Has anyone loaded 165gr TTSX in .308 with IMR3031?

[ghostguy6]

Im just wondering if anyone has loaded 165gr TTSX with IMR 3031 before? I see you can use it for the 150gr TTSX according to the Barnes website. I can also find a site that says you can use it at 39 -41 grains with the 168's, but there is no COAL listed. Its looking like I wont be able to find any of the recommend powders without having to get a second mortgage and promising my first born.
Does anyone have a load they are willing to share? I know I will have to fine tune the load to the rifle but I'm new to reloading so I would like to get a good starting point since I only have 50 bullets to play with for now.

[catnthehat]

I would run a lightervbullet personally, 150 MAX for a monometal in the 308.

As far as 3031 on the 308 goes , it is an excellent powder for jacketed 165-168 bullets in the 308.
For 300 meter match shooting for a great many years , 39.5 grains and a INTL HPBT 168 was pretty much the standard

[fps plus]

I prefer the 150 ttsx and Re-15

[bushpilot]

Imr 3031 is pretty quick burning, better suited for lighter for weight bullets. And the 165TTSX was developed for the faster 30 Cals, (I ran it with my 300 wsm and 130gr out of the 308 win.

That being said a quick check of my Barnes manual 4. Imr 3031 and 165gr tsx shows min 38.5 max 42.5. Use this data at your own risk though.

[ghostguy6]

Originally Posted by bushpilot

Imr 3031 is pretty quick burning, better suited for lighter for weight bullets. And the 165TTSX was developed for the faster 30 Cals, (I ran it with my 300 wsm and 130gr out of the 308 win.

That being said a quick check of my Barnes manual 4. Imr 3031 and 165gr tsx shows min 38.5 max 42.5. Use this data at your own risk though.

Does it have the COAL listed?

Right now I'm just trying to make due with what I have.

Unless someone want to part with some Varget or trade for for a box of 150 grains.

Im not looking for any match grade ammo just something I can take deer with out to 250 yards.

[savage shooter]

COAL - if none listed, I would just go with the max length for the cartridge and see how close to the lands I am. Start with a low load and go from there.

IMR 3031 is a really useful powder and people tend to really underestimate it. I use it in 270win, 30'06, 7mm'08, 30-30, and 223. It is better with lighter bullets so it's not used with, say, 180gr bullets and it may not achieve the highest velocity possible but it's a pretty good universal powder for me and it always seems readily available no matter what the powder situation is.

As someone said, that 165GR TTSX is a tougher version of the bullet meant for magnums that will be hitting with a higher velocity. You really do want the 168 which is meant for lower velocities that the 30'06 and especially 308 will give you. Maybe you could trade with someone.

Were I in your shoes, I'd find the lands, back it off a touch and start with the starting load listed in the barnes manual and work my way up.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by ghostguy6

Does it have the COAL listed?

Right now I'm just trying to make due with what I have.

Unless someone want to part with some Varget or trade for for a box of 150 grains.

Im not looking for any match grade ammo just something I can take deer with out to 250 yards.

I just ran the numbers for the 165 Barnes and at 41 grains you SHOULD still be above 1,800 FPS at 400 yards, but a chronograph and some accuracy testing at that range will be needed to be sure. 1,800 is the outside limit to which these bullets appperently expand reliably
I am not sure what yoou max range is that you are capable of killing game.
As far as COL goes, every Barnes bullet I have loaded ofr different cartridges from the .243 up to the 338 Lapua liked a pile of jump, nowhere near the lands like my jacketed bullets .
In fact, even though Barnes recomends .050 off the lands, I start mine at the top of the firsst driving band.
The loads usually end up between .090 and .125 from the lands !!
There is the exception to every rule, but with Barnes though I haven't found it yet.
If you want the COAL that Barnes recommends on their site it is 2.735 for their 165 grain TTSX
Cat

[ghostguy6]

Thanks for all the info. For now I think I will post a trade offer in the buy and sell to see if I can find something in a lighter weight bullet. I was hoping to make this work with what I have on hand but its looking like I should keep this load as a plan B for now.

[Jtenkink]

Barnes recommends starting at 0.050 off the lands for their bullets. It sounds like a lot compared to most other bullets but the Barnes bullets all seem to like more jump. If you’re starting with just 50 bullets start there and save yourself some ammo.

Edit: just saw catinthehat posted exactly this already. Oh well, it’s still good advice, didn’t mean to double up.