I think many of the negative results were due to the uncertain purity of the copper wire that Barnes used at first. After they secured a better product most of the issues of erratic performance were gone. Some barrels just didn't like them but virtually all of the rifles tried them in worked out. The TSX and TTSX are completely different and reduced fouling and pressure significantly. I had a similar bad first impression of the Nosler ballistic tip being too frangible. I wouldn't use them for years but now they are one of my favorite bullets for deer and medium game. I never had a Barnes of any type"pencil through" only a few have lost petals or I couldn't tell because I have caught so few of them.

"When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust them either through cowardice or lack of confidence, and both of these opinions generate hatred." Niccolo Machiavelli