Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Barnes .338 160gr TTSX

I plan on running some through my 338 Win Mag. I can't see where they'd do anything but work on pronghorn and deer. Besides, I carry a rangefinder to keep me from shooting at stuff too far away, not to find out how far away I can shoot stuff, but that's just me...

Undoubtedly, this bullet was developed for the 338 Federal more than it was for anything else in order to somehow make up for lack of case-capacity with the sort of MV that can only be achieved in that case with a super-lightweight projectile.

The only 338 I shoot (or will ever shoot) is the 338 Win. Mag., and as far as I'm concerned, .338 bullets below 200 grs. in weight give up too much SD, BC and weight to be truly useful. Guys get all giddy about MV with the lighter slugs, but downrange they run out of steam very quickly.

The .338 bore diameter isn't about frontal area (which is a deceptive "advantage") so much as it's about SD and bullet-weight for deep penetration on large animals. The increased "frontal-area" buys you the ability to have more bullet mass in order to increase momentum (thus, penetration, the ability to break heavy bones, etc.), and that's really the name of the 338's game, pure and simple.

It's sort of like loading 110 gr. bullets in the 30-06: Yes, you can, but the utility thereof leaves a lot to be desired.........

AD

But your SD changes the instant it hits and then all that SD advantage is gone. The weight/momentum keeps working to your advantage.

That concept simply defies physics.........

AD

I have never been one that has bought into the SD thing.
I think everthing changes after the bullet has hit game therefore expanding and shedding weight(cup and core).

I actually don't currently use a TSX in anything I hunt with but I would.

I can see someones point here in using this though. This bullet weighs 160gr after it has hit game it will still weight almost 160gr. A 200gr - 210gr bullet might only weigh 160ish or less grs after all said and done.

I really don't think that BC in these bullets will really make much difference for guys shooting inside 400yrds

Did a quick Bal test on the 210PT and the 185TSX at 338-06 velocities
210PT BC-.400, vel-2750, zero 200yrds
100yrds 2.0
200yrds 0.0
300yrds -8.5
400yrds -24.7
500yrds -50.3

185TSX BC-.352 vel-2950 zero 200yrds
100yrds 1.7
200yrds 0.0
300yrds -7.5
400yrds -22.2
500yrds -45.8
The lower BC really handicaped it huh?

The BC of the upcoming 160TSX is not known but even if you gave it a figure like .300 which it will likely be higher than here is what you get.

160 TSX BC.300 VEL 3170
100yrds 1.5
200yrds 0.0
300yrds -7.3
400yrds -21.9
500yrds -45.9

If you call 300yrds the outer limit your willing to hunt with this cartridge for big game, here is where it says it hits
210- -8.5
185- -7.5
160- -7.3

Is there a difference between these? No, an inch of difference is no difference in the field and that would be my point.

Thank you miket81--well put.

Don't even pick up a Kimber Montana in 338Fed if all you ever want to shoot is 338WM. The temptation is just too much to bear.I coulda had the Winny for a lot less $$, and I've already had and sold a 338-06AI so the decision was not based on ignorance. And I don't even have TV so I've not been lied to by them TV Fellas.

I am a pretty big fan of the 338-06. I have pretty much settled on 210gr TSX for everything.

I don't like bullet weights at the extreme end of the spectrum, too light or too heavy.

My theory is a true middle of the road theory. That is the bullets weights that are in the middle of the weight spectrum are usually best for any given caliber.
ie 130gr 277 caliber
or 165gr 308 caliber
and 338 comes out to:
217gr if using 160-275gr(Swift)

Premium bullets have done nothing but make these middle of the road weights better.

So I will not be playing with any 160gr bullets out of my 338-06 anytime soon. But by all means, if it floats your boat, go for it and don't forget to report your results back here at the fire.

That Randy Brooks sure is a prescient fella...came out with the 160 gr XBT years before Federal thunk up their little .338.

DN

Theory and experts experience is fine.

That said - JUST TRY IT (here in Krautland we have a lot of fun and take truckloads of game with my 8,5x63 (which is a kind of a .338/.280 Imp. 40�) stuffed with Reichenberg a.s.f. Copper bullets from as light as 150 (!)gr.

I'm looking forward shooting the light TTSXs...

For fun and giggles I'll be interested in trying them.

But for my serious use, on everything I doubt it I'll go there. But my curiousity side will no doubt make me do it.

I have done a bit of work with the old 338/160X and it worked ok in my 338/06, speeds ran at just a bit over 3K in my 23" tube.

The 160 would not shoot at all in my 338 WSM and or in a handful of .340's I ran it in, I mean they totally went puke for me.

But you never know.

I am fairly like AD on this, I really don't see a need for them but to each his own.


Make it your best day!

Dober

for what I shoot (150lb deer) they should be fine.

That is where I am at. I have a box of 185 TSX's that I haven't even tried yet, but one day I will get time to do some fun testing.
I really like the 210 weight for the 338-06 but I do use the 180BT for deer hunting, works very well at least until I run out.
Then I will have to find something new to try out. Maybe the 180AB or even the 200gr hornady(cheap, My local shop has them for like $14/100).

I'd buy up those Hornady's; that's a "price from the past" right there. They'll be great practice fodder at the very worst and really, a great deer bullet no matter what...

-jeff

I have both a 338Fed and a 338WM and like them both. They are not equal or even that close IMO. My Fed is for deer/bear/hogs and backup for elk. I look at the 300yd figures and conclude that the 200/210 is the way to go. I know if I was elk hunting, I'd rather aim 1" higher and have a 210gr boolit schwacking an elk than 160gr.

RH

himmelrr you have to be the only guy in Georgia with a 338 Federal! I have to sell my old Win88 but as soon as its gone I am going to get a 338 federal in Kimber Montana, the 308 is wonderful but i want to try somethin else...

Dont know about 160 grainers but I finally got 210 TSX's over 2900 fps in my 338WM today with a healthy dose of H4350 and am thinking that will put a hurtin on all kinds of chit! It aint over yet either as I am gonna lean on it a little more to see what she'll really do.

Way back when I thought one rifle would be good for everything, I used a .338 WM. For deer and antelope, I used 160g X bullets at 3414fps. They worked just fine. When I shot a WT doe quartering on one day and gutted her thru the exit hole I decided it would be more fun to shoot other (smaller) calibers ;~))

Allen- I agree wholeheartedly with you for a one load setup. But I can't help but to think that the 160TTSX would work well for pronghorn or even deer. However, I would pick a 200+gr bullet for any game larger or even for a trophy deer hunt. But for me, most deer hunts and all pronghorn hunts (thus far) have been quite relaxed, fun hunts.

I think, that one of the things going on here about the 160 is that some folk mess with critters bigger than deer on a consistent basis and some don't.

Makes sense to me why there are some divided thoughts, that and the fact that we're a bunch of gun loonies...grins

Dober