Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Express Rifles and Big Bores Only .416 Ruger with 300 grain bullets

Is anyone loading the 300 grain barnes or 300 grain cutting edge raptor in their .416 Rugers?

I haven't been able to find any book data on this combination but would like to try it.

~J.O.

I have not loaded the 300 gr TSX.
For what it is worth, there are some loads to be found on a google search.

jfo4- There's very little data available for the 416 Ruger. But there is for the 375 Ruger (same case, larger neck diameter). This may sound strange, but I'd start w/ 300gr. 375 Ruger data. The ~23% increased cross sectional area of you 0.416" bore will lower the pressure of the 375 Ruger data significantly. I'd use the starting load of 4895/Varget/Re15/H335 for the 375 version. Or adjust data for the 416 Remington down. Hodgdon does list the 300gr Barnes TSX for the Remington version. Lower these starting loads 10% (H4895 does well w/ reduced loads) and work up. The Buffalobore 416 Ruger 350gr TSX load has a velocity of 2550fps, while the 416 Remington 350TSX is 2625fps. Obviously the 300gr TSX would be capable of higher velocity than the 350gr. You have a chrono? But you'll have to discover that on your own it appears! -Mark&Belle

jfo4- I did some more research and found out the case capacity for the Ruger 416 is only one to two grains less than the Remington version. But the longer Remington case allows bullets to be seated less deeply allowing more useable powder space. You can compare 400gr loads on the Nosler site (https://www.nosler.com/load-data/caliber-and-cartridge-data.html) between the Ruger and the Remington. You might be able to interpolate some starting loads from comparing this data. https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center -Mark&Belle

My 416 Ruger is the Alaskan with 20 inch barrel.

300 gr TSX over PP2000MR; 75 to 79 gr gave velocities of 2332 - 2432. This was easy shooting and I was looking for a load more routing woods hunting (white tail and black bear). I only shot 1-2 cartridges per load. Extraction was easy and the primers looked fine.

Not really associated with the Q, but I used H4350 with 400 gr DGX @ 80-83 gr. I was interested in the Temp stability of this powder. The cases were older worked brass. These were compressed loads and extraction was hard on a couple but I don't know if it was the worked brass or pressure. Primers looked fine. Vel was 2273-2352. No advantage over 2000MR.

I tried 300 gr TSX with H4350 67-84 grains with velocities of 1800 - 2361 fps. (I've been loading 9.3x62 286 gr Hornady with H4350). All the TSX cycled and because the velocities were fairly tight, so were the groups.

The Buffalo Bore 350 TSX run 2650 to 2660 in my rifle with stiff recoil. I've loaded Varget and Re-15 with 350 TTSX, but will move on to 2000MR because the former just reach upper 2350-2375 range and 74 gr Re-15 was compressed and hard extraction. Upper velocity with Varget caused groups to open.

I hope this does not demonstrate too much reloading ignorance, but 416 Ruger data is scarce and when powder, bullets and primers get scarce, it takes some creativity. I have probably fired over 2000 rounds through my 416 in the last 12 years and except for a couple scope scars, we are good friends.

I also have the 20" version. I have used the IMR 4320 with the 350 gr TSX for a seemingly mild load of 2360 fps.

I am currently using the 2000-MR with the 350 gr TTSX. I used the Speer Manual #15 for reference. I am 3.4 grain over the starting load for their 350 gr.
My original hopeful goal was 2500 fps. I got about 2560 fps and stopped there. No issues with extraction or primers. It surpasses my goal.
I am using 3.350" for COAL on both the TTSX & TSX.

That Buffalo Bore 350 gr TSX load is hauling arse at 2650 fps from the 20" barrel !
Edit to add :
I went back and reviewed Buffalo Bore' load. Sundles was only getting 2557 fps from his 20". He advertises 2550. Did you hit the wrong number key ?

If you check the Speer load data you will notice 5 to 6 grains of powder less in the 416 Ruger than the 416 Remington at top end loads

As they say, not all chronographs agree. That is the number that came up. It was also August '21 in Alabama and I don't know what powder or powder blend BB uses. Also don't know whether the cartridges were setting in the sun. Just trying to think what might have contributed. I measured both softs and solids at about 5 yards and I was very impressed with the consistency of velocity. [Edit: The TSX box reads 2550 and the Barnes solids read 2660; I went down to pull my data and the averages on two different days were TSX 2652 and 2656 whereas solids were 2676 and 2667. These were days that I was trying TTSX with Varget and Re-15. The TSX is flat base whereas the TTSX is boat tail. I find that with low case capacity the FB allows more powder. I had seen loads of Re-15 up to 75 gr. I could not load a TTSX with more than 72. So this makes a difference with Buffalo Bore bullets too. There are things I think I know that I don't always understand.]

My initial intention [Edit: First reloading in 2010] with 400 grain bullets was to achieve 2150 similar to a 450/400 [Edit: I did not have one then - I do now]. 450/400 seems to be sufficient for large African game. The full power 400 grain discharge in the 8# Ruger rifle is lively. The issues that I have battled over the years were different impact of DGX, Interlocks (I had 2 boxes), and Swift bullets [all 400 gr]. I decided to use only DGX/DGS then 20 during 21 summer there were no bullets and no loaded ammo and I had a trip to Africa scheduled - so I got busy with 350 TTSX and 300 TSX.

Copy the chronograph results. I do think/guess more velocity than the 2560 fps that I am getting with the TTSX 2000-MR is available. And probably a bit more using the flat base TSX with the same load. Eventually, I will load some TSX and compare. The 350 TSX has been impressively accurate in 3 rifles that I have shot it in with lower velocity IMR 4320 load.

