Anyone Using Barnes TTSX Bullets?

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moonzapa

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I picked up a box of 140 grain TTSX bullets for my .280 and plan to deer hunt in December. Anyone have any experience loading these bullets? I understand that the bullets like plenty of "jump" to the Lans in the barrel. I've got a couple pounds of AA-3100 and plan to use CCI BR-2 primers. I lke to use a small amount of crimp using Lee's factory crimp die. Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!:)
 
I use the 180 TTSX bullets in 30 caliber, and note how well they work on game. Because they are lead-free, they tend to be longer than regular bullets of the same weight, so you must watch your OAL to ensure proper functioning. It is easily possible that the bullet will reduce case capacity because it seats deeper into the case to achieve correct OAL. I have found that stick powders work better in my rifles than do ball types, using those bullets.
 
This year I am deer hunting on land that has a large number of black bears. Both my BIL and FIL saw bears (but no deer) on opening day of deer season while I saw plenty of deer but no bears. The 180 Nosler BT from my .300WM drops deer like they were hit by a truck, but I'm rethinking my bullet choice now. The last thing I want to do is maim rather than kill a bear because I shot the shoulder rather than the rib cage.

Would a 180 gr TTSX open up reliably on light game like whitetail deer? Everything I've read suggests it would be more than tough enough for black bear.
 
I went to the range a few days ago and tried the Barnes bullets I had loaded for testing. I happend to have a an old box of Speer 145 SP bullets loaded with RL-19. To my pleasant surprise, the speer bullets shot 1 MOA at 100 yards. I had loaded the Speers to sight in a new scope I put on my Weatherby. I have been trying load after load with the 280 rem to get the TTSX bullets to shoot. I contacted Barnes; they said load their bullets .030" to .070 off the lans. I was informed by Barnes that you can exceed the 30 to 70 thousands measurement if needed. I'm going to use my old standby bullets, Nosler 140 partition bullets. Running out of time, and buring out the barrel of my rifle trying to make the Barnes bullets shoot tight groups. Let me know if there is something I am missing. Thanks!
 
I have given up on the TSX bullets with fouling, accuracy, and cost issues.

Boxhead's pictures look good!

Give me a day or two and i will shoot something and see if I can be so dramatic.
 
While the TTSX has fantastic penatration if you do not live in condor country I would stick to Nosler ballistic tips for deer, yes they fragment some weight but those fragments make a highly effective shotgun pattern through the vitals and simply kill super fast. I load ballistic tips in every rifle caliber I use and have yet to formulate a single complaint about their accuracy or terminal performance. SGKs/SSTs are devestating too and cost a fraction of TTSX prices.
 
OK Boxhead,
I shot an animal with a .458" bullet today and got and exit wound.
I took a dramatic pic, in the same style as your inspiring photography.
 

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I had a mule deer tag for Area 9 in AZ this year. It is just below the Grand Canyon and consequently condor country. AZ game and fish does not mandate lead free bullets in Area 9, but suggests their use. I bought a couple of boxes of Barnes 130gr to work up a load for my 270. They are definitely pricey at $34 for 50 bullets. I was able to get 1inch groups with 4831sc. I realize 1 inch groups is not particularly impressive, but it is as good as I’m gonna do with my 4 power scope and I wasn’t expecting a shot over 200 yards.
I didn’t get a shot but I felt confident in the round, and also believe that I was doing my part in complying with the AZ game and fish suggestion.
 
I shoot 300 gr tsx bullets in my 45/70 just have to keep impact velocity. For good expansion good bear bullet goes through bone with out bullet break up
 
Barnes not for me...

I gave up on using Barnes TTSX bullets. Not saying their bad or don't work. I got a nice 9-point white tail buck this year using Hornady's 139 SST bullet (handload) in my 280 Weatherby Ultra Light. There was no exit wound on a 105 yard shot, and when he was opened up he had a softball size ball of mush near his heart. I didn't find the bullet. He fell less than 10 yards from where he was shot. I'll stick with the Hornady's since they work very well for me. I kinda stole my own thread. Thanks for the inputs.:)
 
I use the original "X" 140gr. in my .280 for the local muley heard. It works very well. I don't have my records here but if I remember right I loaded it about .010 - .015 off the lands. Also I want to think it likes 4831
 
Barnes Bullets...

I pulled some Barnes 140 grain TTSX bullets last week and will try them one more time. I'm going to load and seat them like I would any bullet, instead of the factory recommended .030 - .070" seating from the LANS. If they shoot true, I'll consider using them. I feel very confident with the Hornady SST's. (Just a mental thing about not utilizing the cannelure on the bullet.) I will try RL-19 and see how that works. (It didn't like IMR-4831).
I have a Mule Deer hunt in mind for 2013, and it will be in the wide open spaces. I'll need a good, long range round to use in my 280.
 
IME even .030" on TSX is too iffy for variable pressure issues. I always find a good, consistent load at either .050" or .070" off. I've had lots of clean 1 shot kills on deer & elk, pick a light-for-caliber TSX & push it fast. No fouling & great accuracy in my hunting rigs.
 
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