.223 Rem and Barnes TSX Load

Panfisher · December 20, 2013, 09:00 PM

Getting ready to work up a load for my .223 (either a NEF Handi Rifle or my Rem R-15) with Barnes TSX 55 grain bullets. Barnes website didn't have any data for BLC-2 but a comparison check with their loads of H335 looks like about a grain of powder less, sooo I'm thinking about 26.5 grains of BLC-2 for a start and look for pressure signs, don't expect any. Only have 50 of the bullets and plan to use them on deer (shots to be chosen with care). I know the X bullets like speed and want to stay on the upper end of the safe spectrum. Anyone have any experience with the TSX + .223 Rem + BLC-2 powder, or a favorite load with a different powder even. Have loaded the older Barnes XBT's in a couple of calibers but this is my first run with .224 X's and the newer TSX's.

steve4102 · December 21, 2013, 06:44 AM

Quote:

I'm thinking about 26.5 grains of BLC-2 for a start

And your 26.5gr "Start" load would be .5gr Over Max according to Hodgdon.

PawPaw · December 21, 2013, 07:35 AM

I think I'd give Barnes a call before I started experimenting on the top end of the spectrum. That's not a common "cup and core" bullet and I'm not really sure what the implications might be.

I'm not saying don't experiment, I'm saying that you should do so carefully, after due consideration of all the implications, and after due diligence of what might go wrong, and with full understanding that you're in uncharted waters.

steve4102 · December 21, 2013, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PawPaw

I think I'd give Barnes a call before I started experimenting on the top end of the spectrum. That's not a common "cup and core" bullet and I'm not really sure what the implications might be.

Hodgdon has actual Pressure Tested data with the Barnes 55gr TSX bullet.

PawPaw · December 21, 2013, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve4102

Hodgdon has actual Pressure Tested data with the Barnes 55gr TSX bullet.

I see that now. When the OP said he couldn't find data, I assumed he had gone to the Hodgdon website. My bad.

Panfisher · December 21, 2013, 11:59 AM

And correct you are. Here is how stupid I feel right now, I have the Hodgdon Website as one of my favorites, even linked it in another post but didn't check it, I checked Barnes Website, doh!!. You are correct that the 26.5 is a half grain over their published max load, I will reduce the planned load and see what happens. Thanks for pointing out my glaring failure to notice the elephant in my own living room. Gotta go print the Hodgdon Page out now.

December 20, 2013, 09:00 PM	#1
Panfisher Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,337	.223 Rem and Barnes TSX Load Getting ready to work up a load for my .223 (either a NEF Handi Rifle or my Rem R-15) with Barnes TSX 55 grain bullets. Barnes website didn't have any data for BLC-2 but a comparison check with their loads of H335 looks like about a grain of powder less, sooo I'm thinking about 26.5 grains of BLC-2 for a start and look for pressure signs, don't expect any. Only have 50 of the bullets and plan to use them on deer (shots to be chosen with care). I know the X bullets like speed and want to stay on the upper end of the safe spectrum. Anyone have any experience with the TSX + .223 Rem + BLC-2 powder, or a favorite load with a different powder even. Have loaded the older Barnes XBT's in a couple of calibers but this is my first run with .224 X's and the newer TSX's.

December 21, 2013, 07:35 AM	#3
PawPaw Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2010 Location: Central Louisiana Posts: 3,137	I think I'd give Barnes a call before I started experimenting on the top end of the spectrum. That's not a common "cup and core" bullet and I'm not really sure what the implications might be. I'm not saying don't experiment, I'm saying that you should do so carefully, after due consideration of all the implications, and after due diligence of what might go wrong, and with full understanding that you're in uncharted waters. __________________ Dennis Dezendorf http://pawpawshouse.blogspot.com

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December 21, 2013, 11:59 AM	#6
Panfisher Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,337	And correct you are. Here is how stupid I feel right now, I have the Hodgdon Website as one of my favorites, even linked it in another post but didn't check it, I checked Barnes Website, doh!!. You are correct that the 26.5 is a half grain over their published max load, I will reduce the planned load and see what happens. Thanks for pointing out my glaring failure to notice the elephant in my own living room. Gotta go print the Hodgdon Page out now.