.308 TTSX 130gr

[BigPat]

More speed does not extend the range. Not with a lighter lighter bullet ceteris paribus.

I guess it depends on what you use as the marker to reach your maximum usable hunting range. I set myself a lower limit of at least 2000fps at POI to allow the copper bullets to expand. I know that some use 1600fps and others won’t go much below 2400fps but we all have to make our decision based on our experiences and the bullet we are using.

With a 150gr TTSX I find that I get around 2700fps MV which translates to 2031fps at 325yrds. Whereas if I can get around 3000fps MV with the 130gr TTSX which translates to 2041fps at 375yrds then the usable hunting range is increased by 50yrds. So as much as I like the use of “ceteris paribus” all other factors are not equal because the MV is different. But as I develop loads further I may find a recipe that gives me the additional MV that allows me to feel confident moving back to 150gr in TTSX.

I should also say that I am not suggesting that I am routinely taking deer at 350yrds+, it’s a rarity, but there are certain times this is a necessity and knowing that in the right circumstances I can take the shot with confidence that the bullet will behave as it is designed to do is important to me.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Thanks Sundog and Rider. I have had great results with 120gns Prohunters using N140 in fact I shoot nothing else out of my 308 from stags down and find them v flat and super accurate - different strokes etc.... But I will defo try the treekillers next time.

 

[sundog]

Ahh! In the Outer Hebrides we don't have trees to kill

 

[Foxyboy43]

Ahh! In the Outer Hebrides we don't have trees to kill

Definitive proof that your forebears really did use copper arrowheads in their treedmoors after all!

 

[BigPat]

Just been looking at the Viht reloading data and it’s interesting that both N135 and N140 give almost identical MV at max load but run those numbers through Quickload and the results are quite a bit different and the loads stated by Viht look very mild.....and that’s from Quickload that I have generally found to be very conservative.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Just been looking at the Viht reloading data and it’s interesting that both N135 and N140 give almost identical MV at max load but run those numbers through Quickload and the results are quite a bit different and the loads stated by Viht look very mild.....and that’s from Quickload that I have generally found to be very conservative.

Aye - Viht has really reduced loads over the last series of their guides. My go-to 125gns load is now right at the top of their 2021 load yet when first I used it it was mid-range only. Litigation fear nothing to do with it surely?

 

[EQUADIF68]

RS 52 and nothing else for 110 & 130.

 

[Kiwiroger]

Just playing with ideas and wondered what powders people are using with 130gr TTSX in their .308?

Have been using ttsx 130s for about 8 years in my steyr mannlicher L .308 , I reload with win . 748 or similar, you should easily get 3100fps in a 22 + inch barrel, these projectiles really work well on everything but you need to get them going fast. 51.5 grains of 748 is still not a max load but extremely accurate so settled on that but so long as no pressure signs you can load a bit higher. These projectiles are easy to get to shoot start 50 thou off the lands and work your way back and you will quickly find a sweet spot.

 

[Totsy]

I had a pet load using N140 and 130gn tsx but since having the rifle pillar bedded it no longer groups at the previous charge. I very easily worked up a .25” grouping load with N135 & 110gn ttsx doing 3070ft/sec and decided to try the 130gn tsx with the N135 but initial tests have been poor ‘non-groups’ using a flat velocity node at max viht data load for 2920. There’s another load lower down just below 43gn giving 2874 but that seems to slow to bother shooting groups with. All .050” off lands in a20” barrel.
Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Selous]

I had a pet load using N140 and 130gn tsx but since having the rifle pillar bedded it no longer groups at the previous charge. I very easily worked up a .25” grouping load with N135 & 110gn ttsx doing 3070ft/sec and decided to try the 130gn tsx with the N135 but initial tests have been poor ‘non-groups’ using a flat velocity node at max viht data load for 2920. There’s another load lower down just below 43gn giving 2874 but that seems to slow to bother shooting groups with. All .050” off lands in a20” barrel.
Any advice would be appreciated.

Assuming the barrel has not changed then you have probably only changed the harmonics by having the rifle pillar bedded. I would start by giving the barrel a seriously good deep clean then shooting groups using incremental charge weights in relatively small increments (0.2 grains) centred around your previous good load. Look for point of impact between adjacent groups giving similar points of impact as well as hopefully small groups. Once you have identified the charge weight with the most consistent point of impact try changing seating depth.

 

[Totsy]

Assuming the barrel has not changed then you have probably only changed the harmonics by having the rifle pillar bedded. I would start by giving the barrel a seriously good deep clean then shooting groups using incremental charge weights in relatively small increments (0.2 grains) centred around your previous good load. Look for point of impact between adjacent groups giving similar points of impact as well as hopefully small groups. Once you have identified the charge weight with the most consistent point of impact try changing seating depth.

Thanks for this. Yes you’re correct, the barrel hasn’t been changed. It’s gone from a very consistent 0.8” to 3” at 100m.

 

[Selous]

Thanks for this. Yes you’re correct, the barrel hasn’t been changed. It’s gone from a very consistent 0.8” to 3” at 100m.

My 308 lost its mojo recently and responded really well to a deep clean until it was gleaming on bore scope examination. This cleaning took several hours and used conventional solvents and abrasive cleaners. Are all the other nuts and bolts scope mounts etc tight?

 

[Totsy]

My 308 lost its mojo recently and responded really well to a deep clean until it was gleaming on bore scope examination. This cleaning took several hours and used conventional solvents and abrasive cleaners. Are all the other nuts and bolts scope mounts etc tight?

Yes, like I said it’s shooting a new 110gn load extremely well so I don’t suspect a mechanical problem. I also keep it clean with boretech after every load testing session.

 

[Alantoo]

Yes, like I said it’s shooting a new 110gn load extremely well so I don’t suspect a mechanical problem. I also keep it clean with boretech after every load testing session.

There was a report on a bullet comparison video of someone finding a box of 130gr TTSX being undersized and not generating full velocity. Were the wobbly / bad grouping bullets from a new box perchance? If so, check the diameter?

Alan

 

[Totsy]

There was a report on a bullet comparison video of someone finding a box of 130gr TTSX being undersized and not generating full velocity. Were the wobbly / bad grouping bullets from a new box perchance? If so, check the diameter?

Alan

I don’t think so Alan, think I just used what was left of the ammo I had loaded pre-bedding. I will weigh and measure a few though.

 

[njc110381]

I've just started out with .308 and the 130gr TTSX. I went with Reloder 10x. According to Quickload it has one of the lowest muzzle pressures and as the rifle in question isn't moderated, that was a real consideration.

I chucked together a start load, seated to book length and lightly crimped. It shoots very well so I'll probably not bother messing with it.