6.5x55 TTSX Accuracy

[SKForester]

Hi there,

I have been on the range yesterday and shoot a load that I am quite happy with since a few years in terms of terminal ballistics, but which never gave me satisfaction when it came to accuracy. My load is 51 grain of VV N560, 120grain TTSX, OAL 80,00 and CCI large rifle primers. It groups around 1.5" to 2 " at 100 metres.
Rifle is a Tikka T3 lite SS which shoots half inch groups with Hornady BTHP and the same powder.

Now I would like to change this thing to a more accurate load. Before settling on the 51 grain I worked up different loads and none were more accurate. I would like and have to stay with lead free bullets, as my employer requires me to do so. I also would like to stay below 130 grain of bullet weight in order to keep the bullet fast.

Which wheels would you start to turn? Seating depth, bullet, powder, primer?

I reload with Lee Collet dies and he brass is Lapua that feels like it has been loaded around 10 times but still looks good...

Let me know your thoughts please!

Many thanks

Sebastian

 

[leatherstocking]

Have you looked at twist rate of barrel vs. Bullet length?

 

[watercam]

Seating depth! The monolithic bullets like to be jumped - a lot. Barnes recommends starting .050" off. Most of my TSX loads are most accurate around .085" off. My brothers Winchester Featherweight prefers a whopping .200" jump!
First thing I would change if you have not tried already.

 

[JRS]

That TTSX is a long bullet, and requires at least an 8 twist barrel.

 

[Homerange]

Hi there,

I have been on the range yesterday and shoot a load that I am quite happy with since a few years in terms of terminal ballistics, but which never gave me satisfaction when it came to accuracy. My load is 51 grain of VV N560, 120grain TTSX, OAL 80,00 and CCI large rifle primers. It groups around 1.5" to 2 " at 100 metres.
Rifle is a Tikka T3 lite SS which shoots half inch groups with Hornady BTHP and the same powder.

Now I would like to change this thing to a more accurate load. Before settling on the 51 grain I worked up different loads and none were more accurate. I would like and have to stay with lead free bullets, as my employer requires me to do so. I also would like to stay below 130 grain of bullet weight in order to keep the bullet fast.

Which wheels would you start to turn? Seating depth, bullet, powder, primer?

I reload with Lee Collet dies and he brass is Lapua that feels like it has been loaded around 10 times but still looks good...

Let me know your thoughts please!

Many thanks

Sebastian

Please take note of the highlighted sentence above and read this:
http://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/Homogenous+copper+bullets+can+be+inhumane.html

Provide the link to your employer and choose your projectiles with care to maximise terminal performance.

To solve your problem use a twist rate calculator to ensure the rate in your Tikka is correct for your selected projectile.
Tikka are now offering more twist rate options in their range so if you must use Pb free pills you may have to change your rifle.

 

[JRS]

You don't need terminal performance. Hole in, hole out. Lungs fill with blood, the animal can't breath. Damage the heart, the pump stops pumping.

 

[SKForester]

Hi,

firstly many thanks for all your tips. The rifle has an 8" twist and my BTHP are even longer than the TTSX..
Apart from my employers demand for lead-free I am also a convinced lead free shooter. If I have the choice between lead and copper in my meal, I opt for copper..
I will look into the seating depth first I think! Sounds promising...

 

[JRS]

Hi,

firstly many thanks for all your tips. The rifle has an 8" twist and my BTHP are even longer than the TTSX..
Apart from my employers demand for lead-free I am also a convinced lead free shooter. If I have the choice between lead and copper in my meal, I opt for copper..
I will look into the seating depth first I think! Sounds promising...

Your seating depth is probably the best place to start. At some point, you'll get it right. Good luck.

 

[SKForester]

You don't need terminal performance. Hole in, hole out. Lungs fill with blood, the animal can't breath. Damage the heart, the pump stops pumping.

I agree, however if shooting is part of your job, you want to avoid searching for the dead animal for long....

