Just an update:

1) Barnes started the Tipped TSX as an answer to the TSX random expansion problem, even though their tests show the TSX opening as fast as any other bullet on test media.

2) The MRX was Barnes answer to the Winchester tipped failsafe bullet, whatever it is called.

3) XLC is discontinued.

4) No current plan to discontinue MRX as it is doing what it was designed to do and sales are where Barnes expected them to be. It opens faster than the TSX

A little birdie told me that 2 elk fell to the 168 T-TSX from a 30.06, one at 110 yards, the other at 140 yards. Both pass throughs, both elk dropped upon bullet impact. Load was 56.0 grains of IMR4350. Hunters were minors. Accuracy was 1/2" group at 100 yards. Savage 110 rifles.

There appears to be a high level of excitement towards the TTSX which is roughly 2.00 more per box than TSX.

quote:

Originally posted by Doc:
Just an update:

1) Barnes started the Tipped TSX as an answer to the TSX random expansion problem, even though their tests show the TSX opening as fast as any other bullet on test media.

2) The MRX was Barnes answer to the Winchester tipped failsafe bullet, whatever it is called.

3) XLC is discontinued.

4) No current plan to discontinue MRX as it is doing what it was designed to do and sales are where Barnes expected them to be. It opens faster than the TSX

A little birdie told me that 2 elk fell to the 168 T-TSX from a 30.06, one at 110 yards, the other at 140 yards. Both pass throughs, both elk dropped upon bullet impact. Load was 56.0 grains of IMR4350. Hunters were minors. Accuracy was 1/2" group at 100 yards. Savage 110 rifles.

There appears to be a high level of excitement towards the TTSX which is roughly 2.00 more per box than TSX.

1) Yep, I'm glad they're actually saying it.
2) The Winchester E-tip is their answer to the MRX which was out much sooner.
3) Yep.. Never tried any.
4) I have a box to give em a try but they aren't cheap... Bit much to go plinking at the range with...

I certainly will find out how well the TTSXs work.. 2 bucks more a box isn't relevant...

Ken....

I think the Nosler/Winchester "E-Tip" is most comparable to the Barnes T-TSX. The MRX and Winchester tipped Failsafe are basically the same bullet just different color so to speak.

Allegedly, most all T-TSX bullets will be available as early as January. Just a rumor.

doc,
winchesters failsafe was replaced by their new XP3 bullet. i believe thats why barnes made the new MRX...yes to compete and stay on top, but nosler came out with their own e-tip, really suprised that theres no photos or tests or reports at all any where you look in any forums,about said e-tip. way 2 much barnes bashing going on here too suit me.give credit where its due.....keep the flames on the grill.
regards jjmp

Don't know how I can better 19 consecutive one-shot northern whitetail kills using Barnes X and lately TSX with chamberings 280 Rem. and smaller. A plastic tip on TSX is like putting lipstick on a pig....entirely unnecessary.

My theory on the X bullets expansion is that if the tiny copper hollow point gets dented or closed in the bullet may not expand at all.

If the same kind of damage happens to a jacketed lead filled bullet the bullet may break open anyway as its weak inside and not solid copper.

A plastic tip would prevent the hollow point from getting closed in on a X bullet.

The TTSX bullet is the first Barnes design that has interested me for those reasons.

I wish Nosler good fortune as well with their copper alloy plastic tipped bullets.

forgot to mention i helped my friend get his 1st bull elk we ended up useing fed premiums 300win-mag. 180MRX bullets. they shot great out of his mod 110 savage bolt action, tested them at 50,100,300, 400 ,500,and maxed out at 625 yards.
he got his bull at 205 lasered yards,drt 5x5 not 2 small not 2 big!on my above post about the b-bashing i ment on our forum as a whole, not this post you started.
regards

Doc,

Just two weeks I shot a cow elk using Barnes Tipped Triple-Shock 168 grains 30 cal. with my 300 ultra mag.
went right through NO expansion what so ever.

Distance though was only 50 yards.


borntohunt

quote:

Originally posted by borntohunt:
Doc,

Just two weeks I shot a cow elk using Barnes Tipped Triple-Shock 168 grains 30 cal. with my 300 ultra mag.
went right through NO expansion what so ever.

