I'm forced to shoot a lead free bullet out of my 257 roberts and decided the barnes TTSX's would be a good place to start. I shoot a m77 with a 20 inch barrel and for 25 years have shot sierra 120 grain hpbt's at 2700 fps. 400 yards is about MY limit and this combo has always worked fine, when I do my part.
I tried the 100 grain TTSX the other day and accuracy was great but could only produce about 2800 fps, with a few different powders before I got pressure indicators in my rifle. Is 2800 going to be enough to reliably open up the 100 grain at 400 yards or would I do better at 400 pushing an 80 grain at maybe 2950? The copper bullet is brand new to me so any real world insight would be appreciated.

What powders were you using? That speed seems really low.

Mathman,
IMR 4350 and IMR 4831. They're what I had on hand. I am shooting out of a 20" barrel. 44 1/2 grains of 4350 and 46 grains of 4831 both started to get heavy bolt lift and flat primers.

Do you have the seating depth set so that there is some bullet jump before the bullet gets to the lands? If not, that can boost pressure with mono bullets.

Have more experience with the TSX than the tipped version. I like to have at least 2000 fps for reliable expansion.
The TTSX may open better at lower velocities down to around 1600-1800 fps.

At 400 the 100 grain will be at around 2000 fps the 80 slightly slower. Both should work if limited to that range.

I would reach out to Barnes and ask the min velocity for expansion on the bullets in question. I've discovered that pretty much all of their bullets have different velocity envelopes.

Utah,
I set at 50 thousanths jump on the first run. I'll try 70 on the next.

Tejaho,
Your info makes me feel a little more at ease. How do the 100 tsx's work for you at 400?

Tar,
That's a good idea. I didn't think about asking a technician about a specific bullet.

10-4. I was surprised. I always used the 1800 fps guideline, but then I asked about the .308 168 and they told me it's good down to 1500 fps. It made me question them all. Now I just ask before I start loading them to get a straight answer. I've seen anywhere from 1500 - 2000 fps for a min.

I always use 1800 FPS with Barnes as the minimum. If you can find some hybrid 100v it works well in the Roberts.

805,
Does Hybrid 100v give excellent velocity with low pressure?

I did too, but once I learned they have data to support lower for some cartridges, I use their data.

My experience is with the 6mm 100 to about 350 yards and it worked fine at just slightly higher velocities. Likewise the 120 7mm to about 480 yds but starting at 3400. Both of these were good for many head of game at lessor distances.

The tsx will just open up partially at 1600 fps. I really like more speed and bigger mushrooms is why my comfort level is around 2000 fps. TTSX not sure but should be fine at 1800 fps possibly slower. On test media they open up down to 1600.

It would seem I'll be ok. I think I'll just put them to the test. I sure hope someone comes out with a little softer CA compliant bullet soon. I've hunted the same ground, with the same rifle, most of my life - It would be hard to change my hunting style now.

Starting at 2800 fps my ballistic calculator shows it at 1863 fps at 400 yd.


The latest Barnes manual shows 44.5 gr of IMR 4350 should give around 3124 fps.

100 gr. TTSX with H100V in the .257R is a great combo and a killer on hogs and WT's.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/10163944/6

DF

Old willys,
I looked at that Barnes manual and the test barrel is 24". It's crazy but a 20" barrel, with the same load equates to 2800.

DrtFarmer,
I'm going to look into H100v. It seems a lot of people like it for the 257. For now, I'll run the 100TTSX and if faced with the 400 yard shot, just shoot for bone. Just watch, It'll be a windy year and I won't shoot over 200.

I got this buck that was so big his nose drug on the floor like a elk, with a 115 gr Nos Bal Tip.

It was 257 Roberts Ackley Improved rimmed that I formed with 7x57 rimmed Norma brass that was so soft that 49 gr H4350 3050 fps was all I could get out of it. I built on an 1885 action and sighted in out to 400 yards. I shot 3 deer with it out to 400 yards in 2012 and all were bang flop.

J257,

H100V is a great Roberts powder, one of the best performers in that round.

But if you're hunting in extreme cold, you may want to reconsider as there are others more temp resistant.

Where I hunt, no problem.

DF

I think you will do fine with the TTSX. But here is another interesting option. http://www.lehighdefense.com/collec...city-lead-free-bullet?variant=1073850700

This may be better for coyotes and they may have a narrow velocity window to perform as designed 2000-4000 fps is what they state.

I have only just started playing with the 17 cal. version. It's explosive on milk jugs and very little chance of a ricochet. I would use them on a broadside shot for deer at moderate ranges. What happens when velocity drops below 2000 fps I don't know yet?

