180gr TSX over 2800 fps in 30-06 is it possible???

Mobeasto

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Hi guys, I'm reloading for my 06 and I'm thinking about the TSX or TTSX in 180 gr. I have already use the 168 gr. But I want to do a real moose load with the 180 grainers. I'm wondering if any of you have pushed them over 2800 fps. And using what type of powder. I was thinking h4350 or h4831 sc.

Thank you very much for your answers
David
 
Try Reloder 22 in a Winchester case and a Winchester LR primer. At maximum loading it will be a compressed load but you should get to 2800 fps - or very close - at reasonable pressure level.
 
Which begs the question: why? So he's dead 150 ft/sec faster? Load up what shoots best in your rifle, not for what kind of speed you might get.

I run 180gr Woodleighs or GS at about 2650-2700 (with 4350), kills moose dead just fine and they group less than 1 MOA.

RC
 
I Know that it couldn't a be a lot over 2800 fps.. and surely bit under .. I'm not a fool.. I mean I also like tight groups.. isn't what they call working up a load .. I'm just wondering If some of you have done it.. with no sign of excessive pressure..
 
I don't know if I'd go with a Barnes for a moose load.
Most Moose are shot so durn close, that a fast load like that with a Barnes might not do what it should.
I'd stick with a Partition or some such and load it a bit slower.
I've seen Barnes go right through w/out expanding at those kinds of velocities.
Just my $.02.
 
I don't know if I'd go with a Barnes for a moose load.
Most Moose are shot so durn close, that a fast load like that with a Barnes might not do what it should.
I'd stick with a Partition or some such and load it a bit slower.
I've seen Barnes go right through w/out expanding at those kinds of velocities.
Just my $.02.

The old myth of the bullet going to fast to expand.
 
I was using 180 grain Norma bullet in my 30-06 Husqvarna. A certain weight of IMR4350 gave 2642, while the same weight of Norma 204, gave 2732 fps.
Amazingly, so I thought, the same weight of Herters#100 powder gave teh 180 grain bullet 2785, with no sign of excess pressure in any of these loads.
I upped the charge of Norma 204 a bit and got a three shot average of 2810, with no excess pressure noted and a es of 11.
I never got quite as much velocity out of 4350, but you probably could.
REgarding accuracy, it has been my experience that, especially with these slow powders, you load them right up for best accuracy. Those powders are designed to burn a certain pressure and that is where they are most efficient.
I have a beautiful accurate load with 165 grain Hornady and Norma 204 powder, going 2912 over the Oehler.
So, the short answer to your question, "Yes, you should be able to get an accurate load at 2800 fps with a 180 grain bullet."
 
Which begs the question: why? So he's dead 150 ft/sec faster? Load up what shoots best in your rifle, not for what kind of speed you might get.

I run 180gr Woodleighs or GS at about 2650-2700 (with 4350), kills moose dead just fine and they group less than 1 MOA.RC

Which begs another question:

Is it possible to get a moose 1/8" or 1/4" more dead? My personal favorite is working up a load to shave fractions of an inch in group size, (cause it matters) and sighting in 3 inches high (because 3 inches doesn't matter).

There's a lot of paradox in this hobby we enjoy. :)
 
The old myth of the bullet going to fast to expand.
Not a myth when you've seen it with your own eyes my friend.
2 shots, 180 gr TSX from a 30-06 at a paced out 55 yards, and both went right through, never to be seen again. This then becomes a fact, not a myth, that in some instances, a TSX bullet will not expand as it should.
I have also shot a Sheep with my 7mmRM with a 160 gr tsx factory load at ~150 yards and it went right through, further adding to instances that a TSX has not expanded properly.
Not saying it wouldn't work, but IMO, I think there are better bullets for Moose, like a Nosler Part.
And its "too fast", not "to fast" since you're getting picky.:p
 
That was very likely a failure of the bullet then. You could have shot it at any speed and it wouldn't have performed properly. The faster you push a bullet the more likely you are to see expansion and\or fragmentation. Besides if the bullet was not recovered how do you know it didn't expand? Cartridges like .30-06 and 7mm are perfectly capable of sending an expanded bullet through large game especially at the ranges you mentioned.
 
Every rifle is unique when it comes to building up loads (chamber dimensions, groove diameter, throat length, barrel length, etc.). You will have to determine bullet speed at a safe pressure in your own rifle. If case life is important to you then don't take it to far beyond what the Barnes reloading manual says for max load. I would stick with the 168 gr. barnes bullet if I were you. It is probably the same length or longer than the 180 partition (good bal. coefficient, and velosity). As far as the barnes bullets going right through the moose, there's nothing better than an exit hole through the boiler room to get em down quick. With all that being said, the hornady and speer bullets function very well at typical 30-06 bullet speeds. You don't really need to spend the extra coin on bullets till you break that 3000 feet per second barrier.
 
Barnes TSX's are DESIGNED to pass through game, the only animal I've shot that stopped them was a 1 ton Cape Buffalo. The closer you are to game, often the harder it is for a bullet to punch through, due to more violent expansion. If your TSX is passing through a moose at 50 yards, good, it's doing its job. :)
 
This then becomes a fact, not a myth, that in some instances, a TSX bullet will not expand as it should.

That is the only fact in your post. Excess velocity will never prevent expansion; excess velocity will result in bullet fragmentation and failure resulting in too little penetration.

It is true, apparently, that TSX bullets may fail to expand properly, but velocity is not the reason.
 
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