Light 325 WSM load

[wesc]

I have a 325 WSM browning a-bolt and I’m interested in creating a light deer/black bear load with Barnes 160 ttsx bullets. I’d like velocity no higher than 2800fps for both improved barrel life and recoil reduction.

I’m still fairly new to reloading but I’ve loaded > 750 bottleneck rifle cartridges in calibers 6 and 6.5mm creedmoor, 30-30, 30-06, and some heavier 200gr 325 WSM loads. That being said, I’ve completely followed available data and it’s fairly consistent from reference to reference on those loads. As such, the following confuses me (all w760 with a 160gr ttsx unless otherwise stated):

Hornady has data for 150gr and 170gr interlocks both starting at about 60gr of w760 as their minimum loads with velocities of 2800 and 2600 FPS respectively.

Barnes sent me data with a minimum load of 67gr and 3100fps.

Lyman states 65.7 of w760 for 2985 FPS.

Now, I’ll admit that 325wsm is a less common round so I’m sure the various companies haven’t spent nearly as much time developing data as they do on 6.5 creedmoor or .308 but why the tremendous variation on minimum load data?

Given the Hornady data stating 59-60 grain w760 starting loads for their 150 and 170gr interlocks, a load ladder for a 160gr ttsx of 61-64 grains w760 seems reasonable to me. Thoughts?

Lastly, I know other rifles can fill this role better (to include the cartridges I listed above) I’m interested in answers to the above question.

Thanks very much.

 

[wesc]

this question isn’t specific to the 325wsm caliber. I’m sure people have encountered this with other loads.

Any insight is appreciated.

 

[Vinootz]

Try IMR 4831 or H4350. I did good with 220 Woodleigh.

 

[FLIGHT762]

Just a FYI, double base ball powders don't like to be reduced below 10% of starting loads. W-760 isn't the best powder to be reducing too much. I know when I reduced W-760 down to 30/06 levels in the 300 Win. Mag., I got hang fires. I switched to a reduced 4895 load and it worked perfectly.

 

[BCX]

RL-17 was good w the Barnes 160 TTSX. Speed is your friend w Barnes bullets. If i can remember correctly, i was pushing them around 3275. Mild recoil.