RL17 load for Barnes 225gn .338WM TSX???

[vincentmoy]

I wasn't getting any response over at the Reloading Depot side so I'm trying to see if I have more luck over here.

I was at the range couple days ago trying out some Barnes 225gn 338WM TSX loads with the OCW test.

My sighters were 61.6, 62.8, & 64.1. My load graduation were 65.4, 65.8, 66.3, 66.8, and 67.2.

I shot all my sighters and only 1 round of ea., and here's the picture of the target.



As you can see only my 65.4 and 66.3 made it to the target. At first I thought I was just flinching really bad so I try using some Remington 225gn core lokts. I was aiming at 6 and all 3 rounds made it on paper.

I'm wondering if anyone can give me some pointers.

Thanks!

 

[BobinNC]

I can't help you with RL17, but I never got sterling accuracy from any Barnes TSX type in a 338 Win Mag (the TTSX were not around then). My accuracy load was always 69 grains H4350, WW case, Fed 215 primer, under a Nosler 225 gr Partition. For best velocity with the same 225 grain bullets, and slightly less accuracy, I used 75 grains of RL 19, same other components. The RL19 loads were nearly 100 FPS faster than the H4350 loads, but were on the order of 1/4 to 1/2 MOA less accurate.

But my 338 Win's were all hunting rifles, and if I got 1.25" group, I considered that GTG. Recoil and flinching are something that must be dealt with a light-ish 338 Winny during extensive load development, so that means for me, at a minimum a PAST Magnum recoil pad on the shoulder, or a small flat leather sandbag between the rilfe's butt and my shoulder.

I never had a muzzle brake installed on any of my 338's but I did have a Rem 700 KS rifle in 338 Win that I had Mag-n-Ported. It helped some....