Barnes TSX reviews/question

Here is a coues deer that I shot at 420 yards with a 25-06 shooting a Barnes 100 grain TTSX While you really can't see the exit hole real good you can see that it is a good hole in the hideView attachment 396297
@JimP
I've only shot pids and goats so far with the 25 cal 100gn TTSX started out at a bit over 3,600fps.
Never recovered a bullet. All the goats I've shot just seem to kneel down on their front legs and then the back just collapses, almost likes low motion. Pig are either bang flop ar a short run. Goats are very soft so this may be the reason for a different reaction.
Bob
 
@JimP
I've only shot pids and goats so far with the 25 cal 100gn TTSX started out at a bit over 3,600fps.
Never recovered a bullet. All the goats I've shot just seem to kneel down on their front legs and then the back just collapses, almost likes low motion. Pig are either bang flop ar a short run. Goats are very soft so this may be the reason for a different reaction.
Bob

I’ve taken one deer with 120 tsx in a 6.5 creedmoor, and two deer with 300 tsx from 416 rem Mag. Which both bullets were loaded at 2930 FPS in the 6.5, and 2712 FPS in the 416. Like you Bob, everything has been pretty much bang flop.
 
On our plains game hunt we took 13 animals from Kudu, Sable, Gemsbok down to Warthog.
Used my 7mm RUM hand loaded with 160 gr TSX bullets.
Every animal dropped in their tracks except two and they went about 10 yards before dropping.
We only were able to recover 1 bullet and that was from my Blue Wildebeest. Took out both his front shoulders. Picture of bullet is below.
Heading over in August for Cape Buffalo and Crocodile and for this hunt I have loaded 300 gr TSX using 67 gr of RL15 in my 375 H&H. I fully expect great results with that combination as well.
Barnes%20160%20gr%20TSX%20-%20Blue%20Wildebeest1.jpg
 
Since 2005, most of the game we have taken has been with Barnes bullets. I don't think I have used anything but Barnes bullets on game in my 30-06's since then. Have used the bullets on truckloads of whitetail deer and pigs as well as a bunch of plains game. I have recovered 2, 180gr 30-06 bullets: both in gemsbok under the skin on the opposite shoulder. Both shots were under 100yds.

Biggest game I have shot with a Barnes bullet was an eland with my 9.3x74R double, 2 shots in the shoulder at around 80 yards, both pass throughs.

As for one shot kills, if the animal is on its feet, I keep shooting. Especially when I have a double rifle in my hands. :LOL:

1 Barnes 180gr - 178.2.JPG
2 Barnes 180gr - 178.8.JPG
 
I like a little softer bullet for strictly deer , like a trophy bonded tip. I've shot a bunch of whitetail with the Barnes bullet and noticed it wasn't damaging as much , kinda drilling holes straight through. I never lost any but one blood trail was quite sparse for a shoulder shot. I should mention I'm shooting 180s out of a 30.06 so I think a little more velocity woulda helped in the damage department.
 
Barnes work great on deer and elk. BUT I shoot a .300 WinMag and don't shoot more than 350 or so, so velocity is still quite high. Supposedly Hammer Bullets, made in Montana, although pricey, work even better. also all copper. The Hammer Bullets guys are doing an African Safari right now or very soon, I believe.
In regards to Hammer Bullets: I tried these for the first time last year in my new .264 win Mag. Loaded the 123 gr. Absolute Hunter at 3400 fps. Shot one whitetail and two Aoudad rams. The whitetail and one ram just froze and dropped when hit. The other ram ran only made it about 15 feet. All were dead on their feet. My only complaint is there was absolutely no blood outside the animals. Not even where they laid dead. Everything was mush inside though. The deer's chest cavity sloshed when we loaded him in the truck. Sounded like a half full 5 gallon water bottle. I'm going to keep using them for next deer season to further test.
 
I have shot Barnes bullets now for 25+ years on deer, elk, and a few other North American game animals and have had zero problems with them. I have also yet to recover a single bullet from any of the animals that I have shot with them, but most have been one shot kills as long as I hit them in the vitals.

I started shooting X bullets then went to the TSX and now only shoot the TTSX out of a 7mm Rem mag, .30-06, 270 Weatherby, and a .340 Weatherby.
Hi Jim,

I would be grateful for your" .30-06 with Barnes" recipe. I am trying to find a suitable replacement for the Sierra Gameking 150 grs I am using now, but I didn't succeed in duplicating its accuracy,
Thanks ain advance
 
As stated it appears Barnes performs best with higher speeds. I’m wondering how it would work in 7mm08 or 280 where the velocity is a little slower
Barnes makes a 120gr for 7mm-08. I would suggest this for deer, Keep that velocity up. I love barnes and use them a lot. l have noticed they don’t kill deer as quick as the old softy with a classic behind the shoulder. It is a good tradeoff though; Im able to have confidence if I run into something bigger like a big hog or Nilgai Bull.
There is not a perfect do it all bullet in my mind. Just gotta pick the one with the best trade offs for what you're doing.
 
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I have experience with Barnes TSX/TTSX from one caliber extreme to the other and many in the middle, 750gr TSX at 2076 fps went in the last rib of a Cape Buffalo at 16 yards through the river reeds, he was one of 7 Dagga boys the wind Gods allowed us to creep up on, at the shot he fell and began his death bellow, i quickly moved left and gave him a 750gr Barnes solid through both shoulders at PH's request, a bull Hippo dropped dead from a single 750gr TSX to the shoulders.

