.308 Win !68 gr. Barne's bullet choice

[.300winmag]

Currently I have had great results with the 168 gr. Barne's TSX, I shoot 43.0 gr's of H-4895 and a COAL of 2.820 w/ a MV of 2,740 fps. However, I have been considering switching to the 168 GR TTSX. They have an 11% increase in BC but a longer bearing surface ((I.E. more friction) has anyone shot the two side by side by the same rifle? I'm just curious if there is any merit in trying something new with something that has never failed?

 

[jason miller]

Personally, I'd shoot the 130 in a .308 Win. It has the same ogive and boat tail as the 150, and gives a nice bump in velocity. If I were shooting regularly at game animals further than 400 yards, I'd not be using any Barnes bullets from the .308. And fwiw, the 210 ttsx and the 210 tsx showed a difference of around 50 fps(I'd have to look at my notes to be more specific) in my .338 WM using the same loads. I don't know what that translates to in pressure differences, but there was a difference.

 

[andrewctillman]

I like the idea of the tipped tsx. but be sure your rifling is fast enough to stabilize them.

(The 62 grain tsx in 556 stabilizes in a 1-9 but the tipped needs 1-8).

Biggest difference in barnes bullets is not tipped vs tsx, it is banded vs not banded. I have always had massive fouling in my rifles whenever I tried the original bullets. you could not give them to me. then the driving bands, which were borrowed from GS in Africa and North Fork here at home, came along and low and behold, I can shoot them without fouling.

The tipped bullet appears to have a V shaped HP while the TSX is a straight drill size, and very small. I am sure the tipped will open up more reliably and at longer range both.

IF your rifle can stabilize them, thats what I would use even if I had to drop down one bullet weight to do so.

PS since the 308 is not really a long range hunting ctg (yes I do use it at 1000 yard competitions but Im just shooting paper), I dont know if you need that much bullet weight. There are many premium bullet that will hold together at modest 308 velocities as you know.

My favorite 308 for hunting is a 165 grain North Fork. It does not have a sexy poly tip or incredible BC but it will allow you, like the Barnes, to shoot game a bit larger than you would normally do so with a 308. BC rules beyond 500 yards, but under that I would rather have a versatile bonded bullet like the NF rather than a monometal.

f I were shooting a .300 Weatherby I would certainly look at the Tipped TSX. The Barnes TTSX ammo is fast and accurate.

 

[.300winmag]

Thanks fella's!

I use this rifle for when I have to pack it a long ways. I limit myself to 550 yards with it. I have used it at 575 yards on elk successfully, but that was my exception. Expansion was minimal, but effective. I'm more worried about velocity loss and range expansion issues more than anything. My rifle has a Boot's Obermeyer chamber specifically made up for 168 SMK's.

The reason for 168's is my rifle shot them well (really well) and I am a heavy for caliber kind of guy. That;s why I shoot 215 gr bullets out of my .300 WM (@2,885 fps).

My grandfather once told me "Any caliber you use for elk should start with the letter 3 and leave two holes."

 

[Guy Miner]

For more expansion from reduced .308 Win velocity, particularly at longish ranges, consider swapping to the 165 or 168 gr offerings from Nosler. Particularly the AccuBond or the Ballistic Tip. They expand readily, yet have plenty of penetration. I'm also seeing match quality accuracy.

Obermeyer... Had one of his barrels once. Was about to start using it, when it was stolen... Sigh...

Guy

 

[Divernhunter]

For my 308win I use 150gr TTSX or 130gr TTSX. The TTSX preforms better than the TSX and they both work better the faster they are pushed. If not fast they do not expand or are more erratic in performance

 

[.300winmag]

For more expansion from reduced .308 Win velocity, particularly at longish ranges, consider swapping to the 165 or 168 gr offerings from Nosler. Particularly the AccuBond or the Ballistic Tip. They expand readily, yet have plenty of penetration. I'm also seeing match quality accuracy.

Obermeyer... Had one of his barrels once. Was about to start using it, when it was stolen... Sigh...

Guy

Have definitely thought about trying the 165 grain AB's and BT's from Nosler. Use them in my .30-06 and have nothing but praise to say about them. They are exceptional bullets!

 

[SJB358]

Well, how did you make out? Did you find something to load for the old 308 yet? :lol:

 

[.300winmag]

Well, how did you make out? Did you find something to load for the old 308 yet? :lol:

Scotty,

I've got about 200 of both the 165 BT's and 165 AB's, plus a plethora of Varget, 4895, 4064, BLC-2, and RL-15 and a few thousand Fed210'a. However, I only have 100 pieces of Lapua brass. Went to load up some BT's and found out all of my brass is loaded with 168 Barnes and 168 SMK's. Thought about pulling the bullets and dumping the powder but decided shooting them would be more fun :mrgreen: I see a lot of practice with my .308 coming up this weekend. Such a shame that I have to have a range day to reload! :lol: (I love the shooting sports for that reason and many more)

I also limit my shots to 500 yards with this rifle; if I need more HP, I go to my .300 win mag with 210 VLD's or 215 Hybrids. Nothing has walked away from Thumper. Saddest thing is I've yet to fill a tag with this rifle, only a Coyote at 883 yards. My father and brother seem to have no problem waking me up at four in the morning to 'borrow' my .300, and they seem to fill tags with it very consistently. :roll:

 

[SJB358]

That's great man. I'd like to have a fun range rifle myself like a 308 or 6.5. I've got plenty of thumpers. I bet your going to have a great time with emptying that brass!

A 165 Nosler BT or AB would be a cool combo in a nice rifle.

 

[.300winmag]

I agree. I really want my 6.5x47 to be completed. I think that will be a great target and range gun to have!