130 TTSX .308

[stalker.308]

I have found the Barnes 130gn TTSX to be very accurate in .308, I believe mine are pushing 3,000 fps, knock down is good although meat damage in my limited experience so far seems more than a standard lead 150gn round, I think that is due to the fast speed.

I've loaded a lot of other Barnes bullets, both TTSX and TSX in many weights and many calibers they have all shot very accurately and have knocked down everything I've shot, up to and including buffalo with 300 gn .375 TSX bullets.

I’m tempted to try the 300 grain in 375. What powder are you using for that?

 

[UpNorthMI]

I’m tempted to try the 300 grain in 375. What powder are you using for that?

As requested here is the information on what I'm loading but recommend that you develop your own load that works for you and your gun. I posted this in February 2024 on another forum about my .375 H&H load development with Barnes 300 gn TSX bullets:

I’ve been loading Barnes .375 300gn TSX bullets in .375 H & H to try and develop a factory load equivalent for practice. My first loads back in December peaked used 74.0 grains of Ramshot Big Game powder and gave 2490 fps. The factory Banes ammo documents the speed as 2540 fps.

I increased my load to 75.0 gn of Ramshot Big Game powder and managed to buy some Barnes factory ammo.

It was a mild day today in Michigan, 51 F, I took my latest reloads and the factory ammo to my shooting range. I’m shooting a Blaser R8, guessing a 22” barrel.

The Barnes factory ammo averaged 2435 fps with a tight spread of 25fps between max and min, this was less than the quoted 2540 fps which was probably from a 24” test barrel, accuracy was very good, my latest reloads gave an average of 2560 fps with a spread of 24fps between max and min. I was more focused on the speed readings than trying for accuracy but my reloads achieved great grouping at 100 yards for shooting off sticks, photo below.

It seemed that the extra 125 fps my reloads had resulted in no effect on the point of impact compared with the factory ammo.

I’m done with practice load development, time to load some practice rounds for my son and I to practice before our May buffalo culling trip. The only issue is the poor availability of Ramshot powder again!



The ammo worked out great and resulted in 3 buffalo cows, all 1 shot kills. One buffalo cow was shot at 230 yards, the bullet was found in the far front leg just under the skin, it performed as anticipated. Barnes 300gn TSX will remain my go to round for further Africa visits.

 

[farrieral]

Well chaps, bought myself some 130grn TTSX for the 308 and under the guidance of some very experienced friends, we went about building up some test loads.

Shot last night and was happy with the results. Rifle/bullet combo seemed to really settle down towards the higher end of the charges.

Very happy as the rifle has been quite ammo fussy with factory loadings.

Right hand target top two groups being the best, 46.7 & 47 grains of N140.

Need to find a friendly person local to me with a chrono now I'll go with the 47 grains. I'd think they'd probably be tighter if I let the barrel cool down more, had to kick on! ... and with a more accomplished rifle shot.

(The bottom right group of the first target had a proper flier, maybe neck tension or resizing was at fault, no case deformations afterwards)

.... and no I didn't use my truck tyre as the back stop

Suffice to say, the deep dark rabbit hole of reloading is beckoning!

 

[JockStalk]

Well chaps, bought myself some 130grn TTSX for the 308 and under the guidance of some very experienced friends, we went about building up some test loads.

Shot last night and was happy with the results. Rifle/bullet combo seemed to really settle down towards the higher end of the charges.

Very happy as the rifle has been quite ammo fussy with factory loadings.

Right hand target top two groups being the best, 46.7 & 47 grains of N140.

Need to find a friendly person local to me with a chrono now I'll go with the 47 grains. I'd think they'd probably be tighter if I let the barrel cool down more, had to kick on! ... and with a more accomplished rifle shot.

(The bottom right group of the first target had a proper flier, maybe neck tension or resizing was at fault, no case deformations afterwards)

.... and no I didn't use my truck tyre as the back stop

Suffice to say, the deep dark rabbit hole of reloading is beckoning!

Same powder and accuracy node for my 308 with those

 

[Danny Fireblade]

good groupings. It’s a cracking bullet.

 

[farrieral]

good groupings. It’s a cracking bullet.

I'm looking forward to reloading some more and getting out after a roe buck or two... hopefully be somewhat of a do all round.

 

[Selous]

I’m tempted to try the 300 grain in 375. What powder are you using for that?

I have used the 300gr TSX with RS60 ((same as Re 17). I stopped at 2550fps as it was accurate and worked well on game in Africa.

 

[woodmaster]

28 Years Hunting With Barnes X Bullets — Ron Spomer Outdoors

28 years of hunting with Barnes X bullets has revealed how they work and how they fail. Here’s an in-depth report.

www.ronspomeroutdoors.com

This article is very interesting.
I managed to pick some 130gr up in Midways sale while in the USA at an affordable price so looking forward to working a load up in .308win ready for the coming fallow cull.

