I’m working on a load for .308 Win using Varget and 130 gn ttsx

[Wolfshead]

I’m working up a new load for my .308 Win. Tikka T3x compact 20” barrel.
I'm using Varget for powder, and the Barnes ttsx 130 grains, 200 CCI primers and Starline brass.
i shot at the range yesterday and felt I was shooting pretty well but my results were less than spectacular.

Those of you who may happen to shoot this, where do you find your accuracy.
I'm loading between 45 gn and 49 gn in half grain increments.
My best group was 47 grains but I’m thinking my results on target were more shooter than load recipe.
My plan is to go back and load the range of 45 - 49 in .3 increments and see where that takes me, but I’m curious as to those of you that have experience with these loads, where you found your best results.

Im looking forward to what you may have to offer.

 

[bigpower491]

I've burned up quite a bit of Varget in 308 over the yrs, and it is a great powder for that cartridge. Toss up for me between it and IMR4064. Lightest bullets were 150 gr range, up to 168.
I myself looking at your results, would play with it between 46.5 and 47.5 and see if any improvement is possible. A chronograph is huge help fine tuning.
I had always heard that Barnes bullets like a certain amount of "jump" to the lands, so you may want to experiment a little there, although at what they get for em at the stores, it could get a little costly.

 

[JFrank]

If you can post a picture of the targets you’ll get better input.

 

[thegatman]

What is the twist on your barrel? My gun likes 45 grains vargat with 180 grain gtx bullet

 

[TEXASJD]

I have never gotten the Barns ttxs to shoot vary well in any caliber I tried like 3/4” but they are a good killing bullet

 

[dh1633pm]

Never like Varget, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. What’s the twist you have? Does the twist match your bullets. Usually keep it 150 or above, doesn’t mean 130’s won’t work great if twist is right. Barnes Match Burners work excellent in my 6.5.

 

[Wolfshead]

I knew I was forgetting something, it seems I always do….
my barrel twist is 1-10 so I believe it should be fine for this bullet. The lengths are about the same for the 130 ttsx and the 150 accubonds I have a good load for.
the COAL of the loads was 2.769”
The CBTO was 2.129”
unfortunately I don’t have a chrono or the availability of one. Maybe one day I’ll have the funds, but not yet.
I’m including a picture of the target, but remember I’m not confident that the results shown here are accurate as (I’m second guessing myself) I feel it may have been more shooter induced.
in the picture the top right corner that red circle is the third shot at that bullseye.
you can see the best grouping is 47 and the three sighters to the left were similar in spread. After that the groupings are pretty spread out.

 

[Howa 9700]

If these are for hunting, and 47.0 grain load repeats, unless one enjoys burning thru bullets, primers and powder, if that were me, I'd be done.

No doubt coincidence, but when I was developing a load for 150 grain Interlock, the best group showed up with 46.5 grains Varget. Yup.....coincidence.......or maybe not.

 

[JFrank]

Yeah

I knew I was forgetting something, it seems I always do….
my barrel twist is 1-10 so I believe it should be fine for this bullet. The lengths are about the same for the 130 ttsx and the 150 accubonds I have a good load for.
the COAL of the loads was 2.769”
The CBTO was 2.129”
unfortunately I don’t have a chrono or the availability of one. Maybe one day I’ll have the funds, but not yet.
I’m including a picture of the target, but remember I’m not confident that the results shown here are accurate as (I’m second guessing myself) I feel it may have been more shooter induced.
in the picture the top right corner that red circle is the third shot at that bullseye.
you can see the best grouping is 47 and the three sighters to the left were similar in spread. After that the groupings are pretty spread out.

beyond 47. Gr you’ve gone into a scatter mode, i would review the charges leading up to that point in perhaps .3 increments.

 

[Wolfshead]

Thank you everyone for your advice, it is greatly appreciated.

If these are for hunting, and 47.0 grain load repeats, unless one enjoys burning thru bullets, primers and powder, if that were me, I'd be done.

No doubt coincidence, but when I was developing a load for 150 grain Interlock, the best group showed up with 46.5 grains Varget. Yup.....coincidence.......or maybe not.

These are for hunting loads. My 150 accubond load is 46 grains Varget so yes I’m believing I’ll test up to 47 grains again.

Yeah

beyond 47. Gr you’ve gone into a scatter mode, i would review the charges leading up to that point in perhaps .3 increments.

Thank you!
I am going to test 46.4, 46.7, 47, 47.3, and 47.6 and see what results I get, but I’m thinking it’s going to be right around 47