Anyone tried out Barnes' TSX in .224. I saw on their website that in 2006 they are going to be selling A 62gr TSX in .224. Will this stabilize in a 1:12 or 1:14? Does this bullet make a .224 any deadlier on deer sized game? I've taken hundreds of deer and hogs with my 223 but 99% were head and neck shots. Would this bullet be advised for a more effective heart/lung shot?

Perry

I would not expect them to. That bullet will probably need a 9 twist.

However, the 53 gr. TSX is designed for what you are trying to do. I have some loaded up in my 223WSSM, but no deer has volunteered for the experiment yet.... FWIW, Dtuch.

"...hundreds of deer and hogs..."? You're fortunate - when I live in San Antonion, I couldn't afford a Texas deer lease.

Jaywalker

Perry, I don't use them in 224 but I do use them in my 243 in 85gr for my daughter. Although they do kill deer size game it seems all the deer she has shot this year we have had to track about 100 yards from impact before they knew they where dead, but she always shoots for heart/lung. I suppose a good head or neck shot would do the trick though.

Yep IMO they would be worth a try, I use the 53 TX in a 22/250 and a 223 and it is a wonderful slug.

IME a lot of people mention that the 60's are too heavy for standard twist rifles and that you need quicker twists.

Personally, I've found that for the most part the 60's and 63's shoot incredibly well in most 14 twist (and quicker) rifles.

I would for sure be thinking about giving them a try if the 53's didn't shoot so well.

Mark D

quote:

Originally posted by dustinztx:
Perry, I don't use them in 224 but I do use them in my 243 in 85gr for my daughter. Although they do kill deer size game it seems all the deer she has shot this year we have had to track about 100 yards from impact before they knew they where dead, but she always shoots for heart/lung. I suppose a good head or neck shot would do the trick though.

Like 'dustinztx' I don't use any .224 for big game(I consider all deer and hogs big game) but I do use Barnes TSX bullets in all our other rifles. Best bullet you can get today. Deadly accurate and out penetrates bullets like the Nosler Partition in bullets of like or even lighter weight. Lawdog

I don't have experience with any Barnes bullet ( in .224) heavier than 53 grains, but have had extremely good results in 22/250 and .223 using that bullet and have seen no reason to go heavier. Lots of one shot kills on deer and antelope with tremendous results and really good penetration, bang-flop as they say.
These bullets are pin-point accurate in my 22/250 over 38 grains of H380.

quote:

Originally posted by Mark Dobrenski:

IME a lot of people mention that the 60's are too heavy for standard twist rifles and that you need quicker twists.

Personally, I've found that for the most part the 60's and 63's shoot incredibly well in most 14 twist (and quicker) rifles.

Mark D

Mark, don't forget we are talking about copper bullets here. The Barnes 53 is about the same length as a conventional 60. A barnes 60gr. is going to be about as long as a conventional 75 gr. Twist requirements are related to length, which is why I'd be buying the beer if the 60 would stabilize in a 14 twist.... JMO, Dutch.

I used a 60 grain Nosler Partition in a 223 for a heart lung shot on a doe last year. It worked perfectly. I haven't used the TSX 53gr yet but have considered that bullet to be the other .224 suitable for Texas hill country deer. I would use a larger rifle for west Texas deer.

I'll let you know Dutch, then we can meet this spring at Henry's Lake and cuss and discuss life.

Mark D

I have used the 53gr TSX's out of my 22-250 extensively the last two deer seasons.

I have shot approx ten deer with the bullet from 40-350 yards over that time period.

The shots have been double lungs, heart, neck, frontal, shoulder, rear raking, basically the works. The deer have all died. I even had an oops where the bullet went into the hindquarter from the rear and busted the pelvis and deflected out the belly. That deer did take another shot to finish, but it wasn't the bullets fault.

I am a believer in the TSX's.

They work, I haven't recovered one yet.

Mark, that might take two beers..... Let me know when and where..... Dutch.

sounds good

Mark D

make it your best day

I used a Barnes TSX .224 53g in my 22-250 to take a small buck at 345 lasered yards. He just dropped with no further movement so I'm a believer in the bullet. This was after a less pleasant experience with a NBT. Barnes .224, IMHO, make the .224 a better deer rifle.

I can't wait for a 22 Long rifle barnes TSX, boy, that will then become my all around deer rifle. Bet you can tell what I think of people who hunt deer with pea shooters. Can you kill them, yep, you just dont tell "us" about the ones you lost because of your ignorance shooting a stupid varmint rifle for deer, Sorry , I dont respect any of you shooting pea shooters at deer............dont need your bs story how good you are either. Real hunters use cartridges made for the game they hunt.