Distance though was only 50 yards.


borntohunt

How do you know it had no expansion?

quote:

Originally posted by Cossack2:
A plastic tip on TSX is like putting lipstick on a pig....entirely unnecessary.

Well, I understand your position b/c I myself have never had a problem or evidence of a problem with the TSX. However, I respectfully, in part, disagree with a tip being "entirely" unnecessary.

There seems to be adequate feedback from some hunters who have shown a lack of mushroom in the TSX bullets.

So, the tip will cap the larger hollow point which should enhance the expansion. Plus, the tip will increase BC, maybe not much, but it will increase it. This seems to be very important to lots of hunters, but me personally, well, I could care less. BC is just another number to have fun talking about.

Inside of 300 yards, which is probably where most game is taken, we could all use flat based spitzers and never know the difference.

quote:

Originally posted by borntohunt:
Doc,

Just two weeks I shot a cow elk using Barnes Tipped Triple-Shock 168 grains 30 cal. with my 300 ultra mag.
went right through NO expansion what so ever.

Distance though was only 50 yards.


borntohunt

How far did she go after the shot? I'm assuming you found her. Do you think maybe the petals sheared off due to shot distance/velocity? I'd let Barnes know about the event and see what they say.

quote:

Inside of 300 yards, which is probably where most game is taken, we could all use flat based spitzers and never know the difference.

We could all use roundnose bullets and never know the difference!

LWD

quote:

Originally posted by LWD:
We could all use roundnose bullets and never know the difference!
LWD

Truth be told, that was exactly what was on my mind but I figure most hunters use spitzers over round nose, so I did not use that example. But, you are right.

Doc,

It went right through both lungs and she took a couple of steps than drop but was still kicking finishing her off with a head shot. I should of taking pictures but the exit hole on the inside of her was the same diameter as the entry hole.

I used the standard TSX bullets and there always been alot of damage. Now until I get a few more kills with the Tipped TSX or more information from others I can't really drew any conclusions but I have to admit I was totally surprise with these results.

BTH
 

I can pretty much guarantee the pedals came off quickly and your piece of "high speed copper rod" still did the job.
I had the same thing happen years ago at the same range with my 30-378 and a 150 grainer at 3700 fps and a 50 yds shot....my result...6x6 fell right there.....bullet got the job done perfectly fine.

quote:

Originally posted by borntohunt:
Doc,

It went right through both lungs and she took a couple of steps than drop but was still kicking finishing her off with a head shot. I should of taking pictures but the exit hole on the inside of her was the same diameter as the entry hole.

I used the standard TSX bullets and there always been alot of damage. Now until I get a few more kills with the Tipped TSX or more information from others I can't really drew any conclusions but I have to admit I was totally surprise with these results.

BTH
 

One interesting aspect of the whole hunting/bullet/velocity/etc. etc. etc. discussions is folks like us enjoy feedback, evidence, photos, you name it....for us to draw conclusions or lay foundations for future components to try.

But if we were to ask the other 75% of good hunters out there that have good firearms, and buy good factory ammo with good bullets, they would likely place your situation into a "cut and dry" occurence. A + B = C. Fast bullet plus cow elk equal fresh back straps.

No such words as "bullet failure" in their book.

I've been ignorant for years, despite my time based experience with handloading, rangetime, and God knows how many deer I've killed. Not to mention bears, antelope, elk....well, the elk doesn't count, he was a bowkill.

I didn't know bullets failed or didn't perform like they were designed to do until I started reading this forum, and later became a member.

I always assumed that if you shoot and it dies, well, this meant one thing, success. There was no gray area up for discussion. Everything that occurred between the moment the trigger was pulled and the gutting knife came out of the fanny pack was irrelevant.

Doc,

I agree, the bottom line is I now have +200 Lbs
of meat in the freezer.

Mery Christmas and HAPPY New Year to all !

borntohunt

quote:

Originally posted by borntohunt:
Mery Christmas and HAPPY New Year to all !

borntohunt

You too! And Ditto to all!

quote:

It went right through both lungs and she took a couple of steps than drop

Sounds about right to me, if you didn't hit a rib, you should've had little expansion anyway.

If you had been shooting a reg sp at that impact vel, it may or may not have just blown up, instead of getting a through and through. That is where prem bullets come in to play, hold together on close high vel hits, expand on long lower vel hits.

RC