.30-06 168gr Barnes TSX

[ducky_0811]

Sorry to be guy asking for a recipe here but... I am.
I've been working on a new hunting load with the Barnes 168gr TSX bullet in .30-06. Used their website data and came up with a load of 48.5 gr of 4895 at .050" off the lands. It's plenty accurate but I'm concerned the recommended powder and charge is a tad lacking in the horsepower department.

I don't have access to a chrono so I have no idea how much down range energy they are carrying. I'm used to loading this cartridge with a higher charge of a slower powder before switching to solids. My concern is the bullet not expanding properly at distance if it's not impacting fast enough and I certainly would hate the idea of leaving a wounded animal out there in the field.

Anyone have experience loading with a slower powder and getting some decent velocity out of this bullet?

Rifle is a parker hale 24" 1:10 twist.

Thanks in advance!

[Divernhunter]

If that is IMR 4895 try 49.5grs which is from their book. That is still a poor choice as it is the 2nd slowest load out of the 11 they show.
Others for the 168gr TSX which "I" would not use as the 150TTSX or 130TTSX is a better choice. The tipped bullets preform better and start opening sooner than the non-tipped. You might also seat them deeper than .050". Accuracy will probably improve. The factory ammo is seated so that only the top relief groove is showing and give excellent accuracy.
Win 760-54.5grs-2804FPS
H414-55grs-2818FPS
IMR4064-50grs-2801FPS-listed as most accurate
BL-C(2)-50.5grs-2808FPS
AA2520-53grs-2851FPS
Big Game-55.5grs-2869FPS
H4350-55.5grs-2825FPS

You can try IMR4350-57.5grs-2845FPS but it is 106% load density so you will have a hard time getting it all in the case
Same for RL19-60grs-2859FPS-108% load density

[JagerDog]

Everything I've seen indicates SPEED is the objective with the Barnes coppers. Light for caliber is the consensus.

A 300 mag can drive the 168's a bit faster.

[Divernhunter]

^^^ You are correct. That is why 150gr TTSX is as heavy as I use even in my 300Win mag. The 150 TTSX works like a 195gr lead core bullet.
I have also found that the faster you push them the more accurate they tend to be.

[MongooseV8]

Ive had the same experience as Divernhunter. Go a step or two lighter than normal and push em fast.

[LynnJr]

Fill your cases as full as you can get them with RE22 and still get a bullet to seat properly.
You can't get enough RE22 in a 30-06 case to reach hazardous pressure with a 168 bullet.

[ducky_0811]

Thanks for all the replies! My accuracy testing has yielded fantastic results with 3/4" groups at 100 on avg. I developed the load last year when they only listed 4895 and 4064, I guess I should have checked again this year as they've updated their load data.
I've got lots of these bullets laying around so I'll be sticking with them until I run out.

I'll see if I can scrounge up some RL22 or similar and see if I can get something going!

[LynnJr]

If you can locate some RE22 start at 60 grains and go up in 0.5 grain increments until seating a bullet starts to compress your load.
You can use a 8 inch drop tube to get more powder in the case but 63 grains is about all there is in a 30-06 case.
If you fill the necks with powder and get a bullet to seat make sure it doesn't move over time.
Compressed loads will sometimes uncompress pushing the bullet out of the neck.