It seems as though most (alot) of you guys like the Barnes TSX / X bullets that are solid copper with no lead.
What’s not to be desired about a Hornady interlock or Swift A frame type bullet?

Why the choice for the Barnes, am I missing something here?



Thanks
Vinny

quote:

Originally posted by vinnyg:
It seems as though most (alot) of you guys like the Barnes TSX / X bullets that are solid copper with no lead.
What’s not to be desired about a Hornady interlock or Swift A frame type bullet?

Why the choice for the Barnes, am I missing something here?



Thanks
Vinny

For a lot of hunters, it is simply personal choice. The X and TSX have had their share of reports of less than stellar performance, just like many others, however. I personally have had 100% success with them, and now, chalk up a TTSX with that on black bear.

I cannot recall any reports of an Aframe failure of any kind. It is an outstanding bullet and I'm not sure why it is not more popular.

The Hornady bullets are great bullets as well, but many of us are "one bullet, one gun hunters" and will opt for a tougher bullet. Who knows, it may also just be a fad....wanting to try the latest and greatest bullets for awhile, then go back to the older, proven lead bullets.

Then of course there is the California lead ban and fear of this spreading. If in fact this does occur over the years, we'll all be shooting barnes TSX/TTSX, Nosler Etips, and other solid copper bullets.

Vinnyg,

Good question about Barnes bullets...

I was drawn to them because of their weight retention and accuracy. I have found both claims to be true. I shoot Barnes in 7MM rem mag, 30-06, 338 and 375 and have found them to be extremely accurate. I killed a muley buck and whitetail doe last fall and the bullet performance was spectacular from the 7mm.

It takes a little tweaking to get the seating depth correct for your particular rifle.

I have no experience with the Swift bullets..but from their reputation, I would not hesitate to use them..same with the Hornady. I shoot hornady 225 gr 338's interbonds in my 338-06 for practice and they are very accurate. I would also use the interlocks without hesitation.

For my money, premium bullets are worth the price. The barnes TSX just plains works!

Good huntin.

I started with the Barnes X in about 1991. I had been having problems anchoring coyotes with my Hornet. Then I read a magazine column about handloading the 223. The writer was shooting into ballistic gelatin blocks, and with the 45gr Barnes X shot out of a Contender pistol, the gelatin block expanded so violently, it knocked the other block off the table. Each shot with the Barnes produced this result, whereas none of the other bullets could do it. Once I started using them in my Hornet, coyotes started to drop and stay down.

Since then, Barnes are all I use for big game, and I load them for 2 friends.

Because it's being forced on me!!!

I have used them a few times but didn't see any advantage at all to them and in fact have not had a deer drop at the shot with them yet. I used a lot of Hornady & Sierras on deer and vermin with great success.
Now that the vultures are dying off (again) they have made lead core bullets off limits to hunters. I now have BOXES of Woodliegh bullets I can't hunt with here. I may sell them off or trade for TSX's.

BigNate, don't forget the Etips.

quote:

Originally posted by Doc:
BigNate, don't forget the Etips.

I've tried to pick some up a few times but they are always sold out. Are they still only available in .308/180's?

What happened to Groove Bullets?

I use Barnes X's in .375 H&H and .416 calibers. On large game enough that they are very unlikely to pencil. They have superb penetration, expansion, and weight retention ... and my rifles shoot them well.

I use Nosler partitions in smaller calibers and have been well satisfied with the results.

I personaaly think the premium bullt fad is just that. Nothing more than a high priced marketing gimmick. Shoot what is most accurate in your rifle.

I prefer the A-frames out of personal choice. I have never heard of a failure either. I think they (A-frames) are not a popular because of price. I can buy 100 partitions to 50 A-frames. Or there abouts.

I personally do not Barnes bullets, but again that is my expirence and preference.

Barnes bullets have a well earned reputation for accuracy.

Barnes bullets have a well earned reputation for penetration.

Barnes bullets have a well earned reputation for terminal performance.

When you have a bullet that shoots accurately, hits hard and does a lot of damage when it hits, and plows on through in a notably straight line, what more can you ask for? The Barnes TSX and TTSX bullets are about as just exactly what a rifleman would specify as we will likely ever see. The penetration and terminal performance is so good that in many shooter's opinion a 130 in an '06 is fully equal to anything you can get in 150 to 168. And just maybe 180s too.

That's why.

quote:

Originally posted by BigNate:

quote:

Originally posted by Doc:
BigNate, don't forget the Etips.

I've tried to pick some up a few times but they are always sold out. Are they still only available in .308/180's?

No, you can get 30 cal 150s also. I bought some 130 Etips for my 270s. Check their website and they will have what is available now.

I've said it before and I'll mention it again here too. The TSX changed all I ever knew about the original X. I couldn't get an X bullet to group worth a crap so I stopped even trying.

TSX came out and even though I was skeptical, my very first range trip was with the 130s in a 270. The initial pressure test loads all grouped under an inch and that was with 10-12 rounds if I recall. Cleaning wasn't a big deal, so that is what got me started.

quote:

Originally posted by 30378:
I personaaly think the premium bullt fad is just that. Nothing more than a high priced marketing gimmick. Shoot what is most accurate in your rifle.

