Will Barnes 168 grain Tipped TSX work in 308 Winchester?

[Mags]

Just picked up some 308 diameter Barnes 168 grain Tipped Triple Shock bullets, if you are not familiar with TSX bullets they have 3 bands below the ogive that seat below the case neck. Well I noticed the bullets were a bit long and when I got home I measured and compared them to some Nosler 168 grain HPBT. The Barnes meaured 1.42 inches long and the Nosler were 1.19 with a difference of .23, when seated to the last band the Barnes were recessed .24 of an inch deeper than the Noslers sit in the case, decreasing case volume.
I have no data for these bullets and Barnes' website is down ( I planned on using 168 grain HPBT data but these are alot longer). The COAL with the Barnes is 2.79 and the Nosler's are 2.80.

So can I load the Barnes TSX bullets up with reduced 168 grain data or do they decrease the case volume too much to load safely? I was thinking of maybe a starting load of 38 grains of Reloader 15 with the Barnes? Maybe they just ain't for 308 Winchester and are made for longer cartridges?

Looking forward to hearing from Bushmaster, RC, Walkalong or anyone else your help will be appreciated considering these are 36 bucks per 50 and there are no returns on components at Sportsman's.

 

[ZXD9]

Try this in a google search: barnes 168 tsx .308 load data

Maybe this will help until the Barnes site is up again. I'd give them a try and see no reason why they wouldn't be OK.

I use Barnes in my .223 and for the same bullet weight, Barnes suggests lighter loads than for other bullets.

 

[GJgo]

Yes. The 168 TSX ogive is more for the 308 as opposed to other 30 cals, according to Barnes. It is different from the 150/165/180 ogive. You'll want to start by loading it at least .050" off the lands and go from there- TSX need a jump to work best.

I would advise however if you get a good 100yd load to re-check it at 300. In my 300 WSM at 100yds, the 168 TSX shot tighter (.5") than the 150/165/180 TSX (.75"). However, at 300 yds, while the 150/165/180s shot an expected ~2.5", the 168s opened up to around 6"! I don't know if it's my gun, the WSM chambering, or the bullet, but it's worth mentioning before you buy a bunch of them.

P.S. Varget is where it's at for a bolt action 308, IMO..

 

[Mags]

The rifle is an 1:10 twists semi auto. The barnes site is still down as well

 

[GJgo]

The twist would be no problem, a little fast if anything. Only consideration is mag length vs. ~.050" off, and what powder will cycle the bolt the most reliably.

 

[Mags]

I was planning on seating it at an OAL of 2.79 which would put it right after the last band and .24 deeper than most 168 grain bullets. Do the bands have to be below the case neck? The mags are FAL mags and have alot of room. I have used Varget, TAC, and Reloader 15 in this particular rifle with no problem. The thing that worries me is the bullet will be .24 deeper than most 168 grain bullets and it would decrease case capacity increasing chamber pressure.

 

[GJgo]

Well, you're going to want to back off 10% and start over with the powder charge in any case. Just make sure you're not too close to the lands or the pressure will really go up!

The position of the bands doesn't mean a thing.

 

[Mags]

Thanks

 

[nastynatesfish]

I load the 140s in my 7mag and had the same problem with load info. google barnes and give them a call. give there tech you powder type and bullet wieght and hell give you starting load and max load with velocities. the bands make it so you don't have to download them like the old x bullets. start high on the charge and you'll get better accuracy. I have a fal also and with nosler comp 168 I have them with a COL of 2.756 and they just fit in my mag. my book says 43.5 gr of rl15 at 2675 fps and 57000cup. but that's the x bullet I'd start at 43 and work up. just adjust you gas on the rifle and go. just remember the fal rifles don't like hot loads since the bolt won't hold up after a bunch. I load with 2520 powder and 44 gr