barnes tsx/30-30 loads

model55 · Post by **model55** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 2:57 pm

Just wondered who has tried these bullets as of yet/with what powders? Looked at Barnes internet load data which only included win 748 or Tac (which I've never used ).Saw some of the bullets for the 303 as well but was not feeling well enough heeled to buy both at the time.Guess I'll have to come up with a load for .222, .22 hornet or .223 as well at some point but thats down the road.Any way thanks for your time in advance.

bsaride · Post by **bsaride** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 4:17 pm

I haven't started loading for this one yet, but it is in my future.

I checked my "The Complete Reloading Manual for the 30-30 Winchester"
and found the following (Note 748 values are different than current Barnes website)

model55 · Post by **model55** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 4:54 pm

Wow!thank you gives me a lot to go on!

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 5:10 pm

I haven't tried any, but... I wouldn't hesitate to use my regular 150gr. load data AFTER checking a couple of things out very carefully.

1) Quick and easy would be to compare the Barnes data for this with load data for other 150gr bullets using 748 powder. Barnes recommended min. is 31.5 grain for 2039fps and a max of 34 grs @ 2168fps. (btw, that indicattes a VERY small margin for error, especially in that 34grs is a 96% load densit).

Interestingly, Hodgdon's site only lists a max load for this bullet weight. But it's only 34.5grs of 748 for a vel. of 2310fps. That Â½ grain difference in charge weight, with an almost 200fps increase in velocity is troubling to my mind.

However, in reviewing the data for all powders listed in the Hodgdon site for bullets of this weight, I found one that closely matches the Barnes min and max loads:
150gr. SierraFN IMR 4320 30.5grs for 2062fps @ 32,500 CUP, with a max listing of 32.5grs. for 2127fps @ 36,500 CUP.

My next step would be:

2) Compare the amount of the bullet each would have inside the case to determine allowable case volume. I'd do this by measuring from the base to the crimp groove for the Sierra and the same on the Barnes. If the same, I would expect the two bullets to obtain the same pressures and velocities.

BUT, there is another, equally important measure that's necessary before actually loading using the 4320 data.

3) I would load a bullet of each type into a dummy case and with each crimped in the crimp groove, I'd check the chambering. For the Barnes may have a much longer nose in order to obtain the 150gr weight. If you simply load the bullet, based solely on the base to crimp groove measurement, you may have a round that has engaged the rifling and this will increase pressures in the cartridge. It may not be dramatic enough for a failure, but... it just might be.

The above are steps I take to determine a load for a powder/bullet combo I have no data on, but can get comparable data from other sources. However, for safety's sake, there is another, quite reliable way of obtaining good data for your desired bullet. I've done that with Hodgdon and with Accurate Powder and received good data that has proven to be as they claimed in my guns.

Email Hodgdon's technical support staff and simply ask them if they have developed any data for the Barnes TSX bullets.

handirifle · Post by **handirifle** » Sat Apr 05, 2008 5:19 pm

All the load data I get from Barnes suggests the TSX bullets could possibly go 1-2gr higher on max loads than the "X" bullets, due to reduceed pressures wit hte TSX bullet.