Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

I am trying to choose a hunting bullet, I read the latest issue of petersons mag and they go over 10 bullets and describe what they do. The barnes triple seems to be the stuff. Anyone use this? ANyone have experience with this? ballistics?Lemme know, EJ

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

I don't have enough experience with it on game to form a solid opinion. I've shot exactly one whitetail deer with the TSX and it dropped on the spot, which is encouraging. That was with a 168 gr. 30 caliber TSX in my .300 Wby.

I have shot it through a couple of rifles quite a bit on paper, though. It has been very accurate, as accurate as practically any other bullet I've ever used.

So, I like it based on what I've seen so far. I do have a concern that it's more bullet than I need for whitetail deer, but for the time being I'm going to keep using it and hopefully after a season or two I'll know for sure.

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

I think they are much better bullets than the X. Much more dynamic than the X bullet. Shoots better in a variety of guns from a tad loose bores to tight bores. I worked up a great load for it for a 300RUM but never got to shoot anything with it. Still worried about small expansion. Which there has been a few bad reports of penciling thru a elk here and there.

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

Yeah, I am thinking of using this in my 30-06 for elk. The reasoning here is that it might have a tendency to open up a bit more quickly in the animal with the06 due to it not having the velocity of a magnum. Does this sound credible? EJ

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

I've used the 168gr 30s in .308Win on hogs and got great performance and accuracy too. They have become my hunting bullet of choice for anything.

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

I have shot several elk with these bullets. The 165 gr. out of a .300 Win Mag seemed to have a lot of penetration at the expense of a smaller wound channel. I shot a big cow elk at 100 yards as she walked toward me - hit the near shoulder and it came out the last rib. She turned and tried to walk away. Shot her again; this time in the last couple of ribs on the other side and it came out the other shoulder. She stopped and wobbled a little - finally went down as I was preparing to shoot a third time.

Also shot another cow at about 250 yards broadside. She ran off as if nothing had happened. I followed her tracks to the edge of some dark timber about 200 yards away. Walked along the edge of the timber for about 20 minutes looking . . . . finally spotted a hoof where she had slid under a big spruce tree about 25 yards into the timber. Lucky . . . Bullet went through the center ofboth lungs and exited.

Some of my companions have used these bullets. They say thebest scenariois on an animal looking right at you. Generally a "lights out" shot.

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

That actually is not credible.A bullet such as the tsx can fail to open up properly if the velocity is too low.As the velocity is increased,they open up more rapidly.The only problem that can occur with extreme velocity is if the bullet strikes something solid and petals break off which will reduce the wound diameter.

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

IMHO they simply are THE baddest big game bullets in history! They do it all VERY well. This fall will be the third season shooting the 150Lazerhead in my 308 Lazzeroni Warbird (a tweaked TSX). I have YET to have one fail, even when driven at 3800fps. I haven't taken elk with it yet, but it has performed flawlessly on 50+ whitetails, 1 mulie and 1 antelope. Before the TSX came out I shot 130 Xbullets @ 4k fps from the same gun and the only difference between it and the 150TSX was that the old Xbullet would only shoot 1.5" groups @ 100yds. With the TSX I get .5" @ 100yds and 3.5" @ 400yds. I have taken animals from inside of 40yds too well over 400 with it and the result is always the same, get out the skinning knife! ;)

You AINT gonna blowup a Barnes bullet, I have been trying for 5 years with my Lazz. Even double shoulder shots @ 40yds wont do it. Likewise they drive am lenghtwise at over 300yds. I just don't think you can ask for a better performing hunting bullet! I shoot 180TSX (Fed Vital Shok) in one of my 06s and they work flawlessy from it as well (and shoot also .5", but that gun was worked and has always been a great shooter). I wouldn't hesitate to take it for elk and that for sure would be the load it would have in it.

