Barnes Triple Shock - 6" groups

A

Andrewe

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
12   0   0
Location
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Had a lousy experience with these bullets and am hoping someone might give me some help.

Ruger A-bolt Micro (20" barrel) in .243 Win.
lightly fouled barrel
43, 44 and 45 gr IMR 4831
Remington 9 1/2 primer
New Remington cases
COL 2.710
Scope was tight
Best group 6" @ 100 yards, no keyholing

If I switched to my regular load my groups were under 1" but the Barnes bullets were shooting real lousy. I'm a novice reloader and am unsure how to continue. Some suggestions I have received include a longer COL, different powder and cleaning the bore.

I wouldn't expect the COL or powder to make such a huge difference perhaps there is something else I might consider trying.
 
Maybe try a shorter COL. One of the loading tips they give on the Barnes TSX "infomercial" DVD is that they tend to shoot better with a COL shorter than most bullet loads.
 
Another thing I cam across was a little unsettling.
The pamphlet inside the box of bullets says to use the load data for the X bullet with the option of going up to 2 grains over the max. The X bullet info I have from Barnes listed max load as 46 grains (meaning I could try up to 48 gr with the triple shock) When I got to look at the new manual the max load listed for the triple was 44 grains. A whole 4 grains less.

Why can't bullet manufacturers include load data in the box of bullluts and ensure that reloaders get current and accurate load data? I wouldn't mind paying a little more per box in lieu of buying new manuals all the time.
 
I use the barnes x 160 grain bullet for my 7 mm rem mag tikka . I shoot key hole groups at 100 meters . and I used them for hunting whitetail in manitoba this year , and they worked great . but each rifle is different . some guns shoot better with one type of ammo and could be totaly out to lunch with another . It is your job as the shooter to find which one , your rifle likes the best . I like to go through my reloading books to find out the right powders primmers and bullets to use for what ever caliber iam using . I hope this helps Joe
 
your using a fairly slow powder in a short 20" barrel with a 85 grain TSX boattail that has a only fair B.C. of .333. My suggestion would be to go to a faster powder like H4350 or H414 and stay away from larger loads of slower powders that might compress behind the boattail. A compressed load can sometimes be great but can also destroy a grouping depending on the bullet. The TSX has been said to reduce the presure normally present with the standard x bullets as the baring surface has been reduced by the three belts. However some freebore with Barnes bullets, more than other, has been recommended! Just my two cents!
 
The 180gr tsx is averaging 5/8" groups in both of my 300ultramags.I would try different seating depths and a different powder or two.By the way,never assume that the maximum load listed in the manual is the maximum safe load in your gun.It may be too hot for your particular gun or it may actually be producing below design chamber pressures in your gun.That is the purpose of working up loads while observing for pressure signs.
 
I have been using 160 gr Barnes TSX's in my .280 Rem, getting results was a bit of a chore. I first used Barnes's recommendation for overall length (seat bullets .050" from contact with the riflling) - the results where disappointing to say the least, I was getting about 6 inches of horizontal stringing. I increased the cartridge O'all by 0.010" and the horizontal stringing was reduced to about 3.5". I then increased the O'all another 0.010 (this means the bullet was now 0.030" from contact with lands) and wonder of wonders the groups where coming in at 3/4" consistantly. I will caution you that extending the overall lenght will bring pressure up so reduce your load a bit before you start lengthening the overall length. In my rifle I was still able to go a few grains above the listed X-bullet max load listed in the manual. That's my 2 C !!
 
I have always had good sucess with X bullets with some experimentation.

Start by cleaning your barrel of all other jacket fouling. X bullets are sfte than jacket material, so the fouling may damage them..

Then work up to close to max velocity.

Tweak the seating depth. Barnes suggests .050, and I have found that .050-.030 works well..
 
Your overall length sounds too short. I shoot and have loaded for two 260 rem and in both cases with tsx's the COl was very close to the magazine length of 2.800. Barnes bullets are very sensitive to distance to the lands, try loading them out further, 6" groups are hard to believe in an acurate gun. At that OAL I wonder if the brass is actually holding the bullet still in the case.
 
Thanks a lot for the replies guys. I will be trying out some of your suggestions when I work up a load for next year's hunt.

And yes.. It's a Browning Abolt. I don't reload for my Ruger. I kinda like having enough guns that I get them confused :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom