Barnes 300 gr TSX loads for the Marlin 1895

[Old Savage]

Just bought a box to load and would like to hear any loading results from you fellows. Thanks.

[Mike D.]

I have used the 300s but they are so long that a reduced powder charge is necessary. Vit N120 is good for this bullet. Barnes recommends 44 grs for 2162FPS, up to 47.5 grs and 2300 FPS. I use top end loads in my 1886s, but prefer the much shorter 250 TSX. High velocity and less powder compression. For CA deer and pigs the lighter bullet is more than adequate.

[Old Savage]

Thanks Mike, I already got the 300s and I am only looking for about 1800, Thought I might start with about 41 gr of RL7.

[Mike D.]

You'll be surprised how much velocity that 41/RL7 will provide, but would think that it might be around 1600+. I use 52 grains in one of my .45-90s for 2100. I have yet to experiment much with the 300s so far, but intend to one of these days.

[Tycer]

I use 41.5 in my 450 grain load for 1650 fps.

[Stan in SC]

My 300 grain load is 40 Gr. of REL7.A very kind but effective load.It has worked well in my 1895SS,my converted Siamese Mauser and my Handi rifles.

Stan in SC

[gary rice]

Is your 1895 scoped? If not i'd be very interested as to how high that 300 tsx will fly at 100 yds and if youre able to lower your rear sight enough, thats the problem I had with mine.

[Mike D.]

My first try at TSXs got me a group 9" above the target at 100 yds. My Lyman 21 and 56 sights are as low as they can be set, but the groups remain almost 4" high. That makes me dead on to 250 yds, but Winchesters can't wear scopes. That would be an unforgivable transgression.

[gary rice]

My first try at TSXs got me a group 9" above the target at 100 yds. My Lyman 21 and 56 sights are as low as they can be set, but the groups remain almost 4" high. That makes me dead on to 250 yds, but Winchesters can't wear scopes. That would be an unforgivable transgression.

Yeah that was pretty much my experience with my cowboy and iron sights. Ive since chucked the barnes and gone to the northfork who produces a 350 grain all copper bullet for our great state of commiefornia. Expensive but at least they work for me.

[Old Savage]

Well, here are the results - 40.0 gr of RL 7 with the 300 gr TSX FN and a Win WLR primer produced 1751 fps. that hit approximately where it had been sighted and put three shots in a 1.4" group.

[Tycer]

That's super! A little tweaking to see where the groups go......

[Old Savage]

I have it sighted 3" high at 100 yds., should be zeroed at about 150.

[Tycer]

I suck at communication.

I should have said..... a few tenths of a grain up and down just to see if the groups tighten up and call her good...

I found in my 450 grain Rx7 load that a half a grain up or down had less than 1/4" effect on accuracy, so I stopped dropping charges, made a scoop and switched to a Lee pour through expander.

[Old Savage]

The thing is Tycer at more than a buck fifty a bullet and already in the the zone for the best groups with this rifle I am not inclined to do much tweaking but it would be interesting to try. In 225 rounds over ten years with this rifle I have only on three occasions gotten smaller groups and one of those was with LeverEvolution. This is essentially a factory duplication load for the Federal load with the Sierra 300 gr hollow point both in velocity and accuracy. I had last shot five rounds of cast through it and the first round went higher and right by about two inches and had a significantly darker ring on the edge of the hole in the target. Then I shot the three rounds that went into the 1.4" group that came much closer to the aim point of the cross hairs. I made a sight correction and the next bullet went right where is was intended 3" high and centered with the aim point of the cross hairs and would have been centered in the 3 shot group considering the sight correction. It looks to me like the first shot was essentially a fouling shot to clear the bore of past remnants and the others were consistent. The rifle is now zeroed just past 150 yds according to the charts. I wouldn't likely use it past that. So I have 15 more rounds loaded for condor zone. OAL is 2.505 with the bullets seated to the end of the last crimping groove with the PMC brass. I went with Stan in SCs experience with this after checking and interpolating the data with Barnes, a couple of manuals and my own loading records for this rifle.

[Pathfinder09]

I use Barnes TSX .300 gr bullets in my .405 win. They are a great hunting load. I use them over IMR 4198. I haven't used them in my .45-70 Govt. I like the 300 gr. Noslers for that. Let us know how the work.

[CowboyTutt]

That sounds like a nice hunting load that might even help reduce meat damage Old Savage. It should be enough velocity and bullet for your intended purpose but depending how far out you plan to shoot, you might want to check with Barnes to see what the minimum velocity that bullet needs to expand so your not using a "solid". Then again, a 458 pill is still a 458 pill and will get the job done. -Tutt

[El Chivo]

you are good to go

[Tycer]

The thing is Tycer at more than a buck fifty a bullet......

Ouch!
Hence my not ever having bought them. I could not go hunt without having shot a bunch of my final load from field positions. My Win 94 Trapper 357 shoots to different points of impact in different positions. Bench and prone are pretty close to each other, but kneeling, sitting and standing are over 2" left of that at 100.