Good luck,
RA

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

stubblejumper, Thanks for the info. So, with that in mind, balanced with what redallison said, I need to keep the load in my 30-06 probably close to 60 grains of 4350 when using the TSX to avoid a slower bullet. Could a 165 grain be a little more effective than a 180 due to increased velocity with this bullet? I know the trajectory would be better. I dont have loads of cash and wanna buy a box of these things, I might start with the 165's. Let me know what you all think. EJ

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

ej, either bullet will be a FINE selection for an all-purpose big game pill. Personally I would stick with the 180, there wont be 2"-3" difference in it vs the 165 at 400yds. Penetration will be maximized by the heavier bullet, but again we ARE talking about Barnes' so if you want the 165 then go ahead, they will still out penetrate other 180s like Nosler Partitions, Accubonds etc...

Good luck,
RA

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

There are many good bullets on themarket for hunting. Your bullet choice has to do with the cal. of gun you shoot and what your going after. Some of these big fast cal.now days that are on the market,shooting bullets so fast that they are in the next time zone iln ablink of an eye are,well lets say for those not in the know about hunting! One might as well use armor piercing bullets,for thats all they do,is zip in and zip out of the game and the bullet doesn,t have a chance to do what it was designed for. Don,t believe in all what you read about certain guns or bullets. what cal.do you shoot,and what are you hunting? then the people here can give you a better understanding in helping you in what you are looking for. vangunsmith.Talk to the hunters,not just the ones whom shoot paper.

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

Weight retention on these is 90%+ even in magnums. You pretty much cannot cause bullet failurewith these with an 06. I would use a lighter bullet because penetration is so good and the additional speed may help open the bullet cavity. According to barnes the TSX has a redesigned cavity to open at lower speeds than the X used to.

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

I think the TSX is better suited to high horsepower cartridges stuff leaving the muzzle at 3100+ in my opinion. For your standard cartridges ie 06 or 308 any standard jacketed bullet will work fine for most applications.

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

I load the TSX bullets for a few different calibers and few of them exceed 3100 fps and I have never had any trouble with a bullet not opening up on a game animal either deer or elk .I started loading them when they first came on the market ,It's one of the better bullets thatI have ever reloaded .

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

After reading all this info, I’m looking forward in trying them for this years hunt.....

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

When working up a load for my 300RUM, I was reluctant to try these. I've never had any good luck with Barnes bullets. Finally tried the triple X and they grouped better than anything I tried. Didn't have occasion to harvest anything with them yet, but they sure shoot a good group.

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

First off let me say I have absolutely no game experience with a barnes bullet of any kind on my own! I however know many individuals who have and they all say the same thing drop a grain size, load her up and shoot! Penetration does not seem to be lacking with any barnes bullet from what I have seen or heard so I would personally choose the 165 TSX and take the velocity/trajectory gain afforded (provided it proved accurate of course in yourt rifle).

I have been playing with 140gr TSX out of my 7mm rem mag this spring and am very impressed with how they group thus far. If all goes well I plan to change my first statement with regards to game performance and the TSX on my elk/deer hunts this fall.

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

I couldn't get the Barnes X or XLC's to group in my 257mag..but the XLC's do fine in my 240mag...will definately give the Triple Shocks a try in the 257.

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

I simply love the terminal performance of the X bullets, to the point that I will give up some degree of accuracy to use them. I've seen 180gr out of a 300win mag go from one end of the other on an elk , hitting the femur, pelvice and three ribs and stay in one piece, it didnt loose a single pettal.

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

I was so impressed after seeing the results of tsx's used on game last year,that I just finished making up some testloads for the 168gr tsx for my 300ultramags.As soon as the rain stops here,I will see just how they shoot out of my rifles.