I don't have a dog in this fight, but whitetails can weigh 80-200 lbs and a little more sometimes... a .223 will do the job fine everytime. It's knocking down bad guys that weigh about the same in Iraq right now.

quote:

Originally posted by AggieDog:
I can't wait for a 22 Long rifle barnes TSX, boy, that will then become my all around deer rifle. Bet you can tell what I think of people who hunt deer with pea shooters. Can you kill them, yep, you just dont tell "us" about the ones you lost because of your ignorance shooting a stupid varmint rifle for deer, Sorry , I dont respect any of you shooting pea shooters at deer............dont need your bs story how good you are either. Real hunters use cartridges made for the game they hunt.

I have not tried the TSX yet, but have bagged some roe deer (A little deer, about 40-60 lbs.) with the old barnes X 50 grs from my .222 Rem. The effect was convincing, and all bullets exited. For this purpose the X bullets are remarkably better than jacketed lead.

Fritz

No dog in the fight either, but today we had a guest hunter gut shoot a doe with a .308 150 gr out of a BLR. We found blood, but no deer after 2 hours of looking....pissed me off because I missed 2 hours of hunting and we chased all the deer out of the area looking for a poorly shot deer hit with a "deer rifle"

IT's WHERE YOU HIT EM...NOT WHAT YOU HIT EM WITH!!!! Today proved it to me for too many times!!

quote:

Originally posted by AggieDog:
I can't wait for a 22 Long rifle barnes TSX, boy, that will then become my all around deer rifle. Bet you can tell what I think of people who hunt deer with pea shooters. Can you kill them, yep, you just dont tell "us" about the ones you lost because of your ignorance shooting a stupid varmint rifle for deer, Sorry , I dont respect any of you shooting pea shooters at deer............dont need your bs story how good you are either. Real hunters use cartridges made for the game they hunt.

You are one sad man.
I have taken over 200 deer using my CZ 527 .223 with a 1 in 12 twist, using most good SP factory ammo.
I took them with, Sako 55 gr Sp, Federal 64 gr SP, and Federal Premium 60 gr Nosler Partition.
Everyone died very quickly with boiler room shots, i only go for neck or brain shots if im very close and confident.
Any caliber out their will wound a deer if the bullet is placed in the rong place.

Nope, I just recognize a "poaching rifle" when I see one. That's all they are. Maybe you think I ma sad, but I think it's sad when people think they are hot stuff killing deer with varmint class rifles. What's it prove? Sorry boys, but a varmint class rifle isnt in my bag of tricks, and I have no doubt I could kill hundreds myself. Ask the game wardens, bet they verify what I just said. It's the poachers favorite caliber................

AggieDog,
Seems like you have a major chip on your shoulder for this subject. I agree with mik that any bullet if it is not placed right will wound a deer. I use a couple of .224s for deer and hogs and dont think twice about it. I make head and neck shots. I dont do it because I like to brag on killing deer with a varmint rifle I do it because I know exactly what I am capable of with that weapon. I would never hunt game with a cartridge that is inadequate to make a quick and clean kill. As far as varmint cartridges being the favorite round of poachers, so what. Does that make it wrong to legally hunt with those calibers. I personally do not take heart and lung shots with varmint rifles on deer sized game but to rule them out totally is obsured.

AggieDog, you are obviously the dumb ass Texan that Aggie jokes are writen about. A well built .223 bullet at proper velocity, place in the Heart and lungs will kill any white just as dead as your 458 lott will.
Not everyone needs a big Gun to make up for certian physical inadequaties. so why don't you just go fondle your barrel.

quote:

Originally posted by AggieDog:
Nope, I just recognize a "poaching rifle" when I see one. That's all they are. Maybe you think I ma sad, but I think it's sad when people think they are hot stuff killing deer with varmint class rifles. What's it prove? Sorry boys, but a varmint class rifle isnt in my bag of tricks, and I have no doubt I could kill hundreds myself. Ask the game wardens, bet they verify what I just said. It's the poachers favorite caliber................

Errr, No, im not a poacher sir, but a profesional deer culler.
Second, i am a wildlife ranger, have been for 23 years, soon to retire.

quote:

Originally posted by AggieDog:
I can't wait for a 22 Long rifle barnes TSX, boy, that will then become my all around deer rifle. Bet you can tell what I think of people who hunt deer with pea shooters. Can you kill them, yep, you just dont tell "us" about the ones you lost because of your ignorance shooting a stupid varmint rifle for deer, Sorry , I dont respect any of you shooting pea shooters at deer............dont need your bs story how good you are either. Real hunters use cartridges made for the game they hunt.

