Which powder for .300WM and 150gr TTSX?

[wombat13]

I have 2 boxes of 150 gr TTSX on the way and can't wait to load some up. Now I have to choose which powder.

According to the Barnes load data, their most accurate load tested was with IMR 4350. On Hodgdon's website they show the max load with IMR 7828SSC as "83.0C*". Now, the asterisk on the Barnes loads indicates that was the most accurate load, but Hodgdon's website doesn't indicate what the asterisk means. Anyone know?

I'd like to try 7828SSC since I have 4 pounds of it and have never loaded with it. What would you try first, 4350 or 7828SSC?

 

[Dudedog]

On Hodgdons site C* means compressed charge.

 

[wombat13]

On Hodgdons site C* means compressed charge.

But there are several that have the C indicating compressed but no *. Here's a screenshot. IMR 7977 is 80.0C and 7828 is 83.0C*

 

[Dudedog]

HHmmm, I'm bad
Working from memory I was thinking all compressed were C*, but they are just C

Wondering if it is on the 7828 SSC because there is non SSC 7828, since they don't list a 7828 load.

I would be tempted to click the contact link and ask them.

 

[wombat13]

Dudedog, you got it with your second try. Hosgdon’s description of 7828ssc states: “This magnum rifle powder has exactly the same burn rate as standard IMR 7828 and uses the same data. However, due to the super short kernels, metering is virtually as good as a spherical powder. This allows up to 4% more powder space in the case and in many loads yields more velocity than standard 7828. Such loads are marked with an asterisk in the data to show where standard 7828 will not fit.”

 

[GooseGestapo]

The asterisk means that an “S.C.” powder was used an a regular powder (ie:IMR7828 vs IMR7828SC)) likely won’t fit in the case, even compressed.

 

[wombat13]

I'm resurrecting this thread because I didn't get any feedback on which powders to try and I'm finally going to get to this loading project. Sometime between December 2020 and now, Barnes stopped indicating the most accurate powder tested in their online load data. I guess I'll continue to assume that IMR 4350 was the most accurate powder they tested (doubt it changed in the past 6 months). Anyhow, I'm looking for recommendations on which of the following powders I should start my load development with for the Barnes 150 gr TTSX. Luckily, Hodgdon's lists load data with that bullet so I have their data as well as Barnes.

RL17: Highest velocity in Barnes data and many people like this powder, but I only have 1 lb. so I'll only have enough for 40-50 rounds after load development. This is a hunting round, so maybe not a big issue, but I'm still not excited about working up a load for a powder I'm on the verge of running out of.

IMR 4350: Highest velocity in Hodgdon's data, Barnes used to indicate that this was the most accurate powder tested, and I have 8 lbs of it.

Hybrid 100V: 2nd highest velocity in Hodgdon's data, and supposedly meters better than IMR 4350; I have 3.5 lbs of it.

IMR 7828SSC: 3rd highest velocity in Hodgdon's data, should meter very well, and I have 4 lbs of it.

IMR 4831: 6th highest velocity in Hodgdon's data; I have 9 lbs of it.

So, I'm leaning toward either IMR 4350, H100v, or 7828SSC. I like the idea of the better metering in the 7828SSC and it yields nearly the same velocity as IMR 4350 according to Hodgdon's, but on the other hand, at one point Barnes indicated IMR 4350 was the most accurate powder tested with their 150 gr bullets. The other attractive thing about using 7828SSC is that it isn't as useful as H100V and IMR 4350 in the other chamberings I load for: .30-06, .25-06, and .338WM.

One other issue is that I load in my dehumidified basement, so temp is always around 60 degrees F, and I will mostly hunt at temps in the range of 10 - 40 degrees F.

Thanks for any input on these powders.

 

[kalielkslayer]

I would go with the IMR 4350 because you have plenty. Personally, I would probably start with RL17. I usually always start with the RL that best fits the caliber/bullet I’m shooting and most times I’ll end up there as well.

How are you going measure your charges??? You’re talking about load development and metering qualities of powder at the same time. I would think you’re weighing each charge during development and for hunting loads.