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

Vangunsmith what in the hell are you talking about? "...Some of these big fast cal.now days that are on the market, shooting bullets so fast that they are in the next time zone iln ablink of an eye are, well lets say for those not in the know about hunting!..." Everytime I comment about a supermag you pipeup basically calling me a liar and now are insinuating that I don't know anything about big game hunting. Well I don't profess to be Myles Keller or Barry Wensel BUT I do know a damned thing or two about big game hunting. I have been deer hunting for 20 years and have killed WELLOVER 200 too date (with some impressive ones I might add and the number being rather high from being on managed lands for many years taking ALOT of antlerless deer and spending years watching and learning from bucks that most would shoot at first sight) from various locales including MO, TX and KS which include two P&Y whitetails. I have 1 NM bull that scored well into the Longhunters Society record books and likewise have taken mulies, antelope and SCORES of record class turkeys from a family ranch in southern MO. I likewise have worked in the hunting and fishing retail business for more than half my life. I THINK I CAN COMFORTABLY PASS ON SOME INFORMATION TOO THOSE THAT ASK. Furthermore I don't need some self proclaimed "gunsmith/expert" (there a dime a dozen and the good ones need no introduction) to come on here and redicule me just because I offer information that you obviously don't agree with.

Like I said, I have taken over 50 whitetails, 1 mulie and 1 lope with the 150TSXs and nearly that many with the 130Xbullets before that. I probably killed a dozen or more deer and the one huge bull with Xbullets in my muzzleloader. How many heads of game have you taken with Xbullets that would merit your running them as well as totally dismissing my experience with them?

A friends grandmother summed it up best once, "You can kiss my azz in the red"!

:eek:
RA

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

I tested the 168gr tsx's today in both of my 300ultramags.Conditions were horrible with rain and gusting wind and my results were mixed.One rifle averaged no better than 1-1/2" but the other averaged around 3/4" to 7/8".Given the poor conditions the groups could have been slightly better but it appears that this bullet shows promise in one rifle but not in the other.However,I am going to test the 180gr tsx's in both rifles before deciding if I want to pursue any more load development with the 168's.On a side note,I did shoot a couple of the 168gr tsx's into a 1/2" steel plate 100 yards away and they both completely penetrated the plate.Given this,I doubt that any moose or elk shoulder blade will stop them.

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

That’s one thing I read about the Barnes bullets that you very rarely retrieve the bullet.

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

Red - I don't dispute your endorsement of the TSX for .30 caliber Super Magnums. But like Old Elk Hunter said, they seem to be at their best at muzzle velocities over 3100/3200; and below that there are lots of regular bullets that work really well. I have probably learned more, cumulatively, in the last 30 years from my customers than my customers have learned from me - and quite a few of these customers want no part of the earsplitten loudenboomer super magnums. They are unbearably loud and have a very harsh recoil impulse. And they are probably a waste for shots inside of 300 yards. And there probably aren'teven 10% ofshooters who have the skill to responsibly shoot beyond this distance.

So although I agree with the logic of using these bullets for high performance hunting rifles, the package as a whole is not for everyone. Regards. Roskoe

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

I agree with youstating the TSXis at its best in the magnums, but they also havebenifits in the non magnums. The Barnes bullets have better BC than most any conventional bullets and this will help maintain downrange energy in a cartridge that is marginal for the job like some non magnumscould be in certain situations. The weight retention of the X bullets especially in a non magnum is also very high which will help with penetration in a shoulder shot for example. I have always felt like the extra penetration of the Barnes was like jumping up a cartridge vs the jacketed bullets.Some say the Barnes bullets may not open at low velocities and that may be a good thing. If the bullet lacks velocity and KE I feel it may actually be better to not expand and just penetrate to ensure the vitals are damaged.

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

Roskoe you are so right about learning from customers, a closed mouth learns MUCH. I only answer questions when they are asked of me. You are also correct about supermags NOT being for everyone. I only recommend them when someone asks about tools (afterall that's ALL they are) that are a lil stronger than the typical whitetail guns or perhaps are contemplating hunting in terrain that allows for shots over 300yds. If a man is only hunting the deepwoods of northern Maine or wading a swamp for webfoots, yeah he doesn't need a "lasergun". But if he is interested in "goin long" and asks for opinions/experiences with longer ranges, then I will give them my .01/2c.

