Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles First Barnes TTSX Experience

You related to Jeff O, by chance?

I've used the TSX BT 168 in .308, TSX BT 130 in .270, and the 150 TSX BT in 7x61 Sharpe & Hart. I've killed two or more bull elk with each of these bullets. All have performed splendidly; no lost game and no tracking. One animal did go about forty yards before dropping. Only one bullet recovered - a 150 grain 7mm that still weighed 150 grains. True, I have not killed "trainloads" of animals like some here have really or allegedly done.

Last month I used my first TTSX BT bullet, a 150, in a .308 NULA on a New Mexico bull. Worked as well as the regular TSX BTs and was recovered; weighed 149 grains. Some may criticize these bullets as being unnecessary and expensive, but they work and work well. I do like to work up loads with many other bullets in many rifles, but it's hard to fault an effective and accurate bullet.

Really?! That’s pretty fast for a 7mm-08 AI. I’m impressed. My 280 AI runs 3350 with 120’s with more powder than a 7mm-08. You must be quite pleased.

Yep, 26” Douglas barrel. It does pedal along quite well.

I emailed Barnes about some questions about various bullets and velocities needed for expansion. I specifically asked about TTSX or bullets in these calibers that expand at lower velocities. Hopefully, this will help some overpenetrate while still achieving expansion.

Yes the 6.5mm 100 gr TTSX/TAC-TX and the 127 gr LRX only need 1600 fps.
The 6.5mm 120 gr TTSX/TAC-TX only needs 1700 fps.

The 7mm 120 gr TTSX needs 1700 fps.
The 7mm 150 gr TTSX needs 1500 fps
The 7mm 139 and 145 gr LRX’s only need 1400 fps and the 168 gr LRX needs 1500 fps.

At close range/high velocity all TSX, TTSX and LRX bullets will expand quickly within about one inch after entering the animal. The minimum IMPACT velocity needed for the 30 cal bullets is –

The 200 gr TSX , 165 gr TSX/TTSX and lighter all need a minimum of 1800 fps.
The 168 gr TSX/TTSX, 180 gr TSX/TTSX and the 175, 190 and 200 gr LRX's all need only 1500 fps.

Helpful info, thank you.

To be frank, I don't care what Barnes says, I would not feel comfortable whatsoever with those impact speeds...

Rodeo in the making...

Why not just be Greg?

Sorry, couldn’t resist.

I shoot several different bullets in different chamberings and calibers. And I shoot quite a bit. Usually, accuracy is the deciding factor of which I use in what. It sure isn’t what the bullet costs! Practice with cheaper stuff if you want and save the more expensive stuff for the hunt. What, I’m gonna pay $1000 to $2500 for a rifle and scope and then bitch because one bullet costs $1.50? Let’s play a little game; if all bullets are outlawed except one, which would you choose to be the one remaining? My choice is the Barnes TTSX.

Right!

Until I had a life changing event, I always wanted to try some of the 45 grain TSX bullets on hogs or them small Texas deer. I was going to load them in a 22-250, 1/14. Data shows you can run them a tad over 4000 FPS. That would be interesting.

Been shooting Barnes Bullets for over 15 years with stellar results. I shoot them in all my rifles.

For those of us who must use lead free bullets, it was necessary for me to find one for my .257 Roberts Ackley Improved varmint rifle. There is only one such suitable bullet, the Barnes .257" diameter 80 grain TTSX, so I worked up a load over 48.0 grains of H380, seated 0.050" off the lands that shot around 0.5" ten shot groups, at a little under 3,600 fps. So I went off to try it, knowing that it wasn't constructed as a varmint bullet. Imagine my surprise when I found it really worked. It worked, but wasn't practical for the cost vs. volume of shots necessary on a varmint hunt, so the rifle was set aside for the .204 Ruger, .223 Remington, and 6mm cartridges where Varmint Grenades are available. Now here is a statement that will raise some eyebrows: It is my opinion that the Barnes Varmint Grenades, and other compressed powdered metal core jacketed bullets, such as Nosler's BT Lead Free tipped version, or Hornady's NTX bullets, are simply the most accurate available - period. And they can take higher velocities than lead core varmint bullets that would disintegrate before arriving at the target. Not only that, they shrug off high rotational speeds of fast twist barrels needed for best stability of the heavier weight longer length bullets. I built a rifle with a 1:8.5" twist .204 Ruger barrel for experimenting with Berger's 55 grain HPBT bullets and found it shot the Barnes 26 grain Varmint Grenades into tiny bug holes at 4,110 fps. I won't even mention the performance of Barnes .308" 150 Grain MPG bullets in the .308 Winchester, nobody would believe me.

Amazing terminal performance, not expected, as below:

Agreed! Unless I start shooting 100’s of rounds a year more than I currently do, then bullet cost will not factor into my consideration. Accuracy and terminal performance will.