I have been thinking about trying Barnes 160 gr X bullet in my .338 Federal for PA deer and I have a few questions.

Has anyone used these on game? How did they perform?

Are they as accurate at the TSX?

Thanks!

I shot a kentucky whitetail with the 210 XLC last year. A neck shot that completely removed the head except for a bit of skin holding it on. Exit wound of about 8 inches. Distance was 103 yards. I would suggest that you might load down if you want to eat the deer.

For deer I prefer the 300 gr. Woodleigh as it will not over expand and tear everything up..You could even load it down a tad. I have shot several Mule deer with it..

The 160 gr. will be hell and distruction on deer and you will also be gutting a nasty mess.

load some shoot them and hunt with them, that weight should work good with that 308 case opened up to 338 dia.take any angle shot you like the bullet will hold up, your rifle might doot on them ,remember too jump ,50 thousants to your lands. i'm Feed-up with all the negative BS about Barnes bullets.. prove it to your-self and don''t worry about all the arm-chair so called reloaders.
regards

Well, Atkinson sure knows what he's talking about, but maybe he's kidding about the 300 Woodleighs??????
A 160 gr X bullet out of a 338 fed case shouldn't be that explosive, but Stuff happens...I would be more concerned that at longer ranges especially it wouldn't open up. It takes a bit of speed to open up the Barnes bullets IME. The X bullets were never anywhere near as accurate as XXX for me, save one rifle and the coated X bullet shot like a house of fire out of her.

I think that bullet would be excellent fodder for you, save the chance of accuracy issues, and the possibility of not carrying enough speed downrange. I'd check Barnes to see what their recommended min velocity is, and see whether there would ever be any real issue with it at the distances you actually would shoot this rig.

Good Shooting!

I have shot this bullet as a novelty round out of my 338 lapua at maximum book loads. The bullet does not fail, even at speeds exceeding 3500 fps. It makes wound channels like a chainsaw on deer at that speed. Not exaggerating. It knocks large amounts of fur off the animal at both the entrance and exit sites, creating a halo of hair around the animal, more or less. Also expect to see alot of the insides of the animal present on the outside of the animal. Not very pretty.

Thanks Guys!

I have a Kimber 84 in .338 Federal. It seems to prefer lighter 180 / 185 gr bullets over 200 gr bullets.

If the 160's shoot well and expand at lower velocities they may be a good round for PA deer. Our deer are not large and don't take a lot of killing. BTW I "try" to pick my shots so I hit the vitals and don't mess up the meat.

this was my go to bullet in 338 win for years just about the same as a 7 mag hits a little harder faster . this bullett will monky stomp anything in north am. love em omly use mine at around 2900 in the win mag . have a 223 necked up to 338 made around this bullet also at around 2400 opens about 80 % harbly ever recover one from a deer usualy in and out lots of damage.

Thanks Crusher. That's what I wanted to know.

quote:

Originally posted by CRUSHER:
...have a 223 necked up to 338...

What's a big boy like you doing with a kid's gun?

Actually, I'm kind of intrigued with your idea. I've thought about a 223 necked up to 6.5 or 7mm but haven't considered something more extreme. I'd like something lightweight (maybe a mini Mauser or small Sako) for short range TX deer hunting. Tell me a little more about your rifle please.

Forrest

So, I guess everyone but jjimp has had the same type of results. Wonder WTF was jjimp's deal?

Seems to me just a plain 200 gr Speer SP or the Hornaday version would be just the ticket in the 338 Fed. I have shot a few deer with the 338 Winnie, with 225 gr Speer SP's, worked ok no blood shot meat, then again I just placed the bullet thru the ribs and lungs so, that shot may not mean anything. To bad Hornaday don't make that 200 gr RN anymore, that would be a fine bullet for the Federal

quote:

Originally posted by CRUSHER:
this bullett will monky stomp anything in north am

Great description!
I have loaded the TSXs and they work extremely well. More accurate than some supposed "target" bullets and very lethal.

True, the OLD Barnes bullets had some problems, but that is ANCIENT history now.
Anybody telling you Barnes new bullets are bad, either bought some old ones at a garage sale or doesn't know what they are talking about. Take your pick.

---Mike

I'm glad you posted this question. I have a 338 Fed. built by Alberta Tactical Rifle. It just loves the 185gr TSX bullets. Fantastic bullet.

I've often wondered what the 160's would do in mine. My rifle is like yours as well, doesn't like anything heavy.

I don't doubt one bit the construction of a Barnes bullet. Been using them for awhile and am quite pleased. Wether it's soft vitals or bone, you'll get two holes!

quote:

Originally posted by ForrestB:

quote:

Originally posted by CRUSHER:
...have a 223 necked up to 338...

What's a big boy like you doing with a kid's gun?

Actually, I'm kind of intrigued with your idea. I've thought about a 223 necked up to 6.5 or 7mm but haven't considered something more extreme. I'd like something lightweight (maybe a mini Mauser or small Sako) for short range TX deer hunting. Tell me a little more about your rifle please.

Forrest

ok I might look a little silly holding it but it works great.

I made it for a nice little walking around carbine straight bbl swap on most 223 rem have made five for other people . You get all you are going to from 16 inches of bbl so nice and compact reasonable performance and no hold over to about 150 yds being made for off hand work thats far enough .

also with a 250 gr x it is sub sonic and works great supressed . that is the why

I just thought it was neat I am having some headstamp brass made (waiting on jamison for 2 years) if you want one I will gladly bbl it for you give you the load data and some brass. I call it 338 HB. currently rem 700 cz527 and mini mkx in the field all just swap bbl basicly.

hell forrest for you ill even throw in a hog hunt to test it.

Thanks. I'll send you a PM.

Crusher

What kind of ballistics are you getting?

If you want the 160 gr. X's, you should get them now before they're gone. They're dumping them in lieu of the 160 gr. Tipped TSX.

quote:

Originally posted by Kingfisher:
If you want the 160 gr. X's, you should get them now before they're gone. They're dumping them in lieu of the 160 gr. Tipped TSX.

I just tried to order them from MidSouth but they were out. They had them a few days ago for $18.00 and change.

The 160 gr TSX is "on order" at MidSouth and I'll wait for that one. I think it will be a better choice.

you can order them straight from the barnes web site. the 160 gr ttsx is a better bullet but noting wrong with the x.

Anyone tried them in a 338 RUM?

that should be fast

dogface about like a 30-30give or take will pass clean through a deer or hog.