Barnes TSX/TTSX/LRX reloading, 30-06.

[Tedward1]

Hi all, I’m finally getting round to working up a non lead load for UK stalking, all species, in 30-06. I’m currently using RL15, 178gr ELDX heads, which I’m really happy with and find hugely accurate with great stopping power and not very much meat damage. I have shot the federal trophy copper in 165 and 180gr which were very successful, and my rifle seems to prefer 180gr across the board, so was thinking about starting with the LRX 175gr heads.

I wanted to ask if anyone is using these and how they’ve found them if so (accuracy, effectiveness, meat damage), and also what powder type and charge weight in 30-06 please? Thank you very much in advance, Ed

 

[turner.jc1]

Have a look at Extensive Field-Tested Rifle & Cartridge Research - BallisticStudies.com. Why change from your current load if you’re happy with it?

 

[Tedward1]

Have a look at Extensive Field-Tested Rifle & Cartridge Research - BallisticStudies.com. Why change from your current load if you’re happy with it?

Thanks I'll take a look at this. I have to change, due to joining a syndicate that is lead free; plus recent outings with the FC are lead free, and many of the people I know in Scotland are saying their estates will be making the move to it this or next year too. I probably shoot 50 rounds a year while stalking, and I usually batch make 100 rounds at a time so it makes sense to make the move now.

 

[Acm]

I’ve just worked up a load using 165grn ttsx over a compressed load of rl19. Good luck! I found them accurate and soft shooting and look forward to using them in game. Enjoy!

 

[Tedward1]

I’ve just worked up a load using 165grn ttsx over a compressed load of rl19. Good luck! I found them accurate and soft shooting and look forward to using them in game. Enjoy!

Thank you - maybe I should try those first; have heard good things!

 

[Acm]

I do wonder wether you would have sufficient expansion using the 180 ttsx, I think it would need to hit substantial resistance to expand well at range.

 

[User00040]

@Tedward1 look at the 30-06 Lapua Naturalis ammo, I think you can buy the bullets (i.e heads) loose as well.

 

[YoungGun]

I use 130 gr ttxs in the 30-06 at about 3100 FPS. I use them on all species in the UK. Not perfect, but a good compromise and reasonably flat shooting.

 

[jimsim]

I have just started developing a load for 150grain ttsx with reloader 16 so far im at 2900fps with a .2 group at 100m all groups shot under 1moa on testing

 

[turner.jc1]

I have just started developing a load for 150grain ttsx with reloader 16 so far im at 2900fps with a .2 group at 100m all groups shot under 1moa on testing

Thanks I'll take a look at this. I have to change, due to joining a syndicate that is lead free; plus recent outings with the FC are lead free, and many of the people I know in Scotland are saying their estates will be making the move to it this or next year too. I probably shoot 50 rounds a year while stalking, and I usually batch make 100 rounds at a time so it makes sense to make the move now.

Ok fair enough. With mono bullets your better off going lighter for Cal. Speed is more important than bullet weight. Remember that the bullet will maintain all of its starting weight throughout terminal ballistics. Ideally you want impact velocity to be above 2400fps. I would recommend 130gr for UK species. If you read Nathan Fosters advice he’s suggests the 130gr for animals up to 150kg, and 150gr for animals up to 320kg in .30 cal.

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

175-180gr is too heavy for TTSX and LRX In .30-06
150-160gr Max
130-150gr better

You’ll need to push them faster to get reliable expansion at range on all quarry
Use the skeletal to open them up
Carcase damage is better than no carcase...

 

[YoungGun]

175-180gr is too heavy for TTSX and LRX In .30-06
150-160gr Max
130-150gr better

You’ll need to push them faster to get reliable expansion at range on all quarry
Use the skeletal to open them up
Carcase damage is better than no carcase...

Interested in some 130gr 30-06 ammo. Many thanks,

Mike

 

[Acm]

I am on the same journey. And like you, I find my 30.06 is very happy with 180gr projectiles.

I am impressed with the accuracy and terminal ballistics of the Barnes [30372] 180gr ttsx bullet as used in Sako factory 30.06 ammunition. That cartridge marries a bullet with a good bc with a charge that develops reasonable MV [2520fps]. It delivers the projectile with sufficient velocity to satisfy Barnes expansion requirements: View attachment 166997 out to a Strelok calculated 290m.

That’s interesting, I found that with an mv of 2760 in the 165grn ttsx I still only have 2000fps out to about 320. Still absolutely fine, if I’m shooting at an animal that far away so things already gone terribly wrong.

