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OP
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I have a .308 Vanguard a buddy gave me some years ago. It shot great when he bought it, then suddenly wouldn't group for chit anymore. I tinkered with it a little and never got satisfaction. He gave it to me, said if u can make it shoot you can keep it. I recrowned it and its been sitting ever since.
Decided its time to put it to work, since I sold the .270 and no longer have a medium bolt action. Provided I can make it shoot ok, I was planning on picking one bullet to run in it for everything I need it for, from deer to moose. Was thinking a 150gr TTSX or similar might fit the bill.
Was at the gun shop to get some, but saw some GMX and E-tips as well. I figured I'd wait a bit and do some research first. These are kinda pricey, and if there's one that clearly better than the others I'd like to start there. Any recommendations?
I've got a few powders that might work, CFE 223, IMR 4064 and Varget, so I'll try a few different loads and hopefully something clicks.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2010
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A mono through the shoulders and stuff stops. I've used nothing but Barnes. Have shot GMX and they were accurate as hell. Haven't messed with E-Tips. They'll be a pile of varying opinions, but its all I shoot at game. I reckon if one day something escapes, I'll bitch.
I generally work up the Barnes to where I want it, then try to match ballistics with a target bullet for dinking around with at 1/2 the price.
.277 = 129LRX & 135SMK .264 = 120TTSX & 123 Amax
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.....
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Joined: Dec 2008
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,300 |
Barnes TSX or Barnes TTSX.
Known entities with plenty of track record, both in accuracy and performance.
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Joined: Nov 2005
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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I usually start with a TTSX, unless e-tip seconds lure me in with price.
I typically go a step lighter than I would with a lead containing bullet. They seem to penetrate very well, so a little more velocity and less recoil seems a good pick up.
Another bonus is that the TTSX seem to shoot well far back from the lands so they are a great choice in a rifle with COAL restraints. The TTSX's have been on average more accurate in my hands than other (non target) bullets, but OAL seems important in getting them to shoot well. I had a rifle go from 2-3" groups to .75 with .050 change in COAL, that's a bigger change than I usually see with a cup and core design.
The collection of taxes which are not absolutely required, which do not beyond reasonable doubt contribute to public welfare, is only a species of legalized larceny. Under this Republic the rewards of industry belong to those who earn them. Coolidge
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Joined: Dec 2008
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,300 |
I usually start with a TTSX, unless e-tip seconds lure me in with price.
I typically go a step lighter than I would with a lead containing bullet. They seem to penetrate very well, so a little more velocity and less recoil seems a good pick up.
Another bonus is that the TTSX seem to shoot well far back from the lands so they are a great choice in a rifle with COAL restraints. The TTSX's have been on average more accurate in my hands than other (non target) bullets, but OAL seems important in getting them to shoot well. I had a rifle go from 2-3" groups to .75 with .050 change in COAL, that's a bigger change than I usually see with a cup and core design.
Spot on. All true.
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,925
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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blasphemous I agree and would add a Hornady GMX into the mix. I have not tried E-tips as the Barnes/Hornady have worked for me. I like the relief grooves in the Barnes/Hornady as I believe they help reduce pressures a little vs the E-tip through reduced bearing surface. My goto 270 loads are all 130gr TSX, TTSX or GMX over 60gr of H4831sc. A new rifle will almost always shoot one of those loads from 1-1.25". I am perfectly content and have used all of those for hunting with excellent performance. The only thing that has me leery of Barnes into the future is the change in ownership.
Arcus Venator
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Joined: Sep 2010
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Get your bore really clean before you start. Wipe Out seems to work good and doesn't take any elbow grease. Start with the 150gr TTSX and Varget. If that doesn't work you can experiment from there but it should bring home the venison.
I am continually astounded at how quickly people make up their minds on little evidence or none at all. Jack O'Connor
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,748
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,748 |
All good advice so far. The TTSX has been the easiest bullet for me to get to shoot well. The COAL did not seem to really matter in the three rifles I've played with. About .050 off to fit the mag has always worked. I have found that lighter is better. In comparing one at ~2750 to a lighter one at ~3020, the faster version seems to do more internal damage. Tiny bit of penetration price for the lighter, and wider expanding, light bullet, but still very good.
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Joined: Aug 2011
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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You said you had Varget in house. You will probably have to look no farther. It has worked well in every .308 that I have been associated with. It, and the 130/150/168 gr. TTSX should be your huckleberry. If Varget for some reason is not satisfactory, see if you can find RL 15; it usually works too.
If we live long enough, we all have regrets. But the ones that nag at us the most are the ones in which we know we had a choice.
Doug
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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130 TTSX or TSX's worked really well in a .308 when I had one thanks to steelhead sharing his load data...
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2007
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You can get the 130's up to about 3050-3100 fps in a 308. Since the copper bullets retain near 100% of their weight you'll get penetration close to a 180 gr bullet which will weigh about 130 gr, or less, after impact.
All of them work best if started at around 3000 fps. I'd stick with 130's in 308, save 150's for 30-06 and anything heavier for the magnums.
Most people don't really want the truth.
They just want constant reassurance that what they believe is the truth.
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Joined: Oct 2003
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Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,859 |
130 TTSX or TSX's worked really well in a .308 when I had one thanks to steelhead sharing his load data... Any chance you still have that data?
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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All i can say about mono's, is start with a TTSX/LRX and I doubt you'll be looking any further..
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Joined: Oct 2002
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 |
48.5grs TAC CCI 200 130gr TTSX Lapua Brass OAL 2.76 3085fps
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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I have a .308 Vanguard a buddy gave me some years ago. It shot great when he bought it, then suddenly wouldn't group for chit anymore. I tinkered with it a little and never got satisfaction. He gave it to me, said if u can make it shoot you can keep it. I recrowned it and its been sitting ever since.
Decided its time to put it to work, since I sold the .270 and no longer have a medium bolt action. Provided I can make it shoot ok, I was planning on picking one bullet to run in it for everything I need it for, from deer to moose. Was thinking a 150gr TTSX or similar might fit the bill.
Was at the gun shop to get some, but saw some GMX and E-tips as well. I figured I'd wait a bit and do some research first. These are kinda pricey, and if there's one that clearly better than the others I'd like to start there. Any recommendations?
I've got a few powders that might work, CFE 223, IMR 4064 and Varget, so I'll try a few different loads and hopefully something clicks. CFE 223 works great in my 308 (23" barrel) with 150 gr TTSX and HSP. 2950+ fps is safely achieved with margin.
"Blessed is the man whose wife is his best friend - especially if she likes to HUNT!"
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these."
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Campfire Tracker
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OP
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48.5grs TAC CCI 200 130gr TTSX Lapua Brass OAL 2.76 3085fps
Excellent, thanks. I'm not sure I can find TAC around here but I'll give it a shot, might get lucky.
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