Barnes bullets - school me

[BrushyHillGuide]

I've got an opportunity to buy some bullets from Barnes at a deep discount but I don't have any experience with them. I figured this would be a good time to pick some up to play with. I want to get some 6.5s for my .260 and my 6.5 Creedmoor and some .30 for my 300wm. I'm looking at the TTSX and the LRX line.

Is one clearly better than the other - terminal performance, accuracy and ease of loading? What's your recommendation?

Currently I'm using mostly HVLDs and Nosler Partition.

 

[RonAKA]

I have never gotten past the theoretical screening for the bullet. To me it is like comparing lead shotgun loads to steel. I would always use lead over steel (if I have a choice). More dense, better ballistics.

On terminal performance, Barnes seems to take pride in the fact their bullets hang together and go right through the game. To me, any energy delivered to the bush behind the target is wasted energy. I would rather have a bullet expend all the energy on the target.

About the only possible use I can think of for a solid copper bullet, could be when you are shooting a small caliber light bullet at super high velocity and spin. Seems like the higher melting point of copper compared to lead, should help to keep the bullet in once piece, so it reaches the target.

But then, I don't live in California...

 

[FeMan]

I started hunting with Barnes 20 or so years ago. I have probably 100 kills with them; antelope to hogs to elk and ranges between 20 and 800 yards. I have never had to shoot twice or look far for game. Devastating results with little bloodshot meat. TSX is my bullet of choice for all big game hunting.

I have found the LRX harder to tune to bugholes. They seem more finicky to me but work the same. They do have a somewhat better BC so if you are shooting long range that may make it worth fussing with.

 

[jimbires]

not to start a spitting match but , my experience is just the opposite of FeMan . I stopped using TSK's about 8 years ago . I never had a one shot kill with them . most ran like they were missed . when tracked down they couldn't get up, but were laying with their head up watching me come in on them for a finish shot . 7mm 160 grain , 3100 FPS .

 

[normmatzen]

In my minimal experience with TTSX Barnes bullets;

I built a 7X57 hunting rifle from a VZ24 action and military large ring 7X57 barrel cut down to 24". I originally used A-MAX 162 gr with very good accuracy even in the sloppy military chamber with long leade for 175 gr round nose military bullets. I shot a small black tail buck and a small pig with very large exit holes and much ruined meat.
Tried Barnes TTSX but couldn't make them shoot.
Then I saw an article where Barnes recommended loading short? I tried seating the bullets so half the bearing bands are in the neck. All of a sudden I had an under 1 MOA hunting rifle! Although I haven't bagged a buck since then, I'm staying with my Barnes 140 gr TTSX!

 

[snert]

I started hunting with Barnes 20 or so years ago. I have probably 100 kills with them; antelope to hogs to elk and ranges between 20 and 800 yards. I have never had to shoot twice or look far for game. Devastating results with little bloodshot meat. TSX is my bullet of choice for all big game hunting.

I have found the LRX harder to tune to bugholes. They seem more finicky to me but work the same. They do have a somewhat better BC so if you are shooting long range that may make it worth fussing with.

I agree. I like the TTSX for a true hunting bullet. Several things to remember. They like to be jumped FAR. I have used them in 6, 27, 30 and 224 and all of them started at .050 off the lands. The WSM i loaded shot at .090 off the lands. Listen when Barnes says to go one category lighter when choosing a bullet. For 308 I use the 130. It is all that a 165 cup and core is, and faster too. Again, you have to understand that we are talking hunting bullets and terminal performance. A solid bullet acts differently than a cup-n-core and so you have to use it in its sweet zone. For me, a 300 yard 308 130 grain from a 308 Win is perfect medicine for real shooting of deer that don't always give me a standing broadside. if I have to quarter it, the bullet will do it. I also shoot to break shoulders. (if I use a cup and core, I shoot to break ribs...) In the 6mm I like the 85 grain. I do not find that Barnes bloodshoot deer, but then maybe every deer is different. I do understand the idea of expending energy inside the deer. I like that too. So for sniping big game I use a cup and core. (BTW, at 650 yards a 7mm Nosler BT puts a hole out the other side the size of a softball and a lot of energy gets dumped on the other side as well, as does bone, lung, hide...) For hunting, stalking, walking and where I might not have time to pick my shot or get a cooperative deer, i like the Barnes. Makes it easier to bust em and plant em right there.

