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.

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

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.

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

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)?

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.

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.

Faster then 1-10"?

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

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

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.

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

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.

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"

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 !!!