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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,217 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,217 Likes: 1 |
In Dec my wonderful wife bought me a T/C Compass in 308 for Christmas because I had expressed a desire for a truck gun that I didn't have to worry about getting beat up. I had a Nikon 4x scope laying around that I put on it and spent the next couple of months rounding up loading components. I had never had a 308 so I needed everything except primers. Normally I do nearly all my shooting with a 7mm Mag and a 9.3x62 Mauser and most of that powder isn't suggested for the 308 so I had a time getting some Varget but did finally scrounge some up. Rounded up 4 or 5 different bullets and loaded up nearly 20 different loads to test at the range, I found the load: 130 gr Barnes TTSX (I know I spelled Barnes wrong on the target), 44.3 grs of Varget and a Fed LR primer. That is a 100 yard group. I got one nearly as good with a Hornady 150 gr SP and 44.5 grs of Varget. Now to load up at least 50 of each and I'm ready to test the rifle on some whitetail does this fall. Cheers Y'All
You get out of life what you are willing to accept. If you ain't happy, do something about it!
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 17,246
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 17,246 |
I like the 130TTSX, so that'll work! Good to know you also have a cheaper load that works nicely as well.
Now with even more aplomb
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Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 1,334
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 1,334 |
Great load and excellent rifle. You will likely find it shoots factory ammo extremely well also.
God Bless America
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,918
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,918 |
A friend bought a Compass last year before deer season. It’s a shooting s.o.b.
The 130 ttsx is quite the bullet.
When I die I hope I don't start voting democrat.
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,737 Likes: 14
Campfire Savant
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Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,737 Likes: 14 |
I’m gonna have to try that load, use 150 GameKings in my rifles.
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 30,993
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 30,993 |
Now it's time to confirm that load and see if its repeatable.
You didn't use logic or reason to get into this opinion, I cannot use logic or reason to get you out of it.
You cannot over estimate the unimportance of nearly everything. John Maxwell
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,737 Likes: 14
Campfire Savant
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Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,737 Likes: 14 |
They kill the hell out of pigs at 300 Savage speeds.
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,561
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,561 |
Sounds like you have an accurate rifle. Try some other bullets, bet they’re accurate too.
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 833
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 833 |
I have been shooting whitetails with the 130 TSX for 8 or 9 years now. I'm using 49 grains which is Barnes max now with T/TSX back then it was 52 with TSX and the same components and pretty much the same velocity.
You're going to like the combo. Be sure and post results.
Good luck and shoot straight y'all
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,106 Likes: 8
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,106 Likes: 8 |
Now it's time to confirm that load and see if its repeatable. Too complicated. Just shoot a single 3 shot group and you are good to go.
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 30,993
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 30,993 |
Now it's time to confirm that load and see if its repeatable. Too complicated. Just shoot a single 3 shot group and you are good to go.
You didn't use logic or reason to get into this opinion, I cannot use logic or reason to get you out of it.
You cannot over estimate the unimportance of nearly everything. John Maxwell
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,217 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,217 Likes: 1 |
Now it's time to confirm that load and see if its repeatable. Too complicated. Just shoot a single 3 shot group and you are good to go. What I find incredible is that you would assume that is what I did without even knowing me. I have shot the load 4 times with consitent results which is why I can state I found my load. By the way I have been churning out handloads for over 40 years so I know a thing or 2 about testing loads.
You get out of life what you are willing to accept. If you ain't happy, do something about it!
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 30,993
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 30,993 |
Now it's time to confirm that load and see if its repeatable. Too complicated. Just shoot a single 3 shot group and you are good to go. What I find incredible is that you would assume that is what I did without even knowing me. I have shot the load 4 times with consitent results which is why I can state I found my load. By the way I have been churning out handloads for over 40 years so I know a thing or 2 about testing loads. Rounded up 4 or 5 different bullets and loaded up nearly 20 different loads to test at the range, I found the load: Mac, forgive me but in context, it appeared this was the first and only group you'd shot with this load. Glad to hear you've confirmed it on multiple range session. Sounds like you're ready to kill something with your new .308.
You didn't use logic or reason to get into this opinion, I cannot use logic or reason to get you out of it.
You cannot over estimate the unimportance of nearly everything. John Maxwell
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,217 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,217 Likes: 1 |
Now it's time to confirm that load and see if its repeatable. Too complicated. Just shoot a single 3 shot group and you are good to go. What I find incredible is that you would assume that is what I did without even knowing me. I have shot the load 4 times with consitent results which is why I can state I found my load. By the way I have been churning out handloads for over 40 years so I know a thing or 2 about testing loads. Rounded up 4 or 5 different bullets and loaded up nearly 20 different loads to test at the range, I found the load: Mac, forgive me but in context, it appeared this was the first and only group you'd shot with this load. Glad to hear you've confirmed it on multiple range session. Sounds like you're ready to kill something with your new .308. Nope. Multiple range sessions. Shot each load multiple times. As I stated, I've been handloading for over 40 years and know not to trust a single shoot.
You get out of life what you are willing to accept. If you ain't happy, do something about it!
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 10,365
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 10,365 |
the 308 and varget is a marriage made in heaven
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Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 202
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 202 |
I shoot the 130 TTSX out of a M70 in 308 with TAC and getting good groups out to 300 yds. Hitting 3" high at 100 yds only drops 1 1/2" out to 300 yds. Shot it yesterday at 300 and went thru 9 wet phone books and into a piece of 2 x 6 board....got 2 recovered bullets and all pealed back and no weight loss. Might have to try that on elk this fall. Also got some 150 TTSX to load up with CFE223 to try.
O.B.Wallace
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 140
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 140 |
Mac, Seeing as the Ruger M77 in 308 Win is my primary big game (elk & deer) rifle. I think I will have to give the 130 TTSX a try! I have never reloaded solids for any of my elk capable rifles (308, 7x57, or 8x57), so I may have been missing out on some great alternatives.. My primary go to bullets for reloading are usually Nosler PTs or Accubonds for elk; and adding in some Hornady selections for deer. Thanks for the great post and info! CJ
Last edited by CascadeJinx; 07/23/21.
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 734
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 734 |
Looks like a dandy shooting load, I found out TC {S&W} quit building rifles this year. I own a Venture II, sad deal as they are a decent rifle.
I would have got him too but a Dad Blam snow flake hit me in da eye....
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,041
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,041 |
What kind of speeds are most of you getting with Varget and the 130’s?
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,302
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,302 |
Interesting bit of history. Early on, I hand loaded my accurized pre 64 M70 FW .308 and was getting good accuracy with 5/8 inch 100 yard groups with 150 grain bullets. Then Hornady came out with their Light Magnum and it was as good or better, so I stopped hand loading and went hunting- never regretted the change. Still shooting the Hornady ammo and a box of 20 lasts a few years as there is no need to waste ammo plinking on the rifle range. Also been many years since I messed with the scope sight adjustments.
CRS, NRA Benefactor Life Member, Whittington Center, TSRA, DWWC, DRSS Android Reloading Ballistics App at http://www.xplat.net/
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