Metering qualities only matter to me when I’m running my progressive and I don’t do hunting round development on a progressive.

 

[wombat13]

I would go with the IMR 4350 because you have plenty. Personally, I would probably start with RL17. I usually always start with the RL that best fits the caliber/bullet I’m shooting and most times I’ll end up there as well.

How are you going measure your charges??? You’re talking about load development and metering qualities of powder at the same time. I would think you’re weighing each charge during development and for hunting loads.

Metering qualities only matter to me when I’m running my progressive and I don’t do hunting round development on a progressive.

Yes, I measure each charge because my progressive press powder measure doesn’t get very close with stick powders. I have no idea how small or large the variation would be with something like 7828ssc.

 

[Bfh_auto]

I run the slowest burn rate powder that gives me the velocity I want.
Imr 4831 works well with 150s in my experience.
I wouldn't be scared of using the 7828.
4350 seemed like a mule kick in my rifle. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Blue68f100]

At those temps I would look for temp Stable powder. RL-17 is not, I blew primers on my 6.5CM with a 35F increase in temp. The accuracy was excellent, < 1 moa. Now if your workup the loads at the temp band you will be using it in, it does not matter. Just be aware if you shoot it in warmer weather you may/will be over pressure. H4350, Varget, and then newer Enduron line is temp stable. Only a few powders from Alliant in the RL are temp stable. Accurate Shooter use to have a table on there site that gave the fps/deg change. Some powders are really high, like 2 fps/F. Then the more temp stable powders run in the 0.5 fps/F or less.

 

[wombat13]

At those temps I would look for temp Stable powder. RL-17 is not, I blew primers on my 6.5CM with a 35F increase in temp. The accuracy was excellent, < 1 moa. Now if your workup the loads at the temp band you will be using it in, it does not matter. Just be aware if you shoot it in warmer weather you may/will be over pressure. H4350, Varget, and then newer Enduron line is temp stable. Only a few powders from Alliant in the RL are temp stable. Accurate Shooter use to have a table on there site that gave the fps/deg change. Some powders are really high, like 2 fps/F. Then the more temp stable powders run in the 0.5 fps/F or less.

I do have a few lbs each of two Enduron powders - IMR 4451 and 7977. They both give near highest velocity with the 150/155 lead core bullets listed on Hodgdon's site, but they give up a lot of velocity with the Barnes TTSX. Hodgdon shows velocities of 3347, 3340, and 3321 for IMR 4350, H100V and 7828SSC respectively with the TTSX. They show 3264 with IMR 4451 and only 3127 with IMR 7977. I don't mind giving up a little velocity, but 200 fps is a bit much, particularly with a bullet that needs to be driven fast.

IMR 4451 could be a good choice.

 

[wombat13]

I run the slowest burn rate powder that gives me the velocity I want.
Imr 4831 works well with 150s in my experience.
I wouldn't be scared of using the 7828.
4350 seemed like a mule kick in my rifle. Your mileage may vary.

Why do you choose the slowest? Does that lessen the sharpness of the recoil?

 

[Bfh_auto]

Why do you choose the slowest? Does that lessen the sharpness of the recoil?

It seems to. I don't know if it's reality or not.

 

[Hugger-4641]

I've loaded RL-17, H1000, 4831sc, and Sw4350 in my 300wm's. So far I'm liking H1000 for my 200gr bullets and Sw4350 for 165gr. RL-17 gave the highest velocities, but I'm after accuracy and consistency for hunting so temperature stability is important.

 

[Hugger-4641]

Forgot to mention RL-23, it actually performed well also

 

[bigpower491]

Man I've shot a lot of 300s over the last 30 yrs
My go to with lighter bullets has always been IMR4350
180 and heavier, 7828, both versions, have always worked extremely well.
I had some RL22 some time back, and that worked pretty good with most 150-180 grain.

