300 Win Mag Encore pistol - A-Max and TTSX test
Last weekend, I crafted several different loads to test out of my 300 Winchester Magnum Encore. The goal was to determine the maximum loads my Encore can handle using 155 grain Hornady A-Max and 150 grain Barnes TTSX bullets using my favored IMR 4064 powder. I didn't work up to a maximum load with the A-Max last year due to time constraints; the load I settled on used 62 grains at a velocity of about 2770 fps. I hope to try out the Barnes this year to see how well it performs and whether it damages less meat compared to the A-Max. Additionally, since an A-Max bullet is less than half the cost of a TTSX, I wanted to see the difference in point of impact between the two bullets.
Using Winchester brass, Winchester WLRM primers, IMR 4064, and the following bullets:
Barnes 150 grain TTSX:
62 gr. - ave 2705, s.d. 43
63 gr. - ave 2765, s.d. 33
64 gr. - ave 2800, s.d. 27
65 gr. - ave 2876, s.d. 38
65.5 gr. - ave 2870, s.d. 22 This is the Hodgdon website maximum.
Hornady 155 grain A-Max:
63 gr. - ave 2751, s.d. 50
64 gr. - ave 2820, s.d. 44
65 gr. - ave 2814, s.d. 37 This is the Lee 2nd edition maximum.
With both bullets, the accuracy and the consistency of the velocity improved as the powder charge increased. Additionally, I noticed that the A-Max maximum loads impacted about 2.5 inches above the TTSX maximum loads. I didn't expect that much of a difference, but at least I know where the bullets of one load will land if the scope is sighted in for the other load.
Now I just need to load a few more Barnes handloads, and my 300 will be ready for season.