Is there really much difference between the two? Is there a benefit from using one over the other?

ex: 100gr TSX /257 Weatherby Vanguard (factory rifle) vs 100gr TTSX 257 Weatherby Vanguard (factory rifle)

The TTSX is a bit longer and is more difficult to load at a length that will fit into the magazine.

While I haven't tested them I was informed the TTSx is a more reliable expander. Again I have know other knowledge, just ask my kids.

I've had better luck with accuracy and expansion with the ttsx. I loaded them in my .257 vanguard with good results.

I haven't loaded TTSXs in .224 yet, but I have loaded both in quite a few calibers I cannot say I see one as a better or worse expander. I have never seen either one fail to work as designed.

I have seen a decided preference for 130 grain TTSXs over 130 grain TSXs in a number of guns, and I have never seen a preference for TSXs over TTSXs in any caliber in any rifle I have loaded for.

I have seen tip damage on TSXs from feed ramp impact when repeatedly loading the same round out of a detachable magazine, and in those rifles I prefer TTSXs.

Those are the only times I have seen a reason to prefer one over the other.

One of my 270s loves both bullets, but shoots the TTSX slightly faster (about 80 fps) with the same load of Re 19 and into smaller groups. The TSX worked great on 3 antelope last year. I'll try the TTSX this year.

They give me nearly the exact same POI and grouping out to six hundred - 3006/168g. The longer TTSX requires compression for the same load. The TSX are a bit cheaper and easier to load so I probably wont be buying any more ttsx.

what makes the TTSX more difficult to load?

I load TTSX's for 5 different calibers and have yet to find any difficulties, and accuracy has been great along with on game "death causingness".

I'd expect length; copper bullets with a tip are getting pretty loooong. But I could be wrong there.

That is my issue.

My only experience loading the TTSXs is in a .243 ( 80 grainer) and the .223AI ( 50 grainer)...neither of which present a length problem because they are both on the low end of the scale for their caliber.
Plus....the ,243 in a T/C Icon with detachable mag...you seat them so they fit in the mag and forget about it...

Accuracy is excellent in both...

We have had some really good stops with the TTSX Bullets in .270 110s and .257 100s. I really like these two bullets. No reloading issues to speak of.

This is exactly what I've found in my 264 and 280..makes me wonder a bit if it wasn't a Barnes cosmetic change more than an improvement over actual bullet construction.Don't see much advantage with the TTSX except it looks purdier in a Bubba Buddy!!...1....2....3....4... I hear you typing

BASTID!!!!

Gotta say...they look pretty skookum in nickel plated brass...

See..told ya ,now aren't those purdy!!

My sphincter just slammed shut....

Wait till ya see those 45/110 paper patched howitzers in one!! ..Not to fear, wouldn't think of desecrating a Sharps with one.

I cannot believe the rest of the merry band of turdlike people have not jumped on that line yet...

Of course, I'm above such behavior.

I shoot the 185 TSX out of my 338 Fed. I shot 3 does with it last year and judging by the size of the hole coming out, I would say they expanded well.

I've shot quite a few hogs with that same load. No issues to date.

We the merry band of turdlike people are above jumping on someone's sphincter...

Whew......

Mebbe so, but I'd still keep an eye on John Moses.

Just saying'...

I shoot TTSX out of most of my rifles. Performance is really not any different than the TSX but for me they are much more accurate.

It might help to check out the thread on impala loads on the African forum, which has a bunch of stuff on the TTSX/TSX question.

I don't load either, but if I may offer an anecdote:

I speak fairly often with Randy and Coni Brooks. Both tel me that they are very often driven by customer demand more than actual need or even benefit.

Boattails and poly tips are good examples. Randy told me a couple years ago that he'd never have offered bullets with boattail bases if customers hadn't constantly demanded them. They are more expensive to make, require separate tooling, add yet more inventory demands, and (says Randy) add little if anything to performance. Worse, they make an already very long bullet even longer.

Poly tips drew almost the exact same comments from both Randy and Coni at the last SHOT Show when I managed to buttonhole them for a few minutes.

I don't do nekked........

Badger - you getting those in a Tikka/Sako w/that COL?

The TTSX has a larger hollow point behind the plastic tip

338 bullets


Plus it reduces or eliminates detritus that is left from the manufacturing process in the hollow point on the TSX's



IMO that makes the TTSX a more reliable expander

Accuracy has been the same in my rifles

Excellent point woods. With more of my terminal ballistics info in pistol bullets I have seen how much performance can vary when a tip is plugged or damaged. The consistency of the tip as well as the larger opening making me feel better about the TTSX. I could give a chit less about a slightly better BC from the tip or a boatail. I have found the TTSX easier to work up a load with in both my .270 and .35 Whelen.

The both work but no doubt that the TTSX have been stupid accurate for me in everything I've used them in. Course the TSX don't lag by much.

I can tell you for sure that one doesn't fit in my Kimber. You must be pushing 2.9 COL on that one, maybe you have a Ruger? I have found with a 185 TTSX in my .338 Fed Kimber I need to crimp in the first groove to get them to fit in the mag, still work though, and the TTSX is my preferred bullet in all my guns from .270-.338.

Just a dummy round. Mickey is building one for me on a Model 700 SA.
I always kiss lands, but no doubt this one is on the long side. Will have the sharpie ready when Mickey is done...........

It looked longish, but some SA's can take more COL, BSA, Sako's, other's w/non OEM boxes.

Thanks....sure you can 'stretch' things w/a good box in your 700.

I just loaded up some 180gr TTSXs for my Savage .300 wsm, and they're too long for my magazine at the seating depth the gun likes for the TSX. I seated some a little deeper and they function, so now I have to see how they shoot. Hopefully accuracy doesn't suck. Otherwise it's back to the old TSX standby.

Ballistic coefficient is slightly higher for the TTSX, plus more reliable regarding controlled expansion.

Have used Federal Premium 130 TTSX in my .300 Win. Vanguard for several seasons. Killer on elk, and my rifle seems to like 'em a lot...