.308 Teka 3

Actually Barnes has much different recommendation off their load data website.

====================================
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.
I tried TAC powder yesterday. I used new brass and loaded just under max 43.3 is max I loaded 43 and it worked great!!! Bullseye at 200 yards. Some of the inconsistency is me. But at 100 yards I was able to place two shots touching each other. Another thing I did was read what you said about neck tension. The brass I was using war trimmed to 2" instead of what it calls for. The new brass gave it that much more neck tension. Please let me know if you agree. Like I said I am no expert but I do listen to folks who know. I made the overall length what the book calls for
Thanks
Randy
 
I did try the 155gr Berger VLD Hunting today and was totally surprised. 3 shots and the second shot I thought I was off paper.
 

Attachments

  • Ballistic-X-Export-2023-04-27 16_08_01.294245.png
    Ballistic-X-Export-2023-04-27 16_08_01.294245.png
    1.7 MB · Views: 21
Hentzer I'll not pile on to the Bullet selection but I will add this. I broke my collar bone several years ago and after it healed I tried shooting my rifles in preparation for hunting season. I thought I rebroke it when I shot my 300WM. I ended up buying a P.A.S.T like this one below and it tames the recoil at the bench tremendously. It does a good job absorbing the recoil and you don't have to install an obnoxious muzzle brake. When you're hunting you never feel the recoil anyway so you don't have to worry about it.

I still use it when I work up loads for my heavier recoiling rifles. I can shoot several ladders with several calibers and not wear myself out and start flinching and pulling shots.

 
Hentzer I'll not pile on to the Bullet selection but I will add this. I broke my collar bone several years ago and after it healed I tried shooting my rifles in preparation for hunting season. I thought I rebroke it when I shot my 300WM. I ended up buying a P.A.S.T like this one below and it tames the recoil at the bench tremendously. It does a good job absorbing the recoil and you don't have to install an obnoxious muzzle brake. When you're hunting you never feel the recoil anyway so you don't have to worry about it.

I still use it when I work up loads for my heavier recoiling rifles. I can shoot several ladders with several calibers and not wear myself out and start flinching and pulling shots.

I agree I purchased one a few weeks ago
 
I want to thank all who gave me directions and opinions in this thread. I am back from the hunt and my son and I bagged a nice 4-5 year old bull. The load I found to be most accurate is 43 grains of TAC with the Barnes TTSX . While I will agree the bullet weight is not the best choice for a .308 it did the job. I did recover one tip and it expanded just like the picture said. We weee less than 200 yards so all went well. A 300 plus shot was not in the cards for us. I called Barnes and they recommended staying under 500 yds but we decided under 300 yds. They said 1500 fps was needed to expand the tip. I learned lots of new things about reloading so thanks again for all the input!! Randy
 
Top