I have been experimenting a bit with Barnes banded solids. When I load a conventional solid like a Woodleigh, I usually back off a couple of grains of powder from my soft point load to get about the same POI. However, the Barnes manual (N0. 4) seems to suggest that you should load the Barnes banded solids with a bit more powder to get the same velocity presumably because they have less bearing surface. I have only loaded the banded solids in one gun but the same load gave me more velocity, not less. Anyone have any suggestions about how the banded solids should be loaded in comparison to the TSX bullets?

In my limited experience I have loaded Banded Solids for my 416 Remington. The solid loads required 2 grains less powder for the closest POI to the Barnes TSX. The TSX velocity is around 2360. Did not chrono the solids.

Every rifle will vary. I load 1gr less in my 404jeffery for about 75fps diff. between the solids & my 380grNFs. Close enough for 50yds & less follow up shots.

ah, butt first?

load them .065 to .085 off the lands. I usually start low and work up
jeffe

I've experienced the same thing with my 416 Rigby. 105 Grs. of H4831 gave me a velocity of 2439 FPS with Hornady 400 Gr. softs and only 2295 FPS with the Barnes Banded Solids. I had to go to 108 Grs. of H4831 with the Barnes to get velocity up to 2398 FPS. Before doing this I spoke to the tech folks at Barnes who told me that this is common and the solids normally require a few grains more of powder to achieve the same velocity as conventional bullets.

quote:

Originally posted by Labman:
I've experienced the same thing with my 416 Rigby. 105 Grs. of H4831 gave me a velocity of 2439 FPS with Hornady 400 Gr. softs and only 2295 FPS with the Barnes Banded Solids. I had to go to 108 Grs. of H4831 with the Barnes to get velocity up to 2398 FPS. Before doing this I spoke to the tech folks at Barnes who told me that this is common and the solids normally require a few grains more of powder to achieve the same velocity as conventional bullets.

Tom,have you ever measured the velocity with identical charges of powder with the banded solids and a TSX? The problem I am having is that the banded solids are giving me MORE velocity than the TSX bullets with identical powder charges.

Dave

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:
I have been experimenting a bit with Barnes banded solids. When I load a conventional solid like a Woodleigh, I usually back off a couple of grains of powder from my soft point load to get about the same POI. However, the Barnes manual (N0. 4) seems to suggest that you should load the Barnes banded solids with a bit more powder to get the same velocity presumably because they have less bearing surface. I have only loaded the banded solids in one gun but the same load gave me more velocity, not less. Anyone have any suggestions about how the banded solids should be loaded in comparison to the TSX bullets?

A brief look at the latest version of QL using 500g Woodleigh FMJ vs. 500gr TSX vs. 500gr BBS using a single powder, fixed OAL and keeping pressures the same @ 54,500 shows

Woodleigh @ 2250 using 86gr
BBS @ 2220 using 82gr
TSX @ 2160 using 77gr

Again, this is using a single powder, same OAL and keeping pressures equal (and admittedly on the lower side for safety's sake).

Cahnging anything including OAL or powders will have varying effects but it is pretty clear that the same load of the same powder will result in higher velocities in the BBS vs. the Woodie and lower than that with the TSX.

Using the info above, the same 86 gr load same OAL:
Woodie - 2248fps @ 54,500psi
BBS - 2333fps @ 66,000
TSX - 2411fps @ 82,000

Dave,

In my 450 Dakota I used 2 grains MORE powder with both RN and FN solid for same velocity and point of impact with TSX.

It appears to have less pressure for same powder charge.

Not hard to regulate to same POI however.

I was using RL-15 and no compression of powder.

Andy

The 475 Turnnbull is the same I need to back the load off 1 1/2 grains to get the same POI.