Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 308 TTSX 130 grain

Well I have been wanting to try some these 130 TTSX in my 308 tikka lite. Initial quick work up looks great except velocity is low compared to Barnes data but that don’t both me. Starting at 46 gr of varget. Gun definitely likes the bullet. 11 shots in 1.75” group using 46-48.5 gr of varget

Try some cfe223. Also nice with the copper elimnator. You should easily hit 3200. It is fairly temp sensitive but at the ranges i use this bullet it’s not a problem IMO.

CFE 223 is one of my favorite powders especially in my 308’s. I’m sure I could increase my velocity with it but for now I’m staying with the varget. I’m cool with close to 3000fps. I did shoot 5 rounds with 49 gr of varget but ES/SD went up and while group was ok there was a point of impact change

I've heard alot of good about CFE223. I dont have a 308 but I've got a 7mm-08 I'm wanting to try it in with 120 Barnes TTSX but just haven't done it yet. Still fine tuning a 50.0 grain load of Big Game that's proven to be most accurate so far but gonna play with seating depth to see if it gets better.

It's hard to read your chicken scratch.... Barnes test at .050 off the lands OAL to build pressure, that's why you probably aren't seeing the velocity they are.

Fladeerhntr I actually use cfe 223 in my sons 7mm08 with 120 ttsx. Per Barnes data I’m in the middle of min and max but I’m at a velocity of 3150 with low es/sd. That’s about as high as I want to go. Shoots MOA at a 100.

Just a bit more information with CFE-223. I used it, to work up a load in my 308 Winchester. 24-inch Lilja barrel
Lapua Brass
CCI BR2 primers
168 grain T-TSX
2.790 COAL
2845-fps
Less than 1/2 MOA

You know, to always work up to the load data.

Take care.

Barnes uses a 24" test barrel.
That's the velocity difference.

46grW of Varget and the 130gr TTSX in a .308W is good medicine for deer. In all temps.

I like CFE223 in the 308w. It is pretty dang temp stable too. According to some tests I ran with it. It gets higher velocities than a lot of powders do as well. The price per pound is hard to beat too. Generally about $36 around here.

24” vs 22” isn’t usually going to lose 100+ fps.

I too was going to try CFE223 but settled on varget because I have so much. I was running TAC but was getting very low and couldn't find it anywhere around here. So did some test with varget with very good results. Settled on 49g. No pressur signs at 49.5 either, but as things opened up, I decided to stop. I haven't shot this load over my Magneto speed yet, but I'm sure is close or at 3000 fps.

Also, how temp sensitive is CFE223?

I have read that’s it’s one of the most temp sensitive powders there is. I also have a lot of chronograph data over different temperature and humidity and it’s definitely affected by temps. My groups don’t change or don’t change much though. For hunting purposes and shooting it’s an awesome powder for me. Now if I shot competition im sure I would want temp stable powder

I averaged 3016.9 fps today with 49.2g of Varget. Barnes 130 ttsx .070 of the lands. Run this in my 22” Mod 70.

Jc737 49 gr of varget/130ttsx is highest I went. I started at 46 and ended with 49 gr with no pressure noted. I shot the 11 shot string with 46-48.5 gr of varget. I then loaded 49 gr and shot that group on another target. I made a mistake with group size as I was just guessing when I posted this thread saying it was 1.75 but after measured with my calipers group measures 1.1 x1.3 so that a pretty good group considering powder charge charges going up the ladder. My es got better with charges 48,48.5, and 49. I noticed when I looked at my 11 shot string that was 1.2 inches that the 49 gr group actually would be higher and right. So looking at my velocities and the group I have loaded up 10 rounds with 48.3 gr of varget and I will shoot thst and see where I’m at with group and velocities. Going off the data I have already gather my velocity should be at 2975 or so

I have found, with Barnes, they like to be seated deep. I seat the .308 130’s at .070. My M70 7MM likes the Barnes 140’s at .090.

I'm running 130's with 51 gr of TAC at .050 off in my 308. I'll have to bump them to .070/.075 off and see if they get more consistent.

Get around 3/4” groups with 130 TTSX’s in 308
Can’t recall powder used at the moment, have had a few night cappers , but this was shooting around 1-1/2” - 2” high at 12 o’clock at 100 yds
Got about the same size group with tac , 51.2 gr but POI was 4” higher
Kenneth