I have never called Nosler Partitions, Accubonds etc "POC bullets" because obviously they aren't, they are great bullets. I just believe the TSXs to be better. Another thing I don't quite understand is that EVERYONE agrees that penetration is KEY when dealing with bowhunting and also when talking about large dangerous game. From my standpoint I can't see why if it is a key for the other two types of big game hunting, why is it not key for small and midsized big game firearms hunting?

A passthru the boiler room is a guarantee too venison steaks!
RA

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

Red - this may be one of the great debates of current bullet technolgy. It seems like if you have to choose between penetration and expansion, obviously you go for penetration. But there don't seem to be any free lunches here. A bullets that has 50% more penetration than a regular soft nose is going to do so at the expense of a smaller wound channel. Something along the lines of there is only so much "volume" a wound channel can produce with a certain weight bullet and a certain impact velocity. So the volume can be long and narrow or short and wide - or some of each, like the Nosler partition.

From what I have seen so far, the Barnes X has the most reliable "kill from any angle" performance of any bullet out there. The Swift A-Frame also has similar terminal performance. But theirperformance on broadside rib shots, particularly in standard calibers, is not as good as many other more conventional bullets. For instance, the performance of the 165 Barnes X, out of a .300 Win Mag., onelk was not realconvincing on rib shots. It did not appear to make as bigofa hole through the lungs as a .25-06 with conventional soft points and allowed several elk to stay on their feetmuch longer than I would have preferred.

But, as you say, they have absolutely reliable penetration - and theelk is going to go down . . .it just might take 6 or 7 seconds to happen on the classic broadside rib shot with standard calibers. Shoot for the shoulders - or end-for-end(either coming or going) - and its usually DRT.

One other thing folks really seem to like about the Barnes X bullets is the general lack of bloodshot meat. Even a Texas heart shot won't usually ruin more than five pounds of meat.

Personally, I kinda sold on the Swift Scirocco's. I usually wait for the broadside rib shot and these bullets, at least in the .270 Magnums and .300 Win Mag, will put an elk on the ground quicker than any bullet I have used so far.

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

Well, I got a box of those hornady interbond 180's and I am gonna sight with them tomorow and saturday. I still might grab a box of the tsx's in the 165 persuasion, but this sems a happy meduim after all the discussion. EJ

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

I loaded up some 165gr and 180gr XLCs for my 300 WSM and both shot .6" groups at 100 yards. Last fall I shot a whitetail with the 165s at 130 yards. It was a broadside double lung shot and the exit hole looked like it was about a 1.25" hole. I didn't get to see the inside because the deer was no good due to a bad shot someone made earlier in the season. If I had known the deer was no good I would have put it threw both shoulders to see how it performs. When I shoot up all of my XLCs I am going to go to the TSXs. So far I am happy with their performance.

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

Have only one experience with the TSX and it is with 270 wsm,load was I4831@ 66.5 grs. and 130 TSX bullet.
Was going on a hog hunt and wanted to try the Tsx out,will add the target I worked the load up with.
Picture of the hog (weighed 185 lbs)I shot the hog in the throat at 150 yds,It dropped at the shot ,got up and went about 20 yds before pilling up for good.If you see the red spot straight under its ear that is where I shot it ,should have taken a pic of it bullet passed through and you could have probably put 2 fists in the hole.
These bullets are very accurate and I think they did a very good job.I worked out a load for my 7/08 that I may try out this season.There really isn't need for a bullet for the deer around here but I like trying new things.

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

In addition to the article in Petersons, Field and Stream's latest just had an similar article dealing primarily with bullets for magnums.Dave Petzal writes that the strong points for the TRX are "Very tough, very accurate and very streamlined". He writes that "they are as accurate as anything you can get. They expand exactly as scripted, have tremendous penetration and are also the only bullets recovered from his 'ballistic Buffalo' that retained 100% of their weight".
Very Interesting indeed.

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

What about loading the TSX? can you load them to higher velocitys like you can the XLCs?

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

Buckshot, I assume you mean higher max loads? Barnes state to use the x bullet for load development but it may be possible to exceed that by 1-2 grains like XLC. Key word is MAY! I have been toying with the TSX and the max load for x bullet appears to be ashigh as I would take it in this particular rifle. However in another rifle it may be possible to throw in a few extra grains. So like anything slowly work up until you reach your max for that particular rifle is the best policy.