I shot some and still have several boxes of the factory loaded Hornady 400 gr pre-bonded. I shot a few for the heck of it. But, my intention from to beginning was the 350 gr TSX. Then the TTSX 350 came out. I decided to give the higher bc TTSX a try. Mainly because the bc offered the higher retained velocity. In theory by my wants, it makes a pretty decent 250 yd moose or similar rifle.

It is very difficult decision for me to carry any rifle other than my 20" 416 Ruger when moose hunting in my area. The 20" 375 Ruger is the only one that gives it serious competition for that use.

I do have a few of 300gr TSX to load. I bought these during a previous component shortage.
I have had such good luck with the 350's, I have not been motivated to load them.

The Hammer Bullets 325 grain Shock Hammer would be my pick of their .416's to try. If I ran short on 350 grain TSX / TTSX. Heck, I may have to buy a few to try in 416 Ruger and 416 Remington. That bullet tempts me after the performance of the excellent 400 gr .458 Shock Hammer.

My experience with light for caliber Barnes bullets has been excellent with extraordinary penetration. I have not used the 300 gr TSX on game, but it might be a very good N. American load. Agree S.D. and B.C. might suggest wood's ranges. I've no experience with moose, except the one Maine moose I did see was really big, but the chest seemed narrow like a white tail rather than like a bovine. Would moose be within its useful capability @ 2500-2600 fps?

And apologies for extending the 300 gr TSX thread to include 350s. In my experience and reading, the drawbacks of the 350 TTSX include: 1) Fragility of the TTSX tips in the magazine under recoil [Whether theoretical or real, I don't remember]; 2) The boat tail reduces powder capacity; and 3) some, including Connie Brooks, reported it is excellent for most African species such as buffalo while others remarked bigger is better.

Most of my hunting has been with 400 gr. DGX. My one N America hunt was with a Speer 350 which blew up on the shoulder (scapula) of a medium-sized white tail at about 90 yards. I followed up the next day and dispatched with a .308W. The 416 site was a terrible wound and I was sorry for creating it.

Phil Shoemaker's daughter is a registered guide in Alaska and the 300 grain TSX is her bullet of choice in her 416. She even took a cape buffalo 🐃 in Africa with 1 shot using the 300 grain TSX

I would think the 300 CEB Raptors that the original poster mentioned would penetrate with most conventionally constructed higher weight classed bullets. And with a pretty substantial wound channel.

Hornady has, by evidence of others, substantially improved the original DGX with the bonded version.

The 300 grain TSX has just never got my interest. The 350 TTSX has given me very good accuracy and I stopped with it until the TTSX. The tips are another possiblity of mechanical issue. Which, I need to do more testing as to recoil effects in the magazine. I think a lot of tipped bullet had issues when bullet manufacturers loaded the wagon with them. Hopefully, they have corrected issues.

No doubt a boat tail usually extends deeper in the brass. But, with the 2000-MR it still gave me the velocity that I was looking for at seemingly safe pressures. The 270 gr LRX in 375 Ruger with a Barnes online load also seemed to problem.

Moose are definitely not as thick built proportionally as a bovine. Of course size in both differ. And different sub-species of moose can vary quite a bit. Yep, not water nor Cape buffalo.
I hardly ever see the classic broad side shot presentation on a legal moose. Hunting areas and methods differ. I try to choose a bullet gives plenty of penetration of closer range angling shots and the bigger bones in the shoulder. My mention of 250 yards was an extreme maximum. I usually plan on < 25 to 70 yards, with 150 yards being a long shot. My long range hunting area, per range finder I could possibly get a shot at 230 yards through an gap in the alders. But being able to be certain of legal antlers would be a challenge.

I have read / heard of people liking the 300 gr mono's on both moose and bear. I would think at 2500-2600 a 300 grain would work fine. The 350 TSX did very well for me at 2360 fps at < 25 and about 80 yards.

Hopefully, Barnes will include the 416 Ruger in their next reloading manual. Prior to Remington folding, per a phone conversation it was to be included.

Most helpful. Thank you.

Wouldn't happen to know the Shoemaker daughter recipe would you?

But I'm getting 3000FPS with the Hammer 300 grin bullet in Remington cases,federal 215 primer and 96 grains of Power Pro Varmint

She has been using a 416 Remington for sometime. You could PM Phil, he may have loaded the 300 TSX in 416 Rugers.

300 grain factory loads for the 416 Remington are 2900+ FPS should be easy to duplicate with reloads.

The 416 Remington case is about 6 grains of powder larger than the Ruger case

These following loads, are from some correspondence with a hell of a nice guy that wrote for European sporting magazines. Barnes folks put me in touch with him. He had done a lot of work with the 416 Ruger.

I copied them from an email exchange with him in 2009. I used a 350 grain TSX load that he gave me. But, the 300 gr TSX, I have never loaded. So due caution. Powders could have changed since 2009. I would consider these as max loads. I believe he had re-barrel rifle at 25" length.

300 TSX 80 grs TAC ~ 2,800 fps
84 grs BL-C2 - same speed
54 grs Accurate 5744 - low recoil, but ~ 2,300 fps

As stated in the post above, I have not hand loaded the 300 gr TSX. But, I used this man's load for my 350 TSX.

I had actually forgotten that I have been retaining our 2009 email exchange. If I recall correctly the velocities were from a 25" barrel.

I am not sure what COAL he used. I believe he was crimping in the top groove.