TSX performance at lower velocity

[Salty]

Heading to the interior deer hunting next week and decided to try loading up some 308 165gr Barnes tsx's as I found my stash of 24 of them.

This is for a new stainless Ruger in 308 that has been a little finicky - mind you its barely broken in. So following Barnes advice and using rl 15 powder I load 3 at the max for the old X bullet and 3 a little over. Turns out the light load printed a pretty little clover leaf, the heavier load opening up a fair bit.

So this is great. But with the shorter 22" barrel, and the fact that this thing seems to be a slow gun to begin with the velocity is only ~2500 ft/s. Still I'm temped to load up the last 18 bullets and go deer hunting!

Looking for experience/thoughts on the performance of tsx bullets at slower speeds. I would test the tragectory to 300 yards but if one of you guys could fly this through a ballistic program that'd be cool too.

 

[todbartell]

about 18" drop from a 100 yard zero, 11" from a 200 y Z (300 yard figures)

Impact velocity at 200 yards is a bit more than 2000 fps. I wouldnt push shots much further than that (165 @ 2500 fps - BC .380).

 

[Salty]

Hmm. Sheds speed a little quicker than i thought. Thanks bud

 

[ben hunchak]

At some point this bullet will be much like a FMJ, some of the slugs I find in the berms at the gun range show no expansion at all, these are tsx or x bullets.

 

[todbartell]

gravel isnt usually the best way to find perfectly expanded bullets

if I had a 308, Id load it with 150 gr TSX, but that doesnt do ya alot of good now does it, seeing how you got a handful of 165 tsx and a good shooting load

I would suggest the next box you buy, try the 150s for a bit more speed (downrange velocity is the key here). Hopefully you find a good load around 2700-2800 fps

 

[prosper]

At these speeds you don't exactly NEED a TSX in the first place. However, the old x-bullet had a reputation for opening quickly, which should mean that it'll perform adequately at lower speeds - though as tod suggested, I'd keep it to 200 or less.

A lighter bullet will provide more speed, and should still be able to whack down a deer very nicely. Unless moose are on the menu, te 165 is probably more than you need

 

[Salty]

Yes these 165s are more than I need. I think I bought this box a while back to help a buddy with a moose load

Anywhore, its fun to play around. I think I might just have found a good non meat wasting local jungle blacktail load

 

[Foxer]

Looking for experience/thoughts on the performance of tsx bullets at slower speeds.

I've had a few hit at the 2200 range speed wise, did very well.

I talked to a barnes 'tech' about their bullets - he said the 165 grain 30 cals were designed to perform well between 3000 - 1800 fps where they will reliably open every time and not shed petals. Go above or below those figures and you're getting into a bit of a 'danger' area.

(and yeah, 165's too big for the 308 )

 

[Salty]

I talked to a barnes 'tech' about their bullets - he said the 165 grain 30 cals were designed to perform well between 3000 - 1800 fps where they will reliably open
(and yeah, 165's too big for the 308 )

Thanks Foxer

Mr. bartell my ballistics biatch where'duz 1800 ft/s happen at

 

[stubblejumper]

According to barnes,the tsx has a redesigned nose cavity which results in more reliable expansion than the original x bullets.

 

[Salty]

Thanks again for the info guys. Thinking this over I went back to the drawing board. I tryed H380 and found a slightly compressed load (but still below max) that makes 2630 ft/s. Better. Not the tack driver accuracey of the last attempt but fine for hunting, and so it will be me thinks.

 

[Why not?]

Just take your Husqvarna 270 Weatherby!

Ted

 

[ILoveBigRacks]

If you had more time I'd swap you them for the same amount in 150 gr. TSX's if you were heading through Abby. Unfortunately, that doesn't do you much good .

 

[todbartell]

@ 2500 fps muzzle, 1800 fps happens at around 325 yards

@ 2630 fps, that happens at 375 yards or so

 

[Salty]

@ 2500 fps muzzle, 1800 fps happens at around 325 yards

@ 2630 fps, that happens at 375 yards or so

Muchos grasias tb. I'll be confirming POI with the 2630 load tomorrow and likely go with that no futher than 300. Mind you I'll also see what today's load of with hornaday 165gr btsp interbonds are doing out there too. They make ~2740

Back to Ted; I know, I know I should prolly be taking the wby Maybe next time

 

[Salty]

If you had more time I'd swap you them for the same amount in 150 gr. TSX's if you were heading through Abby. Unfortunately, that doesn't do you much good .

Why that's a mighty neighbourly offer ILBR. As it is I'm set for the hunt - will definitely buy some 150s while passing through town to try out in the near future..