Critique this youth load

[rookhawk]

So my youngest has taken a shine to deer hunting this year and he's been borrowing his brother's 7x64 brenneke for more "oomph" than the communal kid's .243. My youngest was gifted a very nice Austrian custom mauser in 30-06 a few years ago but he's been waiting to grow into it. He's ready, but it has a classic engraved steel butt plate so I want to manage recoil a bit.

I selected Barnes TTSX 130gr bullets thinking they would be just fine for deer and coyote on the homestead and the load data suggests they are smoking fast so it should be swell.

Please critique my load options. Note, for practicality's sake we will not develop loads, we will use starting loads so performance at starting levels is relevant.

The starting load of IMR3031 is 50.5gr @3052FPS and produces 15.7lbs of felt recoil.

The starting load of RL15 is 53.5gr @3107FPS and produces 16.8lbs of felt recoil.

The starting load of TAC is 48.5gr @2981FPS and produces 14.8lbs of felt recoil.

The starting load of H335 is 48gr @2944FPS and produces 14.4lbs of felt recoil.

I have 3031 and RL15, I would need to source the other two. Any conjecture on which one of those four options with a barnes TTSX is likely to provide best accuracy?

 

[TMac]

I’d load 5 or so rounds each with your 3031 and RL15. Let the rifle tell you if it likes one well enough to hunt with.

That TTSX will be fine for deer and more, very effective as long as impact velocities stay up. Moderate meat loss vs a cup and core. I like to keep impacts above 2,200fps for kids, and will go as low as 2,000fps once experienced, and set the max range accordingly. May not be an issue on the homestead.

We use the .277 130 gr. TTSX and .284 145gr. LRX annually for deer and elk, and this year the 130 TTSX cleanly took a Moose. Great bullets when impact velocities are adequate.

 

[TMac]

From the Moose. 80 yards under skin on opposite side, wrecked both lungs.

 

[Russ16]

I think any of those loads will work I second loading a few and see how the groups look.

One suggestion on the steel buttplate is to give him a shoulder pad. It should easily under a hunting coat and help if he has an awkward shooting position while hunting. I speak from experience. My first deer rifle was inherited Model 70 in 30-06. While shooting at a deer with it rested across a small stool at a downward angle the steel butt rode up a bit and caught me right on the collar bone. Nasty bruise and took me a bit to get over the flinch with that rifle. A shoulder pad would have made that no big deal.

 

[rookhawk]

I’d load 5 or so rounds each with your 3031 and RL15. Let the rifle tell you if it likes one well enough to hunt with.

That TTSX will be fine for deer and more, very effective as long as impact velocities stay up. Moderate meat loss vs a cup and core. I like to keep impacts above 2,200fps for kids, and will go as low as 2,000fps once experienced, and set the max range accordingly. May not be an issue on the homestead.

We use the .277 130 gr. TTSX and .284 145gr. LRX annually for deer and elk, and this year the 130 TTSX cleanly took a Moose. Great bullets when impact velocities are adequate.

Thank you, @TMac

I was kinda wondering if one of those loads in Quick Load shows it is optimal, hits a node at the starting load, etc.

As you know, we can tinker forever with handloading but I'm thinking if one of those four is the standout, then I would leave the tinkering to the amount of "Jump" we permit for my son's rifle to get a touch more accuracy.

 

[Tex .416]

So my youngest has taken a shine to deer hunting this year and he's been borrowing his brother's 7x64 brenneke for more "oomph" than the communal kid's .243. My youngest was gifted a very nice Austrian custom mauser in 30-06 a few years ago but he's been waiting to grow into it. He's ready, but it has a classic engraved steel butt plate so I want to manage recoil a bit.

I selected Barnes TTSX 130gr bullets thinking they would be just fine for deer and coyote on the homestead and the load data suggests they are smoking fast so it should be swell.

Please critique my load options. Note, for practicality's sake we will not develop loads, we will use starting loads so performance at starting levels is relevant.

The starting load of IMR3031 is 50.5gr @3052FPS and produces 15.7lbs of felt recoil.

The starting load of RL15 is 53.5gr @3107FPS and produces 16.8lbs of felt recoil.

The starting load of TAC is 48.5gr @2981FPS and produces 14.8lbs of felt recoil.

The starting load of H335 is 48gr @2944FPS and produces 14.4lbs of felt recoil.

I have 3031 and RL15, I would need to source the other two. Any conjecture on which one of those four options with a barnes TTSX is likely to provide best accuracy?

RH,

that is a great choice for this purpose.

I went down this road in 2011 to work up a load for our then young nephews. The 130 TTSX in a .308 at 3100 proved to be so effective, it became the only load we all use.

It is my first choice for hunting in the South Texas brush country. Effective range is about 250 - 300 max.

It has accounted for hundreds of deer and pigs at this point, never lost one.