So far this rifle likes 1 grain under published max the best I have tried and groupsvery well. Am going to try some .5 changes before settling the load just haven't had time or the weather cooperation to hit the range.

Not sure if that was what your referring to or asking, so if not disregard.[&:]

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

Generally, you can load more powder and achieve a higher velocity using XLCs than you could using a standard bullet of equal weight. Barnes's reloading data for XLCs specifys this, and from what your saying you "maybe" and yes thatsa huge maybe, able to safetly exceed XLCs loading data. Being able to push the same weight bullet at 150fps plus was on ofthe main draws with I was reserching a load to use for elk in my 7mm-08.

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

Buckshot, you maybe able to safely exceed any max load published in a particular rifle. However when using the TSX, Barnes clearly state to use the x bullet load data NOT the XLC (both on their website and in the pamphlet that comes inside the TSX bullet box themself). They do state it MAY be possible to exceed the regular x bullet published max load data by 1 - 2 when using the TSX. They further more state to NOT use the XLC load data for development as excessive pressure may result in some cases!!! The answser is NO regarding use or exceeding the XLC load data..according to Barnes.

You may havemis-worded your reply, but I wanted to clarify that I was refering to the X Bullet Load Data and not the XLC in terms of my previous post.

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

Mmmmm, maybe Im not explaining this right. Max loads for barnes XLC bullets contain more powder than max loads for conventional bullets. This allows you to safely drive XLCs at a higher velocity than a conventional bullet. You are correct when saying that one should not use XLC loading data for TSXs, explains that right on their web site. My ? was is the max loading data for TSXs higher than the max loading data for conventional bullets? there for allowing me to safely drive a TSX bullet slightly faster than a conventional bullet, just like I can with a XLC. Whew I hope I nailed it this time. Lol. When I was reloading XLCs for my 7mm08 I actually couldnt put enough powder in the case to meet Barnes Max load. I was quite happy being able to push a 140gr XLC at 150fps faster than a conventional bullet.

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

Yes your correct.

In my case using 7mm rem mag thepublished max load is 70gr of RL22 with barnes x 140gr bullet vs 67.5gr of RL 22 with a Nosler 140grbullet.

Your comment was:
Sorry just wanted to make sure b/c the XLC data shows a even higher max load than the regular x bullet. Ie: in my case 72grs of RL22for the 140gr XLC is the published max.

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

I have a load sheet for the Barnes tsx bullets in 270 wsm,and according to barnes their max load for the 130 and 140 tsx is .5 gr higher than the 130x and .5 less than the 130 xlc.
Don't know if they stopped at .5 grs because of pressure signs or that was their best load.

Does anyone have one of these sheets for the 300 wsm and 7/08?

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

After a fair bit of testing with the 180gr tsx in my 300 ultramags I have decided to use them for my elk hunting this fall.Group size is around 3/4" for both rifles.This mornings five shot groups were .700" and .730" with the two rifles.However it was quite warm out and I did detect a slight resistance when lifting the bolt on one rifle so I will be reducing the powder charge for that rifle.The other rifle showed no pressure signs and velocity averaged 3400fps.I will chronograph the other rifle when I finalize the load.

RE: Barnes TSX triple shock.
 

Sounds good Stubblejumper, let us know how it fairs on the elk end.

I too have been spenting time with this bullet and plan to use it for this falls hunts. That is if I can forget the AB load that shoots wonderfully, I really want to see how these perform. Anyway I have shot a pretty good pile of the Barnes in the past few months and have a few questions.

How are other TSX shooters or barnes in general, finding the copper fouling? How often are you cleaning your bore?

I expected a raise in the fouling and time to clean but am a bit suprised at how much I am pulling and nowcleaning after every range session (30 shots). I know everybody is different in their cleaning routine, etc just wondering what others are doing or finding.

Thanks