Out here on the left coast they have restricted the use of lead bullets. Don't do to much hunting here but was invited to go boar hunting which we have plenty of. Was looking at the Barnes TSX and MSX but Have never used or loaded all copper bullets. Any info/advice would be great. Also, how are they on barrels?

I have seen great accuracy with TSX and TTSX, and a friend has done well with MRX. I have not put mine one an animal yet, but the MRX took a dear and a large montana elk this year with no problems. BBL life should be fine, but check to make sure you don't build up fouling. Most of the time you will be fine because the Barnes have the grooves to reduce friction etc.

I don't trust homogeneous bullets at lower velocities.

That'll be $.02 please.

Barnes recommends seating them a .050" off of the lands which usually isn't a problem in factory chambered guns.

It may take another grain of powder to get them to the same velocity as similar weight cup and core bullet.

I've had great performance with the TSX in 223, 22.250, 7mm Mag and 375 H&H.

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Originally posted by guncurtis2:
I have seen great accuracy with TSX and TTSX, and a friend has done well with MRX. I have not put mine one an animal yet, but the MRX took a dear and a large montana elk this year with no problems. BBL life should be fine, but check to make sure you don't build up fouling. Most of the time you will be fine because the Barnes have the grooves to reduce friction etc.

Thanks for all the info! I looked at the TSX and it looks like it would expand rapidly? Wild boar as you probably know, have that thick plate reaching back across the legs from the shoulder. Perhaps the tipped-TSX? Your thoughts...

FWIW- TSX's in 375 that I have seen after recovery boast exceptional weight retention and through my gun are one of the more accurate bullets I've tried.
Jason

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Originally posted by WhatThe:

quote:

Originally posted by guncurtis2:
I have seen great accuracy with TSX and TTSX, and a friend has done well with MRX. I have not put mine one an animal yet, but the MRX took a dear and a large montana elk this year with no problems. BBL life should be fine, but check to make sure you don't build up fouling. Most of the time you will be fine because the Barnes have the grooves to reduce friction etc.

Thanks for all the info! I looked at the TSX and it looks like it would expand rapidly? Wild boar as you probably know, have that thick plate reaching back across the legs from the shoulder. Perhaps the tipped-TSX? Your thoughts...

I get better accuracy w/ the TTSX. They will have a lsightly reduced powder charge vs the same wt lead core bullet. They like to be shot off the lands, how much, you just have to experiment.

Well I loaded up some 150 grain TTSX's for my .308 for the range tomorrow. Will see how they do. Didn't spend a lot of time and just stuck to instincts: IMR 4895 44.0 Grns. CCI LR/BR2 primers and annealed Win brass @ 2.01.5 set the bullet about .50 off the lands as someone suggested. Will let ya all know how it goes.. Thanks!!

TSX are great bullets, very accurate. I've used them exclusively since they came out and have shot everything from coues to elk, 70 to 310yds. Especially deadly b/w 2-300 yards. Take your time to find the load and you won't look back. good luck.

Does anyone have any stories of California game wardens checking for lead free bullets? I just wondered how they could tell a Sierra hollow-point from an all copper tsx.

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Originally posted by 390ish:
Does anyone have any stories of California game wardens checking for lead free bullets? I just wondered how they could tell a Sierra hollow-point from an all copper tsx.

I have hunted almost every state west of the Mississippi and a few east of it.....all have a legal requirement for firearm....never in my life have I been checked for the legal requirement nor have I ever known anyone to be checked.

Occasionally an officer will check for steel shot for waterfowl....that's as far as it goes.....I'll wager no one has been checked in California either.

Occasionally an officer will check for steel shot for waterfowl....that's as far as it goes.....I'll wager no one has been checked in California either.[/QUOTE]

Here in the land of OZZ (CA), you don't take a chance on anything. With all of California's left-wing lizard lovers, it's not a hunter friendly state and the rules, laws and restrictions do nothing more than discourage hunting hoping the wall of restrictions discourages hunters. You folks ought to hear some of the nightmare stories, it's just unreal! In any event, it is very real that if you get caught with lead ammo, they will arrest you, take everything you have on you and everything you have to get you there including trucks, ATV's etc., and it's very remote you will see them again and if you do you will spend a fortune of both time and money getting them back!