 

[normmatzen]

A Few years ago I built a hunting rifle on a VZ-24 with a WWII surplus
7X57 barrel.
It shot lights out with 162 gr A-MAXs till I shot a small Black Tail buck and a small pig one morning. The meat damage was horrendous!
So, I tried 140 gr TTSX as the reports were that it expanded properly in deer size game. But, with decent loads and 2800 or so fps, it wouldn't group within 2".
I read an article where Barnes advised very large jumps for their solid bullets. So, I seated the bullets 0.050 or so more than I did with the A-MAXs and now it groups just below 1" at 100 yd. I don't consider that excellent accuracy, but for a 70 year old military barrel and the fact it is a hunting rifle not an F Class gun, I'm a happy camper. Especially when my NRA American Rifleman tests many similar modern rifles and rarely do they perform much below 1 1/2 to 2' groups with multi loads.
So,yes, try longer jumps.

 

[jimbires]

Barnes used to pack instructions with their TSX bullets . when I shot them I think I was in the .070 - .080 jump area . I never had trouble getting them to shoot well , I just did not like the on game performance .

 

[Homerange]

You don't need terminal performance. Hole in, hole out. Lungs fill with blood, the animal can't breath. Damage the heart, the pump stops pumping.

That's the problem....hole out, the bigger the better.
Slow lingering inhumane kills on game from less than ideal shot placement and poorly performing projectiles is part of what gives hunters bad press, we don't need that.

Next you'll say it's OK to use target projectiles on game.

 

[JRS]

That's the problem....hole out, the bigger the better.
Slow lingering inhumane kills on game from less than ideal shot placement and poorly performing projectiles is part of what gives hunters bad press, we don't need that.

Next you'll say it's OK to use target projectiles on game.

I really don't care what a hunter uses. Most of my hunting takes place with sharp broad heads. No implosion, and no shrapnel. Larger animals don't drop in their tracks, nor do I expect them to. They aren't in pain, nor is it an inhumane means of hunting. They expire due to loss of blood and oxygen. The lower the wound in the lungs, the better. I follow a blood trail and recover the animal. It's part of the hunting process. Many "target projectiles" are successfully used on animals year round.

 

[leatherstocking]

I have had good results with 150 grn TSX in a 7mm RM. Sub 1 inch groups at 100 yds. Many DRT whitetails at 100 - 200 yds.

 

[dfry]

TSXs and TTSXs have turned several hunting rifles I have that were just so-so shooters into sub 1/2 MOA rifles. As stated above, jump if you have the proper twist rate, and you do, is key. All my rifles like .060-.080 jump with Barnes. I have an older Ruger 300 win mag that would shoot nothing less than 1"-1 1/2"s and it consistantly shoots less than 1/2" when i hold well with Barnes.

Also, you have to remember minimun impact velocity with bullets and Barmes especially, and at longer ranges, hit bone to initiate expansion with Barnes bullets. Terminal ballistics Knowlwdge base has some very good info, and they have shot a rediculous amount of animals and have a lot of info.

So, all that to say, try working on seating depth tests and I think you will be happy. Fromwhat you said, its accurate with other bullets so the potential is there and Tikkas usually are. Just remember to
Hold onto that light rifle.

Dave

 

[Brians356]

A fanatical lifelong big game hunter friend has switched to TTSX in all calibers, but shoots the lightest weight available at high velocities. For example, 95-gr in 270 WSM @3500 fps. Says they kill like lightning, and excellent accuracy. Bullet jumps in the .080" to .100" range.
-

 

[Flouncer]

Please take note of the highlighted sentence above and read this:
http://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/Homogenous+copper+bullets+can+be+inhumane.html

Provide the link to your employer and choose your projectiles with care to maximise terminal performance.

To solve your problem use a twist rate calculator to ensure the rate in your Tikka is correct for your selected projectile.
Tikka are now offering more twist rate options in their range so if you must use Pb free pills you may have to change your rifle.

Looks like spam to me.

 

[Homerange]

Looks like spam to me.

The article or me ?
Neither is the facts. <pokes out tongue>

 

[seymour fish]

The article or me ?
Neither is the facts. <pokes out tongue>

Good use for Barnes is on Nilgai, hogs, gators on a mud bank. Have had them pinhole on elk at 400 out of a win mag. Perhaps the newer designs expand on thin skin game, but don't care, as cleaning copper out is tedious, and could never getting desired MV without pressure

 

[seymour fish]

Good use for Barnes is on Nilgai, hogs, gators on a mud bank. Have had them pinhole on elk at 400 out of a win mag. Perhaps the newer designs expand on thin skin game, but don't care, as cleaning copper out is tedious, and could never getting desired MV without pressure

Accuracy however was very good