Barnes TTSX 100gr -- Any good reloading info?

[Michael-95037]

I live in California where we need to use non-lead projectiles for hunting. I'm trying to find a load for my upcoming pig hunt this fall. I plan to use my new 18" 6.5 Grendel. I'm thinking the 100gr. Barnes TTSX should do the job nicely, but I can't find any real world (hunting) feedback on good loads in the 6.5 Grendel for this bullet. IMR 8208XBR or CFE223 seem to be the most recommended powders for the Grendel. Are there any other powders I should be considering? Does anyone have any real world experience or loads they can share for the Barnes TTSX 100Gr or any other non-lead loads (Hornady 120gr GMX or Barnes 120gr TSX or ???) which you've found successful? I expect my opportunities to be at under 150 yards from past experience, but I have taken pigs at 200+ yards on this ranch (which I have previously hunted using a 270 Winchester).

Thanks Much.

[41bear]

2 other bullet makers you might want to check out.

https://www.cavitybackbullets.com/category-s/107.htm

https://makerbullets.com/products.php?cat=3&scri=58,43

At this time I'm in the process of working up a load for the TTSX, the 105 CB, and also the 110 Lehigh for my gun using the powders I have on hand - 2230, H322, and 10x. I like the speed of the lighter pills which is why I'm staying away from anything over 110 gr. Also bought a couple of boxes of Underwood's 110 Lehigh loading to use as my baseline.

[grayfox]

No animal experiences but both the 100 ttsx and the 110 control chaos (Lehigh) have accurate loads and good MV with 8208 xbr. from my 16", 2655 (ttsx) and 2570 for the 110 cch.

[Clays23]

Benchmark would be a powder to consider from my experience with the 100 grain Nosler BT

[A5BLASTER]

H335 is mostly likely to give you the most speed with that bullet.

Use the search feature on this fourm and there will be lots of threads on load work ups for that bullet.

Also us Google type in 100 grain ttsx 6.5 grendel load data, that will pull up a ton of post from all over the net about that bullet.

[Rushshooting67913]

Ive had the best luck with Benchmark and H335 with lighter bullets. With the Barnes 100gr bullets. Benchmark gave slightly better accuracy and velocities. But h335 was hanging in there.

[VASCAR2]

My accuracy load with most 100 grain bullets in 6.5 Grendel is 29.0 grains H-335. This is a moderate velocity load with 100 grain SV or BT but also very accurate with 100 grain TTSX. I’ve never chronographed the 100 grain TTSX load. If you look at the accuracy loads posted by forum members you’ll see H-335 loads favored around 29 grains with 100 grain bullets.

[MarkS]

My experience with the 100gn TTSX bullets is similar to what the others have said. I had very good luck with Benchmark and this bullet. In fact, it is the most accurate bullet in my 12" PSA barreled upper that I have tried so far.

My main advice is to stay away from 8208XBR because of pressure spikes. I couldn't get anywhere near published max loads without getting flattened primers. Velocities were not as good as Benchmark either.

[Jakal]

33.9 grains of CFE223 and the 100 TTSX runs @ 2725 fps out of my 18" AA barrel. Lapua brass & CCI450

Dedicated nightvision rig.

Reduce and work up to this load, as what is safe in my rifle may not be safe in yours.

[Labrat198]

29.5 grains of H335 pushed my 100gr TTSX at 2604 fps out of my 18inch Group buy barrel. Shot two 3 shot groups with .88 MOA and 1.32 MOA. Combining all 6 shots I had a SD of 5.81 fps.

[Clays23]

Ive had the best luck with Benchmark and H335 with lighter bullets. With the Barnes 100gr bullets. Benchmark gave slightly better accuracy and velocities. But h335 was hanging in there.

Video coming soon? I got a ruger American like yours love the extra velocity you can get out of a bolt Grendel

[Michael-95037]

Hey, thanks to everyone for providing me with a good starting point and some powders to consider. I'll be looking to pickup some H335 and Benchmark in addition to the 8208 (if I can find any). I'll let you know what works in my rifle as soon I finish the build and get some reasonable loads worked up.

[LRRPF52]

We have several loads for it in the Grendel Handbooks, as well as terminal ballistics with 4 different impact speeds.

It likes to hit things fast when looking for expansion. Stops expanding at ~2000fps impact speed.






It has been used successfully for many years now on game. Very tough bullet. Some love them and swear by them, whereas others don't like them.

