Barnes 168 Gr. TSX Boattail

packnheat · Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 9:13 pm Post subject: Barnes 168 Gr. TSX Boattail

In my original question I asked for info on reloading the Barnes TSX 165 Gr. bullet with IMR 4064 in a 30-06. Well, looking at the box of bullets I just received they are 168 Gr. TSX Boattail bullets. Barnes #30844. Chambered221 gave me some good info from the Barnes manual and I just wanted to make sure it would be the same for the 168 Gr TSX Boattail.

Grumulkin · Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 5:38 am Post subject: Re: Barnes 168 Gr. TSX Boattail

I use the very same loads for 165 gr. bullets as for 168 gr. bullets.

slimjim · Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 8:53 am Post subject: Re: Barnes 168 Gr. TSX Boattail

You can go into the technical section on the Barnes Website and get a limited amount of loading data. Their website, however, is under construction right now and hasn't come back up. I have the .308 Barnes loading data .pdf saved on my computer and it lists the 165 and 168 grain bullets together for using the same loading data. I expect it would be the same for the .30-06 as Grumulkin stated.

chambered221 · Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 6:32 pm Post subject: Re: Barnes 168 Gr. TSX Boattail

Yup !!! Same data per #4 manual !!!

Azar · Member Joined: Jan 04, 2010 Posts: 275 Location: Utah

The question I have is, why produce both a 165g and a 168g? Those that have used both, what's the difference between them (besides the 3g of weight)?

chambered221 · Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 6:09 pm Post subject: Re: Barnes 168 Gr. TSX Boattail

Typically the 168’s follow more of a target profile while the 165’s a typical hunting profile !!!

Here’s the specs for the two;

168 TSX (30844)
Length-1.315
Ballistic Coefficient-.404
Sectional Density- .253

165 TSX (30843)
Length -1.295
Ballistic Coefficient-.380
Sectional Density- .248

As you can see the 168 is longer and has a better BC giving it the edge in downrange ballistics.
Just for comparison.....the tipped version (168) jumps all the way up to a .470 BC. Shocked

slimjim · Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 10:02 pm Post subject: Re: Barnes 168 Gr. TSX Boattail

chambered221 wrote:

the tipped version (168) jumps all the way up to a .470 BC.

I can't seem to locate its length but I'm sure the 168 Tipped TSX is longer than the 168 TSX. The shooter will need a higher twist rate to stabilize this longer bullet.

fnuser · Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 3:49 pm Post subject: Re: Barnes 168 Gr. TSX Boattail

Faster then 1-10"?

chambered221 · Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 7:00 pm Post subject: Re: Barnes 168 Gr. TSX Boattail

Tipped TSX 168gr.
Length- 1.431
BC as stated .470
SD- .253

chambered221 · Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 7:17 pm Post subject: Re: Barnes 168 Gr. TSX Boattail

A 10 twist gives it a stability factor of 1.559 @ 2800FPS (1.3-2.0 considered optimal)

slimjim · Posted: Thu Jan 14, 2010 7:33 pm Post subject: Re: Barnes 168 Gr. TSX Boattail

chambered221 wrote:

A 10 twist gives it a stability factor of 1.559 @ 2800FPS (1.3-2.0 considered optimal)

Several manufacturers use 1:11 or 1:12 twist for the .30-cal rifles. On a winter day, 1:11 gives you 1.2 stability factor and 1:12 gives you 1.0 for this bullet length/weight. My .308 had a 1:12 and is now gone. I wish some of the majors offered 1:9 for the .30-cal rifles. That would be my next rifle purchase.

tikkat3 · Super Member Joined: Jul 30, 2006 Posts: 800

With the Barnes Projectiles my understanding is;
The 165 are for the 300wsm's
The 168's are for the longer throated chamberings

chambered221 · Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 2:48 pm Post subject: Re: Barnes 168 Gr. TSX Boattail

The most common bullet weight for the 308 is 150grains (shorter bullet) and their twist rates reflect that !!!
I don’t know of any of the bigger cartridges using a twist slower than 1-10.

tikkat3 wrote:

With the Barnes Projectiles my understanding is;
The 165 are for the 300wsm's
The 168's are for the longer throated chamberings

I’m not so sure I would agree with this rational but I understand why some would think this.
The location of the ogive plays a role here and I’m unable to locate any bullet diagrams to show factual information in regards to my thinking.

tikkat3 · Super Member Joined: Jul 30, 2006 Posts: 800

Sorry my mistake,
It doesn't concern the barrel it concerns the magazine.
On the bottom left hand corner of the Barnes Bullet Poster.
"Notes"
"#30843 The 30 cal 165 gr TSX incorporates a shorter tangent ogive into the nose profile. Its designed for cartridges with short magazines such as the 300wsm and 300 Win Mag."

"#30844 The 30 cal 168 gr TSX has our Match Grade ogive which lengthens the nose profile. It is best suited for cartridges such as the .308 Winchester, .30-06 and 300 Weatherby"

chambered221 · Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 5:38 pm Post subject: Re: Barnes 168 Gr. TSX Boattail

tikkat3, I wouldn't really call that a mistake........ you were on the right track !!! Thanks for the added info.

As I was thinking about all this I did question the length of a box magazine and how it would play into this. So I guess that answers that !!!