If you use the 130 30 cal ttsx, you will need to taper crimp lightly in the groove...due to short bearing surface. I tried it without and it DOES NOT WORK. With a crimp it works fine, just be sure cases are all trimmed.

Use the info from the Barnes manual, or call Ty at Barnes for up to date info. Seems they change it a lot. It is hard to just measure COAL to the tip...but that is what they do and I have found that they actually work...grit teeth, smile...do it... and it has worked for me.

enjoy shooting them. BTW, I do ASM too, assuming that is your deal.

 

[Toby Bradshaw]

They work for me.

 

[Gottschall]

I just recently bought some .338 LRX and all of the blue tips were loose and way off center. They were junk!!

 

[Hasbeen1945]

My favorite all time bullet is the Fail Safe. When these were discontinued I switched to Barnes TS. As stated above drop down the weight you normally use with lead core bullets. They have worked great for me.
By the way it's not good to TS and lead core bullets without a thorough barrel cleaning before switching types.

 

[FatBoy]

Their rifle bullets may be different than their muzzleorder rounds, ut I tuned the rifle for the distance I have to shoot and the slowest the Spitfire T-EZ will expand. Results have been exceptional on the three I took this year. 22, 24 and 55 yards. No exits on any, both bucks dropped in their tracks and the doe went 20' and crashed.

Been considering trying them in my 243 and 308, but I have a lot of Nosler BTs and a box each of 6mm and 30 cal classic hunter Bergers. the BTs have worked extremely well, curiots if the Berger is worth load testing... If I was going out west, after Elk, I may want something that held together a little better but I admit I have no idea how the BTs would do on game that large.

 

[dfry]

I have always had good results with them in multiple calibers and I always drop down at least one or more weight classes then a cup and core bullet. What most don't realize is that TTSXs and TSXs like speed and need resistance to expand, so lighter helps give more resistance to the lower SD of the lighter weights. At longer range it will help to hit bone (shoulder) to help initiate expansion. 1800 fps is the usual minimum impact velocity recommended and below 2200 fps it helps to hit that bone.

Let me tell you, driving a 110 gr TTSX out of a 270 Winchester at 3500 fps is hell on wheels on anything it hits! My 350 RM driving a 200 gr TSX at almost 3000 fps out of a 22" Ruger and is devastating on any large game to 400 yds, not to mention close shots do not destroy huge amounts of meat.

Also, almost every Barnes I shoot likes about .060 of jump and shoots one ragged hole in almost every caliber I load them for. I shot a 300 lb feral hog a month ago with the 350 RM at 100 yds and he roled end over end a couple times, kicked and was done, punched through both side of a very thick shoulder plate like butter with a 2"+ hole on the off side.

A few years ago shot a large bull elk at a lasered 329 yds with a 168 TTSX out of a 300 WM. He was trotting when I shot and his momentum carried him 20 yds before he piled up and was done.

I still like partitions too, but I know when i put a Barnes in the gun and use it properly it will shoot through and armored car, and I have necer had a problem with them!

Dave

 

[fredhorace77]

not to start a spitting match but , my experience is just the opposite of FeMan . I stopped using TSK's about 8 years ago . I never had a one shot kill with them . most ran like they were missed . when tracked down they couldn't get up, but were laying with their head up watching me come in on them for a finish shot . 7mm 160 grain , 3100 FPS .

Same exact experience here I gave them up especially with the high price

 

[fourpower]

I've got an opportunity to buy some bullets from Barnes at a deep discount but I don't have any experience with them. I figured this would be a good time to pick some up to play with. I want to get some 6.5s for my .260 and my 6.5 Creedmoor and some .30 for my 300wm. I'm looking at the TTSX and the LRX line.

