165 Barnes TSX info for 30-30

2

270 short mag

New member
Rating - 100%
31   0   0
Location
Smithers, BC
Hello. Let me first start by saying that I am reloading these for my Savage 24V 30-30 / 20 guage (single shot) so I have the benefit of loading a spire point bullet.

My question is that I can get reload data for the 30-30 on Hodgdon's site for 160 and 170 grain bullets, but no info for the 165 or 168 grain bullet. I am reloading with IMR 3031 and am very happy with it.

Can someone point me in the right direction as to where I can get some reputable data for this bullet weight, or if any one has knowledge as to how to create a load and offer me a starting point, it would be greatly appreciated.

And on a side note, as a refrence, I am currently loading 150 grain Hornady BTSP's with 32 grains of IMR 3031 with awesome accuracy. The Hodgdon data manual 26 shows that I can go to 33 with the 150, which is too hot for my rifle, so I settled on 32 grains. The primer is a tad flat but no other issues.

Thanks for the help.
 
"...can get reload data..." Best to contact Barnes or buy one of their manuals. Solid copper bullets fly differently than lead cored bullets.
Mind you, their tech reps will likely hear .30-30 and think tube mags. Even though they mention using their 130 TSX in single shot rifles only. However, the 170 grain data will do for the 165's and 168's. The weight difference won't be much of an issue. Not at all for the 168's. There is one load, using RL15, on Reloader's Nest for a Barnes 165 X bullet.
 
Thanks for the help. I contacted the Hodgdon folk and asked them and they said to just use the data for the 170 grains as they are close enough.

Interesting enough I made some calls to the Barnes and Nosler folks getting their data on the min fps needed for expansion and they all did a retake at the questions I was asking for the spire bullets and had to re-explain that it is in a single shot. Kinda fun loading up this rifle. You can sure bring out the best in the ol cartridge.
 
I'm not sure the 165gr TSX is a good idea for the 30-30. The regular TSX relies on velocity to expand reliably, with the low end ideally being 1800-2000 fps IMPACT velocity. I don't think you'll get the performance you're looking for.

You'd be better served with the 130gr or 150gr TSX/TTSX.
 
blargon said:
I'm not sure the 165gr TSX is a good idea for the 30-30. The regular TSX relies on velocity to expand reliably, with the low end ideally being 1800-2000 fps IMPACT velocity. I don't think you'll get the performance you're looking for.

You'd be better served with the 130gr or 150gr TSX/TTSX.
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same thing.

Although you weren't asking about bullet choice I'll mention that I've made some very accurate loads in the 30-30 using Nosler Ballistic Tips in 125, 150 and 165 grain.

I would think they would expand more reliably than the Barnes at 30-30 velocities too. An added plus is that they have a nice high BC.
 
You guys are right as I spent some time with a ballistic calculator last night and have ruled out a 165 grain bullet for the 30-30. The 150 is the better choice for me given, as you said, impact velocities, the terrain that I hunt and the animals that I will be hunting with the rifle.

Currently, it loves the 150 grain Hornady BTSP interlock, so I think I will just keep it at that as I do beleive that it will expand better at a lower velocity then the TSX will.

Basically what I am trying to do is push this cartridge as far as I can to max out it's terminal performance. Judging by the bear that I harvested with it a month ago, the terminal performance at around 70 yards is just fine.

Thanks for the help.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom