I am reloading for a moose hunt and the guide wants me to shoot Barnes triple shock 180 grain bullets. I have tried, win 746, Varget and I am just not getting the precision I want at 100 yards. Do any of you long time reloaders have a good load to try? I am getting groups of say 3" or more. I am not a constant reloader so I have a few go to loads for whitetail but the heavier bullet just won't fly as well as the 150 grain. I am thinking of trying TAC but am wondering if it will be any better than what I have.
.308 Teka 3
- Thread starter hentzr
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ResearchinStuff
Well-Known Member
It sounds like you just need to use a different bullet.
Mono bullets are different than most and barns suggests setting the bullets .05 off the lands . I had trouble with my custom 7-08 grouped horrible till I got the dummy round and gauge from hornady and corrected the seating depth . Also you need to check twist rate and see if your comparable. If barns won't work there is always hammer and if you call them they can guide you on powder recommendations and weight for your use.
Thanks I will check the .05 out
As with anything YMMV, there is nothing wrong with your bullet selection. As @crazymonkey suggested, try different seating depths to find the sweet spot.
@01Foreman400
Last edited:
Also, I've found the hard way that mono bullets like to start with a clean bore, that might help a bit.
Muddyboots
Well-Known Member
Actually Barnes has much different recommendation off their load data website.
www.barnesbullets.com
====================================
When loading a Barnes TSX, Tipped TSX or LRX bullet, your rifle may prefer a bullet jump of anywhere between .050" up to .250" or more. This distance off the lands (rifling), aka "jump" may be limited to the rifles throat length, magazine length and bullet length.
When selecting the cartridge overall length (COAL) we recommend starting with a minimum "jump" of .050" off of the lands. You can test different seating depths and find a "sweet spot" that your particular firearm prefers. We suggest working in at least .025" increments as follows seating the bullet deeper to allow a further jump. Your test plan could look something like this:
1st group- .050" jump
2nd group- .075" jump
3rd group- .100" jump
4th group- .125" jump
5th group- .150" jump
6th group- * see below
This length can be determined by using a "Stoney Point Gauge" or other methods. You do not have to seat the bullet at, or on one of the cannelure rings. Remember there are many factors that may control or limit the seating depth for your application. You may find that you need to start at around 0.150" off the lands and are not able to get any closer due to limiting factors including proper neck tension and magazine length.
*In rifles that have long throats you may be limited on how close you are able to get the bullet to the lands. In these instances, it is not uncommon to find the best accuracy with a jump of .200" or more.
This jump may possibly stay the same regardless of powder or charge weight within a given rifle. If preferred accuracy is not obtained, we certainly recommend trying another powder, for the powder type and charge greatly affects the overall accuracy of each individual firearm.
FYI- An accurate load requires a bullet with the proper consistent case neck tension which leads to more constant pressures and velocities.
Load Data - Barnes Bullets
Find reloading guidelines and data for your Barnes Bullets products.
www.barnesbullets.com
When loading a Barnes TSX, Tipped TSX or LRX bullet, your rifle may prefer a bullet jump of anywhere between .050" up to .250" or more. This distance off the lands (rifling), aka "jump" may be limited to the rifles throat length, magazine length and bullet length.
When selecting the cartridge overall length (COAL) we recommend starting with a minimum "jump" of .050" off of the lands. You can test different seating depths and find a "sweet spot" that your particular firearm prefers. We suggest working in at least .025" increments as follows seating the bullet deeper to allow a further jump. Your test plan could look something like this:
1st group- .050" jump
2nd group- .075" jump
3rd group- .100" jump
4th group- .125" jump
5th group- .150" jump
6th group- * see below
This length can be determined by using a "Stoney Point Gauge" or other methods. You do not have to seat the bullet at, or on one of the cannelure rings. Remember there are many factors that may control or limit the seating depth for your application. You may find that you need to start at around 0.150" off the lands and are not able to get any closer due to limiting factors including proper neck tension and magazine length.
*In rifles that have long throats you may be limited on how close you are able to get the bullet to the lands. In these instances, it is not uncommon to find the best accuracy with a jump of .200" or more.
This jump may possibly stay the same regardless of powder or charge weight within a given rifle. If preferred accuracy is not obtained, we certainly recommend trying another powder, for the powder type and charge greatly affects the overall accuracy of each individual firearm.
FYI- An accurate load requires a bullet with the proper consistent case neck tension which leads to more constant pressures and velocities.
180-grain TTSX BT Sectional Density .271 Ballistic Coefficient .484 C.O.A.L 2.810" I am an old man but new to this type of precision reloadingActually Barnes has much different recommendation off their load data website.
====================================Load Data - Barnes Bullets
Find reloading guidelines and data for your Barnes Bullets products.
When loading a Barnes TSX, Tipped TSX or LRX bullet, your rifle may prefer a bullet jump of anywhere between .050" up to .250" or more. This distance off the lands (rifling), aka "jump" may be limited to the rifles throat length, magazine length and bullet length.
When selecting the cartridge overall length (COAL) we recommend starting with a minimum "jump" of .050" off of the lands. You can test different seating depths and find a "sweet spot" that your particular firearm prefers. We suggest working in at least .025" increments as follows seating the bullet deeper to allow a further jump. Your test plan could look something like this:
1st group- .050" jump
2nd group- .075" jump
3rd group- .100" jump
4th group- .125" jump
5th group- .150" jump
6th group- * see below
This length can be determined by using a "Stoney Point Gauge" or other methods. You do not have to seat the bullet at, or on one of the cannelure rings. Remember there are many factors that may control or limit the seating depth for your application. You may find that you need to start at around 0.150" off the lands and are not able to get any closer due to limiting factors including proper neck tension and magazine length.
*In rifles that have long throats you may be limited on how close you are able to get the bullet to the lands. In these instances, it is not uncommon to find the best accuracy with a jump of .200" or more.
This jump may possibly stay the same regardless of powder or charge weight within a given rifle. If preferred accuracy is not obtained, we certainly recommend trying another powder, for the powder type and charge greatly affects the overall accuracy of each individual firearm.
FYI- An accurate load requires a bullet with the proper consistent case neck tension which leads to more constant pressures and velocities.
BAKPAKR
Well-Known Member
I talked to Barnes and ended up going over .200 jump with the 200 gr LRXs in a 300 RUM due to mag length restrictions. They shoot very well despite the jump. I have also had a couple rifles that didn't seem to like Barnes bullets.
One more point, if the outfitter wants mono metal bullets, Hammers are easy to tune, super accurate, and deadly.
Muddyboots
Well-Known Member
People get all caught up in seating tight to the lands. Let the rifle tell you what it likes.
I've never been able to get Barnes bullets to shoot well. A lot of folks can and do. I'm just not one of them. Sierra's and especially Berger's have always shot exceptionally well for me. If you need to shoot an all-copper bullet, my recommendation would be Hammer Hunters in the 120 - 140gr. range. Good luck!
I never heard of them but I may try them
akmtnhnt
Well-Known Member
That's a really odd weight suggestion in a 308win and copper. It's going to be rather slow, and something monos need is speed. With a Barnes, I'd probably not go below 2000fps impact velocity to be safe, which limits you to some rather short shots. Going by the Barne's load data, you're looking at 200 yards, tops.
Another issue, is the 180 TTSX is only marginally stable in a 1:11 twist tikka. SG of 1.17, no way in the world, I'd accept that. The BC is going to be way lower than if it was properly stable, and really significantly so. The max range is probably going to drop another 50 yards or more to maintain that 2000fps.
If you have a good 150gr load, run that. 150gr is more than enough for moose, especially in copper.
