The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting Hogs, Warthogs, Wild Boars, Javelinas Hunting Is 6.8 SPC , 110 grain BARNES Lead-Free TSX, good for Hog hunting?Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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trying to sort out an appropriate 6.8 round for CA Hogs | ||
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Put it where it belongs, and it SHOULD do just fine as long as the range is reasonable enough to initiate adequate expansion. But they are far from my first choice. Please see my response to Justin below. Bobby Μολὼν λαβέ The most important thing in life is not what we do but how and why we do it. - Nana Mouskouri | |||
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We have killed two hogs with that particular bullet. One in 7mm and one in 223. Both one shot kills 75-100 yards. Was not very impressed with the expansion but it did do the trick. | |||
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Justin- Personally, I quit using the bullet due to quality control issues with Barnes and distinct variances between lots. For a while, the TSXs did very well -- and even the TTSX had my attention. But then I ran into a lot of TSXs -- 120 grainers in 7mm -- that refused to open. Coupled with my previous experiences in other diameters, I finally parted ways with all except the 80 grain TTSX in .25 caliber. The lot I have has worked very well thus far in a 25x30-30, so I am not going to change horses in midstream. Also, the TTSX was originally designed to deal with the issue of long range/low velocity expansion problems. But in the end, the TTSX -- by Barnes' own admission -- is a TOUGHER bullet than the TSX and requires an additional 200 fps to generate expansion.  At least Barnes has backed off their original claim of full depth-of-cavity expansion down to 1600 fps. Under rigorous testing and much in-the-field use, I can honestly say that NEVER happened. And I don't base my claim on just an animal or two. Here are just a few...          Bobby Μολὼν λαβέ The most important thing in life is not what we do but how and why we do it. - Nana Mouskouri | |||
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One more thing I want to add: Some prefer the Barnes because they feel they'll get an exit and a blood trail. But when the bullet expands only minimally and the exit is not much bigger than the entrance, don't count on finding much blood -- especially not from a hog, whose layer of fat can seal a bullet hole in a hurry. A good cup-and-core at moderate velocity is my preference, and it's rare that I have to follow a pig with these anyway. Nonetheless, I normally get an exit and have blood in abundance should tracking become necessary. But if you still prefer a premium, Nosler offers 2 of the very best in the Accubond and Partition, though your 6.8 limits you in that regard. Th Partitions and Accubonds will expand well with minimal resistance and WILL open reliably down to around 1800 fps in the smaller calibers.       Bobby Μολὼν λαβέ The most important thing in life is not what we do but how and why we do it. - Nana Mouskouri | |||
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Bobby Very interesting stuff. That is why I love this place, so much info. This whole lead free thing is so new to me out here, I'm really trying to find my way. I may have missed it in your post but what lead free are having the best results with? I have tried a few, probably 3 different bullet types on a total of 6 hogs, so I really don't have a ton of info yet. Here in a week when deer and black bear is added to the menu I want to have something figured out. At this point was going with the barnes simply because of the good results I had despite a not very pleasing exit channel. Truthfully haven't found a lead free yet that has really grabbed by attention. | |||
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My experience with the Nosler E-tip is limited enough that I won't venture an assessment, and I have yet to try the GMX. To be honest, though, I don't foresee much advantage with any of them. But part of that reason is the fact that I use calibers which develop moderate velocity. Their tacked performance is the result of high sectional density projectiles at moderate velocities, properties which allow plain ol' cup-and-core bullets to perform much like a higher-priced premium. The TSX bullets of .30 caliber and above seem to be much more consistent in expansion than their small-caliber counterparts. If I was forced into a lead-free situation, I'd opt for a larger bore diameter. I will add this, though: As much as the Barnes bullets have gotten on my nerves, I have to say that they have been extremely accurate -- exceptionally so in my 7mm Bullberry. Bobby Μολὼν λαβέ The most important thing in life is not what we do but how and why we do it. - Nana Mouskouri | |||
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Skywinny, If I were in your shoes...I would consider using these http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/AMM590-5.html This is not the perfect ammo but I suspect you probably have a CA legal AR in 6.8 and would just like to use it on an upcoming hunt to "rub the liberals" nose in it... Put one of these into the lungs...the pig will die Mike Legistine actu quod scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.  What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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thanks all for the info. | |||
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Sky We have taken 35 or so deer and hogs with the 6.8 110 TSX with excellent results out to 300 yards. Smallest hogs in the 25# range all the way up to 350#s, all one shot kills. Recovered bullets have been 96% weight retention and expansion has been 49-56 caliber. I bought mine through Silver State Armory. They make a 85gr TSX load but for hunting I like the weight of the 110 for penetration. Shoot with confidence! Perry | |||
