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| © Copyright 2008 Barnes Bullets Inc. All rights reserved. |
July 23, 2008
We’re pretty excited about the great feedback we’ve been getting on the BLOG. How about letting us know some of your “home-brewed” test results with Barnes products?
*NOTE: FOR TECHNICAL QUESTIONS, PLEASE EMAIL:
tyh@barnesbullets.com
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June 18th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
I’ve been using the 6.5 “X” 120 gr. bullet since it came out,and now the triple shock on elk. I shoot a .264 Win.,.260 Rem. , & a 6.6×55. I have cleanly taken bull elk with with all with this bullet. I’ve never recovered a bullet yet. All have been one shot kills except for one bull which required a finishing shot. Year before last I tried the 130 gr triple shock, but could not tell any differance. Dead is dead.
So far all my deer I have taken have been with conventional bullets.Since the 6.5 cal. is becoming more popular perhaps you might bring back the 100 gr., or perhaps a 90 or 95 gr. triple shock, please.
June 21st, 2007 at 7:48 am
The TSX, what a bullet to use. I just came back from Africa on June 17th, shooting four animals while I was there. I used my 338-378 Weatherby for all of my shooting. I loaded the 250 grn TSX - all animals shot were one shot kills. I recovered only one bullet from an animal and have not had a chance to see what the weight retention is. The Guides were so inpressed with the bullet they say that they will recommend there usage to all of their clients. Thanks Barnes.
June 30th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
You asked for experience with the x-bullet? In this sample I will tell you about the 160grain .338 bullet. I loaded this bullet out of my .338 win mag as a long range deer bullet. The bullet was pushed with H380 to about 3200fps from a Ruger M77. Groups averaged around 3/4″ 5-shot clusters at 100 yds.
First deer taken was a nice blacktail 4 point buck at a terribly close 50 feet. The buck leaped and then fell. There was a pin hole entrance wound and a nickel sized exit hole. The bullet performed perfectly and left destruction in between. The buck was hit broadside just behind the shoulder and the exit was the same on the opposite side.
Second deer was on a mule deer doe hunt. The doe was a heavy barren doe and she was hit broadside at roughly 250 yds. Exactly the same results as the first deer. There was minimal blood shot on both animals (less than conventional lead bullets).
Excellent bullet in my opinion! I reserve these rounds I had loaded for deer at long range - unfortunately to date the animals have all been fairly close!
Thanks for a great product!
July 3rd, 2007 at 9:56 am
The TSX bullets are simply great. I Returned from an African Plains game safari last month and took 4 beautiful animals. I used a 375 H&H shooting 270 gr. TSX bullets, at ranges from 110 yds to 227 yds all were one shot kills. The only bullet recovered was from a 1200 lb Eland that was shot head on and the bullet was recovered from the right hip area. After cleaning it up and putting it on the scale it still weighed 270 grains.
July 3rd, 2007 at 5:17 pm
I have been strictly a barnes x user ever since I first reloaded your x bullet.I use it in .22 cal.,.243cal.,.25cal.,.284cal. Since ya”ll came out with the tripple shock that is all I use now. Very accurate. I like to use light for caliber bullets.Wish you would start making lighter for caliber bullets than are being made now.All I shoot is whitetails and hogs.These south GA whitetals can’t tote that solid copper off!!!!!!!!!
July 8th, 2007 at 10:21 am
I believe the grooves of your .277-120gr solid allowed me to load the 6.8 spc to make MPF out of an 18″ John Holliger barreled AR15. I am getting over 2700fps with 5 shot groups of .260″ at 100yds.
July 11th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
I used your Barnes solids in .416 cal. 400 gr. for cape buffalo this past season. Recovered two solids from the buff that took a total of four bullets to down. Both solids had traveled the better part of the length of the buffalo and were in perfect condition when recovered. If not for the rifling marks I think I could reload them again.
July 19th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
Although I am 51 years old and have been bird hunting my entire life, I only took up big game hunting in 2002.
From the time I bought my new Tikka 30-06 rifle, I was advised to shoot your bullets. Over the past 5 years, God has allowed me to shoot several animals. Each of them with your original X bullets. One elk….one pronghorn antelope…two deer…..8 wild pigs.
All but one of these was taken with a single shot, which is a testament to your excellent bullet design. I have yet to recover a bullet. I recommend your bullets to every hunter I know.
July 24th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
I was testing your TSX bullets prior to an unguided Alaskan caribou hunt in Sept of 06. My son and I stacked 16 full 1 inch seasoned red oak boards together and fired a 180 gr TSX into it. One shot sheared two petals off the bullet and one did not. The second was a perfect “X” and penetrated 14 inches of red oak. A similar test with a competitor’s premium bullet did not fare so well. A mangled mess of lead fragments and distorted core was all that we found. The shank of the X bullets were both completely intact.
We both used your bullets on two large caribou, (one shot each) dropping them instantly and my son killed an arctic wolf at 300 yards using the same load from his 300 win mag. Thanks for producing the only bullet I will ever shoot at large game again.
I told Coni at the shot show in Orlando in January that I killed my caribou in my underwear, which is true. I was in the tent inside my sleeping bag around 9pm (not dark till 11) when my son came in and said a herd of caribou had come up behind camp in a meadow. I jumped out of bed, T shirt, briefs and crocs on my feet, scurried across the tundra with my shooting stick, made a clean one shot kill not 250 yards from camp. That’s how you kill a caribou in your underwear.
July 29th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
At first I was skeptical of paying extra for your bullets when I could get other brands for much less. Then I bought a box of 150gr. .308 flat point TSX’s for my son’s 30-30. I loaded them with 29 grains of IMR3031 powder and decided a homemade ballstic test was in order. I set five 1-gallon water jugs end to end and shot it hoping to collect the spent bullet to show my son. The bullet expanded massively shearing all four petals and leaving them in 3 separate jugs. The shank of the bullet continued through all 5 jugs-30 INCHES OF WATER PENETRATION-from a 30-30.
I am now a believer!!!
July 29th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
Just finished load work on my Lilja barreled .338 Win Mag; (Rem 700 Action-Trued).Final load for the rifle using 210 grain TSX bullets. A 5 shot group at 100 yards, from rest, measured 1&1/8″. I will be using this load on a high Cascades Elk hunt this fall. Super accuracy/super bullet…
July 30th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
I used your 180gr tsx bullet in my 300wm last year to shoot 6 red deer, 2 reindeer, 9 roedeer her in Norway and 5 animals in South aAfrica. All but one were taken with one shot. And with a minimum of meat damage on the animals I think this must be the best hunting bullet ever made.
August 2nd, 2007 at 3:02 pm
I hunt the huge Tejon Ranch in California where all lead bullets will be banned in 2008 in an effort to protect the California condor. I hand loaded and tested your new .224 Varmint Grenades in a .222 Contender, a .222 rifle and a 220 Swift. Accuracy was excellent with some 0.4 inch groups obtained in the Swift. Seven California ground squirrels were shot with Grenades with velocities varying from 2500 ft./sec. in the Contender to over 4000 ft./sec in the Swift. All seven squirrels were completely shredded. I would be switching to these new bullets even if it wasn’t mandated.
August 6th, 2007 at 4:10 am
Would like for you to bring back the 130 grain 7mm bullet in the Triple Shock. I have a custom Model 70 Winchester with a 26 inch barrel that loved the 130 grain Barnes X in 7mm STW. What a tack driver!! Thanks and keep doing great things.
1SG STANLEY WILLIAMS
CAMP TAJI IRAQ
August 7th, 2007 at 12:36 am
I have shot 3 Impala and 1 Zebra with 168gr TSX at 2372 ft/s in my .308 Musgrave. It was all 1 shot kills. The Zebra was shot on the shoulder and it penetrated to under the skin on the opposite side, pefectly mushroomed. All three Impala were shot on the shoulders at 80-, 97- and 121 meters respectivily.
