Load data for 100gr TTSX?

[DIANEB]

I picked up a couple of boxes of Barnes 100gr TTSX...
Just wondering what powders you guys are having the best results with?
I'm going use these bullets for pigs...
Thanks in advance...

[MOW]

The Barnes online manual has some good loads listed.

[PA_Allen]

29 to 30 grains of H335 or XBR 8208 has worked for many folks. I hunted with 30 gr of either behind the 100 TTSX for years with good results.
- PA

[Zeneffect]

Where does one find 8208 these days? Inquiring minds would like to know.

[Old Bob]

Zen ... XBR 8208 is made in Australia. IIRC, the factory where it's made had some problems. I think forum member Klem might be able to say what those problems are. It might be a long time before we see anymore 8208 ...

[Klem]

Zen ... XBR 8208 is made in Australia. IIRC, the factory where it's made had some problems. I think forum member Klem might be able to say what those problems are. It might be a long time before we see anymore 8208 ...

Guys,

My info source is from Australian Defence Industries website (now called 'Australian Munitions'), and from what I hear from talking to fellow shooters and dealers. I don't have any contacts at the Mulwala plant. Mulwala on the NSW/Victoria border is Australia's only defence industry propellant plant. Apparently they are working overtime producing powder and explosives for various projects. One project is making 155mm shells for Ukraine. This in cooperation with France - they supply the cases and Australia the propellant and filler. Lockheed M have also recently set up shop in Mulwala for a joint guided weapons project with Thales (France), who owns Australian Munitions. Recent shocks to the nation has boosted the urgency for sovereign capability. I say this because you can imagine how distracted the plant is at the moment relative to the production of something basic and low demand as 8208. From their website, about powders including 8208 in less demand;

[INDENT]Production of these propellants is less frequent when compared with the core range (AR2206(H), AR2208, AR2209, AR2213SC and AR2217) but we still endeavour to make them in line with market demand.[/INDENT]

The Hodgdon equivalent of those 'higher demand' powders.
2206H - H4895
2208 - Varget
2209 - H4350
2213 - H4831
2217 - H1000

They were also saying that during COVID propellant demand skyrocketed.

Unfortunately it seems 8208 is not a 'high demand' powder. It is being made but just not constantly. The website also reports powders are made in batches and take 6 months from start to distribution. I just checked on a local dealers website and it is available here, but in the past couple of years has been sketchy. One rifle powder that ADI ceased production of is Trail Boss - they are saying it's due to 'active research and development project associated with its manufacturing optimisation'. Please don't ask me to translate.

There is an ongoing issue with ADI's handgun series of powders. They are no longer being made and who knows when they will. I don't think ADI ever exported its handgun powders so it won't affect you guys.

[grayfox]

Hey Klem, not to hijack but H4895 has also been scarce as hen's teeth for a while now. Have you heard anything about that one...
thanks.

[DIANEB]

I have
A2460
H335
TAC
Benchmark
A2520
A2200
A2230
CFE223
H4895
RL-7
RL-10
LVR
BL-C2
IMR3031

[Klem]

Hey Klem, not to hijack but H4895 has also been scarce as hen's teeth for a while now. Have you heard anything about that one...
thanks.

GF,

Nothing specific. Both powders on the shelves here, which is more than they were during COVID.

[grayfox]

O well, thanks, sure could use some more over here...

[Klem]

O well, thanks, sure could use some more over here...

Mate, I'd gladly swap you powder for bullets, but I don't think that would work somehow...

Haven't seen Bergers in almost two years (only one distributor in Oz). Sierra is more popular but also backordered for a few months.

[EastTNHunter]

I don’t claim to be an expert, but of the powders that you listed I would lean towards Benchmark due to:
1-Burn speed and case fill with the lighter bullet
2-Barnes lists data for that powder here: https://www.barnesbullets.com/wp-content...rendel.pdf
3-Extruded powders tend to be more temp stable, and Benchmark is a Hodgdon Extreme extruded powder which is supposed to be among the most temp stable
4-Extruded powders TEND TO have less muzzle flash than standard spherical powders, and that could be of assistance with low light hog hunting

My next choices from your list:
-A2460 claims the best velocity in Barnes load book, and it meters darn well
-TAC meters well also, and claims to be less temp sensitive than other spherical powders -I cannot back up that claim
-H335-right below the A2460 in velocity, but also meters well
-CFE223 will likely give good velocities, and I believe that it has a flash suppresent to keep muzzle flash down in low light, but it is also very temp sensitive (may not be an issue for you) and you’ll have to hunt down data

Hodgdon data for TAC, H335, Benchmark, and a few others that you have listed can be found below, but it seems to vary quite a bit from the Barnes data (I have not researched if this is due to barrel length, etc):
https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center

[Klem]

East,

Sure, we can use Benchmark 2. It's a little faster than 8208. ADI and Hodgdon has Grendel loads for BM2 on their websites. BM2, 8208 and 4895 are all single-based powders made by ADI. So more temp stable, but less energetic (less velocity) than double-based.

[EastTNHunter]

Klem, sorry for the confusion, but my post was in response to the OP and her subsequent list of powders for the projectile in question.

