I'm wondering if any one has used the 300gr Barnes TSX, .458-cal. in Africa, or Alaska, or Australia or North America on bear, moose, elk, hogs, African plains game, etc?

I have some that I'm loading for bear to 2720 fps.

If you have, would you share the details? Thanks.

And I need to add: it's not the 300gr TTSX for the .458 Socom, but the plain TSX.

Bob

www.bigbores.ca

I used the 300gr X bullet at a muzzle velocity of just under 2600 fps in my Ruger No.1 .45-70 to take a 6x7 bull elk at a range of about 150 yards.

The bullet struck the shoulder broadside at an impact speed of around 2200 fps, dropping the bull elk instantly as if a ton of bricks fell on it.

I was just going to ask this same question. I got my 458 back yesterday and the only 458 bullets that I have are some 300 and 350 grain cup and cores and some 300 grain TSX.

Any powder recommendations to start with?

Preferred propellant in my Ruger No.1 .45-70 is Re7 with 300gr and 350gr bullets.

In my .458 Win. mag. I have loaded 350gr bullets with H4895 at a muzzle velocity of around 2300 fps. Re7 should also be suitable.

In my .458 Lott I load 350gr TSX bullets to a muzzle velocity of 2600 fps using Re7.

I get the 350 grain TSX going 2500 with 69 grains of H4198. Its just idling but accuracy starts dropping off with higher charges.

I just rolled up some 300 grain Hornady HPs with 80 grains of H322. Just to test the fire and function of my Zastava since I haven't shot it yet.

An article on the .450 Ackley Magnum (written by Gil Sengel in Big Bore Rifles & Cartridges) states that Hornady 300gr HP bullets disintegrated in flight at 2812 fps measured 10 ft from the muzzle. I suppose barrel twist rate would also be a factor, stated as 1-in-14" in the article.

You would be very close to that speed with your handload.

This may be beside the point: I spoke to Barnes Technical Support about running the lighter TSX's (below 450 grains) in my Lott and they said if I shot them at or near Lott velocities I would be blowing petals off in game. They said the bullet was designed for (I could be remembering this incorrectly) less than 2,100 FPS. Again, take this with a grain of 50 BMG powder... Why a grain of that, you may ask? Well because it's the only damn powder I can find around here and I'm using the salt to clear our icy roads!

-John

As I always understood the 300s were made for the 45-70. Even hot you wouldn't load more than about 2200. Anyway most of the factory loads gave about 1800fps and most are too soft for under about 100 yds. That's why I went tothe Barnes.

quote:

Originally posted by mete:
As I always understood the 300s were made for the 45-70. Even hot you wouldn't load more than about 2200. Anyway most of the factory loads gave about 1800fps and most are too soft for under about 100 yds. That's why I went tothe Barnes.

The .458 300gr XFN bullet, shown on the left, is the one suitable for .45-70 lever action rifles with tube magazines (not bullets with spitzer profiles like the XFB bullet shown on the right). I suppose either bullet, being a solid copper hollow points, wouldn't disintegrate at muzzle velocities approaching 2800 fps.

Heres an article I found awhile ago, as usual take everything with a grain of salt.It does fit in with the topic.

http://www.loaddata.com/articl...opics%2079%20LR1.pdf

Also, I asked Barnes what they thought of the idea of smacking a buffalo with a 350 grain TSX, and this is what I got back.

Hi XXXXX,

Yes the 350gr TSX will do fine and provide less recoil. The 450gr and 500gr TSX's often go all the way through the first buffalo and I've heard of several cases where a guy has taken two buffalo with one shot - so you won't be short on penetration. Absolutely go ahead and use the 350gr TSX.

Thanks, Ty

quote:

Originally posted by John Galt:
This may be beside the point: I spoke to Barnes Technical Support about running the lighter TSX's (below 450 grains) in my Lott and they said if I shot them at or near Lott velocities I would be blowing petals off in game. They said the bullet was designed for (I could be remembering this incorrectly) less than 2,100 FPS. Again, take this with a grain of 50 BMG powder... Why a grain of that, you may ask? Well because it's the only damn powder I can find around here and I'm using the salt to clear our icy roads!

-John

Seems the current TSX bullet expands better than the original X bullet first introduced back in the early '90's, however, the ballistic coefficients have been downgraded since the heavy caliber TSX bullets have more of a semi-spitzer profile. For example, the old .458 350gr X bullet has a b.c. listed as 0.402; the 350gr TSX, 0.278.