I agree! I use the TSX in only one rifle because it shoots better than anything else I tried. Everything else uses "blue collar" bullets.

Usually the TSX fans claim on game performance as the chief reason for their allegiance. For me it was the TSX ability to shoot very small groups in paper that got me interested. However I've seen very little difference in killing power between the TSX and the Nosler Partition in 270 and 300 win mags I load for. I think it's a personal preference, but for me I've migrated back to Partitions.

I wonder how our early settlers were able to kill enough game to feed their familys without monster magnum rifles and premium bullets
Lyle

In Europe there is a tendency to ban all ammunition that contains lead projectiles for hunting purposes.

It is already in effect for shotgun shells in many areas/countries. And it will undoubtedly also come for rifle ammunition.

Therefore I am glad that bullets like the TSX and others are evolving.

quote:

Originally posted by McFox:
In Europe there is a tendency to ban all ammunition that contains lead projectiles for hunting purposes.

That seems to be the case even though Sweden seems to have stopped the law requiring leadless rifle bullets.

After learning a little about copper bullets like the KJG, teh JAGUAR and the TSX I am not that worried anymore, good products are available.

Besides, we can still build up stock on Nosler Partitions...

quote:

Why the choice for the Barnes, am I missing something here?

Don't think you are missing anything-all firearms go "bang" and bullets fly and hit there mark(depending). Of all the bullet makers Barnes in my experience has proven to be the most reliable and proven bullet thus far to date.

I think bullet performance surrounds in-line penetration and weight retention along with accuracies and Barnes rates excellent in this regard.

I have not bought very many Swifts of late, abit more monies required for an unneccessary bullet. Used to use Swifts Sciro and Afrms exclusively for moose and grizz but now they have given way to Barnes.

I still use a variety of bullet makers in my array of rifles but Barnes still leads the way as far as being a 100% dependable and reliable bullet and within my purchasing power.

When I compare a retreived Barnes to a Nosler or a Swift I like the Barnes. When I compare a Grand Slam to a Rem Core lokt I like the GS-Barnes has become my favorite bullet.

regards,

quote:

Originally posted by YUMAN:
I wonder how our early settlers were able to kill enough game to feed their familys without monster magnum rifles and premium bullets
Lyle

pure luck, im sure.

KS, that same comment has me buffaloed as well.....mmmmmh

pointy sticks and rocks I think.

Accuracy, terminal performance, and one of the main reasons for me is how much less meat I have to cut away and toss out..

Sterling terminal performance, but loaded hot the .366/286 gr bullet is prone to pushing pressure levels over P-Max. It is a rather long bullet that robs a lot of powder capacity - possibly the longest 9,3 mm bullet.

I therefore prefer the 250 grainer over the 286 grainer, and it is more than adequate for most game that we hunt and at the same time it stretches the effective distance so longer shots can be taken. The 286 gr TSX in my opinion is for buffalo and the like at short range only.



Warrior

For me its the allure of little groups from my hunting rifles with a bullet that just flat out performs on game

I prefer them because of the way they perform. I want a moderately sized wound channel larger than bullet diamter and complete penetration from any angle. Barnes bullets come the closest to giving me that kind of performance.

it was accuracy for me, barnes 3x gave me accuracy that I thought was never possible.
I'd love to try the a-frames, but they are so damn expensive so working up an accurate load with the a-frames would cost a bit more than with the barnes. I did just buy some Hornady bullets to try in my 338 though.
I've also tryed sierra gamekings with great accuracy, and nosler accubonds. I just haven't gotten to try any of them on game yet.

I took my old 7mm STW out shooting sunday after working up loads for some new Nosler Partition 160 grain bullets. When I reached for the box of loads I noticed that the only unshot cartridges in it were 160 grain Barnes TSX's loaded with H-1000. I had forgotten about these loads and had not shot them in several months but decided to unload the cases to be able to load them again. I casually shot them without checking for group until I had shot all three and recorded all the information, then was pleasently supprised to see a perfect stacked three leaf clover group all touching each other. Now I remember when I shoot the TSX's and also remembered that that was the load I used for a nice Mule Deer 4X4 buck I killed on Thornburg Mountain in Northwest Colorado several years back. Good shooting.

I am a Nosler Partition fan from way back.

However, the Barnes TSX bullets give accuracy from my rifles that is WAY better than any other bullet.

I have gotten to shoot the TSX (and some X bullets too) from multiple calibers.

It is my stong impression that the smaller the bullet/caliber, the less impressive the expansion of the Barnes X/TSX bullet.

However, even in my .257 caliber rifles, the accuracy is so astounding (0.75 inches at 200 yards with a featherweight barrel), that I choose accuracy (TSX) over expansion.
In the smaller calibers, with the TSX, I rely on me being able to hit the sweetspot on the game I am shooting.
That means a bipod or rest, and passing up iffy shots.

Wish Nosler made some sort of banded-partition hybrid.

Garrett

quote:

Originally posted by N. Garrett:
Wish Nosler made some sort of banded-partition hybrid. Garrett

I have a hunch you may get your wish.