Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles TSX 50 gr. load suggestions?

This is for a .223 with 12-inch twist. (For now.)

I bought a box of 50 grain Barnes TSX. Don't know why I didn't just go with the 53 grainers, which has been out for a while and for which there's much good load data.

Anyway, has anybody played with the 50-grainers and can you recommend a powder? Barnes' load data lists RL-10X and 2460, neither of which I have.

I do have some TAC, though, which I've been using with satisfaction on 40-grain bullets.

Thanks.

- Tom

Tac is where I'd be. My 12 twist 223's shoot the 53 TSX and Tac like a dream!

Dober

I guess if I used a load of TAC that's safe with the 53, I'd be okay, but the consensus seems to be that TAC works best at or near maximum safe pressure.

- Tom

Your 12 twist will also shoot the 63g Sierra and the 60g Nosler partition very well.

Since you have TAC stick with it and let us know what you come up with.

Well, Keith, since I've got the TAC I guess I'll use the data for the 53-grainers. I've got a chrono, but no way to gauge pressure except by looking at the primers.

Frankly, if I get good accuracy and the primers aren't mashed, I'll stop worrying about top velocity very quickly.

- Tom

Tom, if you ever seen any Vit 133 in a shop for sale, pick up a can. I and others have got fantastic velocity with extreme accuracy out of it. Out of a 26", 1-14 twist, we get 3600 with a 7 1/2 primer out of the 50g Nosler ballisitc tip. We use IMI brass, Lapua brass is just as hard.

Three shot accuracy is less than .200 often with this load.

Benchmark.

HawkI, N133 is a whole lot faster than Benchmark,125fps faster in my rifles. I love Benchmark also, but don't get the speed.

Problem is that N133 is usually expensive if you can't find it at a gunstore or Gunshow.

the Barnes X bullets will perform just fine, even if not redlined with velocity..... I've found actually that many 22 caliber bullets perform best for max penetration with the MV being from 2400 to 2700 fps...

I like Benchmark for 223-204 sized cases because of the load density and the slowish pressure curve it produces, plus fine accuracy.

N133 I've burned more of in the 204, but it is also a faster burning rate powder.

I'm sure its a fine powder in the 223, I've just never used it in there.

HawkI, I did not mean to flame ya! Hope did not take it that way!

If you have some IMI brass or Lapua brass, with a thick cup primer such as a 7 1/2 or CCIBR-4 load up the 50's in your 223, the accuracy with speed will impress you. I'm getting 3600 in a 26" Hart barrrel with a 1-14 twist. With the 55's and N135, I'm getting 3500 with bug hole accuracy.

If you want to see a real mess, try the 55g Sierra Blitz(lead tip) on a coyote at 3500 fps!

No, I didn't infer that at all.

In reality, I shoot more 222 Magnums than 223's and Benchmark seems to be made for the 204/222 Mag case with bullets under 60 grains, so my need for any "fast" 223 load is minimal .

Most 223 loads shot are out of HB AR's where Benchmark is a lot cleaner burning than the AA2230 I also use.

I'd imagine 133 works well in the 223, I just never have tried it. I know I don't care for TAC....

What is this .222 Magnum you speak of...??



Ingwe

Ancient Chinese secret.....

I've never been able to get a 60 grain parttion to shoot in any .224 cal rifle from 1 in 7" to 1 in 14.
63 smp's work in all of em over varget. Never tried the 50's, but my 1 in 12 liked 53's.