Another option may be Reloder 17 or 26 both are great in the 243 and R26 works well in the 25-06 but may or may not pan out for the Roberts.

I checked out their link, interesting bullets.

I have limited experience with the Cutting Edge in .308. Haven't tried them in the Roberts.

Sounds similar, would love to see a comparison.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/10719100/1

DF

The Lehiegh CC bullets are unique. They are somehow in between the sintered or powdered metal bullets with fine particles and the Raptors with "pre-fractured larger petals". Lehiegh has those too.


The Lehiegh is like three densities in each bullet with some of the base staying together. Within their narrow velocity window they are devastating. But for the OP the TTSX will be more reliable in that 1800-2000 fps range especially with an on shoulder shot.

If H100V, R17 or R26 can jack up the velocity a little then good as gold to 400. Or use the 80 grain if it will stay above 1800 fps.

I have used the 100 TTSX in my 257 Roberts to take a whitetail buck at close to 350 yards. Shot was broadside and the bullet enter about 2 ribs behind the shoulder (without hitting any ribs) an took out 1 rib as it exited. Deer ran at the shot but stopped at the 4 barb fence. A second shot was not possible from my original shooting position so I moved up skirting the edge of the field and found the buck running/stumbling toward me at about 100 yards and then piled up. Buck stayed on its feet for over 30 seconds and covered over 400 yards. Exit wound size of a quarter. I am currently loading TSX as I have had a couple of less than expected results from the TTSX in both .264 and .323 bullets also.

I had a muledeer hit through the lungs above the heart at about 100 yards away do that after being hit by a Nolser 7mm Partition 175. The muzzle velocity was 3,150 feet per second. The lungs were soup and yet the buck was not going to give up.

The buck was hot after a doe and didn't even know he was shot, they can take a beating sometimes. I shot a bedded WT buck at 125 yds with a 120gr TTSX out of a 264WM and imagine my surprise when I couldn't find an exit. Bullet was in the off shoulder weighing just over 90grs. I find that the TTSX causes much more collateral damage and loss of meat than the TSX. Both kill just as dead, just my opinion.

The BC on the 100 grain is higher than the 80 grain, so the 80 will lose velocity faster, and at some point the 100 will catch up to the 80 velocity wise. My guess without calculation would be that would happen before it reaches 400 yards. If your rifle shoots satisfactorily with the 100 grainers that's the way I would roll.

Update;
I hunted the whole season with the Barnes 100 grain TTSX, @ 2,800 fps. The first buck, that was a small meat buck, was a quartering away,running, 80 yard shot. The bullet went in front of the last rib and exited the off side brisket. I was surprised the bullet exited, my Sierra 120's wouldn't have. The exit wound didn't seem to be any larger than a dime but the internals where jello.
2nd buck was about 200 yards bedded, facing away. I shot him in the back of the head. Thankfully the bullet exited his eye socket, leaving the skull of the nice old buck intact. I jumped a coyote at about 60 yards while packing out the meat and skull. He was scooting, so I shot her through the middle. My old cup and cores would have turned her inside out and stone dead - instead she had a pencil hole through both sides of the soft middle and required a quick finish shot.
3rd buck and the real test was my muley hunt. After a few days packed in, I found a buck I liked and started closing the gap. I got to 385 and set up, waiting for the broadside, through the shoulders shot. When the shot presented, I new to aim for bone but habit took over and I punched him through both lungs. Staggering, he stayed on his feet - slowly walking with his head hung a bit. I quickly chambered another round and settled into my scope. He was now all but standing still, stuttering backwards like he was going to sit down. I know where he was going but I took the neck shot anyway. It founds it mark, making me feel better about leaving sight of him for about twenties minutes. The second thing I checked when I got to him was the exit wound. A dime sized whole with blood leaking out.
In conclusion, I have to say the barnes 100 grain TTSX is a great, reliable bullet. It will never be a cup and core bullet or perform like one. If I can remember the qualities of this bullet while hunting I'm sure I'll grow to appreciate it more. I do feel that a shoulder shot on the muley would of finished the show faster and have been the better shot to take with the bullet I'm shooting.
I want to thank you guys for your insight on this thread and in PM's that you sent. Your knowledge and patience has been much appreciated.
To you fine gentlemen, Thank You, Jeff

I,ve been using RL23,RL17,Norma MRP,and RL26 in my
257 Roberts, it,s a Model 70 with a 24" barrel.
I Get Over 3100FPS With all these using the 110gr
Accubonds. I also get about the same Velocity with
the 115gr Nosler Partitions. In my rifle the
partitions are more accurate. I have a new box of
Barnes TTSX, so I,ll try the RL17 and the RL23
first.

Nice buck...

Need details on the rifle. Custom?