Former11B
22 August 2018, 19:11
I decided to switch to Barnes copper bullets this season. I also wanted to document my experiences because there’s not a whole lot out there on other forums besides unanswered questions. I previously used Nosler 168gr Ballistic Tips, so I chose Barnes 150gr TTSX because of similar bullet length. 150gr TTSX: 1.3” 168gr BT: 1.307”. Very close despite the weight difference
Here’s a comparison. Left to right: Nosler 168gr Ballistic Tip, 150gr Barnes TTSX, 168gr Nosler Custom Competition, and 165gr Sierra GameKing
http://i.imgur.com/wUtq0yV.jpg
The Barnes manual says the range for these bullets and my powder of choice, Reloder 15, is 44.0 to 48.0gr.
I started a tad over mid way at 46.5gr, increasing in .3gr increments.
Host rifle is a Mossberg MVP 7.62 TALO edition. 18.5” 1:10 twist medcon barrel. Optic is a Vortex Diamondback HP 4-16x42. Innovative Arms 7.62 suppressor
46.5gr showed no pressure issues and was about 1.5 MOA.
46.8gr showed no pressure issues and was around 1MOA
47.1gr showed a TINY bit of primer cratering but very tiny. Group was excellent for copper hunting bullets.
http://i.imgur.com/Ngz7k9Z.jpg
I accidentally wrote 41.7 instead of 47.1 and had to scribble it out. Derp derp derp
47.4gr opened up to 2+ MOA and cratered the primers pretty good.
I didn’t bother firing my 47.7gr load because of the last ones. I need to pull them down and recoup the bullets.
I might test Varget or 8208XBR at another time. For now...we’re in business with 47.1gr RE15 at 2.810”
http://i.imgur.com/zVtebId.jpg
Here’s a comparison. Left to right: Nosler 168gr Ballistic Tip, 150gr Barnes TTSX, 168gr Nosler Custom Competition, and 165gr Sierra GameKing
http://i.imgur.com/wUtq0yV.jpg
The Barnes manual says the range for these bullets and my powder of choice, Reloder 15, is 44.0 to 48.0gr.
I started a tad over mid way at 46.5gr, increasing in .3gr increments.
Host rifle is a Mossberg MVP 7.62 TALO edition. 18.5” 1:10 twist medcon barrel. Optic is a Vortex Diamondback HP 4-16x42. Innovative Arms 7.62 suppressor
46.5gr showed no pressure issues and was about 1.5 MOA.
46.8gr showed no pressure issues and was around 1MOA
47.1gr showed a TINY bit of primer cratering but very tiny. Group was excellent for copper hunting bullets.
http://i.imgur.com/Ngz7k9Z.jpg
I accidentally wrote 41.7 instead of 47.1 and had to scribble it out. Derp derp derp
47.4gr opened up to 2+ MOA and cratered the primers pretty good.
I didn’t bother firing my 47.7gr load because of the last ones. I need to pull them down and recoup the bullets.
I might test Varget or 8208XBR at another time. For now...we’re in business with 47.1gr RE15 at 2.810”
http://i.imgur.com/zVtebId.jpg