Thread: 85 g Barnes tsx. Have I stuffed up

I have just received my 243 dies thanks to another forum member, so was keen to try some loads.
Grabbed a sample pack of Barnes tsx in 85gn on my home from work, consulted the ADI guide book, and loaded up a dozen from start to max using AR2206h, as I already had powder.
The guide book gives a start load of 35gn working up to 38 with that powder and an 85 grain pill, so that is what I went with.
Test fired the start load and all good out of the little Rossi. No pressure signs etc and fairly accurate. Darkness fell, so I didn't get to fire any more.

Then, while doing my online bits, I checked out the ADI website. This is where it gets interesting (for me)

The website suggests the following load data specific to the Barnes tsx

Start at 32.6 and max at 34.7.
So now I have these loads made up that appear to be above max for the projectile, even at the start level.
Do I pull them and start over (safest option??) or do I trust the adi guide book?

I'm no expert but if it was me I'd say you'd be safe with the minim loads how many grain increments did you go up in

I went up in half grains from 35 to 38

Should be fine.









My only concern would be the low fill % of the case, I would go 2208 or even 2209 (as 2209 is an almost full case)

If there are no pressure signs then you don't have a problem.

Thanks Timmay. I wont pretend to understand half of those numbers, but it does say 38 gn is below max pressure as far as I can tell, so I will give it a go.

Originally Posted by MassiveAttack

If there are no pressure signs then you don't have a problem.

That was my line of thinking, but I have only fired the start loads, which are actually over the stated max on adi site, so a bit concerned

The fill rate is important as it stops the powder sloshing around in the case. 2209 will give u 99% fill rate for the same FPS so in theory it will be more constant.
If 2206H works for you, use it.

its only a "give a choice" thing

Originally Posted by Pengy

That was my line of thinking, but I have only fired the start loads, which are actually over the stated max on adi site, so a bit concerned

ADI has got far more conservative, these days, probably due to fear of litigation.
Just check each load for Pressure signs.
Let us know how they go on game, I'm a longtime fan of Hornady's 87 gn HPBT, but those Barnes have always tempted me to give them a try.

Originally Posted by Timmay

The fill rate is important as it stops the powder sloshing around in the case. 2209 will give u 99% fill rate for the same FPS so in theory it will be more constant.
If 2206H works for you, use it.

its only a "give a choice" thing

Only using 2206 as I already had some

All the Barnes I've used go well over adi book max before showing any pressure signs.

I use 40gn 06 with the 85s in a 16in 243 no pressure ,doing just over 3000fps plenty fast enough accurate also, as Brian said you can go well over adi max have done safely in all the reloads for my rifles cheers

Originally Posted by Brian

All the Barnes I've used go well over adi book max before showing any pressure signs.

That's because monolithic bullets don't behave like traditional projectiles. Make sure your still starting below book max and working up slow...

your rossi might just have long throat too which should give you a bit of lee way / help keep pressures down...mates rossi in .308 has very long throat/lead personally i would keep going with the loads you have made up untill you either get pressure signs or have a good tight group, then play around with that amount of powder,slight change in seating depth etc being a single shot you can really seat things long if wanted.
the 85grn mono pill sounds like just the ticket for the EBRG...... smack a red in the shoulder and it should tip over nicely.

fire one or two rounds of each working up on .5's till your start getting pressure signs (that your happy shooting (safe) ) that's max for your rifle which could easily be over the book max
but it could be under book max as well really depends on your rifle (I know a guy who settled on a load a full 6gn over book max which was safe as in his particular rifle)
then load up group testing loads

I like doing it this way as be time I come to grouping each load I don't need to focus on anything but shooting as I have already worked out what is safe in my rifle
a few more components but I like shooting so not worried me also gives your barrel a chance to break in a bit before group testing if your rifle is brand new

note: if your doing a smaller case like 223 etc you need to work in 0.3 or even 0.2 increments as small cases can get into pressure issues a lot quicker