August 12th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
Just started in muzzleloading with an Omega .50 cal. w/3X9 Nikon scope. Used two 50 grain Triple Seven pellets (100 gr equivalent) a Triple Seven primer & the 285gr .50 cal Spitfire MZ boattail. Got one & one quarter inch groups at 100 meters & three inch groups at 200 yards. Tried a lot of different bullet brands and loads & these so far are the most accurate in my rifle.
August 16th, 2007 at 7:52 am
Been out of reloading and hunting for 10 years do to being out of country! Back to reloading; bought a 300 RUM and worked up a 3200fps load (Chronographed) with the 180 TSX. Shot an Aoudad at 80 yards this weekend. Broke shoulders, spine and Jello’d the lungs from Hydro shock. Fell flat at the shot and never even quivered. 30 cal entry appox 1 3/4″ exit hole. Great job at that speed and close distance. Real glad I waited for the animal to be clear of the others prior to the shot!!! Thanks Great Bullet!
August 18th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
I started using your “X” bullets circa 1995 and wish I had known about them sooner. All velocities mentioned are actual chronograph velocities at 15′. The first rifle I used them in was a Browning Stainless Stalker .270. With little effort I got 5 shot 7/8″ groups @ 3100 fps with the 130 gr. “X”. A great long range load but the deer I have killed with it were at close range and none of the bullets were recoverd. Performance was excellent.
I did recover a 165 gr .308 bullet @ 2600fps. I made a bad shot hitting the buck in the left rear ball socket. The bullet went forward the full length and was recovered between hide and meat between the neck and opposite front shoulder. The buck was only about 80 yds. The cleaned bullet was still 165 grns. and measured .607.
Two cow elk hit through the front shoulders circa 75 yds. with the previous load dropped at the shot. Neither bullet was recovered.
This year I’m using the 7mm 140 gr. Triple Shock @ 3225 from my 7WSM. I’m expecting the same outstanding results!
August 23rd, 2007 at 9:55 am
In 2005 I drew an Elk Tag in Eastern Nevada, My shot at a nice 6 point bull was at a ranged 367 yards, the 140 TSX from my .270WSM at a chronographed 3200 fps hit where I aimed, the bull took 2 steps and layed down and bled out before I could walk to it. I didn’t find the bullet, but it penetrated clean through the animal, estimated to weigh in at 775 lbs. Thanks for a great product, but bring back the .284 Barnes 160 XLCBT, they work great in my Rem 700 7mm mag. 7/8″ groups at 100 yards at 3150 pfs chronographed through a .250″ throated chamber. Keep up the great work. I loaded up 5 boxes of 180 TSX .300 Weatherby for my brother’s moose hunt in B. C. this October. He has seen what the TSX bullets do while hunting with me in Utah and Colorado.
August 28th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
I recently tested the .338 mrx bullets in Africa. The bullet in question was a .338-.378 wby magnum shooting 185gr mrx bullets. My groups are consistently 0.25″ at 100 yds and chronograph at 3610 fps. My first animal was a massive 59″kudu quartering away at 180 yards. The mrx bullet entered through the middle of the rib cage and exited through the middle of the front shoulder. A complete pass through. The bull ran 80 yds and died. Next was an Eland bull which yielded 650lbs of steaks. At 100 yds the bullet blew through both front shoulders and killed the bull 100 yds from point of impact. The bullet also completely passed through a gemsbok, impala, springbox, bleesbok, and a bushbuck. The only bullet I recovered was on a warthog. The shot was at 50 yards running almost straight away. the bullet past through the left hindquarter, passed through the body, through the right front shoulder, and finally stopped in the skin on the off side. The bullet retained 97% of its original 185 gr. weight. The mrx bullets are completely awesome.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:17 am
LAST YEAR I SHOT A DEER WHICH WAS ABOUT 130 YDS. AND WAS STRAIGHT AT ME WITH A SLIGHT ANGLE TO THE RIGHT. AT THE SHOT,THE DEER TURN AND WENT OUT OF SIGHT. NO BLOOD, SO I JUST WENT THE WAY THE DEER WENT. ABOUT 50 YDS FROM WHERE I SHOT IT, I FOUND MY DEER. I WAS USING A 140 TSX IN MY 7MM MAG. LOADED TO 3200 FPS. POINT OF IMPACT WAS BETWEEN SHOULDER AND NECK. BULLET DIDN’T EXIT DEER. I WAS DISAPPIONTED THAT THE DEER DIDN’T DROP IN IT’S TRACKS. WE LATER FOUND THE BULLET IN THE LEFT HAM. PERFECT EXPANSION AND STILL WEIGHED 140 GR AFTER GOING THROUGH THE DEER END TO END. STILL A BELIEVER IN BARNES BULLETS. JUST A TUFF DEER I GUESS!!!!
August 30th, 2007 at 11:05 am
While hunting for elk in Utah in several years ago I found a big 6×7 bull I had been watching and wanting to tag during several pre season scouting trips to the area. He was coming down a ridge across a large canyon with 42 cows and calves in his harem, he was the only bull in the group. I knew they would bed in the pines on the cool side of the ridge. After a long hike I got into the pines when a cow spotted me and they all broke loose. I ran towards the group trying to find the bull. I saw him and his big rack thru the brush about 90 yards away. I knew my 375 H&H hand loaded Barnes X Bullets would bust thru and nail him; that it did. My only shot was thru the hind end to reach his vitals. I had to kill this bull before he went thru the gully he was standing in and followed the cows into a Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit. This CWMU was only a couple hundred yards over the next hill. If he reached the Unit and died there I would have been subject to the $12,500. fee they charged in this Unit, and I would have had the bull taken away. I was on public land next to the unit and had to get the job done fast. I ran down the hill into the clearing to get another shot into him. As he was struggling up the hill, I put three more shots into him from my Browning A Bolt. I did this so fast, another hunter in the area who heard the shots thought I had a semi auto. The first shot went from stem to stern breaking the back leg and lodged under the skin in the bull’s front shoulder. The next two went thru the boiler room, and the last shot went thru the front shoulders to nock him down, thus keeping him out of the CWMU. I was very pleased how the first bullet went thru the brush, broke the hind leg and lodged under the skin in his front shoulder; all the while having great expansion and keeping most all of its weight retention. I was very, very happy! I am thankful someone had the skills to design such a great bullet. Thanks a ton!
September 1st, 2007 at 4:54 am
6.5 x 55, I have taken 21 Carabou and counting, here in the Great Land, (Alaska for you lower 48′ers), They dropped like they were hit by lighting! Thanks a bunch barnes for helping me keep my frezzer full!
September 4th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
I have always used Barnes bullets for my hunting rifle, but only recently began using the XPB in my personal defense handgun. The performance description and pictures are awesome, but I wanted my own proof of effectiveness. I test-fired a round into a series of water-filled gallon jugs at our range. The first jug was destroyed, the next two completely penetrated and the forth was entered, but not exited. The recovered bullet looked exactly like the pictures, with the lethal copper blades perfectly expanded. I will never use any other brand than Barnes.
