Barnes TTSX

[waverly]

I'm looking for a different bullet than the 210 Scirocco that I have been using. The caliber is 330 Dakota on a Borden action 26"Broughton 10 twist barrel. I'm a deer hunter and am thinking of taking this gun to Canada in Nov. Years ago I did shoot a big bodied 9 point up there with the 210 Scirocco. It was devastating. Right now I'm getting 2960 with the 210.

I'm looking at the Barnes 185 TTSX, and I'm wondering if this bullet will hold up in the 3100-3150 range. Big gun and fast bullets, big deer is my question. I ordered some 185, and 210 TTSX, but I haven't shot them yet. I know the Scirocco works, but I'm curious about the TTSX.

Is there anyone out there shooting a 338 caliber and using the TTSX that can provide me with this info. I'm not interested in the 225 grn. + for my purposes, but would appreciate any feed back from anyone shooting a 338 TTSX regardless of weight.

Regards, Waverly

 

[Hal]

You might also ask this over on 24hourcampfire.

Hal

 

[rcerro]

I have no expierience with that particular ttsx but if it is like any other ttsx I have used my guess is you will see 90percent+ weight retention and two holes in whatever animal you shoot regardless of velocity. It is as tough as it gets from an expanding bullet. 8)

 

[mytwo60]

I don't have a 338 but I do have a 300WM and my load is 130 TTSX going about 3600fps. Every deer I've shot with it drops right there. So I'm pretty sure 185TTSX in 338 will be fine.

In fact, you want to go as light as possible with copper.

 

[effendude]

My buddy uses a .338 WM with the 225 tsx bullets for a backup rifle for grizzly and brown bear on Kodiak. He thinks the Barnes is the best dangerous game bullet made. I doubt you will have any issues with a whitetail.
Scott

 

[dfry]

I also can't help with that particular bullet, but have hunted extensively with several calibers with TTSX bullets, the tip helps with expansion, but at extreme ranges i recommend hitting bone to help with expansion. The bullet can be extremely accurate and devastating overall. In almost every case about .060" off the lands works great.

The TTSX turned a Ruger in 300 WM i have that would not group any other bullet under an inch to a solid sub 1/2" rifle. The 168 TTSX in that rifle knocks the heck out of bull elk. The bullet will hold together at close range with high velocity, but as it approaches 1800 fps, they need some bone to insure good expansion. Dave

 

[savagedasher]

My Grand Daughter took a 1800 pound water Buff with a 308 165 Gr tsx it went through 4'' of head bone .Still weighed 153 gr Larry

 

[DennisH]

I'm looking for a different bullet than the 210 Scirocco that I have been using. The caliber is 330 Dakota on a Borden action 26"Broughton 10 twist barrel. I'm a deer hunter and am thinking of taking this gun to Canada in Nov. Years ago I did shoot a big bodied 9 point up there with the 210 Scirocco. It was devastating. Right now I'm getting 2960 with the 210.

I'm looking at the Barnes 185 TTSX, and I'm wondering if this bullet will hold up in the 3100-3150 range. Big gun and fast bullets, big deer is my question. I ordered some 185, and 210 TTSX, but I haven't shot them yet. I know the Scirocco works, but I'm curious about the TTSX.

Is there anyone out there shooting a 338 caliber and using the TTSX that can provide me with this info. I'm not interested in the 225 grn. + for my purposes, but would appreciate any feed back from anyone shooting a 338 TTSX regardless of weight.

Regards, Waverly

There's two of us shooting 160 grn TTSX, 103grns powder, 4,200 fps with no problem. 10 twist, 28" barrel, bull
What else can I say about this . . .

I also shoot Scenar 300 grns in the 2,850 fps range.

Both are hummers.

I love the 338 Edge so much I am getting ready to build another one.

 

[benchracer]

I don't have any personal experience with the .338 185g TTSX. Yet.

There is a very experienced gunsmith and shooter on the Longrangehunting forum that goes by the handle LongTimeLongRanger. In a sporter weight rifle, he is an advocate of the .338WM shooting the 185g TTSX @ 3150+ fps. He says it is effective on elk out to around 700 yards. He is also an advocate of the Cutting Edge 225g MTH from a .338WM @ 2950 fps.

Given that you are shooting the .330 Dakota, you should easily be able to match the performance level he was getting with the .338WM. He had excellent results in the field with both bullets. Both bullets will hold up at those velocities without a problem.

