Since it's known that there are quite a few people out there that hate X bullets, who is the opposite?

Who uses the Barnes X for all or most of their hunting and why?

And who is giving the X another try since the Triple Shocks have come out?

I started out with the x-bullet years ago, because it was made in diameters which my favored Nosler Partitions were not. My .404 Jeffery (.423" diameter) and .416 Rigby worked very well indeed with those original X-bullets, and I soon expanded my useage to include the .338.

Having "relapsed" to Partitions in .338 as the Nosler options expanded, I just recently bought some 225-grain Barnes TSX bullets for my .338, aiming at an elk hunt in Alberta this fall.

This morning (Friday) I tested some TSX/Reloader 19 loads at 100 yards, and found that my Savage will group them right at 1/2 inch(!) from 100 yards, at 2850 fps. My search for an elk load is OVER, finito, done. I have perfect confidence in this latest version of the "x" and will give y'all an after-action report around November 5...assuming some unlucky elk presents hisself within a reasonable distance.

I'd gladly take x-bullets anywhere, in any caliber, after any game, so long as caliber selection suits the purpose. These TSX jobbies look like an excellent refinement of the earlier designs.

I use the new TSX a lot, and have been very happy with it's performance both on paper, and especially on game.

quote:

Since it's known that there are quite a few people out there that hate X bullets, who is the opposite?


And who is giving the X another try since the Triple Shocks have come out?

While I don't "hate" X bullets, I just had a less than overwhelming experience with them at the beginning.

I bought into the hype 15 or so years ago. Tried them in a 243 and just couldn't get them to shoot nearly as good as some other bullets. So I left them. No hate involved, just didn't suit my needs.

I'm now tempted to try the new TSX bullets, after reading some good stuff on here about them.

But... I also fall into that "if it ain't broke don't fix it" routine sometimes. I've got good loads worked up with other stuff, and just don't feel a burning "need" to change. Besides, I've got STACKS of bullets on my bench in the brands and styles that I use, so it may take a while before I burn through them and feel like I need to restock. Maybe someday though...

I use Barnes for the bulk of my hunting. I have a large inventory of the X and am using them now. Have a decent supply of the TSX and for my lever guns I use the originals. I have never fired a Nosler and only have one box of partitions in my inventory. Seems everyone loves them-- It is not broken, so I'm not fixing it!

I don't hate X bullets nor do I use them. I tried them on targets and media and they are not as good for my purposes. If barnes fills that hollow point with plastic I may try them again.

I have used 160 NP in my 7 MM Rem Mag from the beginning, but anticipate buying the new Federal 160 TSX's this fall. My new CZ 416 Rigby seems to like the 350 TSX bullets loaded by Conley Precision out of Texas on paper, will found out next month if the brownies like them as well.

Had a guy at local gunshop this week swear he knew everything about the Barnes bullets and said there is absolutely no difference between the X and TSX, Barnes just needed a new makeover for marketing purposes.

Is it possible he is correct?

The X and the TSX are exactly the same, except one has rings, a different ogive and a larger hollow points.

I prefer to use copper bullets, primarily because I like their very wide performance envelope, 1,800 to 4,000 feet. Just point and shoot..... I like the idea of not polluting my game meat with lead. I like limited meat damage, and I like two holes.

I'm not hung up on X's, I've also used GS customs quite a bit.

That said, if neither was available anymore, I'd be happy as a rooster in a hen house to shoot heavy for caliber cup-and-core bullets at moderate speeds...... FWIW, Dutch.

I used an XLC Coated bullet to shoot an 8point Whitetail last season. It worked great. I had purchased 500 of them so I will be shooting them quite a bit for practice and use them this coming season. I believe they are 160gr. in wt. and the rifle is a 7mm Rem Mag.

All my big game hunting is done with Barnes X bullets. I have tried a lot of different bullets, but for me, I get the best accuracy and performance from Barnes X. I also have a big inventory of Barnes X bullets on hand.

I wish there was a way to buy the TSX in bulk. I put together a list yesterday of what I need for some newer calibers aquired over last several months, and heck, it was over $ 500 just for bullets. Maybe we ought to form a buying group?

BHW,

Like Dutch pointed out, your gun shop guru is a moron.

I tried the TSX's this past season in my 7mm-08 and 22-250. They are extremely accurate in both rifles as well as being deadly. I have taken predators, hogs, and whitetails with them so far. I don't like the X's. I do like the TSX's.

Bob

quote:

Maybe we ought to form a buying group?

Get yourself a CR FFL and firms like Graf's will sell you stuff at +-20% off.

First, I also believe that if you already have a great load for a rifle, it is not necessary to change unless you just want to. Just like one of my 270's prints very well with partitions.

However, I also never used the original X bullet for obvious reasons. Then came the TSX.

I love it because
1) it is the most accurate hunting bullet I've ever tried.
2) it will penetrate just as well as any of its competitors
3) every animal I've put one in dropped
4) I have no excessive fouling in my barrels
5) Quality control is second to none
6) I don't think it is too expensive
7) The exact same load in one rifle turns out to be just as accurate in another, example: 57.0 Re19 with 130 TSX, WW brass, Fed210 gold medal match works in 2 of my rifles and my brothers. This makes thing quite easy. H4831 does the same thing.
8) there is less worry about concentricity issues as there is no lead core.

IMO, I think the Barnes is really taking older cartridges that have been argued against for certain types of hunting and made them have more lethality for a hunt.

Where bullets use to be said to be an utmost minemum for a type of game such as Elk, now the Barnes has given the underdogs a little more respect when it comes to killing power.

The .270 win, .308 win, .243 Win, 25-06 Rem, and even the 30-06 Sprig. ,with the list continueing, have been argued to have a minemum bullet weight for certain game but now with the Barnes TSX weights in bullets can be dropped and powders can be pushed harder under good pressures to get amazing killing power and flat shooting to improve time tested calibers.

