Barnes Triple Shocks: What's your experience?

[Richard.Howe]

Who has used Barnes Triple Shocks, and what was your experience? These things sure are pricey -- and I don't want to waste them while experimenting, especially if someone else have already discovered their likes/dislikes.

- Did you discover any tricks to make them more accurate? Are any tricks even necessary to get MOA?

- Distance from lands? Barnes recommends 0.050" (0.030"-0.070", but tech at Barnes says 0.050" is typically best)

- How dependent on barrel cleanliness?

- How did your loads for TSX compare to same-weight loads under jacketed bullets? I know that X-bullets have historically required reduced charges (and lower velocities) because of hardness-related pressure problems. Did the TSX totally or partially alleviate this issue?

- Barnes reloading manual recommends stepping one bullet size down from whatever you're used to using in a particular load. For example, I typically load 150s (BT, Accubond, etc.) in my 308 gun for deer. So Barnes would recommend trying the 130gr. TSX. You tried this approach in this/another diameter?

Thanks everyone!
Rich

 

[rbernie]

In my 7x57, the 120gr and 140gr TSX bullets are the most accurate bullets I've shot. I've found that I can increase my max loads by a pretty good bit when compared to a jacketed bullet of the same weight. I get terrific velocities (courtesy of the increased charges) and have encountered no fouling issues yet. If they weren't so bloody expensive, TSX's would be all I shoot. As it stands, I use the TSXs for hunting and Hornadys for the range. I just wish that Barnes would make the TSX in .a 312 caliber....

I use a Lee Factory Crimp for all my hunting rounds, and for the 7x57 I use the TSX front groove as a cannelure. That puts the TSX about .040 off the rifling in my rifle, even though the cartridge OAL is .070 shorter than the equivilant weight Hornady due to the different ogive shapes. Crimping in the front groove has given me very consistent performance (low SD and ES) over a range of powders (H4350 thru H4895), and lets me tailor the load for the game and distance if I desire.

Oh, and specific to the weights chosen - I use a 120gr TSX where I might have otherwise use a 140gr Hornady and am more than pleased with the performance of the TSX. I think that Barnes' advice is right on target, so to speak.

 

[Richard.Howe]

So -- does this mean that the TSX is not widely-used among reloaders on this board? Surely speaks to the lack of popularity of this bullet!

Take care,
Rich

 

[dakotasin]

go to a more hunting-related site and you'll get lots more answers.

the bullet is not as popular as most others because of its expense. it performs fine, if you can afford to shoot it enough to be proficient.

 

[Mark whiz]

The TSX's have become my hunting bullet of choice out of my .308s.

I used the 168gr models on hogs and had marvelous killing results - with darn good accuracy.

In load workup - I took my standard 168gr target load, upped it about .3gr and loaded the bullet to the same OAL as my targets loads (which JUST covered the top groove of the bullet with the case mouth). Since I'm shooting them out of semi-auto rifles, measuring from tha lands was not really an option - nor was it needed. I did this with the 5 different powders I had target loads worked up for and used the most accurate of the bunch for hunting (which ended up being IMR 4064). And to be honest - None of the 5 loads were slouches.

And not only where these rounds deadly AND accurate....................after a weekend of shooting them and a bunch of mil-surp ammo - cleanup was a breeze .................. no copper worth mentioning in the bore of an old rifle that usually copper-fouls pretty badly.

I definitely give "2 Thumbs Up" for them.