I am about to have a 338-06AI built and intend to experiment with both the CE and the TTSX when my rifle is ready.

 

[Larryh128]

You will have no issues with the TTSX bullets but you might want to look at the new LRX. It is designed for long range shooting with the same devastating performance of the TTSX. Different ogive/profile and a higher BC. I'm shootong the 175 gr LRX from a 300 WSM and they are every bit as accurate as the Berger 168's that I was shooting out of it. I was surprised also that the 300 yd drop was very close to identical. I know that they broght out 338 bullets in it this year. They show 265 gr & 280 gr both available at Cabelas.

 

[waverly]

Thanks to all for the info.

Larryh128, I did look at the LRX and gave them some consideration, but in the end I wanted to go the 185, or 210. I have entertained the thought of a 510 yard shot at a B&C deer up there, but the wind was blowing 40-50 mph so I talked myself out of the shot. In most instances 600 yds. would be the longest shot I have up there, but the average is 200-400 yds. I have some land leased here (S.C. and it is deer season now. That's gun for 4.5 months), but this gun is way too much for a S.C whitetail. I have two fields on this property where I can shoot out to 800 yds.

To all, I was looking at how the bullet would perform on a deer, and thanks to all I have been reassured that they will work well on a deer at higher velocities.

Regards to all and thanks for the input, Waverly

 

[twofish]

My Grand Daughter took a 1800 pound water Buff with a 308 165 Gr tsx it went through 4'' of head bone .Still weighed 153 gr Larry

I think this says it all. The TTSX is the only bullet I hunt with any more. Accurate, tough as nails, no worries.

Also if your rifle likes it you can shoot a faster, lighter bullet just due to the fact of the fantastic weight retention.

I shoot whitetails with 30 cal. 130's and 7mm 120's.

twofish

 

[r bose]

I shoot 150g TTSX out of a 300 win mag at 3400 FPS. Never a problem, very accurate, and any animal hit properly doesn't take a step.

 

[wboggs]

I have used the Barnes in a .338 UM. It will do a superb job at any velocity you can obtain. A 185-210 will be more than enough for your deer. One disadvantage for your very long range shots is the BC is a little lower due to the grooves and drop will be increased. I have used them out to 400yds on deer sized game and they worked perfectly. Try both of them and see which is the more accurate, it may make the choice easier.
I also hunt SC and experiment with different bull types. Nothing works like a Barnes.
Bill

 

[waverly]

Well I finally got to test the 185 Barnes TTSX in my 330 Dakota. I used 84 and 85 grn loads. The older Barnes manual say 89 grns. is max with H4831, but the case is pretty full at 85. I am going to try 86 grns and will stop there as I am not a fan of compressed loads. I leave on 15th for Canada.

This is what I got at 85 grns. shot 1 3041,2,4,5 were 3030, 3 was 3026. ES was 15, and SD of 5.( Magneto Speed) While I did not get the velocity I was thinking I would, I did get 3 touching with 2 just off for a 5/8 - 3/4 inch group at 200 yds. I'm going to check my drops to 600 before I go.

I shot the 185's at .020 off, and am very pleased with how the TTSX shoot. I do appreciate all of the info given.
Thanks, Waverly

 

[waverly]

Well I just got back from Canada last night. 10 days of cold and snow. Deer numbers were lower this year than I've even seen up there. Lots of winter kill last year. My outfitter stated that the winter kill could have been as high as 50%. I went anyway. I do love it up there, and the possibility of a monster whitetail showing up is possible anytime.

The Barnes 185 TTSX from my 330 Dakota at 3100 fps is a devastating combo. I did (on the last day) shoot at 165 yds. a 150 class 8 point with very long 12" and 13" g2's, and 11" g3's with a 2 mass measurements of 6". I shot the deer high shoulder and there was not even a twitch after the shot. 300 lb deer with a complete pass though (both shoulders) and zero damage to the meat. I wish I could say I shot the deer at 500 yds, but after freezing my butt off for 10 days( I thought I was going home skunked for the second year in a row) I was glad he walked out.

Fun stuff, regards, Waverly

 

[effendude]

Pics please!

 

[stacy]

I shoot the little bullets 80gr TTSX 243 but this little guy is bad on those whitetails they drop where they stop..........