Can they cause excessive pressure? I loaded some 50 grain TTSX with CFE 223 powder for my 22-250. Starting load was 38.5. First two rounds caused a pretty heavy bolt lift but nothing else. Second load was 39 grains and bolt lift was really stiff. I only shot three of those. Accuracy so far was poor. Then my third load of 39.5 and that is book max IIRC. I blew a primer and had a pretty good ejector swipe on the base. I stopped there. All bullets were seated .020 off the lands. My loads were all off Hodgdon's site and I didn't think using a Barnes bullet would make a difference but maybe it did?????
Barnes bullets
- Thread starter pyscodog
- Start date
Originally Posted By: hornet112Hodgdons website is using a Sierra bullet lead core you are using a solid copper core. You have to drop the max loads down a grain or 2 when using non Barnes data.
I was thinking that. I have a Barnes manual but its old and doesn't have the TTSX in it.Even at 38.5 grains I could tell this wasn't going far. Pressure signs from the git go.
I was thinking that. I have a Barnes manual but its old and doesn't have the TTSX in it.Even at 38.5 grains I could tell this wasn't going far. Pressure signs from the git go.
derbyacresbob
Well-known member
Lead free bullets are longer than lead bullets that weigh the same. If you use the same COAL there will be more bullet inside the brass taking up more space inside the brass.
Some 22-250s and 220 Swifts don't have fast enough barrel twist to stabilize the longer 22 cal lead free bullets.
https://www.barnesbullets.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/22-250-Remington.pdf
It looks like the Barnes 50 gr bullets are showing 1-10" twist and the 55 gr bullets are showing 1-9" twist for the 22-250.
Some 22-250s and 220 Swifts don't have fast enough barrel twist to stabilize the longer 22 cal lead free bullets.
https://www.barnesbullets.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/22-250-Remington.pdf
It looks like the Barnes 50 gr bullets are showing 1-10" twist and the 55 gr bullets are showing 1-9" twist for the 22-250.
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DiRTY DOG
Well-known member
Originally Posted By: hornet112I've loaded a lot of Barnes bullets. From what I can see you are about 2 grains over max. and as far as accuracy you are about .030 to long. Check out Barnes website.
Yep. Barnes load data shows psycodog is both:
1. way over max, and
2. seated way too long
Yep. Barnes load data shows psycodog is both:
1. way over max, and
2. seated way too long
From the Barnes loading website:
LOADING GUIDELINES
WHERE DO I SEAT THE TSX, TIPPED TSX AND LRX BULLETS?
When loading a Barnes TSX, Tipped TSX or LRX bullet, your rifle may prefer a bullet jump of anywhere between .050” up to .250” or more. This distance off the lands (rifling), aka “jump” may be limited to the rifles throat length, magazine length and bullet length.
When selecting the cartridge overall length (COAL) we recommend starting with a minimum “jump” of .050” off of the lands. You can test different seating depths and find a “sweet spot” that your particular firearm prefers. We suggest working in at least .025” increments as follows seating the bullet deeper to allow a further jump. Your test plan could look something like this:
1st group- .050” jump
2nd group- .075” jump
3rd group- .100” jump
4th group- .125” jump
5th group- .150“ jump
6th group- * see below
This length can be determined by using a “Stoney Point Gauge” or other methods. You do not have to seat the bullet at, or on one of the cannelure rings. Remember there are many factors that may control or limit the seating depth for your application. You may find that you need to start at around 0.150” off the lands and are not able to get any closer due to limiting factors including proper neck tension and magazine length.
LOADING GUIDELINES
WHERE DO I SEAT THE TSX, TIPPED TSX AND LRX BULLETS?
When loading a Barnes TSX, Tipped TSX or LRX bullet, your rifle may prefer a bullet jump of anywhere between .050” up to .250” or more. This distance off the lands (rifling), aka “jump” may be limited to the rifles throat length, magazine length and bullet length.
When selecting the cartridge overall length (COAL) we recommend starting with a minimum “jump” of .050” off of the lands. You can test different seating depths and find a “sweet spot” that your particular firearm prefers. We suggest working in at least .025” increments as follows seating the bullet deeper to allow a further jump. Your test plan could look something like this:
1st group- .050” jump
2nd group- .075” jump
3rd group- .100” jump
4th group- .125” jump
5th group- .150“ jump
6th group- * see below
This length can be determined by using a “Stoney Point Gauge” or other methods. You do not have to seat the bullet at, or on one of the cannelure rings. Remember there are many factors that may control or limit the seating depth for your application. You may find that you need to start at around 0.150” off the lands and are not able to get any closer due to limiting factors including proper neck tension and magazine length.
I talked to a friend that owns a reloading store in Tulsa today. He pretty much confirmed what you folks have said about Barnes bullets and starting low on the powder charges. He said with a Sierra or Hornady or the likes, he usually starts in the middle of the recommended charge weights and goes up. With Barnes, he starts at the bottom. I know I had read that sometime but I'm old and forget stuff. It sucks, I don't have enough bullets left to really start over again with load work. Maybe some will turn up on the shelves soon.
K-22hornet.
New member
In THEIR rifle, with THEIR components, those are the max charges. You know that every rifle is different.
An outdoor writer, John Barness, once wrote that the guy that does the pressure testing for him said TSX/TTSX bullets generally generate the lowest pressures.
An outdoor writer, John Barness, once wrote that the guy that does the pressure testing for him said TSX/TTSX bullets generally generate the lowest pressures.