Just got a new 257 stw. I am currently shooting nosler ballistic 100 gr. These shoot well at around 3860 fps. But Im afraid they will not hold together on deer sized game at this velocity. I tried 100 gr. tsx. I could not get them to group well, and the fouling was terrible. Was thinking about trying some 100 gr. swift a frames. Just figured I would ask yall and see what your thoughts were on a bullet that would be good on deer sized game at this velocity?

The A-Frame is one of the best constructed bullets out there. If any bullet will hold together at those velocities, then the A-Frame will be one of them.

JMHO,

-Steve

Toby,

I've got two boxes of them that I would be willing to sell.
If you are interested, PM or email me.
I've gone exclusively to the 75 grn X in my 25 and don't even have the urge to try and develop a load for the A frames.

I bet the 75 gr. is putting a fire out on its butt when it leaves the barrel. I wish I could get the tsx's to shoot because I love that bullet, and I know it would hold together, but so far that hasnt been an option. I am going to give the A frames a chance this next week

Just for kicks, try slowing the TSX"s down a fair amount... Leave out a couple of grains & try it again. I have more than a few rifles that will not hold a group @ MAX velocities, with ANY, bullet or bullets. My .348 win, .300 RUM, .243 win, .22-250, .338-378, 7mmSTW, just about any of them like a smidgen less than max..........

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />Give it a try. With patience & good loading tecniques, you can make even the Barnes bullets shoot well. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Pat

Try the xlc...may give ya what you are looking for velocity and accuracy wise. It is every bit as good as the tsx. And if you are having fouling problems...take some JB bore paste and work that barrel over. May kill 2 birds with one stone there. Reduce fouling and tighten up those groups.

Another thing worth trying with Barnes bullets is playing around with your seating depths. Often Barnes bullets for some reason like a reasonable jump to the lands as opposed to the standard formula of just touching or just off the lands. It has worked for me in the past.
Worth a shot.

Agree with Scirocco on that one.

I needed to back off of the lands at least .05 (like Barnes recommends) to get the TSX to group well in my 338-06 and my 7mm SAUM.

The 100 grain TSX shoots great in my 25-06 but at about 550 fps slower than your 257 STW.

I agree with the others here, slow down a smidge or try a different seating depth.

If you want another bullet to try give TBBC a chance to imo its one of the best if not tops.


Brian