I’ve never thought a $1.50 was too “spendy” to shoot a deer. And, contrary to some opinions, Barnes’ will” actually kill a deer. Are they necessary, absolutely not.... but, why not! I’ve never understood why someone would require a “vast assortment” of different bullets. A different type for every game animal or season, or day of the week! Sheesh.....just get one good bullet and kill everything! It ain’t complicated! memtb
You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel
“I’d like to be a good rifleman…..but, I prefer to be a good hunter”! memtb 2024
I’ve never thought a $1.50 was too “spendy” to shoot a deer. And, contrary to some opinions, Barnes’ will” actually kill a deer. Are they necessary, absolutely not.... but, why not! I’ve never understood why someone would require a “vast assortment” of different bullets. A different type for every game animal or season, or day of the week! Sheesh.....just get one good bullet and kill everything! It ain’t complicated! memtb
Agreed.......but i am a Barnes bullet whore 😁.....Hb
I think the Barnes really shine in the smaller calibers. I've taken around ten head of game with my .257 Roberts and I think they all fell to the 100 gr TSX. Several pronghorn and some 300 pound class alfalfa fed Montana mule deer. I've also killed a couple critters with the original 130X in the 6.5x55. The only X bullet I ever recovered is a 225 TSX out of my .35 Whelen AI on this fall's bull elk. It was under the hide on the off side, perfectly mushroomed and weighed (no kidding!) 225.0 grains on my RCBS scale. They are good bullets. Cheers. Rex
Although since this hunt, the 95 BT has been my go to in 6mm's, from BR to 243....no flies on the 80-85 Barnes....if speeds are decent on impact, and btw, I would not expect anything less than 100% retention, combined when you get good expansion, not much more you can want. My link below - 85 X on a hog, 240 yds, 243 20".....
You can’t beat them in the smaller calibers, the 62 Barnes in a 223 are exceptional killers for there size. I need a fast twist 22-250 or 22 Creedmoor to try them in.
We’ve never recovered one from my wife’s smaller caliber (well smaller than mine )rifle. All pass throughs, moose, elk, antelope, and bear! I’ll see if I can get her to shoot her next elk lengthwise....maybe we’ll recover one! . memtb
Last edited by memtb; 11/13/19.
You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel
“I’d like to be a good rifleman…..but, I prefer to be a good hunter”! memtb 2024
The TSX morphed into the TTSX and using a 7mm-08 TSX on a buck that ran away and hid is the reason that I'll never shoot another Barnes anything at an animal.
My other auto is a .45
The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of low price has faded from memory
MY fiance's 22/250 loves the 50 grain X bullet. Loaded to 3700 FPS everything she's shot has either dropped ion place or gone less than 30 feet. That includes a couple of 300 pound hogs she's ventilated. All have been complete pass throughs. I've purchased some 50 grain TTSX's to load for her next.
I need to try the 50 gr. X in my CZ.223. It likes the 50 grain Nosler BT and since it has a 1:12 twist I think it will like the 50 grain fodder as well. My AR really likes the 62 grain X bullet, but I'll hold off loading any until I've shot up my 75 grain Gold Dot ammo.
The lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part!
Probably would have had the same results with any cheap cup and core bullet on your deer. I don't think an expensive premium bullet is necessary. It is your dime.
So far I've killed one deer with a T-EZ ML bullet and two foxes with 95gr 6mm LRXs (NOT fur-friendly). Nothing not to like, except the price. A TTSX is also, so far, the best shooting "Deer" bullet in my .223, though untested on game as yet. The 95s will hopefully get some action on deer in a week or so. Don't expect to get any back for my small recovered-bullet collection.
100gr TTSXs are the only 6.5 bullets still "in stock" here, so will be the starting point for my 1500 Mini Grendel when it arrives next year.
The TSX was inconsistent for me in just six animals and I swore off using Barnes. Someone urged me to give the TTSX a try, and I am very glad I did. In stark contrast, the TTSX has been outstanding and is my go to bullet. The TTSX always expands nicely and produces a through and through wound on pigs and deer from tiny (20# lowest weight to date) to large bucks in the 200 - 220# average range and pigs even larger.
The other nice thing about the TTSX is that it does not create as much wasted meat as some other bullets, even with high shoulder shots.
The TSX morphed into the TTSX and using a 7mm-08 TSX on a buck that ran away and hid is the reason that I'll never shoot another Barnes anything at an animal.
Yeah, I can relate to that. This 120 gn 7mm TSX was barely up to the task..............
To anger a conservative, lie to him. To annoy a liberal, tell him the truth.
)rifle. All pass throughs, moose, elk, antelope, and bear! I’ll see if I can get her to shoot her next elk lengthwise....maybe we’ll recover one! 
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