Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 308 WCF/150 gr TTSX

Is it feasible to get 2900 fps out of 308 WCF and 150 gr TTSX (or TSX) in 22" sporter?

Not talking about info from the load manuals, not talking about blowing primers and sticking bolts, just first hand info please.

Thanks in advance

I recently developed a .308 load with 150 g TTSX, 46.0 Grains of TAC, Lapua case and Fed 210 primer. It gives me about 2900 fps with very good accuracy out of a 22 inch barreled Ruger Hawkeye. You can find similar loads in the reloading manuals so it's not an extremely hot load.

Yes, easily, with lots of published loads.

Your best chance would be with either CFE223, Alliant PowerPro-2000MR or maybe W748

Here's a list of the powders that with pressure-tested data, from the now-standard SAAMI 24" test barrels, gets at least 2930 fps, and mostly 2950+. This means they will get around 2900 fps from 22" barrels:

Win. 748
BL-C2
A2460
A2520
TAC
RL-15
AR-Comp
2000-MR
CFE-223
IMR4320
IMR4166
X-Terminator

The 308 Win. It's a great round.

I tried the CFE 223. It did well with 150 GameKings.

I ended up getting over 2900 fps with both CFE 223 and Alliant PowerPro-2000MR out of my Kimber Montana. I hunted with the 150 ttsx for a few years here in Alaska, taking moose, caribou, and black bear.

I'm at 2,880fps with various 150's and H4895 in Lapua brass through a 22" Ruger Hawkeye. Don't have my data in front of me, but I want to say it came straight from the max Hodgdon online data, lowered a few tenths for the thicker Lapua brass. I was pleased enough with the velocity, so I never pushed it to find actual max pressure for that load/rifle combo. H4895 is supposed to be fairly temperature insensitive, which was more of draw for me than an extra 50fps I might be able to squeak out of a more temperamental powder. It can get warm down here in Louisiana, even in October deer season.

My favorite load for a New Ultra Light Arms .308 with 22" barrel is the 150 TTSX BT and 44 grains H4895. Muzzle velocity is around 2830 but very accurate so I have no need to go beyond 44 grs. I would guess another grain (maximum according to the Barnes book) of H4895 would put the load at about 2900 fps. You can get a little more speed with Varget and it may be worth trying, but I've generally seen slightly better accuracy with H4895. The 150 TTSX BT is a great elk bullet.

51.5 gr CFE-223 + 150 TTSX gets me to 3,000 fps in a 22" barrel

I don't doubt that at all.

51gns of CFE223 + 150gn Speer produced a 5 shot average of 2983fps in my Rem 700 .308 22"bbl. No single based powder comes anywhere close to that.

I load these or use the Barnes loaded ammo. I haven't clocked it. I guess I should get out the LabRadar and see. I just put on the Leupold 1.5 to 4X with pig plex reticle on the NULA 308 in Talley one piece aluminum base/ring. It is scary light and I think I may have the LOP shortened by Mr. Forbes. Be Well, Rustyzipper.