September 5th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
I started using Barnes TSX bullets about 2 years ago, 140gn in a 270WSM. This year I went hunting with my brother chasing Fallow Deer, free range. We found some fallow does at aprox 200m away in a clear area. We both decided to shoot and we both hit and killed our animals with one shot each. I hit mine in a high shoulder shot, he hit his in aprox the same spot. My deer dressed out about 5 kilo more meat due to less tissue damage, just as dead though. Found bits of his bullet all through the front of his doe, mine had minimal damage and no bullet recovery. He was using Ballistic Tips in 130gn from a 270 Winchester. I think I have sold him on the barnes bullets. That week we managed to get 3 animals each, I’m still eating wonderful meals prepared by my wife from this hunting trip. I show my triple shocks to every one who will listen. I also have a 375H&H that I use for Sambar in the Victorian High country, I use Federal Premiums loaded with 300gn TSX. So far I have not connected on any Sambar, but I’m sure they will work fine when I do. I am sold on them and look forward to getting some MRX to reload. May God Bless all you do.
September 10th, 2007 at 11:04 am
I had bought a box of your bullets, back some 10 to 15 years, in .270, 150 grs. for a try out …. and just this year,… I have bought some more in .308, 110, 130, 150, 168 grs.(^). I had done reloading for a friends in years past… but now, I have reloaded them for my 30-06 Springfield, a Browning A-Bolt Classic. I tried them a bit at target practices,… but due to costs, I will limit their use to hunting…The results are beyond all I could expect… Both in gel, for effects, as per target accuracy… Groups of 3 at 300 m. of 1.5 in. show that both gun and loads are excellent…
Three of my friends are now customers in .224 calibers… as I reload theirs… Even at the higher costs for the bullets, they,too, figure that the added costs are nothing when game is at hand. The barnes Varmit Grenade, in .224, 36 grs. HP have all present at awe at the shooting range,… both for performance and accuracy… Half inch grouping at 100m…with a Remington 788 .222 bolt action… with a Bushnell Scopechief 4-12X 50mm.
September 14th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
HI I was testing some loads in my new 22 in TC custom shop encore in S&W 500 mag, since indiana just passed a new law alowing rifles with pistol bullets. I tried the 275,325 & 375 XPB bullets. I was very suprised with the 325 I used 44 GR lil’gun & cci LR primers.They were cronographed at 2625 FPS with a five shot average.They grouped 1 3/4 at 100 yards. These bullets are something else! Thanks
September 14th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
I might have screwed up I went from outside of the hole to outside. center to center is 1 1/4 IN.
September 15th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
I wish I could say that this is a success story of barnes bullets…but sadly it is not.This story starts in `04 while I was hunting black tail deer in southern ca.It was raining (which dosent happen often in so.cal.) and I was putting all of my gear to use…my hunting buddies had already left for drier ground…so I was kinda exploring a new area that I had been given permission to hunt.I was walking down a trail and just looked up to see a deer on the opposing hillside…It was a good buck…but a long shot.I tried to close the distance but the hillside that I was on was so steep that I wasn`t gettin anywhere.The rifle was a rem 7oo that I had rechambered in .284 win,the load was a tipped 140 grain bullet that left the muzzle at 3070 fps.This combo shot incredibaly strait..consistant one hole at 100yd with a best 3 shot of .069 .I practice regulary at 430yd at the local range.With this combo I consistiently can hit a pie sized gong at 430 yd on the first shot with a clean barrel. I found a good place where I could use a rock for a dead rest…the distance was 450 yd. When I fired the shot I didn`t hear the sound of the bullet hitting the deer but as I watched him in the scope I saw hin run to the left and then I saw 4 legs in the air.The hit was dead center boiler room..It took out a rib going in and another on the way out and stopped in the off side shoulder…the bullet had come completly un-done(450yd.)…there was nothing but the remaining jacket it the shoulder.this should have got me thinking but it didn`t..I know…dead is dead…so what was the problem….
Now we move up to `06…same place…same rifle and load. My son and two other friends are hunting this area today.My son and I are walking up opposing ridges a few hundred yards apart and as I reached the top of mine…I come into the view of a saddle that was 200yd strait ahead of me directly into the morning sun.I tipped my hat down to block the sun…and there stood the biggest blacktail buck I have ever seen…dead or alive…I moved forward to a fence for the 185 yd shot and barked a couple times to stop the nervous buck for one last look.I had the crosshairs in the center of the chest but I didn`t have a great rest and I pulled the shot a little forward and hit the buck square on the shoulder…and he and his comanion moved quickly over the hill.I knew the shot was good and I knew exactly where I had hit him, but there was no blood at all the tracks dissappeared into the tall grass on the hillside…I sectioned off the hill and spent the next 10 hours looking for my “buck of a lifetime”…I didn`t find him.I did however find the companion…and I did have two tags so I made a 210 yard shot to claim a nice three point blacktail buck. The damage on the three point told me the story of what had happened with the other shot…The shot was down a steep hill…shooting down on the bedded buck.The bullet struck the lower part of the spine…and it came completly apart…it didn`t even touch the other side of the rib-cage.
I had bought into that theory where a bullet should stay inside the animal and distribute all of its energy inside the animal…which is a good plan as long as everything is ideal…But…if something dosent go right and the animal can get up and cover some ground you need that massive blood trail of an exit wound to follow…And thats what tripple shocks will do…every time…no matter what the condition and why I have changed to triple shocks for all of my hunting rifles.
September 25th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
After a dismal last season (I missed everything I
shot at. Had a ten year one shot kill ratio until last season.), I’m back. This morning I dropped a doe
antelope at 315 yds using my trusted 7×57, and 120-gr
TSX. Oh yeah, there was a 20 mph wind at an approx 30 degree angle in my face, gusting
to 30 mph. Temps in the low 40s, elev 7,000+.
My load chronographs (five shot avg) at 3069 fps
from my 22″ PacNor S/S barrel, sub-MOA accuracy.
One shot, the doe dropped where she stood.
October 5th, 2007 at 5:37 am
The greatest thrill of my hunting career has been introducing my son to the sport. He loves it almost as much as I. Three years ago while hunting with my son who was 9 years old at the time, we saw a nice whitetail buck just as we got to our stand. We had arrived late and light was breaking pretty fast, enough that I could see the buck clearly. Problem was he was 100 yards on the other side of our stand looking straight at us. With no rest to be had, I told my son to kneel down and took the shot offhanded. The buck leaped off of the road bed we were on and we climbed our stand.
After my son had collected his own whitetail that morning we walked to where we last saw the first buck. He was only ten yards off the road bed. Upon further inspection I found that I had hit him dead center in the chest and we later found the 168 gr. TSX in his right ham, having shattered the femur. We measured the penetration at 36 inches. The best part is my son still thinks I am Daniel Boone after he saw me make that 100 yard off hand shot! Thanks Barnes for making it all possible.
October 5th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
I just finished off my season with a mule deer hunt in Oregon and one in Wymoing using the 180gn TSX out of my 30-378 @3420fps. The Oregon deer was 377yds quatering away. The bullet went in near the last rib on the left side and exited in front of the right shoulder. The deer ran 15 yards and tumbled. The Oregon deer was head on at 352yds and the bullet lodged in the right rear leg and dropped it in its tracks. I recovered this bullet after cleaning it up it weighed 179.8grn. I love this bullet
October 9th, 2007 at 2:03 pm
I loaded your 210 Grain X bullet for my Blaser 375 H&H Magnum and went hunting for Red Deer in Bavaria, Germany. On the last day, a nice Class 1 Stag came out of the treeline and came within 150 meters at which time I shot. The only distance he traveled was straight down. I hunt with your TSX in 308 as well so I was glad to see the 235 Grain in 375 come out. I am reloading that after this email and going back to Bavaria this weekend for another Red deer as well as a large boar. I know I’ll have no problems what so ever with your bullets. Thanks for making such a great product.
October 17th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
Does anyone read all this stuff? Lots of good info here. I load 210gr X in .338. 69.5 gr of VV-N160 for elk (Roosevelts in NW Oregon) Muzzle vel.- 2860. PB range about 360yds. perfect mushrooms, lost only 3-5 gr.
