I have loaded Barnes TSX bullets with the case mouth on the bands, centered on the grooves and everywhere in between. I have yet to notice any difference. If given the choice, I prefer to have a band under the case mouth just to prevent the possibility of getting a dent in the case mouth.
Look for the most accurate seating depth and go with it. Here are a few tips that have worked for me when using Barnes X bullets:
1. Always strip your bore clean of all previous fouling before starting with Barnes bullets. I'd suggest using regular solvent followed by a good cleaning with JB compound. Wipe Out would also be a good choice for an over night soak.
2. Follow Barnes's suggestion by starting with bullets .050" off the rifling. Some rifles shoot X bullets .100" off. Very few seem to shoot best with X bullets snuggled right up to the rifling.
3. In my experience, X bullets seem to perform better with powders which are not the slowest within the recommended powders for a given cartrifde and bullet weight. A slightly faster powder often (not always) produces tighter groups with Barnes bullets.
These are my personal observations after shooting many different X bullets over many years. Like everything else in the world of handloading, nothing is cast in stone.
elkfirst, Like stated, be sure to start .050 off the lands, Never go closer then .030, and many find better accuracy at .100 or more. After you find a load, experiment with seating depth, but be aware that with X bullets pressure varies a lot with seating depth. Good luck. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]
If your longest shot is 250 yards dont mess with it. Sheep are very frail animals that dont need alot of energy to cleanly harvest. Go simple, go light. If shots are under 300 yards you dont need a laser trajectory. Use what rifle you are most comfortable with
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Michael
Watching those hunting shows is a little like reading Playboy. Those big racks are out there but they're few and far between, easier to spot than to get one of your own, and if you do get one, it usually costs quite a bit to mount it.
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Seating the Barnes bullets starting at 50 thou off the lands, is this because of the higher pressures caused by an inherently longer bullet? I seat the Hornady's 15 thou off. But I will certainly take your advise for sure, a fellow hunter confirmed what you guys mention as also stated in the Barnes manual, I'd just like to know why?
I've made up my mind. Here it is: picked up some Barnes 120 gr. TSX and am going to work up a load for the kid's 7-08 with the longer barrel. I'll mount a spare Burris 3-9 Fullfield II that I've got kicking around. But by the time season comes around, I've got my eyes on a 270 WSM in a Savage Hunter. However, we've elected a new conservative federal government here in Canada. The latest in the news is that they're gonna make good on their promise to skid the "gun control act - money pit" the liberals created. So if I wait just a bit longer, I won't have to register it. Piss off a Liberal, buy a gun eh!
elkfirst, The initial start up pressure is higher with Barnes since they are harder than a conventional bullet. If you seat .015 off the lands as per your Hornady bullets, you'll see a tremendous pressure spike. Seating further off the lands (at least .030), gives you the same effect as a long throat on a Weatherby. The Barnes bullet is pure copper and harder than gilding metal on a more conventional bullet. Good luck on your sheep hunt. I think that you made a good decision on the bullet, rifle & scope combo. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
You all need to read the piece in January-Febuary issue od Safari. The magazine from SCI, a little girl shot a Marco polo sheep with a 7mm-08 Model 7 Remington at 435 yrds.
If this is true Than not doughts on the 7mm-08 .
The story starts on page 66 .Check it out.
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