Reloading the Barnes .308 150gr TTSX

11B CIB

11B CIB

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I decided to switch to Barnes copper bullets this season. I also wanted to document my experiences because there’s not a whole lot out there on other forums besides unanswered questions. I previously used Nosler 168gr Ballistic Tips, so I chose Barnes 150gr TTSX because of similar bullet length. 150gr TTSX: 1.3” 168gr BT: 1.307”. Very close despite the weight difference

Here’s a comparison. Left to right: Nosler 168gr Ballistic Tip, 150gr Barnes TTSX, 168gr Nosler Custom Competition, and 165gr Sierra GameKing

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The Barnes manual says the range for these bullets and my powder of choice, Reloder 15, is 44.0 to 48.0gr.

Host is a Mossberg MVP 7.62 NATO, 18.5” barrel with 1:10 twist. Innovative Arms 7.62 suppressor and Vortex Diamondback HP 4-16x42 optic

I started a tad over mid way at 46.5gr, increasing in .3gr increments.

46.5gr showed no pressure issues and was about 1.5 MOA.

46.8gr showed no pressure issues and was around 1MOA

47.1gr showed a TINY bit of primer cratering but very tiny. Group was excellent for copper hunting bullets.

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I accidentally wrote 41.7 instead of 47.1 and had to scribble it out. Derp derp derp

47.4gr opened up to 2+ MOA and cratered the primers pretty good.

I didn’t bother firing my 47.7gr load because of the last ones. I need to pull them down and recoup the bullets.

I might test Varget or 8208XBR at another time. For now...we’re in business with 47.1gr RE15 at 2.810”

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Try to recover the bullet and document at what distance it was used. Those are supposed to be the end all be all of hunting bullets.
Knowing the velocity would be a good data point. That bullet is supposed to expand over a wide range of vevelocities.

Curious, did you have bad performance in the Sierra GK or Noslers?
I use the Noslers over varget.
 
Last edited:
backwoodsshooter said:
Lol, I was just making sure it was something like a 7mm-08.

I’m up in the air about trying an all copper bullet like these or the 180gr sp in my 18” BCA setup for bear this year.
Click to expand...

I don’t like how soft points get so damaged upon extraction if you don’t fire it

Slacker said:
Try to recover the bullet and document at what distance it was used. Those are supposed to be the end all be all of hunting bullets.
Knowing the velocity would be a good data point. That bullet is supposed to expand over a wide range of vevelocities.

Curious, did you have bad performance in the Sierra GK or Noslers?
I use the Noslers over varget.
Click to expand...

No problems with the Nosler; just started using the Barnes in 223 (62gr TTSX) and wanted to be uniform

Never used the GameKings; was given them by a friend who got out of .308, but I’ve just seen and read some stuff about them I didn’t like.
 
I used to live and hunt in CA, so I’ve hand loaded lots of Barnes bullets (.223, .243, .270, .308, .338, .35 and .510). Lots of different .308 Barnes, but nothing less than 168gr. A great hunting round at short to moderate distances.
Your results look pretty good. I would also vary the COAL. Barnes bullets often like a specific jump that varies with each gun.
What distance do you typically take game at?


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Longrange said:
I used to live and hunt in CA, so I’ve hand loaded lots of Barnes bullets (.223, .243, .270, .308, .338, .35 and .510). Lots of different .308 Barnes, but nothing less than 168gr. A great hunting round at short to moderate distances.
Your results look pretty good. I would also vary the COAL. Barnes bullets often like a specific jump that varies with each gun.
What distance do you typically take game at?


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Click to expand...

Anywhere from 0-300 yards depending on how thick the area is

I thought about seating them deeper but it would be crushing the powder pretty good. My load with 168gr Nosler (same size
Bullet) is 43.6gr so this is a fair bit hotter

The Barnes 168gr TTSX is 1.42”; the Nosler 180gr Ballistic tip is 1.36”. I felt like the 168gr TTSX was too large for practical purposes

The 62gr TTSX is the same length almost as the 77gr SMK. They’re just big bullets
 
I loaded the 150gr TTSX for my CZ .308 and use them in my Tikka 30-06 now. I used Varget for both rifles with excellent results. I’ll dig out my load data tomorrow and post it up. I do remember that the CZ liked them hot and was stupid easy to ring an 8” plate at 600yds. The group at 300 was about 1.5”
 
11B CIB said:
Anywhere from 0-300 yards depending on how thick the area is

I thought about seating them deeper but it would be crushing the powder pretty good. My load with 168gr Nosler (same size
Bullet) is 43.6gr so this is a fair bit hotter

The Barnes 168gr TTSX is 1.42”; the Nosler 180gr Ballistic tip is 1.36”. I felt like the 168gr TTSX was too large for practical purposes

The 62gr TTSX is the same length almost as the 77gr SMK. They’re just big bullets
Click to expand...

That range is ideal for Barnes bullets.
What about longer COAL or longer bullets is impractical? If they fit in the magazine, feed reliably and chamber then I have no problem using longer bullets.
Compressed loads may be fine if there are no adverse pressure signs. I sometimes use a drop tube to pack the powder more dense before seating the bullet. I worry more about too little powder than too much powder.


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Longrange said:
That range is ideal for Barnes bullets.
What about longer COAL or longer bullets is impractical? If they fit in the magazine, feed reliably and chamber then I have no problem using longer bullets.
Compressed loads may be fine if there are no adverse pressure signs. I sometimes use a drop tube to pack the powder more dense before seating the bullet. I worry more about too little powder than too much powder.


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Click to expand...

I’ve made the mistake in the past about getting bullets that didn’t work (75gr ELDs were too long but the 73gr ELDs loaded to mag length) so I thought I’d play it a little conservatively, at least on my first go round with these bullets in this caliber

The 150gr TTSX were crunching powder at magazine length (7.62NATO PMag) and I can pump the velocity up a fair bit. I think these are a good fit for what I’m using them for
 
Yes, 150 gr TTSX should work fine on any game in the Carolinas at the distances you’re talking about.


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