On the other side I load 180Gr X in my 300 Win Mag. 74gr IMR4831, starts off at 3030 fps. ballistically it comes out better than the .338 all the way out, both in tragectory and energy. 5″ less drop at 500yds.
In crummy weather I use the .338, S/S Mod 70 w/fiber stock. can’t hurt it. Otherwise it’s my trusty Rem 721 (originally 300H&H, rebarrelled to 300WM) an absolute great tool to work with.
I haven’t tried the other Barnes products, just plain happy eith the big X’s.
Keep shooting!!!
October 19th, 2007 at 8:59 am
I took a moose with the MRX bullet in Newfoundland.One shot at 210 yards dropped the bull in his tracks.Thanks for a great bullet !!!!
October 22nd, 2007 at 4:31 pm
I am an avid competition shooter. I have been handloading barnes bullets for 6 years. This year I started shooting barnes muzzleoader bullets. I used the expander with 100 grains of powder in my Knight 54 caliber. I dropped two deer in their tracks this season one at 257 yds and the other was 340 yds, and still had full expansion. Great bullet to use on big game also. Not many people shoot copper bullets were I am from. Thanks for the awesome bullet.
October 22nd, 2007 at 7:39 pm
I first started using the 160 gr. TSX last year in my 7mm and was initially impressed with my consistant sub inch groupings at the range. I was equally impressed in the field when I took a nice muley buck last year at about 115 yards. The buck was facing me so I aimed for the neck - He dropped like a rock and I later found the bullet which went through the neck and travelled parallel to his backbone (about 25 inches in total). The bullet mushroomed perfectly and I proudly demonstrate the 4 equal petals and remaining 159 gr. bullet to all of my hunting buddies! (It looks just like the pic’s on Barnes website)
About 3 weeks ago I went on a moose hunt and dropped a nice bull moose at 76 yds with the same load. Also a neck shot, but as the moose was standing broadside, the bullet passed through the neck and could not be recovered. (I’m sure I’ll have lots of stories like this in the future which is one reason I treasure the one bullet I did recover)
This year I also dusted off my .270 when I first learned that Barnes was making a 110 gr. TSX bullet in this caliber. I’m very excited about my new deer gun which spits them out at 3140 fps and actually shot my first antelope last week(scored 71 6/8) at about 100 yds. The bullet broke the front shoulder and also travelled through the animal doing maximum damage of the lung area before exiting. The buck ran about 15 yds and dropped.
I’ve heard 2 criticisms about Barnes bullets in the past. 1) Petals breaking off - I can’t comment on the original X bullets because I’ve never used them, but from what I’ve seen in the TSX this simply is not the case. 2) Expensive - Yes, the bullets are a little more expensive than many others but I laugh when considering how much money we spend on fuel, tags, food, etc. I believe the few extra dollars is well worth the comfort of knowing that when I make a well placed shot, that the animal is going to go down….
Keep up the great work!
November 3rd, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Looking for your tipped tsx for a 300 wenmag?
November 4th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
For any smokepole shooters out there, I use a TC Omega with the Barnes 285gr Spitfire MZ, 100 grains of pelletized Triple 7 and a Triple 7 primer. With this load, I dropped a 150 lb. doe at 207 yds. Two days later, dropped another smaller doe at 185 yards. Both went down after less than a twenty yard walk. I did a lot of experimentation with the MZ and the TMZ sabots in all weights (50 cal) and found better accuracy with the 100 grain load shooting five inch groups at 250 yards using a Caldwell shooting rest. The 285 dropped more but was more accurate in my gun. I am using an Nikon Omega scope with the cirle reticles. With this load I zero at a 100yds on the cross hair, second cirle at 150 and third circle at 200. Fourth circle is held at the top of the deer’s back for 250 yards. I shot four different brands of saboted bullets and the Barnes were by far the most accurate and as I witnessed, had the knockdown power at long muzzleloader ranges.
November 4th, 2007 at 7:37 pm
I used the .85 grain bullet in my .243 Ruger this year to take a nice 9 point whitetail. I double lunged the deer and he did run approx. 80 - 100 yards before hitting the deck. I was very impressed with the exit wound the Barnes bullet left on the deer. Several people commented that it looked as if a 30-06 had been used to make the shot. It was quite obvious from the moment the deer was hit that I would not need to shoot again … very clear sign that the bullet did it’s job at impact. I was initially concerned about switching from a 100 grain bullet to the .85 grain but am very satisfied with the result. Highly recommend these bullets and I will continue to use in the future.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
I use the 150 grain TSX in my 7WSM loaded by Superior Ammunition. At the range, it gives consistent less than MOA results and out performed other 150s and 160s accuracy-wise. In the field they just killed 3 whitetails, all one shot pass throughs. 2 does in their tracks, a double lunged buck managed 40 yards. After his first post-shot leap you could immediately see blood from the entrance wound. The bullet passed through but left the tip of one petal in the far side hide.
November 9th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
ll the way thru the vitals.
November 10th, 2007 at 2:53 am
I tried the TSX for the first time this Elk season. I shoot a .270 win and have been told by many that it isn’t enough gun for Elk. After much deliberation I decided on the 130 gr. TSX. My load averages 3175 FPS and prints .6 inch groups at 100 yds. We estimated the weight of my 5 X 5 at about 750 pounds maybe 800. 150 yard shot just behind the shoulder. The animal went down in less than 20 yards. The exit wound was 2.5 inches and the lungs were virually vaporized. GREAT JOB ON THE TSX BULLET !!! I won’t be using anything else, that is of course unless Barnes comes out with something better !
November 15th, 2007 at 8:56 am
I recently shot a 7×7 elk in Idaho using a Ruger Mk 77 .338 Win Mag and 250 grains of your original X bullet. At the range I get .75-1.25″ groups at 100 yards. On impact the bull, who was facing uphill, rolled over backwards and slid down over 100 feet to the bottom of the hill. The damage to the vital organs was spectacular, as well as the holes in the shoulder and ribs. The bullet was lodged under the far side hide, and is the perfect X. I’ll never use anything else for big game. Thanks for making the best bullet out there, and it’s not even the most expensive.
November 15th, 2007 at 11:35 am
Just started using 140gr TSX out of my Browning A-bolt 7MM WSM this year. I could not beleive the accuracy compaired to other high end bullets. I was shooting 1/2″ groups at 100 yards. The range officer said “Man you really found the sweet spot”. It was all worth it when he said that. I was smiles from ear to ear. I can’t wait to see what it does on an elk or mule deer.
Can I expect the same results out of the new tipped TSX?
November 15th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
I shot a 340lb black bear this August with a 168 gr. Triple Shock X. The shot was about 130 yards and I hit the bear in the neck just foward of the shoulder. He dropped like a box of rocks, not even a twitch. I have been hunting with X bullets for about 7 years now and won’t use anything else. I have killed several deer and each bullet recovered expanded well and had 95% or better weight retention. The triple shock has solved the accuracy issues for all my guns and I am really impressed with these bullets. Thanks.
November 19th, 2007 at 1:34 pm
For those 375HH users: 270 TSX/ 76.5 gr Reloader 15/CCI 250 magnun primers does the job here in Alaska. The last two moose went down instantly with this load. Site your rifle to 3.5 high at 100 yds and your good for point and shoot to 300 plus yds. Check the Barnes manual for the stats on this load at 2800 fps and you will see why the 375HH may be your choice. Lastly if you have ever owned a 338 mag that kicks the dog out of you, try the 375HH it just pushes with no snap like the 338. Happy hunting!
