Having problems with 7-08 and Barnes ttsx

Wendyj

New member
I picked a box of 120 ttsx at Cabelas a few weeks ago. My Tikka likes the 2.80 to 2.810 oal. I've tried some Varget and imr 4350. 4350 has been my best powder so far in this rifle from 120 Noslers to 162 Hornady eldx. I'm wondering if I shouldn't seat these to the cannilure and do a light crimp. Any suggestions.
 
I see no reason to crimp. Your OAL looks good. And your choice of Varget is spot on.
I believe you're headed in the right direction here. Load up. IMR4350 should be a good one also.
 
I wouldn't crimp them in a bolt gun myself.

I use Ramshot BIG GAME with lightweights and Ramshot HUNTER with the 150 or more. I also had excellent results with the Enduron 4166 and 140 TTSX.

7mm08 is an easy cartridge to load for and you will likely get good results whatever you choose.
 
Everything I've loaded so far stays sub moa. I've got some 4166. Not even sure which rifle I bought it for. May try a few ladders with it. Maybe no crimp but might shorten oal a little. Longer doesn't seem to be helping.
 
Shouldn't need the crimp.
Varget and IMR4350 should do ok with 120gr bullet weight.

I'd try patterning some different COAL.
 
Wendy, i have been researching the Barnes TSX, what i found is this.
Barnes recommends 0.050" off of the lands.
And i think i would actually put a crimp on them.
Because of the monolith design they appearantly like a jump to get the rifling imprinted into the bullet.
While we typically think of crimping to keep the bullet seated in the casing( this is for bullets in the magazine from coming out under recoil of the one being shot) i have another theory.

To keep the bullet in the casing so that primer ignition may not start the travel. Hence keeping it in place for the actual powder charge to push the harder bullet into the rifling.

You may want to ask Unclenick, or Mr. Guffey, or someone such as them.

Also while Varget was best for "their" test barrel, i'm still really suggesting you try Power Pro 2000.
I haven't found a powder yet with as low ES/SD as it.
 
Hello Wendy and everyone.
I found this post while searching for help with the same problem. So I signed up.
Here are my results thus far:
Rifle is a Sako Finlight, opti lock rings and baces, leupould vxII(not 2)
All groups are four shots at 100M (110 yds) and measured from center to center of furthest holes.
120gr TTSX

48.5 gr. of H4350

.045 off lands 1 3/16
.060 off lands 2 1/4
.080 off lands 2 7/8
.095 off lands 2
.110 off lands 3 5/8
retried .045 off lands 1 9/16
.010 off lands 2 1/4
:confused:

After reading that Varget was many peoples go to for this round/bullet combo I broke down and bought a can

43gr. Varget

.050 off lands 1 9/16
.070 off lands 2
.090 off lands 3 1/8
:mad:

At this point you may be thinking "This new guy doesn't know the problem is the nut behind the rifle" so here a few results from other bullets.


140gr. Accubond

46.5gr. H4350

.065 off lands 11/16


Hor 139gr. PSPBT

47gr. H414

.015 off lands 5/8

48gr. H4350

.015 off lands 3/4
second group >11/16

Not sure why I cant get 120 TTSX to shoot well. I will be trying the 140gr next but have reservations about the slower velocities and failure to expand issues.
Any help or insight appreciated.

oh almost forgot, I haven't crimped a necked rifle round.

Cheers
6 K
 
6K,
Looks like your going to be shooting the 139gr. SST.
Have found that the 140gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip does group slightly better than the SST, but too expensive for range fodder.

If those group well, then i recommend the 140gr. Berger VLD Hunting.
Seated about 0.005-0.010" off the lands.
Better BC than SST/ BT.
Cost less than BT.

Oh and H414 is an excellent powder for those.

Normally i do not crimp my 7mm-08AI.
 
My experience with the Barnes x bullets has been either fabulous accuracy or simply terrible accuracy. So far only one rifle that didn't want anything to do with them, but it hated them. My 7-8 eats the 120 TSX with a moderate load of IMR 4895, because I had a fair amount. Accurate enough that I never tried anything else.
 
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