It's just amazing to me that this bullet can crush through a shoulder at 200+ yards churn through internals like a high-speed blender and then destroy the offside shoulder on it's way out and still weigh 1-2 grains less than its original weight and not destroy a large amount of meat. And with the original bullet weight being 150gr. or less and having a B.C. higher than a bullet 10-20+ grains higher in lead version of it. And to top it off, it's being held as one of the most accurate bullets on the market.

I think if old grudges against the original Barnes X are lifted and the TSX is given try, I think some would see that changes have been made for the better.

Savage99


I second that idea I have hundereds of lead
bullets in every cal I shoot.
I am a cheap ass when it comes to shooting
the more I can save the more I can shoot.


But if I could get them a lot cheaper I would try them.
I hear nothing but good on them.


Someone hear talked a flashlight company ito giving AR members a deal on them.


Who has connections and is a good BSer
I mean a good talker?

Last year, I took a bison, and two cow elk with the barnes XLC in 300 Wby and 7mm Wby. I can't wait to try the tripple shocks.
Keith

quote:

Someone hear talked a flashlight company ito giving AR members a deal on them.


Who has connections and is a good BSer
I mean a good talker?

I am all for a discount on stuff but just the thought of the hassle factor makes me wince. Read some of the classifieds here or posts on accuracy and if you sold the bullets at a small margin you would still get calls that someone whats to return half a box because they sold the rifle or some reason that will make your eye's roll.

Think of all the different bullets there are. Would someone stock them all or would the customers wait for you to get them and then ship them out?

If my memory is right the flashlight deal was to be for only a few models and that makes sense. There has to be a dozen different X bullets in some calibers. Multiply it out.

No thanks. It's just a hassle.

I bought some 150grn triple shocks for my Remington 300 Win Mag that I am going to harvest some Deer with this fall, but I have not had a chance to shoot for accuracy due to the heat. I can only hope they live up to my expectations if so I may have found the last bullet I am going to try. I can only hope they shoot as well as the Sierra Match Kings do in my rifle.

I tried 150grn partitions last year but a 3 shot 4.5" group at 100yrds is not acceptable. The strange thing is they shoot great in my friends Winchester 300 win short mag, so I gave them to him.

Just finished load development for the 225 TSX in my .338 RUM---accuracy is unbelievable, I am not usually a naysayer but I am skeptical of anything I read---but they went beyond any expectations I could have ever had. As far as killing, I have had nothing but one shot kills with them, not to say that other bullets would not have delivered the same results---X bullets seem to have minimal meat damage---that "red jelly" like crap that seems to show up on the animals I have seen killed with BT's.....JMO.

IV

Anymore, I don't hunt with anything besides Barnes. I had a little trouble with accuracy in an old Ruger .243 that is over 25 years old, but in my newer rifles they are fantastic. One of the few bullets I have watched drop a mature whitetail buck in his tracks...and not just one time but several.

It is nice having little meat damage...with no small jagged chunks of lead or copper jacket to deal with.

Good product


MG

I just ordered a box of 180 gr, TSX. and a box of 200 gr. for my 300 RUM. hope they shoot as good as the accu-bonds.

I also just bought 100 180gr. 30cal TSX and I'm going to start loading them soon. Hope they shoot as well or better than the XLC's and original X's that have shot under an inch in my stock Rem 700 BDL SS .300 win mag.

I've loaded X bullets for abotu 10-12 rifles, and once you find the correct seatign depth (usually wha tthey sugest) I havenever found a problem with accuracy.

They seem to be the most accurate hunting bullet out there!!

I have just started loading for a 300WSM, and the 168gr TSX are extremely accurate, but for some reaosn , I am having pressur eissues wihtthem. I can load a 180gr Partition with more powder than the 168gr TSX.

I have eard abotu higher pressures with monolithic bullets such as the X, but never experienced it before...

Gatehouse, consider keeping the load reduced a bit from it's max anyway. The TSX is so tough, you don't need to max out the powder.

I see most people want to load up hotter loads. I've had extraordinary success with 2 grains under max typically. My rifles can handle more powder but I do not feel like it is necessary.

Doc,

Heck I thought I was the only one that noticed you can kill deer with less than a max load!

I used the Partitions for 20 years. Had great success with them. Bought a new 270WSM when they first came out and I decided with a new gun, I'd try a new bullet. I've had exception results with one shot kills on several elk with the 140g TSX.

I am a one load per gun kinda of guy. So that's it for my 270WSM, With such good results, I worked up a 168g lTSX oad for my 300WSM and 30-06. Again very accurate, but I have not shot anything with them yet.

Since I was buying Barnes, I started using 50g Varminators in my 223. Again great accuracy and with them being a varmit bullet, explosive impacts.

The only gun I haven't switch over to Barnes is my 25-06. I have a lot of 120g Partitions and 100g BST, so until I use those up, I don't forsee switching to Barnes for that rifle. And the 270WSM has replaced it as my favorite rifle. So it's not getting shot as often.

quote:

Originally posted by fireman23:
Doc,

Heck I thought I was the only one that noticed you can kill deer with less than a max load!

Nope. I've never understood that either. Sure, I like power but if I'm not happy with what I'm getting in a load/rifle, I bump up a caliber.

Here's a bet. I'd wager that a 270 with a 130 grain bullet with a min. load of, say, IMR4350 will kill a deer sized animal just as quick as a 7 mag with a 150 grain bullet with a Max load of H1000 at a reasonable and often encountered distance, say 275 yards.

the x just plain works and I like to use what works.

Doc,

No arguement here. Although the topic is on Barnes bullets "standard" loads typically utilize "standard" bullets quite well on game.