I appreciate all of the information that you provide from down under, especially in reference to ADI

[Klem]

East,

Mate, whoops, I thought you might be - Apologies too.

That said, BM2 is good powder, I use it for 223 and would use it if 8208 was not around, for light bullets.

Klem.

[DIANEB]

I don’t claim to be an expert, but of the powders that you listed I would lean towards Benchmark due to:
1-Burn speed and case fill with the lighter bullet
2-Barnes lists data for that powder here: https://www.barnesbullets.com/wp-content...rendel.pdf
3-Extruded powders tend to be more temp stable, and Benchmark is a Hodgdon Extreme extruded powder which is supposed to be among the most temp stable
4-Extruded powders TEND TO have less muzzle flash than standard spherical powders, and that could be of assistance with low light hog hunting

My next choices from your list:
-A2460 claims the best velocity in Barnes load book, and it meters darn well
-TAC meters well also, and claims to be less temp sensitive than other spherical powders -I cannot back up that claim
-H335-right below the A2460 in velocity, but also meters well
-CFE223 will likely give good velocities, and I believe that it has a flash suppresent to keep muzzle flash down in low light, but it is also very temp sensitive (may not be an issue for you) and you’ll have to hunt down data

Hodgdon data for TAC, H335, Benchmark, and a few others that you have listed can be found below, but it seems to vary quite a bit from the Barnes data (I have not researched if this is due to barrel length, etc):
https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center

Thanks, I'm going to try benchmark and H335 first...

[EastTNHunter]

East,

Mate, whoops, I thought you might be - Apologies too.

That said, BM2 is good powder, I use it for 223 and would use it if 8208 was not around, for light bullets.

Klem.

Hey Klem , not to go too far down the rabbit trail, but you mention “BM2”… is this the ADI code for it, or is there a history there of a Benchmark “V1” and “V2” that I’m not familiar with? It’s good stuff, and I use it for 100gr NPTs (when I can find the things), but I’m not familiar with different versions if there are any

[EastTNHunter]

Thanks, I'm going to try benchmark and H335 first...

Good deal. Don’t think that you can go wrong either way

[Klem]

you mention “BM2”… is this the ADI code for it, or is there a history there of a Benchmark “V1” and “V2” that I’m not familiar with?... but I’m not familiar with different versions if there are any

East,

Not all ADI powders are exported. As far as I am aware, for the US market only Hodgdon buys ADI powders, and only a selection of what is available.
http://www.adiworldclass.com.au/faq-item...ropellant/

There are two versions of Benchmark here: BM1 and BM2. Hodgdon does not import BM1 so unfortunately you might never see it. That said, I've tried it and it seems to lack power when compared to alternatives like 4198 - might be why Hodgdon gave it a miss.

BM1 is faster and closer to H4198, whereas BM2 (called 'Benchmark' in the US) is slower and closer to 8208.

ADI also makes IMR8208 XBR, called BM8208 here. It's another short grain extruded powder so it falls under the Benchmark prefix. The IMR group of powder brokers was bought out by Hodgdon in 2003. Hodgdon imports it now but has kept the rebranding prefix 'IMR'.

The reason it is called Benchmark is that while they are extruded stick powders they are chopped fine so they meter well like ball powder. The name is designed to appeal to bench-rest shooters who are pretty fussy about getting the load exactly right.

This ADI powder equivalent table shows where BM1 and BM2 sit relative to other brands. I find it useful when looking for alternatives. I also use this equivalent table by Reloader Swiss.

I use 8208 for Grendel loads up to 120gn, and 4895 for 120gn and heavier. If those powders were not available the equivalent charts are a good list of similar alternatives.

[EastTNHunter]

East,

Not all ADI powders are exported. As far as I am aware, for the US market only Hodgdon buys ADI powders, and only a selection of what is available.
http://www.adiworldclass.com.au/faq-item...ropellant/

There are two versions of Benchmark here: BM1 and BM2. Hodgdon does not import BM1 so unfortunately you might never see it. That said, I've tried it and it seems to lack power when compared to alternatives like 4198 - might be why Hodgdon gave it a miss.

BM1 is faster and closer to H4198, whereas BM2 (called 'Benchmark' in the US) is slower and closer to 8208.

ADI also makes IMR8208 XBR, called BM8208 here. It's another short grain extruded powder so it falls under the Benchmark prefix. The IMR group of powder brokers was bought out by Hodgdon in 2003. Hodgdon imports it now but has kept the rebranding prefix 'IMR'.

The reason it is called Benchmark is that while they are extruded stick powders they are chopped fine so they meter well like ball powder. The name is designed to appeal to bench-rest shooters who are pretty fussy about getting the load exactly right.

This ADI powder equivalent table shows where BM1 and BM2 sit relative to other brands. I find it useful when looking for alternatives. I also use this equivalent table by Reloader Swiss.

I use 8208 for Grendel loads up to 120gn, and 4895 for 120gn and heavier. If those powders were not available the equivalent charts are a good list of similar alternatives.

Thanks Klem. I’m also a fan of H4895 for 120gr+ projectiles