Barnes TTSX loose

[B W E]

Hey guys,
I'm working up some 180gr Barnes TTSX for an upcoming moose trip and I'm noticing the bullets are loose, to the point that I can twist them and even move them forwards and back just a wee bit. I'm assuming this is because of the grooves cut into the bullet. As it is, I've got them seated where one of the grooves is exposed, which, according to Barnes (here say) is just fine. The first 10 I crimped with a lee factory crimp die, just inside the second groove from the top. My OAL is 3.300" (.30-06) at this point.

Does anyone see any problems with this?

[tiller]

Huge problem!! You dont have suffecient neck tension...

Pull them all and resize them without the expander ball

[Witch Hunter]

Yes, try another die or try crimping it more. You have a problem with your neck tension. This will cause issues. Did this just start or only with those bullets? mic one the bullets and see if it is really .308.

[tiller]

Yes, try another die or try crimping it more. You have a problem with your neck tension. This will cause issues. Did this just start or only with those bullets? mic one the bullets and see if it is really .308.

He should not crimp more... This will not solve the problem he is having....

Especialy if he is going to go up against a MOOSE? That would be the best time to have bullet set back... Right?

[B W E]

I measure the ID of 3 or 4 necks and got .304 consistently. Measured a couple of the bullets and got about .3072. I also measured some Hornady FMJBT and they came in at .3075 ish. I've found several threads online about the TSX (or TTSX) bullets seating a bit loose, just don't know what to do about it. I've loaded upwards of 1000 FMJBT with no problems. I'm thinking the looseness is due in part to the 4 grooves cut into the side of the bullets, reducing surface area by 50% that is in contact with the neck. I did apply a light crimp and they're solid now. Should I just continue like that?

[B W E]

Yes, try another die or try crimping it more. You have a problem with your neck tension. This will cause issues. Did this just start or only with those bullets? mic one the bullets and see if it is really .308.

Just to be clear, they were loose without a crimp. I don't crimp my FMJBT, so I didn't plan on crimping these. I did crimp the first 10 I loaded and they are nice and snug.

I believe this problem is specific to this bullet, which sucks, because this is the bullet I want to use.

[toby]

Throw the crimper away.

[B W E]

Throw the crimper away.

And that will accomplish what exactly?

[buffybuster]

Neck tension is what holds the bullet. The crimp is only used to prevent bullet setback. Crimp is unnecessary in a bolt action, necessary in a tube magazine and recommended in a semiauto.

[Fjold]

If a crimp holds the bullet more solidly in the neck then go ahead and crimp it.

[ptmn]

It'll accomplish nothing but wasting your money tossing it out. I use the Lee FCD on all my match and hunting loads and it does assist in reliable ammo for my guns, but it doesn't work for some others. If it works for you, then use it, if it doesn't, then sell it on ebay or Gunbroker.

As for you loose bullets, let's get down to whether it is the brass(sizing die issues) or the bullets.

1 if you have a new unfired 30-06 case, try seating the bullet in that. If it is loose, then you have an issue with the bullets.

2 if it is snug, then you have an issue with you brass most likely caused by you sizing die. You die may be over sizing your brass necks. You can send the die back for replacement/repair, borrow a die, buy a die, or try to fix what you have.

3 if your going to try to fix it, them remove your spindle or decapping rod (terminology is different with different die brands), chuck it into a drill and turn the expander ball down just a slight hair against some 600 grit wetsand paper, but don't use water with the wetsand paper. Polish with some rubbing compound and a rag, then size a case and test out the neck tension.

4 some die brands have replaceable expander balls, including carbide, if you have one of those brands, then replace instead of doing step 3.

Good luck with you repair, reloading and hunting

[B W E]

I've done quite a bit of reading in the last hour or so and have found a TON of other forums / threads with the exact same problem with the TSX bullets. One person contacted Barnes and it was agreed upon that the base of the bullet is a larger diameter than the shank, where the 4 grooves are cut. Barnes insists that after resizing the brass should "spring back" in the neck area, bringing it to the proper diameter for good tension. However, if the base of the bullet is larger than the shank, it would seem that the neck is re-opened to just a tad too large?

I'm a bit confused as to what to do from here. I'd really like to use the TTSX. I did buy a box of Nosler Partitions as well, but based on the reviews, personal stories, and videos, the TTSX is a superior bullet.

[Whiterabbit]

BWE, this is way simpler than you're making it. Your expander ball is oversized. It happens, and it's easily fixed.

take the stem out of the sizing die and some 320 grit wet sandpaper. twist the stem between your fingers while holding the expander ball to the 320 sandpaper. 5-10 seconds, then size a case and see if the bullet holds with more tension. if you can't get a good grip, chuck the stem in a drill.

Keep taking the expander ball down till the bullet is held without crimp. Problem solved. if you take it TOO far, call RCBS and replace the expander ball for a dollar. It'll probably come without the need for modification to get the ttsx to fit snug.

And yes, you can expose a groove if it fits the rifle and shoots well. That is what shoots best in my rifle also.

[B W E]

BWE, this is way simpler than you're making it. Your expander ball is oversized. It happens, and it's easily fixed.

take the stem out of the sizing die and some 320 grit wet sandpaper. twist the stem between your fingers while holding the expander ball to the 320 sandpaper. 5-10 seconds, then size a case and see if the bullet holds with more tension. if you can't get a good grip, chuck the stem in a drill.

Keep taking the expander ball down till the bullet is held without crimp. Problem solved. if you take it TOO far, call RCBS and replace the expander ball for a dollar. It'll probably come without the need for modification to get the ttsx to fit snug.

And yes, you can expose a groove if it fits the rifle and shoots well. That is what shoots best in my rifle also.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this would then make the expander ball useless for anything but this bullet?

[Whiterabbit]

possible, but if you are telling me you are getting OK neck tension on every other bullet, but poor neck tension on barnes bullets with the same expander ball, something is very wrong.

I can seat bullets .003" apart without issue and get solid neck tension on some cartridges. Including barnes bullets which of course tend to be at the thinnest side of the spectrum.

But you tell me (us). Are you loading every other bullet with fine neck tension, and the barnes bullets you have (without crimping) are twisting on you? And you measured the barnes bullets and they are OK?