Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Barnes TSX 30/06 load data needed please

I can't find the new Barnes manual and would like to work up some loads for my NULA 30/06 using the 150gr TSX's. The powder that has worked best so far is IMR 4350. Thanks.

There's some rather limited data available at Barnes website. www.barnesbullets.com

I have settled on 59.0 gr's of VV N550 with the TSX. Awesome accuracy and velocity out of my custom SS lefty M70 in 30-06. I can assure you that there are already elk and bear that detest that load.....grin

Send Barnes an email requesting data. I did this recently for my 338 Lapua and they sent me the complete data list for the Lapua.

about 57-59g H4350, Lapua or RP Brass, WLR primers, and 165/168g bullets seated just shy of the lands ...

it wasn't my load, but I saw this used by a fellow forum member to take a deer last season...

59 grains of H 4350 with a 168 grain TSX... I got to watch it hit the deer spotting thru my scope... I was super impressed to say the least!

I wouldn't hesitate to take that combo deer hunting..
Blaine, if you see this, hope you don't mind me passing on your load...I was IMPRESSED!

58grs of H4350 yields 2882 fps for the 168gr TSX in my 22" bbl Sako, accuracy is excellamt.

If you like or have IMR4350, use it! I have found it to be VERY versatile in the '06. (and elsewhere) Also, H414 works very well in the '06. The TSX, in my experience is a very accurate bullet in 30 cal, and it will stand loading near max. I don't have a specific load for max velocity in the '06 for 150's, other than a light load for my wife and daughter with IMR3031. It gives right around 2850 fps. Works good, but I am positive you could get 150 fps more with a slower burning powder like IMR or H4350 or RL-19 or H414. The '06 is pretty easy to load accurate ammunition for, and higher velocities are usually easy to obtain.

I would recommend the 168 TSX as well. A little slower to start with (I'm getting 2900 fps) but downrange, the results are awesome!

A very mild load of 50 gr. of RL-15, R-P brass, naked 168 TSXs, WLRs, gave me about 2750 fps, and absolutely crushed a few deer last year.

I'm moly'ing the TSXs this year, and pushing them a bit harder. We'll see how that comes out and soon.

58 grs. of IMR 4350 and 168 gr. TSX.

I don't load 150 TSX, but I do load 168 TSX for 2 different 'o6's.

I use 58.5 gr of H4350 in one and 59.0 in the other one.

You'd be safe starting at 58 and will probably be able to get to 60-61 grains using a 150 TSX.

RL-15 is also an outstanding powder for lighter bullets in the 'o6 as well; I've used 49.0 with 168's as well.

John Barsness reports that Ramshot Big Game is outstanding for 150 grain bullets in the 'o6 but I've not tried it yet.

MM

Where should I seat them? The older Barnes manual says seat them .050" off the lands, but I've read others seat them "kissing".

.050" for me. I messed around with seating them closer to the lands and pressure jumped up pretty freaking fast. They like a bit of room..

I like to start at .015" off lands for hunting loads.......I'd load some there and some at .050" off and see if one is better than the other and then go from there.

MM

To be perfectly honest, I never did get the 168g TSX shooting all that well in my '06 ... it was a CZ 550, 1:10" twist. I tried seating to the lands, and backing off quite a bit ... never did find the sweet spot.

However, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I was very new to reloading at the time, and it could have been any number of factors that were causing my handloads to be less than stellar ...

Oddly enough though, I did work up a load using the 165g Hornady Interbonds that shot VERY well ... can't recall where I had them seated, but I have the notes at home somewhere, I think ... I might not though, because I no longer have that rifle, and do remember the basic load being Lapua brass, WLR primers, 57g H4350, and the already specified bullet, w/out moly.

I can ditto the H4350 58 grain load under a 168 TSX. I really don't think I've ever shot a group over MOA with this load. I've used it on 2 hunts to Africa for plains game taking several 500 +/- pound animals. A couple recovered bullets weigh exactly 168 grains and are mushroomed perfectly.

I think the 168 TSX just has to be the perfect '06 big game bullet.

What kind of velocity are you getting with the 168's?

With a stiff charge of H414, I'm getting right at 2900 fps with the 168 TSX in my older Tikka. Works pretty good, and accurate as all get out.

2895 avg. with that load above: RP brass, WLR primers. No pressure signs whatsoever - brass will probably last forever.

My 58 gr/H4350 168 TSX load runs 2840 fps. I'm using Laupa brass.