Barnes .375 300gr TSX load work-up - Which powder to choose?

[cash_tx]

I recently acquired my first batch of Barnes .375 caliber 300gr TSX bullets, and want to work up a load for my Whitworth Express 375 H&H for a potential upcoming Nilgai hunt in South Texas. I'm trying to decide which powder to use between the different ones that I have on-hand, and I would welcome any input and opinions on the pros or cons of each. I realize that there may be even more ideal powders that are not on the list below, but would prefer to utilize what I already have if possible:

- IMR 4350 (this is my default choice - it is what I have the most of, it works great in all my other magnums, and there is a good amount of load data available for it)

- IMR 4895 (this too is a well-proven powder, and something I have a good supply of)

- Varget (I already have some hand loads for this rifle that my dad left behind using this powder and some Speer 235gr Hot-Cors, but I only have about 1/3 of a pound of this powder left)

- Hodgdon H4831 (old stock - I have a pound of this on hand, but have not personally worked up any loads with it yet)

- IMR 4451 (I understand this to be the modern, less temperature sensitve, version of IMR 4350; and it has worked well in my handloads for 243 Win, 7x57, and 270 Win. I have about 3/4 of a pound of this left).

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[mdwest]

I use 64 gr 4064 behind a 300gr TSX… gets me about 2450 fps… load comes from 1st edition Barnes reloading manual..

Happy to trade you a lb for a lb of your 4350 if interested…

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I like 4350 and 4451 behind 300 grain lead core bullets. However, I seem to recall the Barnes manual doesn’t seem to list the slower powders. Varget or 4064 is probably your best bet.
Hopefully someone has some experience with 4350 behind Barnes bullets and will chime in.

 

[RLL]

I’ve used RL15 and Varget with good success.

 

[mdwest]

1st edition Barnes manual

11th edition Hornady manual

50th edition Lyman manual

 

[SRvet]

Reloader 17 gets 2550fps easily for me

 

[cash_tx]

I use 64 gr 4064 behind a 300gr TSX… gets me about 2450 fps… load comes from 1st edition Barnes reloading manual..

Happy to trade you a lb for a lb of your 4350 if interested…

Thanks, Dave; and that is a very generous offer (because I know that 4064 is rare as hen's teeth right now). I'll reach out to you directly to discuss further. Much appreciated!

 

[FredIII]

RL 17 is magic with the H&H and 300 Grain pills.

 

[dchamp]

I have one load for both my M70 Safari and Blaser R8.
299gr Hammer @ 3.60”
GM215M
71.0gr CFE-223
2550fps +
I am very happy with this powder.

 

[FredIII]

I have one load for both my M70 Safari and Blaser R8.
299gr Hammer @ 3.60”
GM215M
71.0gr CFE-223
2550fps +
I am very happy with this powder.

I tried cfe and the ES and standard deviation was awful.
RL 15 worries me due to temperature sensitivity.
H4530 was another option but RL 17 blew it away.
I’m using 76 grains and getting 2610 fps with no problems with pressure in norma brass. The standard deviation was single digits and it shoots like this at 100 which is really good for a 1952 Winchester model 70.

I have been told that 81 grains is max but 76 grains producing 2620 was plenty for me I would definitely have to work up to 81 grains. It would be really hot in my opinion.

 

[ACM]

74gr VHT N540 Fed215M behind a 300gr TSX.
MV 2710fps over a magneto speed chrono.
I have shot hundreds of these rounds, & reloaded same brass 4+ times. Never had a sign of pressure or sticky bolt (South TX summer heat too). I do almost the same thing w/ 300gr Woodleigh RN/SN.
Vihtavuori powder is amazing.

 

[Firebird]

If reloder 15 makes you nervous, you could try 15.5-if you can find it, but I’ve seen it around. Just an option, not a lot of info available for it yet. But if you like to tinker. . .

 

[cash_tx]

I tried cfe and the ES and standard deviation was awful.
RL 15 worries me due to temperature sensitivity.
H4530 was another option but RL 17 blew it away.
I’m using 76 grains and getting 2610 fps with no problems with pressure in norma brass. The standard deviation was single digits and it shoots like this at 100 which is really good for a 1952 Winchester model 70. View attachment 548546I have been told that 81 grains is max but 76 grains producing 2620 was plenty for me I would definitely have to work up to 81 grains. It would be really hot in my opinion.

Very impressive! What bullet was this?

 

[YancyW]

Of those, I would start with 4350. There is zero chance you can't find something that will work for you.

 

[FredIII]

If reloder 15 makes you nervous, you could try 15.5-if you can find it, but I’ve seen it around. Just an option, not a lot of info available for it yet. But if you like to tinker. . .

I have a 42 pound jug of RL15 I just don’t like it in the H&H. I know there is lots of data but newer powders are better. I use 15 in a half dozen rifles.
I do use RL 15 with old Hornady RN that I got super cheap and use to practice with.

 

[FredIII]

Very impressive! What bullet was this?

300 Aframes.
I have used it with 350 tsx as well at 72 grains of rl17 I got 2430fps.
I used 82 grains with the 260 AB and got 2790fps. All the loads were sub MOA.

 

[Firebird]

42 pounds!

 

[cash_tx]

Of those, I would start with 4350. There is zero chance you can't find something that will work for you.

Agreed, and that is my fallback if needed. After collaborating with @mdwest , I think I will either go with the published data from the Barnes 1st Edition manual for IMR 4895; or I might also take this as an opportunity to purchase and test-drive Ramshot Big Game, since it is in the current Barnes loading data and sells for the low price of $32 a pound at the local Cabelas. I'm a bit curious to experiment with that one.

 

[revturbo9967]

I’m using 72gr of h4350 with 300 gr Barnes. No idea of velocity, but its very accurate.

 

[sestoppelman]

Never have loaded the Barnes in mine, but I do have some Cape Shok factory loads with the Barnes that I hope to put to good use someday!