Trouble finding factory loads using Barnes TSX. Help!

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SoonerMedic

SoonerMedic

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I've searched the internet in an attempt at finding factory loads at 70 or 77 grain TSX in .223/5.56 to hunt with. I want to stay with a full copper projectile which is why I've chosen Barnes. I'm not able to hand load as I don't have any manuals, tools or materials to do so. Any suggestions??
 
Check the Hornady GMX, should be able to find that on the shelf.

Solid copper's being much longer and more stout i'd step down a bullet weight to preserve some velocity.
 
Midwayusa has 62 gr ttsx, 55 gr. e-tip, 55 gr gmx, and 70 gr gmx in stock. Unfortunately, the 70 gr. gmx is a box of 50 Black Hills ammunition at $75. If I were you, I'd drop down in bullet weight and go with one of the 55 gr or the 62 gr. options. Copper/gilding metal bullets typically need higher velocities for expansion and can handle the higher velocities without coming apart.
 
wombat13 said:
Midwayusa has 62 gr ttsx, 55 gr. e-tip, 55 gr gmx, and 70 gr gmx in stock. Unfortunately, the 70 gr. gmx is a box of 50 Black Hills ammunition at $75. If I were you, I'd drop down in bullet weight and go with one of the 55 gr or the 62 gr. options. Copper/gilding metal bullets typically need higher velocities for expansion and can handle the higher velocities without coming apart.
Click to expand...

I understand that my velocities will be a little less, but with my rifle (a 1:7 twist) I know that I need a heavier bullet to keep it stable. I tried shooting the 64 grain Winchester Super-X power point soft point and I was unable to hit a 6" group consistently. I know that I want a heavier projectile for the kinetic energy transfer and my distance won't be any further than 150 yds. I'm pretty sure that the velocities should be fine from that distance for expansion. I've shot the Hornaday Black HPBT in 75 grain and I was hitting a 4" plate from 112 yards with every shot with my red/green dot.
If I'm unable to find the Barnes TSX I think I'll have to go with the Hornaday GMX. If I'm not mistaken the GMX is a polymer tip right?
 
Yes, gmx is a polymer tip. Others might correct if I'm wrong, but stabilization depends on bullet length. A solid copper is less dense than a traditional bullet so it is longer in the same weight. A 62 gr copper bullet might be the same length or longer than a 70 gr lead core. Are you in a time crunch? If so buy a the two heaviest weights you can find and see what happens.
 
I don't think you need bullets that heavy even with a 7 twist. Copper bullets of the same weight are much longer because copper is lighter than lead. It is bullet length, not weight that determines twist. Copper also retains 100% of it's weight on impact vs 50-70% for lead bullets. That means a much lighter bullets will match or beat the penetration you can get with lead. As far as I can determine the 70gr and heavier bullets are target bullets, not hunting bullets. And lastly since copper is so much harder it needs to impact at faster speeds to ensure expansion.

Because of all that it is generally recommended you drop down at least 1 or 2 bullet weights lighter than you'd normally use with copper bullets. I'm betting Barnes 50 or 55 gr bullets do everything you want and shoot great in your rifle. Also, you want the TTSX, not the TSX.
 
Jmr, Vor-tx ammo doesn't come with the TTSX in .223/5.56. Do any other ammo manufacturers load the TTSX?
 
They do not make a 77gr only the 70gr but IMO is not the best performer for that type of caliber.
If you are hunting deer the 62gr TTSX will show less penetration and will dump a lot more energy.
It is all in the velocity of impact and keep in mind these stout bullets can afford a lower SD in exchange for a substantial
increase of impact speed.
Everything they do gets better with the speed specially in an animal like a small white tail where more penetration is
a waste.
If you want more expansion at slower speeds try the cutting edge mth in 65gr.
https://cuttingedgebullets.com/223-65gr-mth-match-tactical-hunting

But I have not done enough testing to say they are ideal for deer. Initially look pretty consistent too but more testing needs
to be done. Others can comment.

Another that you might want to consider (expensive though) is the swift sirocco 75gr bonded. Very stout bonded and shorter than the
70gr TTSX. These have lead but not that much with a really thick jacket at the bottom so they stay together pretty good.

Ammo, I don't know check the below vendors but also consider reloading these expensive rounds.
All you need to reload for hunting fits in a shoe box for a few boxes of decent hunting ammo and will save a lot of money.

http://www.doubletapammo.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=303_305&product_id=757

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/5...ock-x-bullet-hollow-point-lead-free-box-of-20

not sure how good this is...

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/4...ock-x-bullet-hollow-point-boat-tail-box-of-50

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/6...ock-x-bullet-hollow-point-lead-free-box-of-20
 
wombat13 said:
Here's an article that discusses the topic.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2011/10/17/handloading-lead-free-bullets/

Maybe someone with a ballistics program will chime in and let you know whether a 62 gr or 55 gr tsx is likely to stabilize in your 1 in 7 twist.
Click to expand...

