Barnes Vor-tex ammo ?

[Brnsvllyjohn]

While shooting last week we were trying some Barnes Vor-Tex ammo in 300 Win Mag with 165gr. tipped TSX BT projectiles. Not too impressed with the groups even once I found a way to get a decent rest. (see lead sled post) I have one gun that shoots those bullets well (7 mm-08) and others that will not shoot them to my satisfaction. No experience with the 165 gr. in the 300 until last week. In my 7 mag the Federal Trophy copper or Hornady GMX shoot much better. Just curious how most of you feel about the Barnes in your guns. My 06 doesn't like them either but it doesn't like any non-lead bullets so far.

 

[Mr. Luckypants]

Never shot factory loaded Barnes. But my reloads using Barnes are very accurate. I load them to the MAX and play with seating depths to find the most accurate. Usually around 1/2" to 3/4" for 3 rounds using a hunting rifle. Try using 130grn TTSX in your 300WM. I believe they have factory loads for those.

 

[Planetcat]

While shooting last week we were trying some Barnes Vor-Tex ammo in 300 Win Mag with 165gr. tipped TSX BT projectiles. Not too impressed with the groups even once I found a way to get a decent rest. (see lead sled post) I have one gun that shoots those bullets well (7 mm-08) and others that will not shoot them to my satisfaction. No experience with the 165 gr. in the 300 until last week. In my 7 mag the Federal Trophy copper or Hornady GMX shoot much better. Just curious how most of you feel about the Barnes in your guns. My 06 doesn't like them either but it doesn't like any non-lead bullets so far.

Funny, I've had the same experience with the "heavier" copper bullets in .30 caliber (-06 and .300 win mag). My kids' 7mm-08 shoot them great though. They've whacked a few deer in the "condor" zone on junior hunts with them. I also have the same issue with the Federal loaded with Barnes copper, but have not tried the gmx yet. I will try 150 grain coppers when I am forced to in my .30 cal rifles.

 

[Brnsvllyjohn]

165 would not have been my choice for testing but it is not my gun. He does load so I will give him that info. I no longer load so I shoot factory stuff for now. I may have to load again for the 06 to shoot decent groups but we shall see. I almost never carry the 06 anymore so no big deal yet.

Thanks for the info.

 

[parkermann]

Find out the barrel twist and use the grain bullet that best matches that barrel twist

 

[Brnsvllyjohn]

According to Winchester the ultimate shadow in 300 win mag is 1:10 twist rate. It is a dinner gun and I NEVER win guns at dinners. He only bought one ticket to get drawn. He should of bought a lottery ticket the same day.
Zeiss scope so the scope should be good.

1:10 should not be the problem with 165 gr bullets. Maybe a little fast for the lighter weights but in my experimenting with factory loads some just work better than others in any given gun. My 06 should also be 1:10 and it will shoot a variety of lead bullets just fine but so far nothing non-lead and some were terrible.

 

[augnmike]

I only shoot the 180's in TTSX in both my 300wsm and 300 mag. I have them custom loaded for each rifle. The WSM is a Gap rifle and shoots 2 1/2 to three inch groups at 500 yards off a beach with bags. I love the bullet performance on everything from antelop to Nilgai full mushroom.

 

[solus]

From reloading experience i can tell you that not all guns shoot the same ammo the same. Even if it the same make and model gun. I didnt know this until i started reloading. Remember that manufacturers make a "universal" load that fires ok in most guns. That foesnt mean itll work well in yours. My suggestion is to either reload your own and tailor the load to your gun or find a different factory ammo that shoots well in your specific gun.

 

[TheGDog]

I got my best groupings with the 168gr TTSX Barnes VOR-TX. And MAN it did a number on the buck in my Avatar!

Oddly, with in the new .223 Rem 783 I just got. It did ok with the 55gr TSX, but did better with the Hornady Superformance GMX 55gr. Only 10fps difference in speed.

 

[OVHunter916]

I've handloaded 150 Barnes TSX and TTSX for several 30-06 rifles. These bullets have grouped as well as any, but I always seat these fairly deeply. They say this is a key to accuracy with Barnes. I also use faster burning powders, like H4895 and IMR 4064. I load close to max but have never had signs of high pressure. When using H4895 I often get sooty case necks from low pressure, even at just a grain under max. As far as seating depth goes, I figured this out loading 150 grain ttsx for my Ruger M77 Hawkeye in '06. I initially loaded with the entire first ring exposed. Three shot groups were about an inch and a half with a grain under max charge of 4064. I seated the bullets so that only 1/2 the first ring was exposed. Groups tightened to about an inch of POI moved down slightly. Finally, I seated so that only a sliver of the first ring was exposed. Groups tightened to just over a half inch with some near cloverleaves. My Tikka 30-06 (stainless) consistently groups three shots at under an inch with either factory or handloaded 150 grain TTSX.

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