Is one clearly better than the other - terminal performance, accuracy and ease of loading? What's your recommendation?

Currently I'm using mostly HVLDs and Nosler Partition.

never liked barnes because I don't like cleaning gun all day to get all the copper out of barrel and plus I never got them to shoot good at long range! any thing over 700 yds they shoot all over the place. also I don't like to waste all the energy shooting all the way through game. I went to Africa and outfitter wanted me to bring barnes and I said no way! I took my 300rum with reloads. 210 vld bergers and shot 6 large animals and all were (DIT) dead in tracks! the outfitter now shoots bergers! I have a range and we shoot all the time out to 1400yds and barnes can't cut it period!! we shoot better we shoot berger!!!

 

[fredo]

I like Barnes bullets for making traditionally 'marginal' big game cartridges into reliable killers.
Have used (T)TSXs 62 & 70gr in .224 cal, 80gr in .243 cal, and 100gr in .257 cal, and have yet to recover a bullet inside of a critter. To a one, all had two holes in em. Sure, some ran, but that's what critters do...unless you blow their circuit breaker with a CNS impact. Which happens to not be my cup o' tea. Have mentioned it plenty, ain't no critter alive that can survive with a hole poked thru the vitals. TSX bullets will give ya an entrance & an exit, much more likely, than not...

For larger cals, & longer ranges, have become fond of Bergers & other 'match' boolits. Not so much for their boringly predictable performance on game, but rather to reap the benefit of their high b.c.. Improved downrange accuracy & less wind drift makes putting a bullet exactly where you aim, a higher % possibility. When you're killin' stuff, bullet placement is paramount!

OP, I sure like Berger's 130gr HVLD in 6.5mm, they've been 100% for me, from 80-almost 700yds. Much as I like Barnes, I wouldn't switch away from those Bergers in my 6.5...

P.S. been sticking with a .030" jump for TTSXs, and they shoot dang good! Remember, you're using TSXs to kill big game, not splat a housefly that landed on your paper target...

 

[Larryh128]

If there is a bullet that is better on game than a Barnes, I haven't found it yet. This is not a couple critter opinion but many. The big reason that people have had issues with Barnes is they are trying to use the same weight bullet as a cup & core. Barnes allows you to shoot a lighter bullet much faster and with results you won't believe. I use 110gr in my 270's and have used everything from 130gr to 175 gr in 30 cals. I load 130 gr in 06 & the 175gr LRX in the 300 mags. RL-17 gives 3550 fps in the 110 gr 270 load and Varget will hit 3400 fps in the 06 with 130 gr. The 300 mags will get 3000+ with the 175 LRX's. All are lightning in a case. All will blow thru shoulders & exit . I would say they leave a big blood trail but honestly I've never had a critter make 30 yds. And yes, I shot Bergers for an entire season to give them a fair trial, I shoot Barnes now.

 

[hogpatrol]

The PHs love them in Africa for the large and medium size game. I use the 6mm 58 Varminators in my slow twist 6BR on groundhogs and other varmints. I'm satisfied with them.

 

[hogpatrol]

They work for me.

Awesome kudu, Toby. That's my grand finale the next time I go. What country did you get him?

 

[Toby Bradshaw]

Awesome kudu, Toby. That's my grand finale the next time I go. What country did you get him?

Namibia, with Kowas. Both highly recommended.

More here:
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/namibia-namibia-safari-with-kowas-beginning-to-the-end.11723/

Good hunting!

 

[rifleman700]

Great hunting bullets. Very accurate.

Clean bore of all other alloys / jacket material before testing.

Jump them. Solids don't obdurate like cup and core bullets.

 

[Brians356]

Let me tell you, driving a 110 gr TTSX out of a 270 Winchester at 3500 fps is hell on wheels on anything it hits!

A friend's wife shoots 110-gr TTSX in a 270 WSM, dialed back a bit (!) to only 3300 fps. He claims great accuracy ("one ragged hole") and says is the absolute death ray on mule deer and antelope, with manageable recoil. They do need to be seated as Barnes recommends, however.
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