The concern is when one doesn't have a fast twist and long bullets or too much twist and speed and soft jacketed bullets that is not the case here.
They will stabilize in a 1:9 barrel so the 1:7 no probem. And even driven at hypersonic speeds by other casings there is no concern of them disintegrating due to their solid nature.
The only one that requires 1:8 twist is the 70gr TSX because it is quite long.
So you are good.
 
Nearly all my deer hunting is done with muzzleloaders so i can't speak to the .223 on deer. The excellent 53 grain and 62 grain TSX bullets perform very well on hogs.
 
1stmarine said:
They do not make a 77gr only the 70gr but IMO is not the best performer for that type of caliber.
If you are hunting deer the 62gr TTSX will show less penetration and will dump a lot more energy.
It is all in the velocity of impact and keep in mind these stout bullets can afford a lower SD in exchange for a substantial
increase of impact speed.
Everything they do gets better with the speed specially in an animal like a small white tail where more penetration is
a waste.
If you want more expansion at slower speeds try the cutting edge mth in 65gr.
https://cuttingedgebullets.com/223-65gr-mth-match-tactical-hunting

But I have not done enough testing to say they are ideal for deer. Initially look pretty consistent too but more testing needs
to be done. Others can comment.

Another that you might want to consider (expensive though) is the swift sirocco 75gr bonded. Very stout bonded and shorter than the
70gr TTSX. These have lead but not that much with a really thick jacket at the bottom so they stay together pretty good.

Ammo, I don't know check the below vendors but also consider reloading these expensive rounds.
All you need to reload for hunting fits in a shoe box for a few boxes of decent hunting ammo and will save a lot of money.

http://www.doubletapammo.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=303_305&product_id=757

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/5...ock-x-bullet-hollow-point-lead-free-box-of-20

not sure how good this is...

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/4...ock-x-bullet-hollow-point-boat-tail-box-of-50

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/6...ock-x-bullet-hollow-point-lead-free-box-of-20
Click to expand...


What do you think about this type of compromise?

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/7...emington-62-grain-trophy-bonded-tip-box-of-20
 
SoonerMedic said:
What do you think about this type of compromise?

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/7...emington-62-grain-trophy-bonded-tip-box-of-20
Click to expand...

I don't know those. Initially bonded is good as soon as the bullet stays together even through bone.
62gr leaded could be a bit larger and the BC is not that great for that one.
Make sure you test them in water jugs and some wet paper and what not to see how they behave.
See what others post with those.

I would personally would look for top speed and even a tad more grain and perhaps reload the 75gr swift loaded hot that are expensive but
for hunting I don't need many.

I do have loaded and tested 62gr TTSX. Those are proven as I said.

As soon as the deer is not too large you want the maximum effect and quick transfer. Wounds are not as broad as a classic
deer caliber so you have to take advantage of the speed and good bullets.

sorry I am not that helpful with this one. I didn't hear bad reports from them but I would research a bit more. I just don't know them.
 
SoonerMedic said:
What do you think about this type of compromise?

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/7...emington-62-grain-trophy-bonded-tip-box-of-20
Click to expand...
I don't understand why you would reject a 62 gr TSX in favor of a 62 gr bonded. You said you thought you needed a heavy bullet to stabilize in your rifle. As I and others have explained, the 62 gr TSX is going to be longer than the 62 gr bonded and it is length that requires faster twist rate.

Either of those bullets will work fine. But why reject the billet that is closer to what you were seeking?
 
The way I see it he is looking for options not that he is rejecting anything.
They all will stabilize in the typical rifles from 1:9 to 1:7 twists, obviously.

Not sure what the concern is. ???
 
wombat13 said:
I don't understand why you would reject a 62 gr TSX in favor of a 62 gr bonded. You said you thought you needed a heavy bullet to stabilize in your rifle. As I and others have explained, the 62 gr TSX is going to be longer than the 62 gr bonded and it is length that requires faster twist rate.

Either of those bullets will work fine. But why reject the billet that is closer to what you were seeking?
Click to expand...


I haven't rejected any bullet over the other. I don't have years of hunting experience nor experience with the way bullets perform in certain barrels vs others and different grains etc....I'm trying to learn what is best for my rifle. I know that my rifle shoots 55gr FMJs wonderfully. But, when I shot soft points last year, from approximately 50 yards, I was all over the place and I know it wasn't because of my aim. I'm just trying to bounce things off of other folks' brains and get some type of feedback. I've poured over lots and lots of videos and reviews and articles and they all seem to mush together after so many and I've just kind of gone in several different directions.
 
You don't need the TTSX. The factory load with TSX will work just fine. So will the the trophy bonded you linked. You should buy one box of each, and maybe a third bullet and see which shoot best in your rifle.
 
You may be over thinking the whole thing. Deer really are not difficult to kill with 223 so long as you take boiler room shots. Unless you are hunting in a lead restricted area, would recommend any of the 50+ monocores and 60+ softpoints marketed for deer or hogs. Concentrate on accuracy and good feeding more than anything else. As others have noted the monocores need more velocity to open so longer range shots (like over 200 yards) may give spotty performance. Try a couple boxes and see how your rifle likes them (dont be surprised if they hit a different point of aim)
 
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