I thought I would give Barnes TTSX a try. I heard the accuracy wasn't the best but you might get better penetration. After looking at the bullets I was surprised at how sloppy they were made. The tips didn't match up with the copper bullet at all and could understand why the accuracy suffers. The tips on Hornady SST which I have been using matched flawlessly. Since I only bought one box, I was wondering if I got a bad lot or is this normal for Barnes. Thought Barnes was a good name, but I see they have a Quality Control issue there. Was wondering your thoughts.
Barnes TTSX
- Thread starter hdtramp
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The_Quartermaster
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The load I decided on for 130 TTSX in .308 was according to my record, was exactly 1 MOA, or 1.05 at 100 yards. Powder was CFE223 at 45 grains using Hornady once fired .308 brass, primed with CCI LRP, and OAL was by the book, I'd have to go back and take another look if interested.
rayatphonix
Member
Accuracy for 120 grain/.264 TTSX is excellent for me. Less than 1/2” groups. Seating depth has a big effect with my particular rifle. It needs to be seated pretty far from the lands. Velocity is 2795 fps out of a 22”barrel.
The_Quartermaster
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Grendel or 6.5C?
barnfrog
Member
It took me a lot of bullets and other components to find it because I chose to undertake my first real load development effort with TTSXs (NOT recommended), but I did eventually find a sub-MOA load with the 80-grain .243 bullets. MV is right around 3100 fps which keeps me well above the recommended terminal velocity of 1800 fps out past the maximum range I am likely to be shooting at deer.
earlthegoat2
Member
I guess I never inspected them that close and just let the end result dictate whether I liked them or not.
The 200 gr 358 diameter bullets have done well so far in 35 Whelen. My standards aren’t that high compared to some though as accuracy only needs to be 2-3” at 200 yds. These are around an inch at 100 and just over 2” at 200.
The 200 gr 358 diameter bullets have done well so far in 35 Whelen. My standards aren’t that high compared to some though as accuracy only needs to be 2-3” at 200 yds. These are around an inch at 100 and just over 2” at 200.
FLIGHT762
Member
I have made hunting loads using the Barnes TTSX in 260 Rem., 30/06 and 270 Win. I get 1 MOA or better accuracy. Some like Hammer and Lehigh. I haven't had the need to go to them because the TTSX's work well enough for me.
tittlet
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Where are you finding Barnes .358 bullets? I have been looking for months.
JimKirk
Member
This is typical performance out the 80 grain TTSX in .243 Winchester ... there is eight shots in that group ...1/2" dot size ...
This is the 110 Accubond load out the .25/06 ...barrel is about shot out ...
This is the 110 Accubond load out the .25/06 ...barrel is about shot out ...
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AJC1
Member
What's that little guy on the right by himself?
JimKirk
Member
A single shot of 110 grain Accubond ... .25/06 .... You can see the velocity figures for another target written lower right side .... ended up moving the scope and shot another different target...
The .243 Win group was using Reloder 17....
I now shoot the 80 grain TTSX in the .25/06 also 3680 fps ... makes a really flat shooting deer load ...
AJC1
Member
I figured it was a preadjustment shot but assumptions are never right so I ask.
A bullet at 4k has to make small critters explode
JimKirk
Member
I edited my first post to include the .25/06 target ...it is near end of it's barrel life ...but still good enough for the distances I have on my lease now ...
AJC1
Member
Does the ttsx hold together better at those blistering speeds. I don't know how fast those velocities drop off but it's giving a stormtroopers blaster a run for the money.
JimKirk
Member
Killed a 185 pound 7 point whitetail with it last year(passed on a bunch this year)....
Deer was at 40 yards ...was at a angle facing me ... entered front edge of near shoulder exited right behind far shoulder ... guessing the velocity was still near 3600 fps ... damage was "massive" ...deer ran eight steps and dead ... not sure how but did ... upper part of heart and lungs were muss...
JimKirk
Member
JimKirk
Member
Point Blank Range +/-3" 344 yards ...velocity still at 2570+ at that range ...
Also use Reloder 17 in .25/06 ...
Well above the minimum expansion speed Barnes says ... I say 2200 fps
Also use Reloder 17 in .25/06 ...
Well above the minimum expansion speed Barnes says ... I say 2200 fps
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AJC1
Member
I can't immage you get a chance to recover those bullets. I'd immage they are through and in the next county.
JimKirk
Member
No ... I didn't attempt to find them. ...
The .243 load had a bigger exit hole ... am pretty sure it was petals extended out exit ...
On the .25/06 load ... A smaller exit hole ...I believe it shed the petals and the solid body section exited ....
