I read a post on here where someone from Barnes told a fellow that the 168ttsx opens up down to 1600fps. In a cartridge that doesn't really have the horse power I like for monos, would you run the 150 or 168 if it indeed opens at lower speeds. 308 is what I'm asking about and if I had my way I'd be using 150 megas but it has to be all copper.

Thanks

If indeed the 168 opens easier, run it.

Why not call Barnes yourself and ask the question, that way you get it straight from the horses mouth.

I like those 168's in the .300 mag's. I'd have to see how much speed I could get with the .308 and how they grouped compared with 150's.

We've been told to run monos light and fast. Don't forget about 130's in the .308.

Critters being hunted should have some say on bullet choice.

DF

i like TTSX 130's in my .308. You can start them at 3000ish fps with TAC.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...ference_Between_Barnes_30_C#Post10433920

David

In the .308, I'd look hard at the 130. I used the 160 in .338 at ~3080FPS and it works great on Elk, Kudu, Waterbuck, Impala, Gemsbok and Blesbok. The 30 cal 130 at similar speeds should work well.

But to your point, I guess I'd have to shoot the 150 and 168 into something such as damp newsprint/magazines at representative speeds and see what happened. The reported better opening of the 168 makes a compelling case counter to the normal faster-is-better mono theory.

I don't have time to make a load up for him so he's stuck buying factory ammo and he can get the vortx in 150 or 168gr.

130s would be my pick as well. They even do a dandy job in 300WM.

A bit off topic, but the 135 gr. Raptor is an interesting bullet that I'm going to try in my .308 on WT's this Fall.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/10399544/1

DF

Went with the 168s and hope they indeed have a lower expansion speed.

Treat any copper or copper alloy bullet as if it's made from hard metal - because it is. Don't assume/hope it will open much below 2000 fps. Shoot to break bones, especially when you're working with cases that don't shred the atmosphere. (I killed a couple moose with a 225 XFB in a short 358 Winchester which had less zip than your combo. It worked great against bones even at stately speeds.) The added tip is a great improvement in the pursuit of consistent performance, especially in the smaller cases.

This cannot be emphasized enough. Many of the problems long associated with Barnes mono bullets go away when a little bit of plastic is added up front.

I've been running them for a couple years out of a 20" .308 at a speedy 2575 fps out to 343 yards on whitetail and hogs with no problems yet.

Over the years I've met quite a few Texas guys that used the 168's at similar velocities. I always use to think "That's too big a bullet, you need smaller faster w/ Barnes". Of course, they were having great success w/ 'em too.

Kind of makes sense now. I guess the 168TTSX is kind of the father of the LRX's....

David

Last year my cousin and I went to Botswana on a cull hunt for Blue Wildebeest and Gemsbok. Both animals are on the tough side. He used his .308 with the 168 TTSX bullets that I loaded for him. The bullets worked great. I was really impressed since I thought his gun might be on the light side for these critters. I don't remember if any bullets were recovered, but the animals went down with no problems. We each shot 8 Wildebeest/Gemsbok.

I have used both, and they both work well at '06 speeds.
I prefer the 168 on moose.

I run 168s out of my 308, don't recall the speed. In fact I run SMKs, and Barnes in 168s. Bergers in 185s.

All work the way I want. Punch the ribs, caliber in, a bit larger exit, but no exit hole thats big, IE looking for dime size maybe.

Won't shoot bones unless I have to, and have been fine so far.

I read all the push light barnes fast, and I don't doubt it works, but my buddy and my 257 wtby with 100 barnes running fast, kills like my 308 running slow. Punch em, they run a bit, and are dead.

I used the 168r TTSXs out of a .300 Win Mag at 3200fps this ear in Namibia o everything from springbok to eland. they did seem to open up more than I have experienced with the 165TSXs (lower velocity) or .284 150gr TTSXs. This could be due to somewhat longer ranges or that I tried to shoot everything right on the point of the shoulder. On the larger animals there usually was no exit although penetration was certainly adequate.