November 19th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
I have been using the original 250gr X bullet in 375H&H and to date have taken 1 moose 1 shot kill at 100 yds, 2 elk at 100 2 shots and 30 yds 3 shots because I didn’t want to pack them any further than I had to. This fall took a big Black bear at 250 yds thru both shoulders he swaped ends and stood quartering away so I did it again then he turned around and took off running third shot went from back ribs thru chest exited center of chest entered under jaw and exited thru skull. Needles to say both of the first shots were all that was needed third actually flipped him forward as he ran full tilt. A petal was recovered inside the skull and that is the first piece I have been able to find all others have exited, meat damage for all has been next to nil for loss so not shy in shooting a second time to ensure a quick kill. The bear had been eating blue berries and when opened up he actually smelt like a blueberry pie and I had blue hands for 4 days from cleaning him out. I never did use any of the other weights (270,300) as the 250 gr has done everything asked of it.
November 19th, 2007 at 10:56 pm
Many fine happenings this hunting season for me.A new to me rifle ,a Ruger No.1 in 7×57 Ackley Improved. A Leopold 3×9, a batch of Canadian Herters 7×57 new un-fired brass, and best of all, the new TSX 150 Barnes Bullet. The kicker was an Antlerd Moose Draw Tag. On Nov.9 I met up with my best bush partner, my son, Scott and began a morning hunt in the Smokey Lake area of Alberta. At 1:20 that afternoon Hawkeye Scott spied a two-spike bull at perhaps 80 yards behind brush and timber. So Scott did the spotting, I did the shooting,the two big poplars in front of the bull receiving Barnes message first. ( 14 @ 16 diameter, thru @thru ). Third shot was the one that did the job. Thru @thru lung shot broadside. Well yes he ran maybe forty yards, and no, the Barnes was not recoverd, and a bloody great snowstorm started up while skinning and quartering and then dragging to the truck. From Scott and Bob up here in Alberta, Thank you, Barnes.
November 20th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
I have use Barnes bullets since I started hunting. Last year I shot my eight point here in Ontario. So you know we have big deer here. I shot it with a 95 grain .243 cal. at over 200 yards one shot bang dead. Flawless. I only use Barnes bullets. We shoot 85 pound coyotes at 300 yard same results one shot kills. There is no argument with the sucess that Barnes bullets bring to the hunt. If it can seen it can be shot use to be just a saying now its the truth thanks Barnes
December 1st, 2007 at 11:04 am
Thanksgiving morning, my hunting party was doing drives. My friend next to me kicked up a bedding doe and instead of running ahead towards the shooters, it headed sideways straight at me. I didn’t have much time to set up the perfect shot. All I could do was locate the other hunters so I wasn’t shooting into them, line up the Bushnell Trophy red dot between the front shounders and squeeze off a round. I hit her perfect at 10 yards and she dropped instantly. This was the first animal I have taken with a Barnes bullet so I was eager to see what it had done.
I was very surprised to see the entry wound as large as the exit, around 1 1/4 inch. I know the Barnes TSX bullets are supposed to open on contact, but this made no sense. I looked back towards where I took the shot and sure enough, I found a sapling (2″ diameter) with a small chunk taken out on the back side at almost exacly 5 yards from the deer and 5 yards from my shooting position.
Luckily for me, the bullet went dead center through the sapling and didn’t deflect to the side. When the bullet struck the chest of the doe, it was fully expanded and I could clearly see the X shaped cut from the 4 petals. The bullet tore the aorta completely from the heart and exited just beind her ribcage.
AR10-A2 (.308 Win) Barnes TSX 168gr Varget handload
December 4th, 2007 at 10:07 am
Prior to my trip to South Africa in August 2007 , I made the decision to go with one load for both my and my son’s 30-06 rifles , to make bullets the easiest part of the trip . I settled on the 180 grain TSX . It was a very good decision . The load killed everything we shot at , usually with one shot . All the way from a little Steenbuck up to a Kudu bull . Weight retensions were almost all 100% !Needless to say , some were not weighed because the bullet passsed all the way through .
I followed Barnes own load chart specs exactly .
For my next trip , I am developing some new loads for my recently acquired .375 Ruger , with 270 , 300 grain TSX , plus a 300 gr banded solid .
December 9th, 2007 at 8:53 am
a new Barnes tsx fan after dissatisfied w/ the preformance of other bullets i will not mention i found my .280 T/C Prohunter likes this tsx and the deer dont. rarely will you here a GA deerhunter say this. I shot a deer @ 225+yards(just dont get that many long shots here in the south) The bullet preformance was great. this was from a factory load federal on the range i have been throughly impressed all though im going to see what kind of hand loads i can come up w/ Look ing foward to using more of Barnes products in the yrs. to come
December 12th, 2007 at 7:08 am
I use a remingtom M700BDL in 308 Handloaded 150 gr.TSX. Deer season this year in Nebraska I shot a 6×5 mule deer at 360 yards. Witnessed and distance was verified with two diferent Busnell Yardage pro rangefinders This was in the Sandhills area so close shots are almost nill. Three deer seasons using the TSX in this rifle = three deer
P.S.have pictures
December 14th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
FIRST,THANK YOU FOR MAKING SUCH A GREAT BULLET!!!!I AM USING YOUR 120 GR.TSX IN MY 7MM MAG. I WAS HUNTING IN KENTUCKY AND SHOT THE BIGGEST DEER I HAVE EVER SHOT.300LBS. WITH 14 P0INTS.ABOUT AN 30YD.SHOT THAT TOOK OUT BOTH SHOULDERS,COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF EVER THING BETWEEN!!EVEN AT POINT BLANK RANGE,BULLET DIDN’T BREAK UP ON IMPACT,JUST KEPT ON GOING.VERY HAPPY AT THE RESULTS OF YOUR TSX. BULLETS.
December 18th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
This past sunday mourning 12–16-07 my wife tested her 6.5×308 again( aka .260 Rem.)with a 120 gr. x bullet on her late season cow elk . Again a one shot kill at a lazered 347 yds. Total penatration into the neck and out the right shoulder. These bullets make all the differance. Lite recoil like a .243 but takes elk size game with no sweat. Love those “X” bullets.
December 19th, 2007 at 11:47 am
To those of you that have taken the time to read these blogs and have given the support to Barnes for there so deserved efforts. Here is a story that I would like to share with you. I recently took a hunting trip to Bedford, PA with my father in-law like we do every year. I purchased the Barnes TSX 130 grain in .270 cal. I took a shot on a 8 point buck which was 140 lbs dressed. The biggest I’ve ever killed. With the bullet entering his back it broke his spinal cord in half dropping him in his tracks. It was not the best shot placement but the buck turned right as I shot. I have pics of the recovered bullet and will show them on thefiringline.com under the art of the rifle topic. These are the best bullets ever produced IMO. After dressing the deer I have never seen so much damage to the vital organs. It was amazing to see the meat untouched. It sends a shock exactly as advertised to the soft tissue causing a huge channel wound. If anyone is interested in the pics or video email me at haffieldj@aol.com Thanks, Jason Haffield
December 19th, 2007 at 11:48 am
Also I would like to add to the above response that the shot was recorded at 156 yards. Pretty Awesome!