Both had lots of internal damage ... with more in the .25/06 shot deer ...but he did run maybe 7/8 steps before crashing ...
Oh I was wrong on the yardage on the PBR ...it is 344 yards(/25/06)... .243 Win is 304 yards
earlthegoat2
Member
LGS had about 300 from an estate sale back in July. 200 gr TTSX.
I had a box for sale here for awhile with no takers. They are not for sale anymore as I decided to just keep them.
Varminterror
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I tried the TSX when it first arrived nearly 20yrs ago, then jumped on the TTSX a couple years later when the tipped upgrade launched. I couldn’t get them to shoot worth a damned. I had done some hunting while working in CA at the time and once that was over, I abandoned the monometal bullets for several years… until… a handful of years later, a colleague on another forum handed me the secret to jump them 50-80thou… lo and behold, my groups shrank dramatically…
I’m not terribly a fan of monometal bullets, largely due to the high required impact velocity, but they do shoot small if you treat them right, and I like the idea of opening fast, shredding the nose if necessary, then carrying the shank on through the back side. Different than a bonded bullet, still a bit different than segmented core bullets… but massively effective at high impact velocities.
I’m not terribly a fan of monometal bullets, largely due to the high required impact velocity, but they do shoot small if you treat them right, and I like the idea of opening fast, shredding the nose if necessary, then carrying the shank on through the back side. Different than a bonded bullet, still a bit different than segmented core bullets… but massively effective at high impact velocities.
These pics might have something to do with the accuracy of these bullets. In the one are some (red tipped ones) Hornady, which the tips are aligned better with the bullet. Do I have a bad lot or is this normal? This is my first time dealing with Barnes.
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AJC1
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Those would be going back at a dollar each, no question
Misplacedtexan
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I would definitely have them on the phone, especially for what they cost!
That is not normal in my experience. Surprised to hear that TTSX have. Rep for poor accuracy. I’ve had the exact opposite experience. Most accurate and easiest load development I’ve ever done. 165 TSX and 150 TTSX are the most accurate bullets in my Hawkeye .300 win mag. Each produced 1” groups at 100 with the first and only powder I tried. It’s a hunting rifle and I’d rather be scouting than trying to reduce group size under 1”.
Yes you do have to let them jump. That maybe why they worked in my Ruger so much better than other bullets I tried (Nosler ballistic tip, gameking, SST, accubond). The Ruger has a short mag, so seated so they fit in the magazine results in .080 jump IIRC.
The TTSX is wicked deadly on deer. I’m shooting the factory 100 TTSX ammo in my .25-06. 3,300 fps published MV, but the savage is only a 22” barrel, so real world 3,100 to 3,200 fps. Shot two deer so far, both this year. One at 60 yards the other at 180 yards. Neither took a step. Dropped like they were hit by lightning.
Go substantially lighter than you normally would and drive them FAST. The 150 gr worked well in my .300 win mag. Shot a buck quartering slightly toward me. He managed to run 30 yards. I’d go 130 gr in my .300 for deer if I was starting over. Wouldn’t hesitate to use that 150 on elk or moose.
Bonded bullets typically retain 80% of their initial mass while TTSX retain nearly 100%. So take the bullet weight you would normally use for a particular animal and multiply by 0.8 to estimate which TTSX to try. You like 165 grain .308 cal bullets for deer? Then try the 130 gr TTSX.
Can’t wait to work up a load with the 120 gr TTSX for my .280ai. Hope to reach 3,400 fps.
Yes you do have to let them jump. That maybe why they worked in my Ruger so much better than other bullets I tried (Nosler ballistic tip, gameking, SST, accubond). The Ruger has a short mag, so seated so they fit in the magazine results in .080 jump IIRC.
The TTSX is wicked deadly on deer. I’m shooting the factory 100 TTSX ammo in my .25-06. 3,300 fps published MV, but the savage is only a 22” barrel, so real world 3,100 to 3,200 fps. Shot two deer so far, both this year. One at 60 yards the other at 180 yards. Neither took a step. Dropped like they were hit by lightning.
Go substantially lighter than you normally would and drive them FAST. The 150 gr worked well in my .300 win mag. Shot a buck quartering slightly toward me. He managed to run 30 yards. I’d go 130 gr in my .300 for deer if I was starting over. Wouldn’t hesitate to use that 150 on elk or moose.
Bonded bullets typically retain 80% of their initial mass while TTSX retain nearly 100%. So take the bullet weight you would normally use for a particular animal and multiply by 0.8 to estimate which TTSX to try. You like 165 grain .308 cal bullets for deer? Then try the 130 gr TTSX.
Can’t wait to work up a load with the 120 gr TTSX for my .280ai. Hope to reach 3,400 fps.