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Thanks Perry, reassuring. Bobby, your detail and pictures are very helpful as well. There clearly are some mixed results regarding the Barnes round. My AR-15 is the new higher pressure upper and slower barrel twist supporting the ~200fps faster loads for 110gr, so I am excited to see what results are found. I clearly won't be able to ask the Hog to make himself available for tests at different ranges, but will report back after the hunt. As Mike says, dead is dead, and thats the plan with an accurately placed shot. Vince | |||
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Sky Are you going with the SSA stuff? In my gun the "tactical" load chronoed exactly the same as the "commercial loads" at 2550. Save the 2.00. Perry | |||
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Now that there are two 6.8 chamber designs, do the ammo companies load for both or do all the over-the-counter rounds have the same specifications as the underloaded Remington factory ammo? I'm about to get into a new 6.8 upper with the revised throat and inquiring minds want to know...Thanks. "Experience" is the only class you take where the exam comes before the lesson. | |||
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Perry, I did get the SSA...very interesting they were the same, although it says they have combat loads also available, i didn't see any on the website. I'm pretty new so not sure if other factors could affect two 'supposedly' different loads acting very similarly (barrel length, twist, etc?) My boxes shipped already so I'm committed to 100 rounds. Tigger When you order/buy for the SPECII higher pressure rounds, there is a warning to be sure your upper and barrel conform to the spec. SPECII upper assemblies are also referred to as the 'tactical' upper ==It took us thousands of years to get to the top of the food chain...I am NOT going back== ==No need to eat, what food eats== ==Its only food if it has, at one point in time, had blood in it== | |||
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Just an update, the hunt with the 6.8 110gr LF TSX went great. Not a true test, had a shot with the pig just neck and head around a tree from about 70yards. Put it through the neck, DRT, blood spatter 10ft, looked like someone threw a 1/2 gallon of red paint in the dirt. My partner also used the same round in his AR-15 in 6.8, he shot was a running away, 20-30yd shot behind left shoulder, exited the mouth. after a 100yd fall down the hill, DRT. So not much of a test, but dead is dead, sausage in the freezer. ==It took us thousands of years to get to the top of the food chain...I am NOT going back== ==No need to eat, what food eats== ==Its only food if it has, at one point in time, had blood in it== | |||
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The consensus on the 68Forums is that the best is the 85 gr TTSX with the 110 being OK. In general folks feel that the 100 gr and 110 fr Accubonds and the 110 gr Prohunter are OK for deer and for neck shots on piggies, but not so good for shoulder shots on big piggies. Bill Wilson is testing some prototype 95 gr TTSXs that are working GREAT in the 6.8. Looks like the design is close to done and Barnes will release them for public consumption. SSA's hot load is called "tactical" and is for use in 1:11 SPC II 4 groove barrels only. Should not be used with SAAMI chambers or 1:10 twist bbls. I just finished a 6.8 SPC II with an 1:11 18" WOA bbl w a Samson midlength gas system on an RRA flat top upper receiver with a YHM full length light rail and a YMH FH/brake. Lower is a BRO billet with an RRA LPK and a Bill Springfield 3# trigger and an LMT SOPMOD stock. Weather has been so lousy that load development with SSA small primer brass and 100 gr Accubond seconds and 110 gr Prohunters hasn't been completed. So far I've seen abt 1 MOA and I think that will get better. Second upper for the rifle is a 300/221 Fireball with a 16 1/2" SS bbl with a pistol position 3 way gas system under a YHM light rail. It is showing groups less than 1 MOA with 125 gr NBTs so far. Mike -------------- DRSS, Womper's Club, NRA Life Member/Charter Member NRA Golden Eagles ... Knifemaker, http://www.mstarling.com | |||
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thanks Mike, read up to see this is a 1:11 chrome lined barrel 24", SPCII 1:11 'tactical' load ==It took us thousands of years to get to the top of the food chain...I am NOT going back== ==No need to eat, what food eats== ==Its only food if it has, at one point in time, had blood in it== | |||
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Skyvinnie, Sorry ... did not see a maker, and some SPC IIs are still 1:10. 24" is a VERY long tube for the 6.8! I'd think that would be cumbersome. Bill Wilson (of Wilson Combat) is very high on the 6.8 and the new 95 gr bullet. The mushrooms they've posted are classic lovely. Looking forward to getting my hands on some. I'll probably try the 100 gr Accubonds for piggies if appropriate shots present themselves. Mike -------------- DRSS, Womper's Club, NRA Life Member/Charter Member NRA Golden Eagles ... Knifemaker, http://www.mstarling.com | |||
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no worries...got the long barrel to use for hunting, in California there are weird laws around mag limits, semi-auto's etc...love to pig hunt and 10rd limit was great for the AR...don't have a chrono, but accuracy has been stellar at the range. | |||
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Helluva Detailed Post, Mr. Tomek! I learned quite a bit from this post, Thanks. "A Lone Hunter is the Best Hunter..." | |||
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Short answer-yes. Long answer-abbasolutely. 85 and 95 grain(prototypes) work very well!!! When catapults are outlawed, only outlaws will have catapults! | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting Hogs, Warthogs, Wild Boars, Javelinas Hunting Is 6.8 SPC , 110 grain BARNES Lead-Free TSX, good for Hog hunting?
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