December 20th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
Barnes TSX 130 grain in .270 cal
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I asked a few questions in a thread a few months ago before going on my annual deer hunt in Bedford, PA. I am sure gald I made my choice on the Barnes TSX because here is what happened:
About an hour had past just sitting under a oak tree when I suddenly heard a single deer running my way. I knew from previous experience hunting in PA that doe usually run in herds so I was pretty sure that this was going to be a buck. I did not waist any time and had my rifle up to my shoulder. As I was looking through the Nikon Buckmaster scope I saw the one side had three points so I knew right away I had a shooter especially by his body size. I took my shot ranging in at 165 yards. As soon as the Rifle Basix trigger was pulled the deer suddenly turned quick making the bullet place in his upper back. The deer dropped in his tracks like a ton of bricks. I could not believe my eyes when I saw the deer channel wound. The spinal cord was completely blown in two and only the soft tissue (skin, arteries, veins…) was torn. The muscle had very little damage. The bullet did as advertised on Barnes website. It completely made a shockwave upon entering the cavity it created. As I entered his body in the ridge where he lay I noticed a shiny object. It was the bullet completely together, 100% retention, and split like a four way razor. I was amazed! I took a video clip of the bullet and also took some pics. Hopefully, when Barnes hears of this story they would like to see the video of the bullets aftermath. I was so pleased with the results I got with the 140 lb dressed deer. Please look at thefiringline.com website to see pics and if anyone wants to see the video of the bullet recovered please email me haffieldj@aol.com
December 21st, 2007 at 9:33 am
Just want to share my experience with Barnes Bullets. My son got me interested in using them a year ago and it has been my choice since then. He shot an 8 point and it dropped in it’s tracks, actually went sideways with a hit from a 7mm mag. I have followed up on that by taking a doe this year that reared up when hit and jumped straight up from it’s hind legs and crashed onto it’s nose. This shot came from a 7mm08 in 140 gr TSX. Upon cleaning this deer it was found that the heart had actually been severed at the top and was basically lying free in the chest. My son’s deer also had a heart shot and this time it also sustained brain damage from the hit as noted when we cut the skull plate to get the antlers off. Of note to me was that unlike other bullets, the Barnes TSX didn’t do excessive meat damage and both deer yielded considerably more meat than I have gotten in the past.
Next we will be loading 30-06 and 9.3×62 mm. I am sure both will be exceptional bullets too.
Thanks for the forum………….Tom
December 22nd, 2007 at 11:06 pm
Hi there, I do a lot of coyote calling with my .223 Remington, and recently found an area where there are ferral Russian bores. Not wanting to pack a larger (or another) gun, I loaded some 53 grain .224 XLC up to 3200 fps. Accuracy is great (less than 1/2″ at 100 yards) and performance is fantastic. I have taken 4 boars with these bullets, and all were lethal and efficient kills. The largest boar was 350 lbs neck shot at 250 yards. The bullet destroyed the spinal column and exited. The other 3 boars were in the 150 lbs range and were double lung shots at 150 to 200 yards. I did not recover any of these bullets, as they were all pass thoughs. Fantastic performance and a fantastic product all around!!
December 28th, 2007 at 10:13 pm
howdy. just wanted to let you guys know that your new varmint grenede is fantastic. i have shot over twenty coyotes with that cute little 36 grain .224″ bullet. the big surprise was that i have yet to ruin a hide. the bullet leaves the muzzle of my 22-6mm imp. at 4500 fps. accuracy is in the .5 to .75 inch range. cant wait to try the new 26 grainer in my 204. any chance you could make .172 tsx? thanks for a fantastic product.
January 5th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
I’m beginning load development for a 6.5×280 Ackley custom by Holland and would love a 90 or 95-gr. TSX. As everyone is discovering, the quick expansion and high mass retention of X Bullets makes light-for-caliber bullets more effective that much heavier, traditional bullets. The old 75-gr. X in my slow-twist 6mm Rem. was deadly on whitetails, and the 130-gr. X in my Win M70 Featherweight .30-06 grouped at an amazing 1/2 inch. Light and fast with an X is the way to go. Shoots through nearly everything and puts it down faster than any other bullet I’ve ever used — and I’ve used most of them on 6 continents. Bring on the 95-gr. 6.5 and bring back the 75-gr. .243!
January 10th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
First let me thank you for building a bullet that the .300 ultra mag does not destroy.I have been using the 180 gr. tsx on bear and have shot 5 all one shot kills and not a step taken. Recently I used my .243 for black bear in PA and took a 280 lb sow with a tsx in 85 gr it was a 160 yd shot it ran 15 yds. another 1 shot kill. I think that says it all. thanks again for a great bullet
Regards
Ed Rozanski
Owner
HIGH PEAKS BUGS & BONEZ
January 14th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
I bought my dad a Rem 700 Sendero in .300 Win for a Wyoming elk hunt two seasons ago. With Federal Premium/180gr TSX and a little trigger work the Sendero grouped well under 2 inches at 200 yards right out of the box.
My dad’s first shot with his new rifle was at a pronghorn about 150 yards away. The TSX bullet broke the last rib going in, tore up the vitals, and produced a 1-inch exit wound behind the off shoulder. The animal ran about 50 yards and piled up. We never did get a shot at an elk, though.
Last summer we took the Sendero to Zimbabwe. Our P.H. indicated that African game would likely run some distance after being hit, but everything we shot was dropped in its tracks — 2 warthogs, 2 impala, and a Cape buffalo cow. The only bullet recovered was from the buffalo, hit with a frontal chest shot just inside the shoulder at 40 paces. All 4 petals were broken off the TSX, but the retained weight (124gr, 69%) was sufficient to penetrate the full length of the vitals and well into the grass-filled stomach.
In September my dad got his 6×6 bull elk in Utah at 175 yards. The elk was uphill, almost broadside on the edge of a canyon, and had to be dropped on the spot. The TSX broke the near leg below the shoulder, destroyed the heart and lungs, broke the off shoulder, and lodged under the hide. The elk collapsed on impact. Bullet weight retention was 88%.
After seeing this versatility in producing one-shot kills on everything from a 100 pound pronghorn to a 1300 pound Cape buffalo, penetrating plenty of bone and muscle to get the job done, and considering the excellent accuracy of the TSX, my dad and I won’t be hunting big game with anything else. Except for one sighter shot taken before his elk hunt, every TSX my dad has sent downrange has put meat on the table!
January 16th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
I have to tell you that i love your bullet design!
You can call me a barnes bullet freak or a barnes junky, but i have to say yall got it goin on with bullet performance! As of now i reload six different styles of your product line,-varmit grenade,-tsx,-barnes original,-xpb,-tmz and -mz expander. I load your .429 225gr xpb in my 444 marlin and get 1 inch groups that i am happy with but the big hollow point makes the bullet not ballisticly friendly. A TMZ in .429 would be the ticket! Please consider and let me know. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME MR.RANDY!
January 22nd, 2008 at 7:06 am
Hi there! I am a professional hunter in South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique and shoot between 600 and 800 of your bullets every year. Just as I settle on one bullet for any of the 7 rifles that I reload for, then you change the design or stop making it. It is costing me a fortune to work out new loads every time you guys change something that aint broke. For my 243win, 308win and 30-06 I have been using the 95gr xlc. 150gr xlc and 180gr xlc. All shot half MOA groops and now I can not get them anymore. PLEASE!!!!!!! Help me out and stic to one that works. Thanx 4 a great product
January 30th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
I recently bought a new Ruger Hawkeye 338 win mag.
It shoots 1″ groups with all bullets & most loads at 100 yards, but When I tryed some of these .338 Barnes Tripple Shock bullets, I discovered a level of accuracy that blew my mind.
I set up my targets at 200 yards, put my rifle on the sand bags and carefully shot a 3 shot group measuring .41 inches at 200 yards with my 3-9 power scope. I couldn’t believe it!
There was somewhat gusty wind that day and the temp was -12 degrees. I seated the bullets to the lower edge of the first groove.
I can’t wait to try the bullets on game and think I will never find another load and bullet combo that will shoot this accurately.
The Barnes Tripple Shocks are definately worth the money and I will be tryin some of their 250 gr bullets next.
