Barnes 150gr FN TSX

GMC403

GMC403

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
294   0   1
Location
BC
Anyone tried loading some of the (30-30) 150gr FN TSX bullets in a 308 win?

I put some together last night, heavy duty looking bullet but it eats up a fair bit of case space.
 
Since the bullet is designed for 30-30 velocities, it may expand very quick in the 308, which may be a good thing depending on what you are using it for. Interesting experiment!
 
I'm only pushing it at about 2400 fps, so it should hold together pretty well. The range results today were about 1.25" 3 shot groups @100y, which is good enough for its purpose.

Here's it next to a 165gr BTSP,

 
GMC403 said:
I'm only pushing it at about 2400 fps, so it should hold together pretty well. The range results today were about 1.25" 3 shot groups @100y, which is good enough for its purpose.

Here's it next to a 165gr BTSP,

Click to expand...

Why would one load 30/30 bullets in a 308?
 
Why not? :)

It was an experiment, I wanted to try a slower load in a 16" barreled rifle to help reduce muzzle blast. Using a 30-30 bullet will assure good expansion at the lower velocity.
 
good experiment. Would be a good load for a beginning shooter as well as a decent bear-deer close range load. I shoot 110gr vmax's out of the 308 at 2500 fps and it is very enjoyable for me and the wife to shoot and also very accurate.
 
I've used them in my 307 and they work great. Shot. Few deer with them and never recovered any. My MV was right around the 2550 range. Another alternative is the 140 monoflex flex from Hornady. They probably would also work for the application that u want. I have a few boxes to try out but just haven't got out to range test them yet. They are also solidcopper but with the soft polymer tip. There are 2 types of them though the one for the 30/30 and the other for the 308 marlin. The 30-30 must be softer as they are listed at a lower operating range than the 308 marlin ones. Plus the 308 marlin has it's cannelure in a different spot and has a higher BC
 
Update:

I worked up a load with 4064 (42gr) that pushes the TSX at just over 2600fps from an 18" barrel.

Accuracy is good (3/4" @ 100y), and POI is consistent with most factory 150gr cup/core ammo. Look forward to trying them on game this fall.

Dot is 1/2"

 
Barnes is pretty good about tailoring bullets to cartridges. That's a 30-30 bullet, so don't push it much past Barnes 30-30 listed velocities, and it should do very well for hunting. The reason it has such a gigantic hollowpoint is to make sure it starts expansion at 30-30 velocities. Push it too fast and the petals will blow right off and you will get only the shank penetrating through the animal. Not a terrible situation, but not as optimum as one that holds all 4 petals on.
 
Gatehouse said:
Barnes is pretty good about tailoring bullets to cartridges. That's a 30-30 bullet, so don't push it much past Barnes 30-30 listed velocities, and it should do very well for hunting. The reason it has such a gigantic hollowpoint is to make sure it starts expansion at 30-30 velocities. Push it too fast and the petals will blow right off and you will get only the shank penetrating through the animal. Not a terrible situation, but not as optimum as one that holds all 4 petals on.
Click to expand...

2600fps is the max I'm looking to push it. It's also listed for use in the 308 Marlin Express cartridge with an MV of 2500-2650fps
 
Hi guys,
I'm about to start reloading for my .307 Win with the 150gr TSX. I'd like to hunt with it this this spring. My rifle is a M94 AE and shoots very well (sub-MOA) with my dwindling supply of old Winchester 150gr PP. The powders I have available are H4350, R19, R15, and Varget (and the closest place I can buy powder is over 1000 km south of here). Has anyone had any success with that bullet with any of those powders? As I understand it, you use a .30-30 shell holder and a .308 Win. die and just back it off a bit when resizing? Any tips would be welcome, I reload but I'm treading into new territory with this .307 ...
thanks
 
The Hodgon data for the 307 win with a 150gr RN lists a starting load of 46gr with H4350
You should be able to start with that (or a little under) for the tsx bullet and go from there.

The TSX bullet seats fairly deep.

A buddy of mine loads his 307 with with the TSX FN, he's using 42.5gr Varget and claims about 2500fps, apparently accuracy wasn't the best until he played with the OAL.
 
I use those tsx bullets in my .30-.30 ..... Used it on a unexpected bear hunt ..... The smack sound they made !!!!!!!!!!!!! And the damage it did when it hit that bear was like I never seen before and heard...... Those are good bullets !!!!!
 
thanks for the advice guys
glad that the performance on game is good, I've had luck with the 150 gr PP factory loads (what I had on hand) but the tsx should step it up a notch

the 42.5 gr of Varget is a great tip, I have three pounds of it and not loading anything with it right now
GMC403 any idea what the OAL that your buddy ended up settling on?
 
Sorry I don't, I just found that data on an old email he sent me. You'll probably have to start 0.050" of of the lands and go from there. If I remember correctly his 307 was picky with most ammo.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom