308 velocities from a 20inch barrel

[Imbabala]

Im looking for velocities achieved by those reloading for a 308 using a 20 inch barrel. I can't find any viable data and hoped someone could share. I'm particularly interested to hear about velocities in the 150 grain weight and even more so if your using Barnes tax/ttsx. Cheers

 

[SimpleSimon]

Not quite what you asked, but just as a point of reference I'm loading 130gr Barnes TTSX over Ramshot Wild Boar and getting 2950fps on average. That's from a T3x with 20in barrel.

I do have some 168gr rounds loaded, but I haven't got to testing them yet. I'll keep you posted.

 

[Imbabala]

Not quite what you asked, but just as a point of reference I'm loading 130gr Barnes TTSX over Ramshot Wild Boar and getting 2950fps on average. That's from a T3x with 20in barrel.

I do have some 168gr rounds loaded, but I haven't got to testing them yet. I'll keep you posted.

That a very useful data point on the 130ttsx, thank you!

 

[wytonpjs]

I run 130 gr TTSX in both my 20” Sako S20 and a 20” Tikka T3X Wideland Veil. I’m currently using up stocks of IMR4895 but the load I “built” to mirror Barnes factory VOR-TX .308 130gr has a MV of 2945 fps.

 

[ASHCROFT9491]

I have 2x 20" barrel 308

1 with 155gr amax/eldm at 2650 fps over n140

1 with 130gr ttsx at 2985 fps over n135

 

[Selous]

I have had no issues getting the 130g TTSX to between 3000 and 3100fps from a 20 inch barrel using Lapua cases and Viht N135.
The 130g TTSX has shot through every red deer I have used them on so I couldn’t see any benefit in going to the 150 grain TTSX.

 

[Imbabala]

Thank you for the feedback. Very useful. The 308 seems less sensitive to barrel length than others which is great. Those ttsx bullets are also extremely effective on game. Some of my PH friends in S Africa prefer them over lead core bullets, often sighting the ttsx as boxing above it's weight , specially on larger game.

 

[Milk no sugar please]

130gr TTSX using N135 in a 20” Sako 75. Not chronographed but drop tests and then using that data seems to indicate around 2960fps. I think I could probably go higher but accuracy is excellent, performance on roe, fallow and muntjac is as you would expect and my primer pockets are staying tight with no case head alarm bells on the micrometer

 

[Selous]

Thank you for the feedback. Very useful. The 308 seems less sensitive to barrel length than others which is great. Those ttsx bullets are also extremely effective on game. Some of my PH friends in S Africa prefer them over lead core bullets, often sighting the ttsx as boxing above it's weight , specially on larger game.

In the UK I don’t think you need a heavier TTSX than the 130g in 308. Saying that I’m currently shooting the 150 grain TTSX in 30-06 which predictably works well. I would personally feel confident using the 130 grain TTSX up to Kudu but would transition to the 150g TTSX for Zebra, Gemsbok and larger but keep the range’s modest. Are you asking the question with reference to UK deer or plains game?

 

[UpNorthMI]

Another vote for the 130 grain Barnes TTSX in .308 in shorter barrels. You will achieve good velocity for bullet expansion and you will be covered for any deer in the UK. It is my go to round for all UK deer shooting with a .308.

I used 150 grain Barnes TSX (red box) in .308 on a culling trip to Australia where we were shooting buffalo, camel (larger caliber), feral donkey, pigs etc. On soft skin animals such as donkey the TSX rounds were not very effective, straight through with small neat holes, little internal damage. I would never shoot TSX for UK deer. Its not that I dislike TSX bullets as I do shoot TSX in larger calibers for dangerous game.

 

[Chris Richardson]

cant help you with velocities or copper as i dont use them but i run an 18 inch .308 and drops everything fine with lead 150 and 165 grains

 

[Rutland lad]

I run Fox Classic Hunter 150 grain bullets out of a 50 cm (19 3/4”) barrels using N140.
Very accurate, doing 2621 fps.
I’d rather have accuracy than speed - phot below 5 rds @ 100m outdoors.

 

[Heym SR20]

I run Fox Classic Hunter 150 grain bullets out of a 50 cm (19 3/4”) barrels using N140.
Very accurate, doing 2621 fps.
I’d rather have accuracy than speed - phot below 5 rds @ 100m outdoors.View attachment 474078

Accuracy versus Speed? Agree with accuracy, but I would happily give up a little accuracy for more velocity, better downrange performance, flatter trajectory and more energy and more expansion on target.

 

[Selous]

Accuracy versus Speed? Agree with accuracy, but I would happily give up a little accuracy for more velocity, better downrange performance, flatter trajectory and more energy and more expansion on target.

Agreed, terminal velocity drives bullet performance.

 

[75]

I could only get to 2950fps with N135 and 130gn TTSX - above that and I got pressure signs. 20” T3x.

It was brand new though so might have squeezed a few more fps as the barrel is shot in

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

Im looking for velocities achieved by those reloading for a 308 using a 20 inch barrel. I can't find any viable data and hoped someone could share. I'm particularly interested to hear about velocities in the 150 grain weight and even more so if your using Barnes tax/ttsx. Cheers

You’ll get 2600-2700 quits easily, I’m getting that from a 19” 7x57 with 150gn ttsx

 

[farrieral]

As above, 20" barrel, 130 TTSX.
N140, slightly compressed, but if it doesnt crunch you're not having enough fun!
2900 fps, SDs under 5 and .5" groups. Deer don't go far

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

As above, 20" barrel, 130 TTSX.
N140, slightly compressed, but if it doesnt crunch you're not having enough fun!
2900 fps, SDs under 5 and .5" groups. Deer don't go far

Doesn’t could t unless it’s off sticks !

Why you wasting the bullets 2 will do

 

[farrieral]

Doesn’t could t unless it’s off sticks !

Why you wasting the bullets 2 will do

One off sticks to quick check before a trip out if I havent shot the rifle for a while... but don't tell the SD massive! One shot isn't a group

 

[Heym SR20]

One off sticks to quick check before a trip out if I havent shot the rifle for a while... but don't tell the SD massive! One shot isn't a group

One shot isn’t a group, but one shot perfectly adequate to confirm that rifle is still shooting to point of aim for most stalking purposes - an inch either way is still a dead deer.