February 6th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Is it just me or am I the only “crazy go nutz” hole-puncher on the firing line completely gaga about .257 ballistics. I have a .25-06 Rem that is lights out with the 100gr. TSX, IMR 4831, & Federal 210M primers in a heavy barrel Encore. To date my longest one shot, dead where he stood, 206 lb. whitetail kill is 315 yds! It really doesn’t matter which quarter bore platform you fire from (except for the .257 Roberts, case capacity issues) you’ll get some of the best trajectories, i.e. .25-06 Rem or Ack. Imp., or .257 Weatherby Mag, and great knockdown energy for medium sized game out to distances most of us wouldn’t bother to shoot. Finally and most importantly they are powder-puffs to shoot. I mean if recoil is the sworn enemy to accuracy then .24, .25, .26, and .27 are really all a boy or girl needs in the deer woods. I have shoulder thumpers in my gun safe as well, but dead is dead! Please Randy and all the people there at Barnes, give a fanatic quarter bore guy a Tipped TSX or even better yet an MRX in .25 cal. offerings.
P.S. Long live the quarter bore!!
February 14th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Thank you for creating the triple shock. This is the deadliest bullet on the plantet. I shoot the 100 gr tsx out of my .257 stw, vel averages 3790 fps, and can group 1/2 in @ 100 yds most any day. I have shot 17 deer during the last 2 deer seasons and all acted as if they had been hit in the head with a sledge hammer. When I pull the trigger their chin hits the ground. My farthest shot to date is 418 yds in an Alabama hayfield, the distance made no difference, the result was the same. The combination your superior bullet and the velocity of the stw is certain death to our Southern Whitetails.
February 22nd, 2008 at 1:25 pm
A big +1 to Mr. Spomer’s request for a lighter .264 TSX/TTSX.
I have had great results with the 100 gr .257 TSX out of my 25-06. No complaints with the 120 or 130 gr TSX/6.5×55 combo other than I’d like to drive the bullets faster at reasonable pressures to ensure the traumatic expansion we know and love.
February 28th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Count me in as a member of the we-want-a-lighter-6.5-TSX crew. I killed three mule deer with my .260 shooting the 120 TSX at 2900+ fps last year, so I’m by no means dissatisfied. But…a 100 gr TSX would let me pick up a couple hundred feet per second velocity and attendant trajectory improvement — without giving up any terminal performance.
So what do you say? Anything between 95 and about 105-108 gr would be great.
Thanks!
March 2nd, 2008 at 9:21 pm
would like to see 75gr .243 tsx 85gr .257tsx 100gr .284tsx these bullets are awesome.
March 10th, 2008 at 3:39 am
I’m trying TSX bullets for the first time. I’ve used the rest so my results with the TSX will be measured against a known quantity. I’m currently working up loads for the .223 Rem/53 gn. & 45 gn TSX (1in12 twist), 6mm Rem./85 gn. TSX (1in10 twist), 270WSM/110 TSX (1in10 twist). I’m only on the 223 at this point, but if this is any indication of what to expect from the other calibers I’m already impressed. Working up in 1/2 gn increments, 22 gn to 24 gn of AA2460, I’m already getting 2988 average fps and 1/2 inch 3shot groups with the 53 gn TSX. This from a Ruger 77 MK II factory stock (with Timney trigger) Standard Sporter 22″ barrel. I’ll come back at the end of the 2008 hunting season and give a full account of results and performance.
March 11th, 2008 at 9:38 am
my friends and i have been messing with barnes bullets for years. never have one of us come up with a sad tale. bullets always perform as advertised. almost allways a pass through on deer and elk, with all bullets, from .270 to .375. i couldnt get the coated ‘x’ to fly very good in my .375 ackley magnum, but the 400 lb. black bear i shot had a giant hole, right on the money , and expired instantly. 340 yds, 270 gr. coated “X” at 2925fps. there was also an interesting tunnel through the oak brush after exiting the bear, but we couldn’t find the bullet. since colorado doesn’t offer anything to stop an ‘x’ bullet from a larger caliber, we have experimented on green pinon trees about 16″ in diameter, these are a pass through also. whereas a 300 gr. round nose lead bullet comes apart and sometimes the lead will exit the tree. we have also shot sandstone boulders, and have yet to see an ear break off of a barnes bullet. the bullets open up as advertised and stay together in solid rock, so for now i think i’ll stick with barnes as the best performing, toughest hunting bullet on this planet. thanks guys! p.s. id love to see a 270 grain triple shock boattail for my .375. cooper.
March 15th, 2008 at 6:54 am
I’ve been using Barnes X bullets for as long as I can remember. I still have some in 348 Winchester that I use in my model 71 and have killed several deer with it and have never found a bullet; all one shot humane kills. What amazes me is how accurate my rifles are with Barnes bullets. From the 348 to my favorite caliber the 35 Whelen to the 300 WSM Kimber rifle………..using the MRX bullet. My Ruger 77 in 35 Whelen using 225 grain XLC’s shoots a half inch group. That’s incredible!!! Glad I still have a good supply of those blue babies!
The main thing I have to say is: The quality of your product is unequalled in this industry. PERIOD. Yes, Nosler is a good if not great product but no one can beat the “unleaded” fuel I put into my rifles. Thanks again for a great bullet.
Now where’s my Reloading Manual #4? heh heh
March 19th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
I HAVE WORKED FOR ONE OF THE MAJOR BULLET COMPANYS FOR SOME TIME NOW .(NO LONGER)
THE FIRT BULLET I WANTED TO HUNT WITH AFTER LEAVING THE COMPANY WAS BARNES. WHY BECUSE I SAW WHAT THEY DID IN BULLET TESTING. WENT ON A TEXAS HILLCOUNTRY WHITETAIL HUNT 480YRDS 300 WSM 130 TTSX 3550 FPS.
3 SHOT GROUPS .730 -.308=.422 SUB HALF M.O.A @ 100 YRD. HIT THE BUCK 3RD RIB BULLET EXITED FAR FRONT
SHOULDER HE WAS DOWN FOR GOOD. GREAT BULLET DO I NEED TO SAY ANY MORE. (THANKS RANDY & CONI )
March 20th, 2008 at 7:39 am
I shot and killed a feral hog at 100 yards with a 130 grain Barnes triple shock-x bullet (270 Win.) from Federal premium ammunition last weekend. That bullet dropped him like a hot potato! This is an amazing bullet.
March 24th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
I went on a pronghorn hunt a couple of years ago in Wyoming. Using the 180gr. in my .300 Win Mag, with 18-20mph cross winds, dropped a nice one at 349yds. The Steyr was sighted in for 200yds and the bullet hit within an inch of where I was aiming. Great Bullets!
March 25th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Please bring back the 0.30 caliber 220 grain RN Super Solid. Please do not re-design it with the flat nose. The spitzer nose was a good design. It did not tumble. Maybe give it the bands in the shank for less barrel fouling. That bullet provides some awesome penetration. Great product.
March 25th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
I hunt varmints with my 6.5-06 using your competitors 100 gr plastic tip bullet @ 3300 fps — this sure shoots flat. BUT using this same bullet would not give me much confidence should I come across some bigger beast especially at close range (oink). A 6.5 mm 100 to 107 grain triple shock would make me happy. I don’t plan to shoot elephants or nothing like that with the 6.5.
March 27th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
I bought a 458 Winchester Magnum as a fun gun. I shoot primarily targets and at times venture to the farm for varmints. I started developing loads using 350 to 400 grain bullets at various velocities with poor results. Being used to shooting below 1/2 minute groups I was determined to achieve the same performance from this cartridge. Many said it wouldn’t happen. At a local gun show I talked to an older gentleman who claimed that since the 458 was originally developed with the 500gr bullet in mind - thats what I should be firing. I located a box of Barnes 500gr.X and a box of Triple Shock. Back to the bench. Loaded 50grs of IMR 3031 5 rounds each.
