Yep, the 168 TTSX is IMO the best in the fast 30s in my experience. In our rifles it is easier to get shooting than the 180s, and that has held true whether going 3100 or 3350. They penetrate big animals very well from all angles and it’s been pretty rare for us to not see the animal drop in their tracks. I’ve been using them since they hit the market and have yet to find another bullet that does anything better than they do for my hunting. Before these came out I used 200 partitions almost exclusively in the 300s and while they did very well these have surpassed them handily. And, they produce less recoil due to their lighter weight.
John, here is what Barnes told me about the 165 vs 168.
All of our bullets are just as accurate as the next. The 165 gr TTSX will shoot just as good and accurate as the 168 gr TTSX. It all depends on the hand loader finding the best powder and load his rifle likes. The 165 gr TSX and TTSX has a shorter ogive and is designed for cartridges such as the 300 Win Mag. With the shorter ogive length and groove placement we are able to successfully seat the 165 gr TTSX down to the required SAAMI length for the 300 Win Mag with our factory ammo. The 168 gr TSX and TTSX has a longer sleeker ogive and different groove placement. It is designed for cartridges that can accept a longer ogive yet still be within the maximum SAAMI length 9such as a 308 Win or 30-06). Therefore due to the sleeker design, it has a higher ballistic coefficient than the 165 gr TTSX.
The 168 gr will also expand down to a lower 1500 fps than the 165 gr which needs 1800 fps.
However as a hand loader you can use either bullet in whatever 30 caliber cartridge you may have. A hand loader does not have to follow the SAAMI spec and can seat his bullet for the optimal COAL that his rifle likes best. If you have a 300 Win Mag with a detachable magazine that will not allow a loaded round to be any longer than the SAAMI spec of 3.340” then you would need to use the 165 gr TSX or TTSX. If your rifle has plenty of room in the magazine, then you can use either weight. If you are into long range shooting then you would want to (if your rifle allows) use the 168 gr TTSX for the higher B.C. and lower velocity expansion. Another great bullet I recommend for long range and a magnum cartridge is the 175 gr LRX.
