Well, that's annoying. 257 Roberts and Barnes TSX.

TSnave

FNG
Joined
Oct 21, 2021
Messages
97
Location
Montana
Let me just start by saying I've had good luck with Barnes TSX. So when I got my 257 I ordered up a couple of boxes of 100 grain bullets but with one thing and another I haven't gotten around to loading up some test ammo. Finally had the time and inclination the other day. Figured out that the controlling factor is magazine length but when they are loaded to fit in the mag the case mouth is placed over a groove - and there's not enough engagement to keep the bullet from sliding back. So I can seat DEEP, or I can load long and have a single shot. Razzafrazzin' fingermuckin' bogsnipes. Guess I'll stick with traditional construction, or maybe get some Nosler E-tips.
 

Sinistram

FNG
Joined
May 18, 2024
Messages
40
Location
SE, PA
I don't think it's as bad as you make it out. Traditionally, the Barnes have loved a healthy bit of jump prior to engaging the rifling. I've loaded them in 4 different calibers over the years and every one is seated so the case mouth is right at the bottom of the top groove on the bullet. No problems getting teeny groups with them out of regular hunting rifles.

Maybe give that a try and report back?
 
Joined
Sep 9, 2024
Messages
15
Are you chamfering your case mouths? I've had similar issues loading TTSX in .308. The bullets seemed to be chaved by poorly chamfered case mouths, completely ruining the neck tension. This also made bullet seating depth inconsistent.
 
Joined
Oct 19, 2017
Messages
1,008
t when they are loaded to fit in the mag the case mouth is placed over a groove - and there's not enough engagement to keep the bullet from sliding back. So I can seat DEEP, or I can load long and have a single shot. Razzafrazzin' fingermuckin' bogsnipes. Guess I'll stick with traditional construction, or maybe get some Nosler E-tips.


I'd seat em deep and see what happens.

Not the problem with your TSX's but while back I was running into something similar while trying to cram 250gr stuff into a remington 600 action. As you would seat the bullet it would get squirted into the case. Trimmed back the necks a lil bit and my problems went away
 
Joined
Nov 20, 2021
Messages
1,580
When you say over a groove, you mean the case mouth is in the middle of a groove, or do you mean the case mouth is above a groove? Just to clarify.

With that said if there's not enough neck tension something needs to be done on that front and the problem will go away more than likely without any type of a crimp.
 
Joined
Sep 9, 2024
Messages
15
Put a factory crimp on it with a Lee die wherever you need it and it'll be just fine. It's not going to hurt a TSX or a TTSX.

With that said if there's not enough neck tension something needs to be done on that front and the problem will go away more than likely without any type of a crimp.
I tried that when I had issues. It didn't work. What did work was neck chamfering. Not saying crimping won't work in some other situation, but I spent a lot of bullets and range trips to figure out what was going on. Chamfering is not optional, at least not with the brass/bullet combinations I was running.
 
Joined
Nov 20, 2021
Messages
1,580
I edited my post to get the Lee Crimp die out of there cause I didn't wanna muddy the waters too much but since you responded quickly your quote of me is different than what is showing my post. Chamfering is important as the case neck really chews up a Barnes bullet if it's not smooth on entry.

Curious how chamering (making the case mouth smooth) fixed the issue but a factory crimp didn't?

What I asked on my edit: Does seating the bullet over a groove mean the case mouth is in the dead space of one of the grooves, or it is sitting above the groove on the bullet?
 
Top