[JerBear]

I've searched the forum for 85 gr. Barnes TSX loads and all I'm finding are the hotter ones for the newer better chambers and slower twist bores. I need a load or two for my older SAAMI chambered, 1:10 twist Mini-14 in 6.8.

I called Ty at Barnes and got a few max. loads from them and although Ty was very knowledgeable and helpful, but by his own admission, they don't have much data yet for this new 6.8 bullet. What he did share is quite different than I expected based on the loads I've found here. For example, the highest velocity they developed was using AA2230 - 3085 fps (24" barrel), whereas, they only got 2996 fps from H4198. They had no data for RL7, but found RL10X to be very accurate at 3016 fps.

So, I'm a little confused. It seems most of the knowledgeable folks here think the faster RL7 and H4198 work best for this little bullet, but Barnes is recommending the slower stuff. Do the faster powders only work better in newer improved chamber/barrel combos, (seems you can't pack enough of the slower powder in the case due to lower pressure developed in the new barrels) or will the fast ones work better for my Mini as well? I would appreciate it if you "Quickload" high tech types would wade in on this puzzling (for me) issue and I would appreciate any advice on 85 gr TSX loads for my SAAMI chamber in any (or all) of the following:

RL7
RL10X
H322
H335
Xterm.

BTW, I reload with Wolf SRM primers and SSA small primer brass.

Thanks guys!

 

[rcrandall]

I don't know about Barnes' data, but 29.5 grains of H4198 gives me over 3000 fps from a 14.7" barrel. For a saami chamber try a max of 29 grains.

 

[ron169]

Just remember, with the Barnes bullets, their diameter is slightly smaller than other bullets, from waht I remember. One of the main reasons that SSA moved away from the Tactical loads on Barnes 85 gr rounds. Created low pressure from SAAMI at 3000+ fps

 

[JerBear]

I don't know about Barnes' data, but 29.5 grains of H4198 gives me over 3000 fps from a 14.7" barrel. For a saami chamber try a max of 29 grains.

Thanks, I wish I had H4198, but I don't. Do you have any data for RL7?

 

[paulosantos]

They are using a 24" barrel and that is way the other powders work a little better. In a 16" barrel, H4198 will smoke them. Did they give you the loads they used with AA2230 and RE10x?
RE7 and H4198 info is almost interchangeable. So use a max of 29 GR of RE7.

 

[JerBear]

They are using a 24" barrel and that is way the other powders work a little better. In a 16" barrel, H4198 will smoke them. Did they give you the loads they used with AA2230 and RE10x?
RE7 and H4198 info is almost interchangeable. So use a max of 29 GR of RE7.

Thanks Paulo. With my 18.5" barrel, I think I'll try both RL7 and RL10X and see how my Mini likes them.

 

[rcrandall]

You should be able to get around 3050 out of an 18".

 

[HTR]

I have gotten an extremely accurate load of 29.5 grains of RE7, wolf primer and loaded out to 2.30" the velocity was "only" 3080 FPS out of my 20" AR Performance 12/3, but I have shot this load in two other barrels and it was super accurate.

I have gotten the best results with RE 7 using this bullet. As Paulo said 4198 is on a par with RE7, so it should perform similarly.

You will need to work up to 29 grains , and then see if your barrel can handle 29.5. Be careful with the SAAMI chamber.

Here's that target:

 

[JerBear]

I have gotten an extremely accurate load of 29.5 grains of RE7, wolf primer and loaded out to 2.30" the velocity was "only" 3080 FPS out of my 20" AR Performance 12/3, but I have shot this load in two other barrels and it was super accurate.

I have gotten the best results with RE 7 using this bullet. As Paulo said 4198 is on a par with RE7, so it should perform similarly.

You will need to work up to 29 grains , and then see if your barrel can handle 29.5. Be careful with the SAAMI chamber.

Great shooting! I would love to get that kind of accuracy. I checked the Alliant Powder load data and for RL7 they list 27.5 gr. as max for the 90 gr. TNT, so I plan to start there for the 85 TSX and work up .5 gr. at a time to 29. I think that's as high as I feel comfortable going with my Mini. I don't get swipes with the Mini's ejector, so I have to watch the primers closely and check case expansion for high pressure signs.

Thanks guys!

 

[Test_User]

I think you got some bad info as IIRC the 85 tactical did not cause low pressure in SAAMI. The Tactical loads are not meant for SAAMI. The only round to have low pressure issues was the 90 gr and that was a powder issue. The 85 was loaded to a certian level to reach a certian terminal perf objective.

There is a very good reason Barnes makes there bullet sub caliber and also adds the driving bands. The solid bullet and the copper blend they use causes much higher initial engraving forces and thru much higiher initial pressure. To mitigate some of this and bring them more inline with jacketed lead core bullets they added the bands and reduced the diameter. I am all for the bands but going sub caliber on bullet that do not expand to fill the bore quickly can cause gas cutting issue which leads to accelerated throat erosion.

Personally I really like then 85 TSX . The only bullet I like better is the 100 accubond. I think 100 grains is the perfect wieght for this caliber for a do all bullet. One that balances vel , terminal perf., trajectory/BC, energy.