While not .458 caliber, these unfired .416 caliber X (350gr) and TSX (300gr) bullets compared show differences in profile. In regard to expansion characteristics -

On the left is a 300gr X bullet recovered from an elk at an impact speed of around 2700 fps.

On the right is a 300gr TSX bullet recovered from a moose at an impact speed of around 2300 fps.

have used the 350gr tsx in my 458win mag for large top end pigs and buffalo, with great results, except found them a bit hard for pigs. used adi 2207 71gr win case fed 215 primer in a safari express 458wm 1-4 vx2 scope. On buff they easily did the job with the pills found under the hide on the off side, every time, they didn't go far, and 1 shot was all i needed, happy with that for sure. sorry its not about the 300gr tsx, but thought i'd share. i would use the 300gr tsx .458 pill on the same game, but would most likely choose my shoots, ie, no rear end shots or body length raking shots, think they will open better in the larger pigs also.

fyi, currently trying some new australian made mono pills, aussie custom projectiles .458 450gr, in medium design, have a look

Just as a point of interest, ADI 2207 and h4198 are the same powder. Depending where you live that can be good to know.

I'm glad that you posted your experiences with buffalo and the 350s. Often when people express how confident they are in a smaller caliber or non traditional weight they stop short of saying they've actually done it.

quote:

Originally posted by 4sixteen:

quote:

Originally posted by John Galt:
This may be beside the point: I spoke to Barnes Technical Support about running the lighter TSX's (below 450 grains) in my Lott and they said if I shot them at or near Lott velocities I would be blowing petals off in game. They said the bullet was designed for (I could be remembering this incorrectly) less than 2,100 FPS. Again, take this with a grain of 50 BMG powder... Why a grain of that, you may ask? Well because it's the only damn powder I can find around here and I'm using the salt to clear our icy roads!

-John

Seems the current TSX bullet expands better than the original X bullet first introduced back in the early '90's, however, the ballistic coefficients have been downgraded since the heavy caliber TSX bullets have more of a semi-spitzer profile. For example, the old .458 350gr X bullet has a b.c. listed as 0.402; the 350gr TSX, 0.278.

While not .458 caliber, these unfired .416 caliber X (350gr) and TSX (300gr) bullets compared show differences in profile. In regard to expansion characteristics -

On the left is a 300gr X bullet recovered from an elk at an impact speed of around 2700 fps.

On the right is a 300gr TSX bullet recovered from a moose at an impact speed of around 2300 fps.

Thanks to those who've responded.

4Sixteen: the bullet on the right isn't a 300gr TSX, it's a 350gr TSX (3 grooves) if it's in .458", or are you showing .416 bullets?

I've experience with the .458" 350 TSX in both my (former) .458 Win Mag on a black bear at an impact velocity of over 2400 fps.... I wasn't impressed! The penetration was great but it appeared the bullet never expanded. It was a medium bear that went that farthest of any I've shot with .458" bullets.

I also used that one (350gr TSX) in my No.1 Ruger in .45-70 Improved at 2470 fps.

It's the 300 TSX (2 grooves) for my No.1 Ruger that I was asking about. I'm pushing it to 2645 fps and will try a new load when the weather improves at about 2720 fps. I want expansion on bear at up to 250 yards.

Thanks again to all for comments.

Bob

www.bigbores.ca

quote:

Originally posted by 4sixteen:
I used the 300gr X bullet at a muzzle velocity of just under 2600 fps in my Ruger No.1 .45-70 to take a 6x7 bull elk at a range of about 150 yards.

The bullet struck the shoulder broadside at an impact speed of around 2200 fps, dropping the bull elk instantly as if a ton of bricks fell on it.

Now that's what I'm looking for. But I hope it wasn't that 350 TSX in the pic!!!

Thanks.

Bob

www.bigbores.ca

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
I was just going to ask this same question. I got my 458 back yesterday and the only 458 bullets that I have are some 300 and 350 grain cup and cores and some 300 grain TSX.

Any powder recommendations to start with?

H4198 is best! Better than RL-7. RL-7 is a tad too slow. Also AA1680.

Bob

www.bigbores.ca

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
I just rolled up some 300 grain Hornady HPs with 80 grains of H322. Just to test the fire and function of my Zastava since I haven't shot it yet.

Good for paper punching if they make it to the target!

Bob

www.bigbores.ca

My images show .416 caliber bullets.

quote:

Originally posted by 4sixteen:
My images show .416 caliber bullets.

Thanks 4sixteen.

On reflection, I thought that was so. But I appreciate you sharing that info as it is still relevant and helpful.

Thanks again.

Bob

www.bigbores.ca