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.22-250 & Barnes 45 grain TSX

Sig220_Ruger77
Have some Barnes 45 gr. TSX's that I bought to shoot in my Tikka 595 .22-250. I purchased these because my rifle and it's 1:14 twist really seems to dislike anything bigger then 50 gr. pills. Now I know that this bullet was designed to handle deer/antelope and thats my intention on buying them. My question is this:

The Barnes manual shows that you can drive this bullet upwards of 4,000+ fps(just like any other 45 gr. pill). Should I back it down to around 3,700 fps or so, or do you think that this particular bullet will hold up on deer and small hogs when driven to max velocities?

I am basically trying to balance speed with reliable penetration here I guess.

Jon
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3 comments

Date Votes
  • nononsense
    Jon0322,

    The TSX bullets should hold up to the maximum velocity range quoted. I have never had a problem with penetration from a TSX bullet.

    I don't have any data on this particular bullet but I think that you should let the bullet/load and rifle determine what it likes for velocity. Since most of us recommend starting low and working up a load slowly, you will be able to see where the accuracy nodes are and pick the velocity that you want to use.

    Best.
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  • Sig220_Ruger77
    Thanks nononsense. I am going to start out with 35 grains of varget and slowly work my way up. All I have are magnum primers, so I am not going to flirt with the max loads anyways.

    Reason I asked the question, is because I always kind of pick a velocity I would like to hit, but obviously accuracy trumps that. I will play around with different powders trying to find an accurate load at that velocity I want and if I can't do it, just take what I got.

    Jon
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  • Sig220_Ruger77
    Well, I handloaded 15 shells with these 45 gr. Barnes TSX's, CCI magnum primers and Varget powder. Minimum is 35 grains & max is 38.5 grains.

    I loaded 5 at 35 grains, 5 at 36 & 5 at 37. Started with the 35's which is the minimum load and as I worked my way up, the groups really tightened up! I wish I had a little more time to test out some at around 37.5 or 38 grains, but my hunt is next weekend. The ones loaded at 37 grains shot great, but I just want to see if the groups will tighten a little more. I will have to wait until after the hunt to test that out.

    Jon
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