The preferred shot placement is to the high shoulder. Come down 1/3 to 1/2 from the top of the back and the deer will drop where it stands. If the deer is quartering towards the hunt, put it on the point of the shoulder. Head down improves the result for reasons I do not understand, but have observed it over and over.

Varget is what I use for .308 and it should work equally well in .30-06.

RL 15 is very temperature sensitive. I quit using it 20 years ago when Varget came on the scene and would never use RL15 if Varget was available. I have no first hand experience with the other powders with Barnes bullets, so will not comment on those.

Here are some clips of the 130 TTSX with my wife doing the shooting.

 

[TMac]

Thank you, @TMac

I was kinda wondering if one of those loads in Quick Load shows it is optimal, hits a node at the starting load, etc.

As you know, we can tinker forever with handloading but I'm thinking if one of those four is the standout, then I would leave the tinkering to the amount of "Jump" we permit for my son's rifle to get a touch more accuracy.

One just never knows. Each rifle is a rule into and of itself in my experience. But I’d never suggest someone not buy more powder to have on hand. I’d do the same as you are in trying to mitigate recoil.

Actually what I have gone to for kids is a suppressed 6mmARC. Virtually no recoil and plenty effective for deer.

 

[rookhawk]

That was an amazing post @Tex .416 , thank you for sharing, and thank you for getting kids (future voters) out hunting!

It looks like a starting Varget load of 53.5 grains @3051FPS produces 16.5lbs of recoil. That's manageable, even with a steel butt plate on my son's stalking rifle. (he's 13)

Best of all, I've been meaning to buy some Varget because its so frequently used on Safari calibers and I don't own any.

Let me see if I can find some Varget at the hardware store in town.

With these starting load volumes of Varget, do you recommend a Federal 210 primer for a hot ignition?

 

[rookhawk]

I think any of those loads will work I second loading a few and see how the groups look.

One suggestion on the steel buttplate is to give him a shoulder pad. It should easily under a hunting coat and help if he has an awkward shooting position while hunting. I speak from experience. My first deer rifle was inherited Model 70 in 30-06. While shooting at a deer with it rested across a small stool at a downward angle the steel butt rode up a bit and caught me right on the collar bone. Nasty bruise and took me a bit to get over the flinch with that rifle. A shoulder pad would have made that no big deal.

I completely agree, @Russ16 . I do have a shoulder pad for my kids. For all target practice, they will wear it. Nobody remembers the recoil when you're hunting of course, which is when the speed of a steel plate becomes very handy.

 

[Tex .416]

That was an amazing post @Tex .416 , thank you for sharing, and thank you for getting kids (future voters) out hunting!

It looks like a starting Varget load of 53.5 grains @3051FPS produces 16.5lbs of recoil. That's manageable, even with a steel butt plate on my son's stalking rifle. (he's 13)

Best of all, I've been meaning to buy some Varget because its so frequently used on Safari calibers and I don't own any.

Let me see if I can find some Varget at the hardware store in town.

With these starting load volumes of Varget, do you recommend a Federal 210 primer for a hot ignition?

Yes, use a F210.

Varget is an incredibly useful powder, I use more of it than all others added together. Order a couple of jugs and you’ll find it works well in many cartridges. I’d not be without it.

Midway, Natchez, Midsouth, and Powder Valley all have it in stock right now.

You’re welcome.

 

[Wahoo]

I completely agree, @Russ16 . I do have a shoulder pad for my kids. For all target practice, they will wear it. Nobody remembers the recoil when you're hunting of course, which is when the speed of a steel plate becomes very

That was an amazing post @Tex .416 , thank you for sharing, and thank you for getting kids (future voters) out hunting!

It looks like a starting Varget load of 53.5 grains @3051FPS produces 16.5lbs of recoil. That's manageable, even with a steel butt plate on my son's stalking rifle. (he's 13)

Best of all, I've been meaning to buy some Varget because its so frequently used on Safari calibers and I don't own any.

Let me see if I can find some Varget at the hardware store in town.

With these starting load volumes of Varget, do you recommend a Federal 210 primer for a hot ignition?

Just a public peer pressure opportunity- if you can make it down next week I’ve got some Fed 210M primers and varget I’ll donate. Bring your bullets and brass and we can load up a few if you’d like…

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Varget or 4064 would be my first choice. Either powder will work fine with standard primers given the charges you will be using, also they seem to be more forgiving than ball powders when downloading (meaning not max loads in this case). I always seem to have to run ball powders full throttle for best results.
Will any luck he’ll become a full blooded 30-06 man and get over his 7mm affliction.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

How old are these kids?

 

[Tex .416]

How old are these kids?

It looks like a starting Varget load of 53.5 grains @3051FPS produces 16.5lbs of recoil. That's manageable, even with a steel butt plate on my son's stalking rifle. (he's 13)

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