308 Win with 130 grain TTSX

I use to run the 130's with TAC at 50g and get very good consistent accuracy like below. But I couldn't find TAC anywhere and I was sitting on 4 lbs of Varget. It was listed on the Barnes site for the 130's so figured what the hell. I think this will work for a while. I want to get some velocity numbers on this load to just see what it produces.

Tikka T3 lite 308.
130 TTSX
49 g Varget
R-P Brass
CCI-200
2.825" COAL

equals:


I have't shot them out to 300 yet, but others on the site have. I know that they hit like lightning strikes. haven't had anything take more than 2 steps.
 
I use to run the 130's with TAC at 50g and get very good consistent accuracy like below. But I couldn't find TAC anywhere and I was sitting on 4 lbs of Varget. It was listed on the Barnes site for the 130's so figured what the hell. I think this will work for a while. I want to get some velocity numbers on this load to just see what it produces.

Tikka T3 lite 308.
130 TTSX
49 g Varget
R-P Brass
CCI-200
2.825" COAL

equals:


I have't shot them out to 300 yet, but others on the site have. I know that they hit like lightning strikes. haven't had anything take more than 2 steps.
Similar for me.

Tikka T3
Hornady Match Brass
WLRM primer
50.0gr Varget
0.050” off lands
3117fps

Punches clover leafs all day and animals die when they are hit. No animal has gone further than 50yds.

5 WT
2 MD
2 Elk
 
I got a clover leaf hole with 43.5 grains of AA2200 out of a 22" Howa 1500 with the 130 ttsx. Averaged 3100fps and that was at 2.800"
 
I also loaded 130s with 50 gr TAC and got over 3,000 FPS and great accuracy in a 20" gas gun. Worked great on my son's 2022 mule deer buck. We also tried factory Barnes VOR-TX and it was every bit as good.
 
I keep contemplating shifting to the 130 ttsx in my wife's 308. I used up the last of the 150 gr GMx bullets that she has used for 10 years so I need to either work up with 150 cx or something else. The slightly lighter bullet plus extra velocity wouldn't hurt where she hunts. Longest shot is 350 yds.

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I keep contemplating shifting to the 130 ttsx in my wife's 308. I used up the last of the 150 gr GMx bullets that she has used for 10 years so I need to either work up with 150 cx or something else. The slightly lighter bullet plus extra velocity wouldn't hurt where she hunts. Longest shot is 350 yds.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk
Do it!

My wife dumped 2 elk calves at 330yds with hers. It’s a great bullet for that cartridge.
 
Anyone using RL 15 for the 130's? Just started working loads up for 130 Hornady's to practice with. I would then like to use the ttsx for hunting. I'm going to try try some X-terminator also.
 
I have some 130s I have been waiting to load up. I hear great things as long as you stay within reasonable hunting ranges. I will probably try varget first, but wonder if you could get more speed with a slightly faster powder given how light the projectile is for caliber?
 
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130ttsx.jpg
barnes factory 130 ttsx leaving a 308 tikka roughtech at 3035fps suppressed. recovered from bull elk. somewhere between 200-300 yards. put four into him. pretty certain the nice mushroom is a full-broadside shot through lungs and ribs, pulled out of hide on opposite side. smashed up bullet might have gone through leg & shoulder.

hoping to brew up some reloads to get closer to 3100. i'm happy with lighter and faster. maybe i should load some of these in my buddy's 300 WM.....that could be fun.
 
I use to run the 130's with TAC at 50g and get very good consistent accuracy like below. But I couldn't find TAC anywhere and I was sitting on 4 lbs of Varget. It was listed on the Barnes site for the 130's so figured what the hell. I think this will work for a while. I want to get some velocity numbers on this load to just see what it produces.

Tikka T3 lite 308.
130 TTSX
49 g Varget
R-P Brass
CCI-200
2.825" COAL

equals:


I have't shot them out to 300 yet, but others on the site have. I know that they hit like lightning strikes. haven't had anything take more than 2 steps.
According to quick load data, 49.09 grains of Varget and 130 grain ttsx is approximately 3001 fps.
my Tikka unfortunately doesn’t like 49 grains and prefers around 47, so according to QL that is roughly 2877 fps.
maybe if I play with seating depth as mine are seated at 2.769 COAL.
 
I really can't remember who, but it was here and another forum. Guys were running them at 2.825" so I decided to start there. If you notice, the TSX has a COAL of 2.810 while the TTSX is 2.735". Don't know, but I do know that those guys must have found something because that length shoot great in two other 308's I have.

130 ttsx.JPG
 
It would seem that if it were seated a little longer it wouldn’t be compressed as much so that could affect things.
Ill have to play with that.
thanks for the info!
 
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