At 100 yds the best group measured just under an inch. I was jumping for joy as you can imagine. The Triple Shock group measured - YES .633″ This gun is not for sale - EVER. Ever gone squirrel hunting with a 458 Winchester. You know when he tries to hide on the opposite side of the tree? That doesn’t matter any more. Well, Barnes is definitely the only bullet this rifle will shoot.
March 30th, 2008 at 12:35 am
Last night, I killed a 240 lbs feral hog (a boar) at 125 yards. Once again, I used a 130 grains Barnes triple shock-x bullets (270 Win.) from Federal premium ammunition. The hog ran about 40 yards from where it was shot. While gutting and cleaning the hog, I found one of the four razor-sharp copper petals that fragmented inside the hog’s shoulder.
April 1st, 2008 at 8:55 am
I have used competitive products up til Sep of 2006. I had sent my Dakota 76 to HCR for accurizing and they returned the rifle stating that the guaranteed results were achieved with Fed Premium ammo loaded with 225 TSX. So…without time to handload some I went on an elk hunt with the Mescalero Apache Indians using factory ammo. 3 days into the hunt I had a 340 bull down with one shot at 175 yds. The animal went 20 yards and game over. Complete penetration. I then returned home and spent some time at the range and was extremely impressed with the accuracy. I decided to try 150 gr TSX in my 280. Same relults. Extreme accuracy (for me) and fantastic performance on everthing from 100# whitetails to 500# Nilgai. I headed to Mozambique in Jul/Aug of 2007 and used the 338 with the 225s on everything from Impala to Croc and Hippo. The Croc and the Hippo both managed to stop one bullet each so I managed to recover two bullets…everthing else is still whistling through the bush. I have since purchased 180gr TSX for my 300 WinMag. Same results…excellent accuracy excellent performance on game. The few I have recovered reveal superb mushrooming. The TSX is my goto bullet for all game (I have not,however used them in my 416 Rigby…too many rounds still left in my inventory). Fantastic product.
April 3rd, 2008 at 7:11 am
good product
April 11th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I get a kick out of the cannons your product users use.I use savage 243 with 85gr tsx on deer 250 to 300lb/moose up to 1400lb and black beer to 750lb.every single animal I have shot has never taken 1 step after the shot.down at dead in tracks.An excellent bullets placed properly out 2 300 yards is far deadlier than a cannon poorly shot.
April 28th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
I have used your products for the better part of the last 20 years. I have had the opportunity to harvest several elk during this period of time. All of them with Barnes Bullets. I can’t begin to tell you how many deer and antelope that we have taken with you bullets as well. I might add that if we did our part all were one shot kills. The accuracy of your various bullets (I load for several different calibers) is absolutely amazing in my rifles. I’m very forunate in that I don’t own a rifle that won’t shoot you bullets sub MOA at 100yds. I have a Kimber Super America in .30 caliber that if I do my part it will shoot a 3/4″ group at 300 yds with your 180 gr. TSX. For all the years that I’ve shot your bullets, I’ve only recovered two of them. The most recent from a bull elk that I shot while he was laying in his bed. The bullet entered at the base of his neck and was recovered just under the hide in the upper portion of a hind quarter. It started out as a 180 gr., XBT. After cleaning it up I weighted it on my scale at 179.3 grains. None of the four petals broke off. It might have started out at this weight. Don’t know, didn’t weight it before I loaded it. You make a most excellent product that has given great satisfaction to me and my family. Thanks Guys!!!
June 1st, 2008 at 5:59 am
Since 1992, when started handloading, lots of bullets from X family used in cal 222Rem to 416Rigby and not so many Solids in 270W 375HH and 416Rigby. In Norway we have restrictions so cal less than 6,5/.264 is mainly for Roedeer, tried so far 222rem, 22-250, 243W, 240Wby, 25-06. No recovered bullets, most dead on the spot. My favorit 240Wby will only perform with the old 75grs X, but that it does well. Other cal like 270W 7mmRM 30-06 also work great on Roedeer as well as deer and elg(our mooose). I like better 340Wby 375HH when statinary and 350RM when walking with dogs for this bigger game, many taken, few bullets to show. 400grs in 416 worked great when cape buffalo was standing still, but no bullet stayed on.
What I have not yet tried is my old Win 1895 405 with 300grs X, no data for european powder. Guess 10% off working load with other 300grs bullet will work?
June 3rd, 2008 at 7:14 am
The Hague, Holland, Europe.
Reload data for Vituviori powder: I use the Mauser M03 in the .243 Win Caliber with 85gn TSX bullets. Load with VV N160. At 100m I shoot 1/2″ groups. I use a .300 Win Mag (also with the Mauser M03) with 150gn TSX with VV N560 and sub MOA groups at 100m.
My experience in the field with TSX are 100% guaranteed result. The TSX will exit, while destroying vital organs like nothing else. I won’t use anything else.
June 9th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
I shoot a custom made 6.5-06 for deer. Because the barrel twist is not as fast as it should have been the only bullets that shoot are 100 gr. X-bullets. I have know complaints, these bullets shoot 3/4 MOA and I have made 8 one shot kills in a row. Please consider makeing them again or Tripple-Shock. I am hoarding the few I have left. Thanks
July 7th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
I live in New Zealand and use a Sako 3006 on Red Deer. About a year ago I started re-loading Barnes TSX 180grn projectiles. I used 22 projectiles to work up a load that performed incredible well, 15mm group at 120 metres and 31mm at 250 metres. I then set myself the target of taking a deer with each of the remaining 28 rounds. Well last weekend right on last light at 276 metres I saw a really huge stag right on the edge of the bush, there was already 5 or 6 hinds out in the open and I knew this guy had to be around somewhere. He stepped side on and then very warily gazed all around eventually staring straight at my position. I steadied the crosshairs directly in line with his front leg and about 150mm down from his topline.(Drop over this distance was around 165mm.) I concentrated on a slow, very steady closing of my trigger finger into my thumb, all the while feeling the added pressure of a truely big stag as well as the rapidly closing light and the fact he was number 28! My sight picture dissappered in the muzzle flash taking with it my night vision. By the time I had regained some sort of night vision the last of the light had faded and I could not make out any discernible objects. I found my flashlight and after a trek of around 30 minutes arrived at the spot I had last seen the monster stag. The shot had felt really good, (I always reckon its a good shot when I get a slight surprise when the rifle goes off, means I am concentrating on the squeeze not the recoil!) I flashed the light around and there right where I had last seen him was my stag, stone dead, he had not taken a single step after the shot hit him. He was a 12 pointer royal and measured a staggering 48.5 inches long and 38 inches wide with a beam of 7 inches. How would I score Barnes TSX? 28 out of 28! why do people use anything else?
July 21st, 2008 at 3:29 pm
I switched to Barnes copper bullets for big game hunting about five years ago, and since that time have killed six or so elk and a lot of deer with Barnes bullets in my 25 Roberts, 25-06, and 308Win.
Unlike previous experience with jacketed lead “H-mantel” bullets, Barnes bullets retain virtually 100% of their weight. Well, I’ve only recovered bullets from four elk and a few deer. Usually they go right on through.
Anyway, the big thing I’ve discovered is that with Barnes I can reduce bullet weight (and increase velocity). I’ve switched to 150-gr in the 308W, and to 100-gr in both the 25R and 25-06.
My “Little Brother” and I both happened to kill an elk (one cow and one big bull) with the 25 Roberts/100 gr, and it did just fine both times. We were not intentionally hunting elk with the little 25, but we stumbled on them while mulie hunting.
Great bullet: accurate, uniform expansion at all ranges, and lead free.