My all time favorite load for my Winchester 70 hunting rig is 76gr IMR7828 behind a Speer Hot Cor 180.....lightning fast out of that 26" barrel and super accurate

 

[wombat13]

I've loaded RL-17, H1000, 4831sc, and Sw4350 in my 300wm's. So far I'm liking H1000 for my 200gr bullets and Sw4350 for 165gr. RL-17 gave the highest velocities, but I'm after accuracy and consistency for hunting so temperature stability is important.

What is Sw4350?

ETA: Okay, my internet search shows it is Shooter’s World 4350. Never heard of it. I’ll have to learn more about it.

 

[horsey300]

What is Sw4350?

ETA: Okay, my internet search shows it is Shooter’s World 4350. Never heard of it. I’ll have to learn more about it.

I would use 4831, h1000, 7828, 7977, where you don't have h1000, I'll now say that anytime you can use 4451 you'll likely not be disappointed, I have stocked up on it as one of my staples, consistent velocity and consistently more accurate towards the top end. That being said....... of all things discussed this far, for a 150 I'd run 4831 or 4451. If we started pushing past the 165s I'd lean heavier on the 7828 7797 h1000 types.
Next food for thought, if two powders show data with similar velocities, I use the one that uses the least powder to get there, this will equate to less recoil in the grand picture. Nosler shows quite a bit more powder with EITHER of the 4831s than 4350(4451's half Brother) so IF I could get the speed and accuracy I wanted out of 4451 that is where I'd stop. If I couldn't make it work I'd then try 4831.

 

[Bfh_auto]

What is Sw4350?

ETA: Okay, my internet search shows it is Shooter’s World 4350. Never heard of it. I’ll have to learn more about it.

SW4350 runs between imr4831 and imr 4350.
I got good accuracy from it where appropriate. It does take more grains per fps than imr4350.

 

[wombat13]

Okay, so far the feed back is:

1.5 votes for IMR 4350: "...because you have plenty." (Not a ringing endorsement) and "My go to with lighter bullets has always been IMR4350."

2 votes for IMR 4451: "...anytime you can use 4451 you'll likely not be disappointed...consistent velocity and consistently more accurate towards the top end." and "At those temps I would look for temp Stable powder...H4350, Varget, and then newer Enduron line is temp stable."

1.5 votes for IMR 4831: "Imr 4831 works well with 150s in my experience." and "...for a 150 I'd run 4831 or 4451...IF I could get the speed and accuracy I wanted out of 4451 that is where I'd stop. If I couldn't make it work I'd then try 4831.

1 vote for 7828: "I wouldn't be scared of using the 7828." [As alternative to IMR 4831]

 

[wombat13]

Now, how about Hybrid 100V? I have 3.5 lbs of that and both Barnes and Hodgdon show good velocities. I've only tried using it once with 180 gr bullets in my .300WM and it was not as good as IMR 4350. What do people think of Hybrid 100V?

 

[Bfh_auto]

Now, how about Hybrid 100V? I have 3.5 lbs of that and both Barnes and Hodgdon show good velocities. I've only tried using it once with 180 gr bullets in my .300WM and it was not as good as IMR 4350. What do people think of Hybrid 100V?

Your issue is you have so many options that will work. Honestly you could probably get a good load from any of the available powders.
There was a time you used what you could get.

 

[ACES&8S]

IMR4350 works very well in mine, with 150 gr SST. That my go to first try powder if it is on the list.

 

[bigpower491]

Okay, so far the feed back is:

1.5 votes for IMR 4350: "...because you have plenty." (Not a ringing endorsement) and "My go to with lighter bullets has always been IMR4350."

2 votes for IMR 4451: "...anytime you can use 4451 you'll likely not be disappointed...consistent velocity and consistently more accurate towards the top end." and "At those temps I would look for temp Stable powder...H4350, Varget, and then newer Enduron line is temp stable."

1.5 votes for IMR 4831: "Imr 4831 works well with 150s in my experience." and "...for a 150 I'd run 4831 or 4451...IF I could get the speed and accuracy I wanted out of 4451 that is where I'd stop. If I couldn't make it work I'd then try 4831.

1 vote for 7828: "I wouldn't be scared of using the 7828." [As alternative to IMR 4831]

Reckon you could probably make an educated guess.......