Here's an example of the 123gr SST impact speed performance across the velocity spectrum. 100gr TTSX is a few pages later.

[rabiddawg]

My main advice is to stay away from 8208XBR because of pressure spikes. I couldn't get anywhere near published max loads without getting flattened primers. Velocities were not as good as Benchmark either.

The pressure spike warnings come from members using 120 ( and/or larger) grain bullets. Max loads under 100 nosler bt are well under max pressure according to published data. I know the copper pills build pressure faster but Barnes supposed remedied that with the bands.

Is it possible you have a chamber on the short side?

[BCHunter]

I have used reloaded 15 and cfe with the 100 gr ttsx.

Rl15 29.5 grains max charge
Hornady brass
Cci 400, 2.254" coal max mag length.
Average 2545 fps
Great accuracy

Cfe 32.0
Hornady brass
Cci 400 2.254 coal
Averaged 2610 fps
Groups were .75-.9"

This was in my 18" Odin which has a long throat for a grendel. .028" off the lands

[MarkS]

The pressure spike warnings come from members using 120 ( and/or larger) grain bullets. Max loads under 100 nosler bt are well under max pressure according to published data. I know the copper pills build pressure faster but Barnes supposed remedied that with the bands.

Is it possible you have a chamber on the short side?

FWIW, I have no issues with 8208 and 100gn Nosler BT bullets, but I do have pressure issues with the 100gn and 120gn Barnes TTSX. Also, velocities are just as good or better for me with Benchmark. YMMV

[Longtubeman]

have a load for a 24'' barrel ar15. I use barnes ttsx 100gr ,cci 450 primers,seat to 2.250. these are hot loads, so back off to start. My wifes 24'', 9 twist barrel, uses 35 gr of ww748, gets 3000 fps. about 3/4 groups. mine is a 24'' barrel, and a 8 twist, gets 2956 fps, and groups .365, with 35 gr of cfe 223 in it. both worm loads.Also have a load for 127 lrx barnes. 32 gr cfe 223, seat at 2.300,450 primer,gets 2624 fps, and groups .490 at 100 yards all shot at 70 degrees, and 1500 ft.

[A5BLASTER]

have a load for a 24'' barrel ar15. I use barnes ttsx 100gr ,cci 450 primers,seat to 2.250. these are hot loads, so back off to start. My wifes 24'', 9 twist barrel, uses 35 gr of ww748, gets 3000 fps. about 3/4 groups. mine is a 24'' barrel, and a 8 twist, gets 2956 fps, and groups .365, with 35 gr of cfe 223 in it. both worm loads.Also have a load for 127 lrx barnes. 32 gr cfe 223, seat at 2.300,450 primer,gets 2624 fps, and groups .490 at 100 yards all shot at 70 degrees, and 1500 ft.

I wouldn't call those hot. I would call those loads explosive and soon too disassemble a rifle and someone's hands.

I simple can't see how your putting 35 grains of powder in a 35 grain water capacity case and seating a bullet in the neck.

If I shoot that load I'm my bolt action. I would probably have too beat the bolt handle open with a sledge hammer. If it would even survive it.

So yea I'm calling a major red flag BS on what you just posted as loads.

[Squid]

I wouldn't call those hot. I would call those loads explosive and soon too disassemble a rifle and someone's hands.

I simple can't see how your putting 35 grains of powder in a 35 grain water capacity case and seating a bullet in the neck.

If I shoot that load I'm my bolt action. I would probably have too beat the bolt handle open with a sledge hammer. If it would even survive it.

So yea I'm calling a major red flag BS on what you just posted as loads.

I just loaded some Barnes TAC-TX 100 grain and 30.3 is considered a compressed load with Accurate 2460. I loaded up to 30.0 but thats the max I went. I will be test them out this Thursday and will post the results after. I'm curious to see the FPS and which load groups best. I'm starting at 27.5 and see what I get from there.

[A5BLASTER]

I just loaded some Barnes TAC-TX 100 grain and 30.3 is considered a compressed load with Accurate 2460. I loaded up to 30.0 but thats the max I went. I will be test them out this Thursday and will post the results after. I'm curious to see the FPS and which load groups best. I'm starting at 27.5 and see what I get from there.

Squid your good sir. Wasn't questioning your data but the data that Longtubeman posted.

There is no way that is happening without some serious side effects.

His post reminds me of a member that use too post here under the name xcountryrider.