Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Barnes TTSX

Just wanted to ask a couple questions about these bullets because I had someone give me 20 of the 7mm 120 grain TTSX to try in my 7mm-08. I've been reading alot on them and it seems like all of the reviews are good for the most part but most of what I'm reading says that they like alot of jump. I looked up the load data on barnes website and it recommends a COAL of 2.800 but from what I've read it seems like most are loading them anywhere from 2.750-2.800. For the ones that have loaded and shot these do you think it would be better to start off with the length that barnes recommends or load them shorter since everyone says they do better with more jump. My next question is has anyone had good results with IMR4064? This is what I've got the most of but I do have 2 pounds of big game to try also and if it shoots good I can get more if I need to. Just trying to narrow it down since I've only got 20 on hand but I do realize every rifle is different and usually likes something different. Thanks

Start at .050" from the lands if your magazine will allow that.

I know my 308 loves the 130 gr TTSX over Varget. Very, very accurate.

I've also read where some have had good results with CFE223 which I actually can get where I'm located unlike varget.

TAC and Win 748 are right next to Varget on the burning rate charts. I bought 2 lbs of each when Varget got scarce. Powder Valley has Varget in stock if you need some but it is nearly $50 a pound.

Varget and CFE223 do extremely well with 120 TTSXs in 3 of my 7-08s.

Find a powder and charge that groups well, with repeatability, first. Then, tinker with seating depth, starting at .050 off, (Barnes recommendation), and seat deeper in .010 increments. Mine like 060 -.080 off. I have a 257 Robts that does best at .170.

20 projectiles may not be enough to get you there. You may need to beg for more, or buy a box.

My Tikka 7mm-08 likes the 140 ttsx to be loaded .025” off the lands. That’s where I’d start, and then adjust from there. You never know what your rifle is going to like, until you try them.

IMR 4064 used to be my go-to powder when loading for 7mm08.

But, maximum charge data from most manufacturers is now considerably lower for IMR 4064 than it used to be (as much as 4 full grains for my old pet load using 140 gr bullets), and this powder now lags well well behind many others with respect to velocity.

If I were you, I'd start with Big Game.

10-4 on Big Game powder.

As implied by some of the other posts, measure your chamber and distance to lands. It may be that 2.80” is a good start. But no way of knowing without measuring your specific chamber

After trying many seating depths on Barnes bullets, I settled for seating to the top groove as Barnes does with factory ammo.......works just fine.

My 308 loves the 130's as well. One thing I found when doing tests with mine was that there was a different seating depth for the TSX and the TTSX as shown below. TSX seating depth tested was 2.810" and TTSX was 2.735". After reading several threads, I saw where most were seating at 2.825" so I decided to try that. results were very nice. The TTSX seems to have a wide jump range. I don't have my data book in front of me but Mine is jumping more that .050".

I found best results with my rifle at 2.762" with Varget.

Mine too.

My 7 SAUM loves the 140 TTSX. The load is exactly .050 form the lands. the same for my 257 Roberts and the 90 grain X-bullet. .050 off the lands and sub .5 MOA all day long.

I used the 120gr TTSX in my 7mm-08 using TAC. Started, and stayed, with Barnes recommended OACL, shot very well in my Howa 1500. Those bullets do a very nice job on NE WI whitetail deer.

I've loaded the 120 TTSX at 2.800 to 2.81" in 5 different 7mm08s and all were MOA or better. Most were much better. Barnes spells out preferred jump on their website, but this should get you close.

If you have Big Game, look no further. Best powder for 7mm08 IMHO. +/-50 grains should put you over 3100 fps with good accuracy. Work up safely, as always.

And magnum primers.

The TTSX's are accurate in every rifle I have tried them which is more than a few at this point. In every single rifle without exception, 0.010" off the lands has produced the tightest groups. Farther back can also produce as tight, but my starting point is 0.010" off in every rifle so long as that will fit in the mag.

For 7-08 and the 120 TTSX, Varget and a F210 is a reliable choice. Never tried 4064, but it is in about the same range as Varget so give it a try.

Years ago 16bore gave me the same advice and it’s worked on 3 different calibers/loads. Seat to the bottom of the top groove.