BECoole,

May I direct your attention to a study discussed in the excellent book, Rifles for Africa, by Gregor Woods. In an extensive study conducted using Marnes X bullets at typical hunting ranges (note: not long range shooting) Barnes X bullets provided the greatest penetration and weight retention when fired at muzzle velocities of approx 2450 fps from 22, 308 and 375 cal rifles. FWIW

The conclusion was that this velocity was sufficient to cause the petals to form back to 90 degrees from the shank and act in a scything motion thereby cutting tissue rather than mushroomking and plowoing along with reduced penetration.

The conclusion was that this velocity was sufficient to cause the petals to form back to 90 degrees from the shank and act in a scything motion thereby cutting tissue rather than mushroomking and plowoing along with reduced penetration

This is great info, hence the boards do prevail in knowledge. I am for the most part a match junky and do my hunting outside of CA and never considered these bullets. Of course a little stubbornness on my part applies as well. Thanks for the info and the book "Rifles for Africa, by Gregor Woods" is on my list!

cheers. get it via safari press

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Originally posted by vapodog:
I have hunted almost every state west of the Mississippi and a few east of it.....all have a legal requirement for firearm....never in my life have I been checked for the legal requirement nor have I ever known anyone to be checked.

Occasionally an officer will check for steel shot for waterfowl....that's as far as it goes.....I'll wager no one has been checked in California either.

I have been checked for a "plugged" magazine for a shotgun… as was my friend with an Over Under, who was next to me.
I guess it was a long day for the Game Warden

Pretty surprised! They (TTSX) grouped in at about 1 1/2" and the chrony average was 2705 (10 shot). Should work over a boar pretty well. On my way to King City to bring home some bacon? Thanks for the help everyone!.............

Just got back from the King City area on my boar hunt with the TTSX bullets. You guys are right, got a little guy about 90 Lbs. and a larger one about 225 Lbs. Both one shot 2 step kills with my .308 using the TTSX Barnes bullets. Thanks...

I too am in Kommiefornia! I have tried a number of Non lead bullets and the Barnes 168 gr. TTSX in any .30 will do the deed on pigs. There is lots of loaded ammo available. If you are going to reload, use the barnes manual. or PM me and I'll share my load data

WhatThe: you may be able to shrink that group if you want to spend time tinkering with OAL. Nothing wrong with the group you're getting for use on any animal.

In my experience, the TSX leaves less copper fouling than the old X bullets, but still more than regular lead core styles. I use Sweets after about 20 rounds to keep the copper cleaned out.

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Originally posted by WhatThe:
Just got back from the King City area on my boar hunt with the TTSX bullets. You guys are right, got a little guy about 90 Lbs. and a larger one about 225 Lbs. Both one shot 2 step kills with my .308 using the TTSX Barnes bullets. Thanks...

Congratulations on the 1-shot Kills!

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Originally posted by WhatThe:
Pretty surprised! They (TTSX) grouped in at about 1 1/2" and the chrony average was 2705 (10 shot).

Is this the 130 Gr TTSX? I have had really fine accuracy with this bullet in a 30 TC. Interesting perfromance though, imperceptable entry wounds...but dead critters so far......

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Originally posted by Fish30114:

quote:

Originally posted by WhatThe:
Pretty surprised! They (TTSX) grouped in at about 1 1/2" and the chrony average was 2705 (10 shot).

Is this the 130 Gr TTSX? I have had really fine accuracy with this bullet in a 30 TC. Interesting perfromance though, imperceptable entry wounds...but dead critters so far......

I used the 150 Grn. bullet. The smaller pig was a broadside shot and the exit wound was pretty devastating. On the larger hog, I took a head-on shot right in the chest. The bullet entered just above the chest plate or rather under what I guess you could call a chin. The bullet had a long way to go to exit and didn't make it out his a$$ but the bullet stayed about 90% together to my surprise. The internal damage to the hog was almost disturbing. The bullet must have done some wild gymnastics because I don't ever remember seeing such a mess. I think it's due to the fact that the bullets core is much harder than lead and retains it's weight that makes it so devastating. I would hesitate to chest shoot deer or elk and wait for a good broadside based on what I saw.