 

[farrieral]

The journey with the 130grain ttsx continues...

Tweaked my seating depth a wee touch and closed the groups up nicely.

Went out last night with a good mate for a fallow pricket & my first chance to try my loads on live quarry.

He presented a safe shot at 180 yards, quartering away. So my point of aim was just behind his scapular in the near side and as seen in the photo exited nicely low neck. As expected with that shot placement he dropped where he stood.

Exit was a healthy 3 times the diameter of the entry (at the least, if not more).

We didn't open the chest cavity as this particular game dealer likes the chest intact, makes for a cleaner looking carcass from their perspective.

Overall happy. Much more trips planned and more data to gather!

 

[Jamesneale89]

I’ve found them to be great, they are really quite fussy I’ve found on seating depth, and I mean I went from a 1/2-3/4” group, to tweaking the seating depth by 3 thou each time and the groups shrank to 1 hole 1/4” or less for 3 diff close seating depths then starting opening back up again, and one group was litrally 3 rounds through a near perfect .308 size hole, couldn’t believe my eyes!

I use 47.1 N135, lapua brass and fed210GM primer, they’re going 2930 fps on average with an SD of 3-5! through a 20” barrel

Mostly neck shot beasts but engine room the damage hasn’t been that bad in my opinion, still fairly new to these so will report back if I get a blow up damage wise.

I was a bit surprised how much the seating depth affected the groups to be fair, so give that a go if you want them to close up

That’s 3 shots with ttsx 130gr, and I was aiming at the lower tip of the diamond before anyone says I’m miles away from the centre

 

[scotch_egg]

I’ve found them to be great, they are really quite fussy I’ve found on seating depth, and I mean I went from a 1/2-3/4” group, to tweaking the seating depth by 3 thou each time and the groups shrank to 1 hole 1/4” or less for 3 diff close seating depths then starting opening back up again, and one group was litrally 3 rounds through a near perfect .308 size hole, couldn’t believe my eyes!

I use 47.1 N135, lapua brass and fed210GM primer, they’re going 2930 fps on average with an SD of 3-5! through a 20” barrel

Mostly neck shot beasts but engine room the damage hasn’t been that bad in my opinion, still fairly new to these so will report back if I get a blow up damage wise.

I was a bit surprised how much the seating depth affected the groups to be fair, so give that a go if you want them to close up

That’s 3 shots with ttsx 130gr, and I was aiming at the lower tip of the diamond before anyone says I’m miles away from the centre

Out of interest what is you OAL for the rounds shot in that group and have you tested them any further than 100 yards?

 

[Jamesneale89]

Out of interest what is you OAL for the rounds shot in that group and have you tested them any further than 100 yards?

Havnt tested them further on a target but I have on beasts, my plan was to test them out to 300 on the range when I’m next home.

As away working for a few weeks atm,

Without looking at my notepad I couldn’t tell you, but I can in a few weeks if it’s helps.

I had to load to max mag length basically which I think was 80-90 though from lands anyways and I reckon they settled about 9-12thouth back from that,

But I’ll get you the exact measurement once I’m home

 

[Goose504]

@halden

 

[wytonpjs]

Havnt tested them further on a target but I have on beasts, my plan was to test them out to 300 on the range when I’m next home.

As away working for a few weeks atm,

Without looking at my notepad I couldn’t tell you, but I can in a few weeks if it’s helps.

I had to load to max mag length basically which I think was 80-90 though from lands anyways and I reckon they settled about 9-12thouth back from that,

But I’ll get you the exact measurement once I’m home

Any update please on COAL as you must have been home since

 

[Jamesneale89]

Any update please on COAL as you must have been home since

I totslly
Forgot about this.

I’m currently away working again stm, but once I’m back ill
Post COAL and CBTO on here.

It’s under mag length anyways, as I always start at max mag length and then do seating depth test from there in 3-5though increments.

Like from the lands I’m wey off them, at least 100 thou or more, I have everything in my book at home so I’ll post lengths etc to help people out.

Also its 43.1 gr of 135, NOT 47!!!

Typo that was

 

[Jamesneale89]

Out of interest what is you OAL for the rounds shot in that group and have you tested them any further than 100 yards?

Yes I’ve tested them out to 250-300 on steel deer targets and taken beasts at this range also, zero issues, expansion fine, nice exits .

Perfect

 

[owenlee]

I’m using 47gr seating 72mm doing 2728 out of my 18” barrel brilliant round it does the job nicely.

 

[phildsmith69]

I’m running a load of 44gr of N140 which groups nicely in my 20” S20

Same here