95gr TTSX and 120gr SST velocities from 12.5" 6.8

[hdfireman]

Made it to the range today to do a little chrono work. I have been using the Barnes 95r TTSX for about 4 years and I have been thinking of switching to the Hornady 120r SST. What has kept me from changing over is the fact that I run 12.5” barrels and didn’t know how the velocities would be. I recently changed the barrel out to a 12.5” ARP scout and my hand loads were dialed in for the old barrel. As always I was using my Saker 7.62 suppressor.

I shot 2 5rd strings of my each bullet. The Barnes 95gr TTSX are loaded in SSA brass with CCI 41 primers and 29 grains of AA2200. The Hornady 120gr SST’s are factory ammunition.

---------------- 95 TTSX ----- 120 SST
Average ------ 2697 ----------- 2374
Min ------------ 2679 ----------- 2341
Max ----------- 2727 ----------- 2394

The rifle is sighted in for the 95 TTSX and the 120 SST hit 1” right and 1/2” low. Also the Hornady SST grouped better at 1 MOA vs the Barnes TTSX at 1.5 MOA.

[HTR]

Made it to the range today to do a little chrono work. I have been using the Barnes 95r TTSX for about 4 years and I have been thinking of switching to the Hornady 120r SST. What has kept me from changing over is the fact that I run 12.5” barrels and didn’t know how the velocities would be. I recently changed the barrel out to a 12.5” ARP scout and my hand loads were dialed in for the old barrel. As always I was using my Saker 7.62 suppressor.

I shot 2 5rd strings of my each bullet. The Barnes 95gr TTSX are loaded in SSA brass with CCI 41 primers and 29 grains of AA2200. The Hornady 120gr SST’s are factory ammunition.

---------------- 95 TTSX ----- 120 SST
Average ------ 2697 ----------- 2374
Min ------------ 2679 ----------- 2341
Max ----------- 2727 ----------- 2394

The rifle is sighted in for the 95 TTSX and the 120 SST hit 1” right and 1/2” low. Also the Hornady SST grouped better at 1 MOA vs the Barnes TTSX at 1.5 MOA.

Thanks for posting. This is almost exactly what I get but use 30 grains of AA2200 with SSA brass and CCI 41, under the 95 TTSX at 2.285" OAL. My 12.5" barrel throws them at ~2730 FPS. This is why I have continued using the 95TTSX and the 90 GD. I get a better trajectory and less deviation from the LOS at the ranges we would typically use a 12.5" barrel. However, that said, its not that unusual for me to make shots up to 300 yards with that barrel and bullet.

The flight path of the TTSX with this system, using a 200 yard zero, is:

0 50 100 150 200 250 300

-2 0.6 1.9 1.7 0.0 -3.7 -9.5 (note this is almost exactly 1 Mil hold over on any mil dot reticle).

The FP of the 120 SST at MV of 2395 ( my load of 27.2 AA2200):

-2 1.2 2.7 2.3 0.0 -4.5 -11.5

Hence, you never really get any advantage out of the (very good ) BC of .400 for the SST. I just don't like to be almost 3 inches high at 100. I see hunters shoot over the pigs frequently enough that I shied away from the SST. I love the bullet, but 120 is just not really in the zone for what I want with SBR's. If you always shoot within 100 yards then you could do a 100 yard zero, also.

Here's the path with 120 SST, MV of 2375 with 100 yard zero:

-2 -0.1 0.0 -1.7 -5.4 -11.4 -19.8

[hdfireman]

More good info HTR!

[muddyz]

More good info HTR!

I'm waiting for the same barrel and a Specwar but very good info. Now I just need someone to make me some Barnes loads since I can't buy any commercially. Is it reasonable to expect to be able to buy custom reloads like this from anyone on the forum?

[crazysccrmd]

Wilson Combat sells loaded ammo with the 95 TTSX. Not the cheapest but its an option until you start reloading.

[Jamesb74]

Nice thread. Great work.

Stupid question and I know the info is in the forum. But anyone have a quick run down on bc and estimated minimum expansion on the sst, TTSX, and gold dot? Just curious and lazy right now.

[HTR]

Nice thread. Great work.

Stupid question and I know the info is in the forum. But anyone have a quick run down on bc and estimated minimum expansion on the sst, TTSX, and gold dot? Just curious and lazy right now.

Sure do. The 95 TTSX and 90 GD open right around 1600 FPS. The SST expands at 1800, although less uniformly than do the former. The BC of the TTSX is .296, and the gold dot I believe is .236. The SST has excellent BC of .400.

BTW, WRR is testing the 100 GMX this weekend. Will shoot some out of the Helo next week.

[HTR]

Another aside. As we have done so often, I think we could sway MFR's a little if we asked people like CorBon and S&B to load the 95 TTSX. It's really missing from the market as a commercial load. It would also be good to ask Barnes to consider loading the 95 TTSX in their Vortex line.

Brett and I talked to Joe Thielen at SHOT about making both a 75 grain VMax and 75 grain GMX. I am pretty sure I could get a 75 grainer going 3200+.

[greentick]

Great info!

Got all those parts (barrel, powder, projos, brass, etc) just haven't reloaded them yet. Always easier when someone else breaks the virgin snow.

Thanks for posting

[toddmack]

Another aside. As we have done so often, I think we could sway MFR's a little if we asked people like CorBon and S&B to load the 95 TTSX. It's really missing from the market as a commercial load. It would also be good to ask Barnes to consider loading the 95 TTSX in their Vortex line.

Brett and I talked to Joe Thielen at SHOT about making both a 75 grain VMax and 75 grain GMX. I am pretty sure I could get a 75 grainer going 3200+.

I've got my fingers crossed for the 75 gr. VMax IF it happens maybe the stars would align and I'd find a huge prairie dog town within 15 minutes of home.