 

[zambezi]

I found that with an mv of 2760 in the 165grn ttsx I still only have 2000fps out to about 320

The Sako factory ammo is definitely leaving the barrel of my 85 at a little over 2500fps which is approx 761m/s. 600m/s equates to 2000fps. Using the supplied 0.484 bc, Strelok suggests the following: still doing 600m/s = 2000fps past 290m. What is the bc of your projectile?

175-180gr is too heavy for TTSX and LRX In .30-06

Based on what? My range and field use on PG in Africa out to 200m has convinced me this works.

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

The Sako factory ammo is definitely leaving the barrel of my 85 at a little over 2500fps which is approx 761m/s. 600m/s equates to 2000fps. Using the supplied 0.484 bc, Strelok suggests the following: still doing 600m/s = 2000fps past 290m. What is the bc of your projectile?




Based on what? My range and field use on PG in Africa out to 200m has convinced me this works.

Based on the volume data we have
African game is not only larger on the whole, it has considerably thicker skin
This has a significant effect on the expansion characteristics of mono-metal bullets

 

[zambezi]

Based on the volume data we have
African game is not only larger on the whole, it has considerably thicker skin
This has a significant effect on the expansion characteristics of mono-metal bullets

OK, I now understand what you meant: you are not writing off Barnes 180gr in 30.06 calibre for any usage. What you are stating is that for smaller domestic animals higher MVs with lighter projectiles are more likely to assure appropriate terminal deformation of a Barnes bullet.

I have not shot a Roe or Munty with 30.06, so defer to your volume data.

One other consideration in the monometal arena for domestic usage: whereas Barnes copper bullets are stamped out and thus slightly work hardened, manufacturers like Peregrine lathe turn and anneal their copper bullets. The difference? Where Barnes needs 2000fps to deform, Peregrine claims just 1600fps will precipitate full expansion.

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

OK, I now understand what you meant: you are not writing off Barnes 180gr in 30.06 calibre for any usage. What you are stating is that for smaller domestic animals higher MVs with lighter projectiles are more likely to assure appropriate terminal deformation of a Barnes bullet.

I have not shot a Roe or Munty with 30.06, so defer to your volume data.

One other consideration in the monometal arena for domestic usage: whereas Barnes copper bullets are stamped out and thus slightly work hardened, manufacturers like Peregrine lathe turn and anneal their copper bullets. The difference? Where Barnes needs 2000fps to deform, Peregrine claims just 1600fps will precipitate full expansion.

Correct
Match the bullet to the quarry

With regard to expansion its not so much the material as the design
Fox for example is a Brass bullet so much harder but with a much larger meplat under the plastic tip
The larger the hollow point the more reliable the expansion at lower terminal velocity
Peregrine utilise a tapered brass tip which seems to work very well at initiating the expansion of the hollow point which then allows for the hydraulic effect to open it up more rapidly
most ballistic tips are flat on the underside so do very little to initiate expansion,
Only when the break away allowing liquid or flesh into the hole do they open up

 

[Tedward1]

I am on the same journey. And like you, I find my 30.06 is very happy with 180gr projectiles.

I am impressed with the accuracy and terminal ballistics of the Barnes [30372] 180gr ttsx bullet as used in Sako factory 30.06 ammunition. That cartridge marries a bullet with a good bc with a charge that develops reasonable MV [2520fps]. It delivers the projectile with sufficient velocity to satisfy Barnes expansion requirements: View attachment 166997 out to a Strelok calculated 290m.

Thanks for this - have you seen those heads for sale anywhere separately? For hunting I can always use factory If I have to, but would prefer to cook up my own thing ideally. That's a decent speed - more than enough range.

 

[Steff]

... have you seen those heads for sale anywhere ...

I was of the opinion that the slave trade act had been enacted in 1807 in the UK.

 

[zambezi]

Thanks for this - have you seen those heads for sale anywhere separately? For hunting I can always use factory If I have to, but would prefer to cook up my own thing ideally. That's a decent speed - more than enough range.

LOL. The casual mis-use of the term "head" on SD usually brings the nomenclature police out in force, usually in a hilariously sarcastic set of retorts. Wait for Woodsmoke... Spoiler alert:

The Barnes .30 cal ttsx projectiles can be bought quite widely in the UK. Assuming your local RFD does not stock them, there are multiple mail order options. ReloadingSolutions or CDSG would be exaples of mail order options I have used.