8x68 Load Data

[TheoR8]

Those smaller deer in mind I had been thinking 160gr TTSX or 180gr Lapua Naturalis (or TSX). If some of you guys are getting near 950-1000m/s with the TSX, that would be plenty.....

This.

[6.5x55]

Those smaller deer in mind I had been thinking 160gr TTSX or 180gr Lapua Naturalis (or TSX). If some of you guys are getting near 950-1000m/s with the TSX, that would be plenty.....

This.

I'm still yet to work up a load on 160gr TTSX and looking forward to doing so.

Based on my research to date, I was hoping to start a load around 74gr AR2209 and work up from there. I think I should be able to work up a safe load to ~3250fps or thereabouts with the 160gr TTSX projectiles. I'm guessing this will somewhere around the 75-76gr load range.

If anyone has already worked up a load for this projectile, please share any data you have. The closest load data I have is 170gr Hornady SST projectile load with AR2209 74.0gr for around 3100fps ... so I'm estimating based off this.

[Vaughan]

Those smaller deer in mind I had been thinking 160gr TTSX or 180gr Lapua Naturalis (or TSX). If some of you guys are getting near 950-1000m/s with the TSX, that would be plenty.....

This.

I'm still yet to work up a load on 160gr TTSX and looking forward to doing so.

Based on my research to date, I was hoping to start a load around 74gr AR2209 and work up from there. I think I should be able to work up a safe load to ~3250fps or thereabouts with the 160gr TTSX projectiles. I'm guessing this will somewhere around the 75-76gr load range.

If anyone has already worked up a load for this projectile, please share any data you have. The closest load data I have is 170gr Hornady SST projectile load with AR2209 74.0gr for around 3100fps ... so I'm estimating based off this.

Quickload suggests that 74gr of 2209 is on or over max pressure, assuming a COAL of 3.400", and yields about that mv, so you are probably pretty close. A case full of ReloadSwiss RS60 (74gr), is suggested to yield a mv of 3325 fps at less than max pressure. But in my limited experience the RS powders don't get close to predicted mv - but are pretty good just the same. Might be a good option for me, since I have 1kg of it. Or Viht N550 or H4350 (ADI 2209, I think) - but I have to buy those....

[6.5x55]

Thank you Vaughan!!

[Vaughan]

Keep in mind those Quickload numbers were using very basic assumptions about case capacity etc, and 3.400" was a bit of a guess at a starting seating depth.... even so, if it were me, I'd start with less than 74gr of ADI2209 and work up incrementally as usual.....

I have a friend who has been using a 325wsm and Barnes bullets for sambar and fallow for a few years and am waiting to hear his experiences. From memory he has been using the 200gr TSX. Pending his feedback, I'm still inclined to start with the 160gr TTSX for my uses.

Assuming I get a license, I'll let you know how I go. Will be a couple of months...

[6.5x55]

Same here. I'll be working up a load over the coming weeks and keep this thread posted with updates

[9.3x64]

Good stuff fellas, watching with interest.

[Vaughan]

Well, good news is - I got my license today, didn't even have to beg for it... The shop is 2 towns north so I need to find a day to go get it and that'll be a couple of weeks but the big hurdle is over. Will try to get a coupler of boxes of factory fodder just so i can shoot it while I assemble the reloading kit. Have been playing with Quickload a bit and Norma MRP is looking a good option for an easy to find (for me) powder. Though might be better suited to 200gr bullets.

[6.5x55]

Slowly working up a load. Have done a basic ladder test with the 8x68S and 160gr ttsx using AR2209 and landed on a node ~74.0gr @ 3200 fps.

Barnes TTSX 160gr
74.0gr AR2209 @ 3200 fps
RWS brass
CCI-250 magnum primers.
OAL 3.525" (case head to meplat)

Will go out and shoot a few groups and see how consistent the velocity and groupings are.

Ladder results below, measured using MagnetoSpeed chronograph:
Charge (AR2209) Velocity (fps)
72.0 3087
72.2 3099
72.4 3119
72.6 3128
72.8 3126
73.0 3154
73.2 3152
73.4 3161
73.6 3198
73.8 3189
74.0 3200
74.2 3200
74.4 3229
74.6 3244
74.8 3239
75.0 3232
75.2 3259

[9.3x64]

74 looks promising. Watching with interest.

[Vaughan]

Cool, thanks. 3200fps is motoring along OK. I need my other computer to check but how much shank do you have left in the neck with that OAL? My memory says it should be plenty but my memory is not reliable...

Yesterday I also picked up a package from the post that included a box of TTSX plus shellholders, trim pilots etc for this cal, so I'll get my shite together eventually....

[6.5x55]

Plenty of shank in the neck. Where the boat tail tapers from the shank is seated to the base of the case neck (approximately), so most of the projectile shank is seated along the full length of the neck. Only the first "Barnes ring" on the shank is exposed. I have around 125 thou jump to the lands from there.

[Vaughan]

Plenty of shank in the neck. Where the boat tail tapers from the shank is seated to the base of the case neck (approximately), so most of the projectile shank is seated along the full length of the neck. Only the first "Barnes ring" on the shank is exposed. I have around 125 thou jump to the lands from there.

OK, lots..... good to know. Looking forward to hear how it shoots! I need to order some RWS brass from Germany.
/V

[6.5x55]

My loads:

RWS brass
CCI-250 Magnum Primers

160gr Barnes TTSX, 74.0gr ADI AR2209, OAL 3.525", 3200 fps
220gr Sierra Game King BT SP, 69.0gr ADI AR2209, OAL 3.550", 2850 fps
250gr Woodleigh RNSN, 65.0gr ADI AR2209, OAL 3.560", 2550 fps

[Vaughan]

Took the new (to me) bbl to the range for a first try. Just using RWS 160gr HIT ammo for now.

2019-07-31 15.18.11.jpg

Surprisingly gentle to shoot, although the big can obviously helps.. The bbl was essentially new and the first few groups were awful but it has started to settle down nicely. Reloading will be a winter project but for factory fodder, this looks fairly promising, and will improve further as the bbl continues to settle...

2019-08-02 16.01.10.jpg