I have been really wanting to work up a load for my neighbor's 24" older Tikka T3 with a 1:11 twist. The only powder I had on hand was Ramshot Hunter, using 165gr and 180gr Barnes TTSX BTs. Shot it yesterday at 150 yrds, nice older Zeiss duplex scope on there. The best group I could get was about an inch and 1/2 with the 165gr Barnes using 72grns Hunter. He took an elk with that gun about five years ago out in Colorado at around 330yrds, using a 165gr Barnes, but I don't know the powder/charge. They were loads his guide was using and the guide didn't want to tell him the powder and charge weight. So, I am in the boat where I would like to improve that group, and at greater distances for an Axis deer hunt I will be taking in TX in June of 2026. A long way off, and I will have to do plenty of testing in the heat of the summer, but I would still like to know what is working best for any of you out there. I do have some rounds of RL33 that never really shot very well out of my old 700 Remington 300 Win Mag (nothing seems to shoot great out of that gun)- need to have the barrel bedded-beautiful rifle, but not very accurate as it currently is.
Bottom line- what are your best loads using Barnes TTSX BT's? I am a huge fan of Barnes bullets for everything I hunt. I have used Hammer bullets and Bear Creek Ballistics, and they have shot well, but not any better than the Barnes, and more expensive. Thanks in advance for any info.
