11-05-2013, 10:12 PM
I am sure either of them would be sufficient, but these are the two bullets that I happen to have an the moment. They have both tested well enough with moderate loads. Quick range report:
123 SST was at ~2335 fps. This was with 27 grains of 8208. 3 out of 4 three shot groups were under 1" at 100 yards. Velocities were pretty consistent.
120 TTSX was at ~2330 fps with two 5 shot groups that were both just over 1". Charge was 26.5 gr of 8208.
Velocities were less consistent with the TTSX, but I wasn't keeping close enough records to see exactly what the standard deviations or extreme spreads were. When I work one of them up this weekend, I will. Neither load showed any pressure signs, but I wouldn't expect them to at this point, both loads are middle of the road.
Rifle is 18" barrel mid-length gas system if that matters.
I will probably only get the chance to work one or the other up toward max load before hunting season. Which one do you think I should work on? Most likely shots will be around 100 yards only, but depending on what happens, the potential is there for a long shot to present itself - some of my hunting is done around some farm country, so you never know what you might see out in a field. I probably would not be comfortable taking any shots over maybe 250 with this rifle anyway, just because I haven't had enough range time with it yet. I should be able to sight in for a maximum point blank range of about that though, so no need to worry about holdover or dialing anything at that range.
I am thinking I will work up the TTSX, because that one is more limited by the impact velocity (2000 for the TTSX vs 1800 for the SST). That way if I can get that one up closer to 2500fps, I will have that one, and the SST both be good out to 250 yards, which like I said is as far as I plan on shooting anyway.
I know if all subjective, just wondering if anybody has opinions either way.
123 SST was at ~2335 fps. This was with 27 grains of 8208. 3 out of 4 three shot groups were under 1" at 100 yards. Velocities were pretty consistent.
120 TTSX was at ~2330 fps with two 5 shot groups that were both just over 1". Charge was 26.5 gr of 8208.
Velocities were less consistent with the TTSX, but I wasn't keeping close enough records to see exactly what the standard deviations or extreme spreads were. When I work one of them up this weekend, I will. Neither load showed any pressure signs, but I wouldn't expect them to at this point, both loads are middle of the road.
Rifle is 18" barrel mid-length gas system if that matters.
I will probably only get the chance to work one or the other up toward max load before hunting season. Which one do you think I should work on? Most likely shots will be around 100 yards only, but depending on what happens, the potential is there for a long shot to present itself - some of my hunting is done around some farm country, so you never know what you might see out in a field. I probably would not be comfortable taking any shots over maybe 250 with this rifle anyway, just because I haven't had enough range time with it yet. I should be able to sight in for a maximum point blank range of about that though, so no need to worry about holdover or dialing anything at that range.
I am thinking I will work up the TTSX, because that one is more limited by the impact velocity (2000 for the TTSX vs 1800 for the SST). That way if I can get that one up closer to 2500fps, I will have that one, and the SST both be good out to 250 yards, which like I said is as far as I plan on shooting anyway.
I know if all subjective, just wondering if anybody has opinions either way.
