owner is a fan of the TSX so thats where we are. I personally prefer the VLD in my 7/300wsm.

quote:

Originally posted by ARWL:
A 300 WM is my "go to" rifle.

I live in SA and I've hunted numerous Oryx, Blue Wildebeest and other game with it.

For long range the high BC bullets are the way to go. I agree with a 200gr and in high BC bonded bullets that limits you to the Accubond. That is the recipe that I intend to try next and just haven't got to yet... I will get 2800-2850 fps.

I do not believe in the really tough bullets like TSX or Fail Safes at long range as they can act like solids if impact velocity is too low.

I've used mainly a 210gr Berger VLD at about 2780 fps in my rifle and it worked geeat on everything, but you need to have discipline and wait for the right broadside shot etc. You will not always have the luxury of waiting and may never be offered that shot by the animal. If you've travelled halfway around the world for a hunt as you will, you need to be able to take the shot that you are offered. I do not believe that the Berger allows you that.

I do not consider a 30 cal an Eland rifle unless you are taking the behind the shoulder, or through the lungs shot. You talk of "long range". I don't think anything under a 250gr .33 bullet is long range Eland cartridge, although others may disagree.

Thanks for the reply. What I didn't mention in my original post is my 300WM will be paired with my 375HH when I next go to Africa. My next trip I would like to hunt for Oryx and Eland. The Oryx in it's more typical range from what I understand involves longer shots than say where I hunted in the Limpopo where shots tend to be more on the 100 yard distance.

So that being said, while I intend to have the 375HH along with me, I lean more towards the 300WM and it's higher velocity for those longer shots. With that in mind I can envision starting a stalk for an Oryx with the 300WM in hand and the 375HH back in the truck. While on the stalk there could certainly be a chance at an Eland that was not originally seen. I would want to be prepared with a proper round for Eland at that point.

Regarding frontal shots, for me I just don't take those. For me, they're just too risky unless you're up and close. At 200-300 yards, I've just never encountered a need to make that shot and have always just waited until the animal presented a better shot. Is it possible that I'll lose an animal waiting for that better shot? Certainly, but at least I'll be losing only a healthy animal and not a wounded one.

The more I think about this, the more I'm inclined to return to the Partition. A few years back I drew my first Arizona elk tag in the same year as a Coues deer tag. Long story short, I shot a deer about the size of a Springbok at 260 yards with one shot and an elk about the size of a Kudu at 280 yards also with one shot both with my 7mm Mag and with the 160gr NP.

180 grain Swift Scirocco II over 69.5 grains of IMr4350. My Winchester loves this load, and those bullets are stiff enough for anything youd be willing to shoot at that range.

Never had a problem from too much bullet in the case.

Got 2900+ fps from both 200 grain partitions and 200 tsx bullets seated to book O.A.L.

You can hunt Eland at longer ranges too.

I'd suggest the 260gr Accubond at around 2730-2750 fps in the 375 H&H for that.

If Eland are on the list I'd certainly choose the 200gr AB over a 180gr Anything Else.

quote:

Originally posted by 7MMNut:

quote:

Originally posted by RMiller:

quote:

Originally posted by 7MMNut:

quote:

Originally posted by RMiller:
Have you tried moving the seating depth? Sounds like this is a good way to find accuracy with the Barnes bullets.

Tikka T3's have a clip and it allows for very little length beyond SAAMI. Those TTSX's and TSX's just don't seem to get along with my rifle.

Seating them deeper can work too.

In my Interarms Mark X 30-06 I cannot load most bullets to SAAMI.

Really... who'da thunk? I guess my inexperience is showing. I'll give it a try, thanks.

I gave this a try and just not getting anywhere.

I did load up some 200 grain Nosler Partitions. Shot a 3 shot group with 0.745" center to center on the two shots the furthest apart. The other shot was between those and just a touch higher. I think I've found my load.

71gr of RL22 with a Fed 215 primer, bullet seated to SAAMI length of 3.34".

I have shot H-1000 in my 300 win before a re-barrel and now. I shoot 75.6 gr of H-1000 and a 208 Amax for paper, and, 76 gr of H-1000 and 210 Berger VLD for fur. POI is the same and it isn't as temp sensitive as the RE-22. I load both bullets .015 from the lands with RWS brass and Fed 215M primers. Both bullets arwe reasonably priced, I love them and elk hate them, mulies too. Good Luck