OK...I took a dummy case and bullet and set it out to 2.85" and tried to chamber...I finally got down to 2.826" before it chambered and didn't leave any marks on the bullet using a sharpie. I then backed down .050" as suggested by Barnes to 2.776"....Is this acceptable or am I pushing some limit that could cause a pressure problem?

That's the way I would do it. Now that you have cartridge overall length established, start at the lower end of powder charge weights and work up. At some point, your groups will probably tighten up and then start to widen again. The powder charge where you get the best groups is the one you want.

Obviously, stop increasing powder charges when you reach maximum book ranges, if you have sticky extraction, pierced primers, excessively flattened primers or other signs of high pressure.

quote:

Originally posted by Grumulkin:
That's the way I would do it. Now that you have cartridge overall length established, start at the lower end of powder charge weights and work up. At some point, your groups will probably tighten up and then start to widen again. The powder charge where you get the best groups is the one you want.

Obviously, stop increasing powder charges when you reach maximum book ranges, if you have sticky extraction, pierced primers, excessively flattened primers or other signs of high pressure.

+1

+2

Also, don't be discouraged if the initial groups are HUGE. Shoot all the powder weights. The TSX is an interesting bullet. When I was working up loads for my 30-06 I had the following results with RL19 and 168 TSXs:

Starting load: 4" group
+1 grain: 3" group
+2 grains: 1" group
+3 grains: 3/4" group
Max load: 1/2" group

I had a somewhat similar result with my 243. So do not be discouraged and write off a powder if the first group or two out of the gun is bad. There still might be a spectacular load in there. Shoot all the powder charged that you have reloaded.

Your mileage may vary, but when reloading TSXs and shortening the cartridge a smidge below max overall length and staying at or under book max loads, I have had NO pressures signs whatsoever.

LWD

Bruz,
You almost matched my OAL of 2.770 for my rifle and the 140TSX shoots great there. Every rifle is a little different but you are close. This should be an interesting hobby for you.

Dwight,

Yep that's pretty close....The first rounds I loaded to the OAL listed in the Barnes data of 2.735"....Do you think that will create an issue with pressure? OR accuracy?

Thanks,

Bruz