I'm new to reloading and I want to develop a handload during the off season for my .308 (1:11 twist) rifle for hunting purposes, mostly for deer. I want to use a mono bullet, preferably a Barnes TSX or TTSX likely in 130 gr. I have both Varget and RL 15 as powders. I noticed the Barnes manual suggests to crimp that bullet because of its length but I was wondering if most reloaders do? And the other thing I'm looking for an answer to to is whether or not that grain is a good choice,,,,maybe I'd be better off using a heavier bullet like a 150 or a 168 grain?? Although I'll be losing FPS with the heavier grained bullets and I hear Barnes bullets produce better results at higher speeds. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Anyone loading Barnes 130 gr TSX as a hunting load in their .308?
- Thread starter sure as shootin
- Start date
I just loaded loaded up some 130gr TSX in win brass, CCI BR2 primers and 47/48gr Varget at 71mm OAL. I'll let you know how they do. I gave mine a very light crimp with the Lee FC die.
My Howa has a 1:12 twist 20" varmint barrel and gives best (outstanding) accuracy with lighter bullets (150gr class). I tested 150gr TTSX with up to 45gr Varget (my 'standard' 150gr bullet load). 44gr Varget was very accurate but 45gr opened up noticeably with the 150gr TTSX.
As an aside, Barnes lists up to 52gr Varget with the 130gr TSX. Even in Win brass, which has more capacity than most, my 48gr loads are just about contacting the bullet base and that's using a slow trickle 'swirl method' to fill the cases. I think even with a drop tube 52 gr would be heavily compressed! With the 150gr TTSX 45 gr Varget is compressed in Win brass, almost impossible to seat in Fed brass and I think the max is 47gr. I think a drop tube might be very handy.
My Howa has a 1:12 twist 20" varmint barrel and gives best (outstanding) accuracy with lighter bullets (150gr class). I tested 150gr TTSX with up to 45gr Varget (my 'standard' 150gr bullet load). 44gr Varget was very accurate but 45gr opened up noticeably with the 150gr TTSX.
As an aside, Barnes lists up to 52gr Varget with the 130gr TSX. Even in Win brass, which has more capacity than most, my 48gr loads are just about contacting the bullet base and that's using a slow trickle 'swirl method' to fill the cases. I think even with a drop tube 52 gr would be heavily compressed! With the 150gr TTSX 45 gr Varget is compressed in Win brass, almost impossible to seat in Fed brass and I think the max is 47gr. I think a drop tube might be very handy.
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I'm using H4895 - pushing 130 TTSX's at 2850 ft/sec out of a 16.5" barrel with good accuracy. The short barrel and lower velocities pretty much limit things to 400 yards, but that's plenty and a half in this case. I am crimping lightly with a Lee factory crimp die, not sure it's necessary, but I followed Barnes recommendation and haven't had reason to change. I was going to try Varget, but was steered toward H4895 for a bit more velocity.
Worked just fine here:
Worked just fine here:
This was my reason for stepping down to the 130gr. The faster I drove the 150gr TTSX in my .308 the worse accuracy got. I am not a velocity freak but we know speed helps Barnes bullets and I think the 130gr will be excellent. I'll save the 150gr'er for my .300H&H.
canadianshooter
CGN Regular
- Location
- Northern BC
I like the 130TTSX in .308. All the deer I have taken with it have gone down very quickly with impressive wounding. I loaded it over Win 748 in Win brass and got pokey velocities, around 2800 but still works very well and is very accurate.