Whitetail deer and pigs are easily killed with 270gr TSX from an old pre-64 375 at 2680 fps, so were Bushpig, Nyala, Bushbuck and Warthog.

Deer, pigs, here at home from an old 12 twist 257 WBY mag firing 100gr TSX at 3500 fps simply melt at the shot as if they were hit with a lightning bolt, as do the same deer and pigs with a 358 Winchester firing 200gr TTSX's at a very pedestrian 2700 fps.

All the way down to the tiny 45gr TSX fired at 2922 fps from an even older pre-64 22 Hornet at a coyote pestering the hell out of a mama cow down trying to calve, the little bullet entered his chest at 88 yards, exited about an inch off dead center nutbag, his menu selection concerns were put to rest that morning LOL.

Guess i went a long way around the barn to say, big or little, fast or slow, big game to light, they simply work, another reason i have only one load per rifle, a 570gr TSX at 2168 from a 500 Nitro double will kill deer within it's range just as easily as it'd kill a bull moose or buffalo, we have a great and grand sport Gentlemen, and will never learn it all, the ongoing education and discoveries is all part of the fun and absolute satisfaction.
 
Barnes makes a 120gr for 7mm-08. I would suggest this for deer, Keep that velocity up. I love barnes and use them a lot. l have noticed they don’t kill deer as quick as the old softy with a classic behind the shoulder. It is a good tradeoff though; Im able to have confidence if I run into something bigger like a big hog or Nilgai Bull.
There is not a perfect do it all bullet in my mind. Just gotta pick the one with the best trade offs for what you're doing.

While most 7x57's really like heavy for caliber projectiles.. Mine actually prefers the 120gr and 140gr 7mm Barnes TTSX..

That limits me a little bit when considering bigger, heavier framed animals..

But for typical TX whitetail, hogs, etc.. its about perfect..

and with a 140gr TTSX I still feel plenty confident to take it after most medium sized PG as well (I wouldnt hesitate to squeeze on a kudu, waterbuck, etc)..
 
Berger VLDs are terrific for WT Deer. Barnes TTSX and TSX for PG and Cape buffalo.
As mentioned many times above shot placement is the key.
I like a Barnes 180gr TSX in 06 with 53gr 4350 for deer and pg. I took a fallow deer at about 100 yds. Never knew what hit him and dropped him in his tracks. My red deer I hit a little back because he moved behind a bush just as I fired. When he took another step I downed him. Both shoulder shots and good clean kills.
 
Have two(2.0) TSX rifle loads (not counting the 140 gr. .357 Mag. carbine load).

Both factory acquired on clearance in bulk, at essentially bullet component cost:

- Pierce Performance/Ted Nugent .270 Win./140 gr. TSX
- Remington Hog Hammer .30-06 Spg./168 gr. TSX

Use them primarily for woods (.270) and feral hog (M1) hunting.

Never recovered one, but they do appear to work just fine.




Red
 
I used 110 gr Barnes ttsx out my dad’s 308 @ 3000 fps on water buck. The distance was 182 ms the bullet open like advertise very happy the shot was quartering away entered on the 3rd last rib and stop under the shoulder. The water buck ran 23ms one lung was collapsed.

barnes 110.jpeg
barnes 110-1.jpeg
 
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I also used 150 gr Barnes tsx out my tikka 270 @ 2600 fps on springbucks. The distance was 121 ms the bullet did not really open like advertise the shot was a texas heart shot and the bullet stop in the heart . The springbuck did drop just there

IMG-20210924-WA0016.jpg
 
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I have experience with Barnes TSX/TTSX from one caliber extreme to the other and many in the middle, 750gr TSX at 2076 fps went in the last rib of a Cape Buffalo at 16 yards through the river reeds, he was one of 7 Dagga boys the wind Gods allowed us to creep up on, at the shot he fell and began his death bellow, i quickly moved left and gave him a 750gr Barnes solid through both shoulders at PH's request, a bull Hippo dropped dead from a single 750gr TSX to the shoulders.

Whitetail deer and pigs are easily killed with 270gr TSX from an old pre-64 375 at 2680 fps, so were Bushpig, Nyala, Bushbuck and Warthog.

Deer, pigs, here at home from an old 12 twist 257 WBY mag firing 100gr TSX at 3500 fps simply melt at the shot as if they were hit with a lightning bolt, as do the same deer and pigs with a 358 Winchester firing 200gr TTSX's at a very pedestrian 2700 fps.

All the way down to the tiny 45gr TSX fired at 2922 fps from an even older pre-64 22 Hornet at a coyote pestering the hell out of a mama cow down trying to calve, the little bullet entered his chest at 88 yards, exited about an inch off dead center nutbag, his menu selection concerns were put to rest that morning LOL.

Guess i went a long way around the barn to say, big or little, fast or slow, big game to light, they simply work, another reason i have only one load per rifle, a 570gr TSX at 2168 from a 500 Nitro double will kill deer within it's range just as easily as it'd kill a bull moose or buffalo, we have a great and grand sport Gentlemen, and will never learn it all, the ongoing education and discoveries is all part of the fun and absolute satisfaction.
@50Gunner
What were you loading the 750gn Barnes into.
Bob
 

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(cont'd)
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