120gr Barnes Tac-TX for reduced 308 loads.

[astocks2622]

I just got a nice little 308 for my 11 yo daughter. She's eager to start hunting, and we'll start with grouse and 22's here in Alaska. In a year or so I hope to take her Caribou hunting. In the meantime I'm hoping to develop a reduced load for her 308.
I noticed that Barnes offers a 120 gr Tac-TX that expands at 300 blk velocities. That seems like a heck of an option for a reduced hunting load. Expanding at reduced velocities, but a solid shank to continue penetrating.
I found data for 130gr Barnes bullets, but they're all 2900fps or higher starting loads.
I also found reduced loads for 120 gr cnc bullets with H4198, but again, the minimum is 36gr moving 2800.
I would like to get them down to 2600-2700 for low recoil.
Has anyone dropped h4198 below 36gr, or used the Barnes bullets in reduced loads?

 

[alexnelon]

Haven't done it, but Speer has load data as low as 25 grains of IMR 4198 (Hodgdon says it's the same as H4198 and they make both, so I believe them) for a 125 gr bullet.

2,000-2,200 fps listed at 25-29 grains. I would be super comfortable trying 32-34 grains with a 130 but I'm no expert.

 

[A382DWDZQ]

Yes, been doing reduced loads for 308 and others. H4895 and IMR4895 are both easy to reduce. Just set your minimum at 60% of max, so max is 40, your minimum should be 24. IMR4198 is also good for reduced, and sometimes 3031. My reduced load for the 308 is 168gr TTSX with muzzle velocity right about 2,200fps out of an 18” barrel. That’s for shots out to about 250yds. Recoil is pretty mild and it was a sub-moa with the first batch I tried.

 

[Mtnmilsurp]

Yes, been doing reduced loads for 308 and others. H4895 and IMR4895 are both easy to reduce. Just set your minimum at 60% of max

I’ve seen the flier from Hodgdon that says this is okay for H4895 but not for IMR4895. Can you point us to something authoritative that reassures us it’s okay to reduce IMR 4895? That would be convenient.

 

[alexnelon]

I’ve seen the flier from Hodgdon that says this is okay for H4895 but not for IMR4895. Can you point us to something authoritative that reassures us it’s okay to reduce IMR 4895? That would be convenient.

What I’ve read is that they used to have IMR4895 listed for reduced loads, but after switching how they measure pressure, they dropped it because the burn rate at 60% max was actually a little squirrelly and pressure wasn’t consistent.

 

[xsn10s]

I’ve seen the flier from Hodgdon that says this is okay for H4895 but not for IMR4895. Can you point us to something authoritative that reassures us it’s okay to reduce IMR 4895? That would be convenient.

I'd call Hodgdon's customer service line. They and other reloading manufacturers often have data that isn't published yet.

 

[axeforce6]

One I’d consider is a 110 vmax. Devasting little bullet. Should yield around 8-9” of penetrating. Keep it behind the shoulder. Start around 33gr of H4198. That should be around 2600-2700 depending on barrel length.

 

[astocks2622]

Thanks all. I'm going to try both 4198 and 4895.
I'll get back with results when I can get to the range.
I shoot the 110 vmax in my 300 blk, but I want a little tougher bullet for hunting up here. Eventually we'll move on to black bear and moose, obviously with me backing her up with a larger rifle . Depending on what kind of performance we get on smaller game, I might just stick with the same bullet and slowly increase velocity as she grows.

 

[A382DWDZQ]

I’ve seen the flier from Hodgdon that says this is okay for H4895 but not for IMR4895. Can you point us to something authoritative that reassures us it’s okay to reduce IMR 4895? That would be convenient.

Lee Modern Reloader manual, as well as Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 3rd edition, and Hodgdon 2009 printed manual article by Ken Kempa.

 

[xsn10s]

Haven't done it, but Speer has load data as low as 25 grains of IMR 4198 (Hodgdon says it's the same as H4198 and they make both, so I believe them) for a 125 gr bullet.

2,000-2,200 fps listed at 25-29 grains. I would be super comfortable trying 32-34 grains with a 130 but I'm no expert.

Can you show a picture of charges that low for IMR 4198? That sounds way too low a charge for that powder. H4895 maybe is okay, but I've not seen IMR or H4198 published for reduced loads.

 

[Robobiss]

Can’t offer any load data as I’ve only shot the Tac-Tx out of a 300 blk. This is a 110 Tac-Tx. Shot was sub 30 yards on a whitetail buck. Quartering pretty hard, entered in front of left hip, scrambled guts, hit heart and right side lung. I found it buried at the base of his neck just under the hide.

I have loaded these bullets, but this was actually from a box of factory loads, never shot them through the chrono (this gun is really for 100 yards and in, hard to find a 100 yard shot in some of the places I hunt) out of my 10.5” barrel so I’m not sure of the impact velocity. It wasn’t screaming, that’s for sure.

Edit:fat golden for reference

 

[alexnelon]

Can you show a picture of charges that low for IMR 4198? That sounds way too low a charge for that powder. H4895 maybe is okay, but I've not seen IMR or H4198 published for reduced loads.

Right on Speer’s website.

 

[xsn10s]

Right on Speer’s website.

Okay thanks. I went on their website but didn't see any 308 win data.

 

[xsn10s]

I see it now. It wasn't in the drop down tab. I had to scroll down the webpage.

 

[alexnelon]

I see it now. It wasn't in the drop down tab. I had to scroll down the webpage.

Yeah their website is a little wonky to say the least.

 

[Mtnmilsurp]

Lee Modern Reloader manual, as well as Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 3rd edition, and Hodgdon 2009 printed manual article by Ken Kempa.

Very cool, thanks!