A 22 magnum with a TSX would really be a humdinger of a deer killer.

Hey Gentleman

What loads are you using with Barnes 53 TSX bullets and how accurate are they. I would like to try them in my 22-250 for coyotes. Will they do a lot of pelt damage?

Thanks

Steve

Steve,
I haven't used them on coyotes. But from what I've seen on deer I don't think you would like the results.

AggieDog,
I specifically used my 22-250 for deer the last two years because of people like you telling everyone that that won't work for deer.

It's just like everything else, shot placement trumps just about everything from super velocity to super bullets. Next in importance is bullet diameter. Bigger diameter bullets have a little more dramatic results, just like higher velocity give dramatic results.

Shoot what you like, like what you shoot. But most importantly hit what you are shooting at!

SDhunter
Why would Steve ot like the TSX for coyotes?

whats your experine on deer with TSX's?
Thanks
Dr B

I think the TSx's would do a too much damage to the pelt.

This is just my opinion from what I've seen on deer. They have left some pretty good exit holes on deer, especially if any bone is hit.

Anyone have any actual experience with coyotes?

steve-here is my thoughts (based off of the old tried and true method of doing it).

That 53 TX will be about as pelt friendly as they come as long as...you avoid the shoulder bone, the spine and the breast bone (this one on a facing you shot, get the yote to turn b4 you drop the hammer.

It is a hard enough of a bullet to do a pretty darn decent job for you. Years ago I used the 55 TB for the same application out of my 22/250. It reacted about the same way.

Mark D

I gotta agree with Aggiedog. I know all you guys are incredible shots. It's just most of the world ain't that good....

In my province of Alberta it is actually illegal to use anything smaller than a 243 on big game. Seems a bit silly that the cartridges which you are discussing are deemed inadequate for an antelope yet the 243's are OK for elk,moose and grizzly.
I think the 224's would be great for antelope and small deer. For trophy deer i.e. large heavy bucks of 5 or 6 years af age I want no part of the 224's or 243's and think that the 277's and 284's are about right.
As for coyote pelt damage, the best bullet is one that will seldom make an exit hole. The Barnes bullets would always make that exit hole thus being a poor choice. Try Hornady V-Max or the old 75 gr HP's

On the question of pelt damage, I shot a coyote broadside at about 75 yards with the 85 TSX in a .243 a couple of weeks ago. He just tumbled over backwards into a washout and thats where I found him. Exit was about the size of a nickle. One instance only, but thats what I found this time.

"ole 270"

Im sure thats true and I am equally sure your bullet didnt encounter a bone larger than a rib(if that).Hit one through the shoulder blade and report back!

Hit one thru the shoulder blade with most about any bullet and you will either have a bitg entrance or a big exit.

If you get a minute BWest go back and read my post on this, you'll see where I am coming from.

Mark D

Am I the only one to savor the irony that the 224 Texas Trophy Hunter is billed by the Texas Hunter Association as the perfect Texas deer cartridge?

Whereas the 223WSSM (with the exact same case capacity) is not an inadequate poacher's round? JMO, Dutch.

I think the reason the TTHA feels the 22/6mm is able to harvest deer is the twist rate. Can you even get a wssm in 7-8 twist, doubtful. "The ultimate deer rifle"????? Not so much. The case capacity for the 22/6mm is 52gr. What is the case capacity for the wssm?

My 223WSSM holds 54 grains of water, and has a 9 twist (after market tube). FWIW, Dutch.

Dutch,
What bullets do you shoot? What do you use your rifle for? Can you find comercial ammo in the heavier bullets? Sorry for all the ? at once.

Perry

Why would you want such a fat twist 1-14 will stabolize a 52 gr TSX you might need a 1-12 for the new 62gr TSX.

I have a new 223 wssn built on the mod 70 action with a 26" 1-14 #2 fluted by Panor. We are still in the barrel breakin and load development stage. It just fired a 4 shot group with 40gr Nosler BTs over 46grs of Varget at 4406 fps into a sub .5 inch goup at 100yd.
we are going to work up the 52 TSX after we are satisfied with the coyote loads.
It should only shoot better as the barrel shoots in.
Dr B

Perry,

99% of the time, I shoot either the 75 Amax or the 80gr. Nosler. The reason I put together the rifle is for varmint control on the farm. We have quite a variety of very wary critters that like to eat our crops, but don't let us come within 500 yards before bolting. The 223WSSM is performing as requested (although the same can't always be said of the shooter....).

I don't think anyone is loading anything heavier than the 60-something grains Winchester loads. It's a stricltly handloading thing -- or custom ammo. FWIW, Dutch.