300 WSM 165gr TSX
- Thread starter wonksy
- Start date
LongBomber
CGN Regular
- Location
- Fernie, bc
I use the 165tsx in my 300wsm, but mine are handloads. I get consistent groups around 3/4 - 7/8" from my rifle. My handloads run right at 3140fps, from a 24" barrel, Winchester ultimate shadow. I think I have shot 4 or 5 blackbears, a moose, a 330pound mtn goat, and 4 whitetails, never had any problems. No bullet fragmentation, and deep straight wound channels.
I like them but some guys seem to have accuracy problems, I found they needed to be seated a good bit off the lands. If the factory loads fit your chamber with the right seating depth, you should see good accuracy.
I like them but some guys seem to have accuracy problems, I found they needed to be seated a good bit off the lands. If the factory loads fit your chamber with the right seating depth, you should see good accuracy.
LongBomber
CGN Regular
- Location
- Fernie, bc
Ouch... To be honest I haven't bought a box of factory's for the 300 since 2004ish. I can load almost 50 rounds for that! With the TSX... more with an accubond or similar. I think at Basspro in Calgary the wsm fed premium was around 48 bucks a box. I looked at what a box of 300rum was here in town...$110 a box! I almost fainted.
If it was my cash I would stick to a load with a bullet like a accubond. More guys seem to be happy with the accuracy of them, and they are a pretty good all around bullet. It's just less of a gamble with the cash.
If it was my cash I would stick to a load with a bullet like a accubond. More guys seem to be happy with the accuracy of them, and they are a pretty good all around bullet. It's just less of a gamble with the cash.
sir_springer
Regular
- Location
- East Kootenays
I switched over to Federal Premium 130 gr. Barnes Tipped-TSX for my 300 Win. Mag a couple seasons back. Several articles I read about them impressed the hell outta me. Federal's specs puts these at a sizzling 3600 fps, and about 4" drop at 300 yds.
First season out I took a 6x6 bull elk at about 100 yds, a tad high in the shoulder, passed through about 6" below the top of the rib cage. The bull reacted hard, made it about 30 - 40 yds and dropped DRT.
His lungs were destroyed entirely.
Taken a couple bucks since.
From what I've read, and what I saw with the elk, I'm inclined to think that the combination of mega speed and a top quality bullet is an exceedingly lethal combination. And I don't mind at all that a 300 yd shot requires damn little holdover! And I really don't mind that my rifle's recoil is considerably less punishing!
Federal makes these for the 300 WSM, too...
http://www.federalpremium.com/products/details/rifle.aspx?id=751
The not so good news is that this particular ammo is pricey as hell!
Frankly, save for dangerous game of the grizzly variety, because of the quality of ammo available these days, I'm increasingly of the belief that heavy for caliber bullets are no longer really necessary...at least not here in N. America.
And my Vanguard seems to like 'em, too...
FWIW.
First season out I took a 6x6 bull elk at about 100 yds, a tad high in the shoulder, passed through about 6" below the top of the rib cage. The bull reacted hard, made it about 30 - 40 yds and dropped DRT.
His lungs were destroyed entirely.
Taken a couple bucks since.
From what I've read, and what I saw with the elk, I'm inclined to think that the combination of mega speed and a top quality bullet is an exceedingly lethal combination. And I don't mind at all that a 300 yd shot requires damn little holdover! And I really don't mind that my rifle's recoil is considerably less punishing!
Federal makes these for the 300 WSM, too...
http://www.federalpremium.com/products/details/rifle.aspx?id=751
The not so good news is that this particular ammo is pricey as hell!
Frankly, save for dangerous game of the grizzly variety, because of the quality of ammo available these days, I'm increasingly of the belief that heavy for caliber bullets are no longer really necessary...at least not here in N. America.
And my Vanguard seems to like 'em, too...
FWIW.
Last edited:
sir_springer
Regular
- Location
- East Kootenays
The first article I read about the TTSX, I believe it was in Rifle, included a picture of this guy standing beside this monster of a bull bison, weighing something like 2500 lbs. Story goes that he wildcatted a 7mm STW (I think it was) down to .257. He's shooting Barnes 100 gr. TSX, which are blazing out the end of the barrel at 4100 fps. The bullet passed through both shoulders of this bison, and carried on to parts unknown, which...the article states...caused the critter to drop dead right in his tracks.
Guy claims the last 6 bull elk he took dropped the same way.
Others in the article relate similar performance from Barnes 130 TTSX from 300 WMs. On an African trip, those who handle the dressing, etc, consistently wonder in awe at the incredible pulverization to internal organs.
Point of the article being, short version, that, unlike many jacketed lead core bullets, the Barnes doesn't break up. More importantly, because of this is also rarely deflects off bone, forget about disintegrating, but penetrates straight through. Second point being that it's not energy...pounds per square foot...that's so important, but rather the combination of bullet construction, fps, and shot placement.
A couple other articles raved about similar results.
From what I've seen so far, I think they're right.
Guy claims the last 6 bull elk he took dropped the same way.
Others in the article relate similar performance from Barnes 130 TTSX from 300 WMs. On an African trip, those who handle the dressing, etc, consistently wonder in awe at the incredible pulverization to internal organs.
Point of the article being, short version, that, unlike many jacketed lead core bullets, the Barnes doesn't break up. More importantly, because of this is also rarely deflects off bone, forget about disintegrating, but penetrates straight through. Second point being that it's not energy...pounds per square foot...that's so important, but rather the combination of bullet construction, fps, and shot placement.
A couple other articles raved about similar results.
From what I've seen so far, I think they're right.
That would be the .257 Hot Tamale an improved version of the .257 STW. 4000+fps with a 100gr TSX. I believe it's Ferguson's brainchild. Obviously it works.
That would be the .257 Hot Tamale an improved version of the .257 STW. 4000+fps with a 100gr TSX. I believe it's Ferguson's brainchild. Obviously it works.
sir_springer
Regular
- Location
- East Kootenays
That's exactly what it was, 257 Hot Tamale. Reeeeealy hot!
I see Federal is now marketing this high speed ammo as "Hyper Velocity".
I see Federal is now marketing this high speed ammo as "Hyper Velocity".
