Barnes TTSX Opinions Wanted.

[sakoshooter]

I just finished a Barnes 168gr TTSX load for my 30-06 the other day and today finalized a 210gr TTSX load for my .338. Both were worked up via Hodgen loading data from their website and my Speer #13 and Barnes #4 manuals and the normal shooting from a bench with everything recorded including all the velocities from my Pro Chrono.

Sako Mannlicher 30-06 - Rem 1X Fired Brass, WLR Primer, 58gr H4350 - 2810fps
Remington 700 BDL .338 - Rem 1X Brass, Fed 215 Mag Primer, 72gr IMR4831 - 2703fps

Both loads came up short of my expectations velocity wise and the 338 load topped out well below published velocities. 170 fps short. Over the years most loads I've tried ended up darn close to published data. I'm guessing what's happening is I'm reaching max CUP because of the increased bullet length(solid copper bullet being much longer than a lead core bullet)causing increased drag in the barrel. In speaking with the ballistician at Barnes a few weeks ago, they say that because of the grooves cut into the bullet shank, you'll sometimes see higher velocities with lower pressures than regular lead core, smooth shanked bullets.
The  Barnes 165gr MRX load maxed out at 59.5gr H4350 and 2922fps in the same gun. Basically the same bullet only shorter. More than 100fps faster.
I've got 225gr loads safely worked up that shoot faster than the 210gr TTSX.
IE: 225gr Swift A-Frame, WLR Primer, 73gr IMR4831 - 2788fps
I was hoping to see increased velocities with these bullets over the norm, but reading my data dating back to 1984 shows that these bullets actually shoot slower than many bullet combinations I've worked up over the years.

My question is this: Has anyone else had similar experiences with Barnes TSX or TTSX bullets? And if so, has other powders brought those velocities up?

[Lowedog]

I have always had great results with Alliant Reloader powders and the TSX. 

[TheSkyBuster]

I've been loading Barnes Bullets for several years but I just got a pro chrono (my first chrono) for christmas.  Haven't fired any Barnes though it yet, now I'm curious.     I'll try my 300 win mag TSX / H4350 load through the chrono next weekend and see what it says.

[bearpaw]

That's a good question, your solution might work.

The Barnes are my favorite bullets (based on impact performance), however I have one gun that simply will not shoot them well. The only bullet I have found it to shoot well is a Corelock, a flat base bullet. I have tried several boattails and none of them shoot. We discoverd some fouling in the barrel and used some remover, so I am going to try the Barnes again and try making some other changes.

I am curious to see what you learn, maybe I will try some other powders that I haven't tried before.

[mazama]

Barnes recomends using a couple grains above what you would use for  a normal lead core bullet,R17 is my goto powder now,i use in 338winmag analso 284win,it will get you higer velocity, burn rate same as IMR4350,i got 2750with R17 with 19 1/2 inch barrel in my 338mag. I got 3300 with 120ttsx in my 284win with 20in barrel.

[sakoshooter]

Barnes recomends using a couple grains above what you would use for  a normal lead core bullet,R17 is my goto powder now,i use in 338winmag analso 284win,it will get you higer velocity, burn rate same as IMR4350,i got 2750with R17 with 19 1/2 inch barrel in my 338mag. I got 3300 with 120ttsx in my 284win with 20in barrel.

Standard or Mag primer for the .338? And how many grains of R17 is working in your gun?

[mazama]

Iam using mag primer and 71.5 of R17 with210 TTSX,I saw no pressure signs.

[Curly]

I get lower velocity with the 168gr TSX than I would expect, but the accuracy was so good I didn't really care about the 100fps loss.  I do think I could try loading over the book max and see what velocity I could get and watch for any signs of pressure.  I get absolutely no signs of high pressure from loads that are at max per the book with the TSX.  I figure the lawyers for the powder and bullet companies have them scared to publish data that pushes the limits...........

[sakoshooter]

The TTSX's shot very accurately in both, my 06 and 338. No complaints there.
I've had my best accuracy(hunting bullet wise)with Swift Scirroco's. Trophy Bonded Bear Claw's rate a close second to the Scirroco's in accuracy but rate right at the top for penetration, mushrooming and weight retention. I've only recovered a couple but they retained 95%+ weight.
62gr H4350, WLR primer with a 150gr Swift Scirroco @ 3025fps in my 30-06 and easily sub MOA. Plus they've been fantastic on deer and the few I've recovered retained near 95% weight. Same load with a Bear Claw gives me 2975fps.

[bod]

I use RL17 in my tikka t3 lite 30-06 56 gr rl17 cci 200 fed cases 2775 fps  sub moa at 100 yards. With 180 interlock

[Rob]

I have some guns that love the TSX bullets, some that hate them.  I have a 338 that shoots 250 and 225 grain TSX's at MOA, and a 257 Wby Mag that won't shoot better than 2.5 MOA regardless of bullet weight (and I have tried all weights that TSX comes in for 257).  That same 257 Wby Mag shoots 5 shot 3/4 inch 100 yard group with Sierra Match kings.

My guess is that you would want a faster twist for a Barnes given the longer bullet, but I am far from an expert on this.

You are seating them a little deeper, right?  I got a 20-25% groups size reduction in my 300 WM when I started moving the ojive a little bit further away from the lans.

I have some TTSX's ordered for a 375 H&H and cannot wait to play with loads.

Amazing terminal performance on game though!  They do a number.  I have one shot kills on Elk, Mule Deer, Zebra, Springbok, Impala, Ostrich and Warthog.  We pulled a 375 cal bullet that my dad shot out of the spine of an eland and it was textbook perfect...  photo below are bullets recovered from a gemsbok, and two pulled from an eland - the one on the far right was the one we had to dig out of the spine.