Loading Barnes bullets

[curmudgen]

After my Hornady SSTs made entrance wounds this year that looked like exit wounds on my deer and lion, I have ordered some tipped Barnes bullets to reload for my .270. (And that after I'd always had good success with Hornaday Interlock bullets in the past.) I'm wondering about how to deal with copper fouling, if that's a problem with bullets with no lead in the middle to form to the barrel. Also, whether I need to come down and how much with my starting powder charge. Any comments, especially based on experience or articles dealing with these issues would be welcome. Jack

[bchoitz]

This is not a forum I usually look in....

 

I have loaded barnes bullets for several years for my .280 Rem.

Being cheap I've only purchased 100 at a time.

Barnes has changed their offerings over the last several years.

When I first started I was using Barnes X bullets in 160Gr and loaded them the same as the Nosler Partitions.

I switched from the Barnes X bullet to the XLC's when I got a really good price, and noted that I got roughly the same performance from the XLC as with the X bullets, except I was using 2 grains less powder. (54 Grains instead of 56 grains) I also switched from H4831 Powder to the H4831 SC (Short Cut) powder at the same time.

Also, copper fouling was much less with the XLC bullets.

Use Barnes BC-10 for cleaning out the copper.

Now they have stopped making the XLC bullets and are making Triple Shock, which I will assume is equivalent to the older X-bullets. ( I have picked up some due to the Kaibab Tag my son drew, but as of yet I'm still using the XLC's)

 

So here are my observations:

 

The Barnes Copper bullets are longer than a lead core bullet of the same weight. This could impact your loads IF you are using a powder that fills the case and the longer bullet will compact the powder.

The XLC was a coated bullet and required less powder for the same velocity and produced less copper fouling.

The newer "Triple Shock" appears to be about the same as the older X bullets.

Plan on reducing your loads from what you used on a lead core bullet and look for signs of excess pressure, particularly if using a slow powder. Work up to the same powder load if that is warranted.

Use a suitable cleaning agent to remove copper fouling.

 

I have shot 1 Elk and 1 Mule deer, and each of my 2 sons have killed an elk using Barnes bullets. I have never recovered one of these as all were pass through single shot kills. I guess that means they have worked OK for me.

 

I normally load 140Gr nosler ballistic tip bullets when targeting the Coues Deer. They are designed to expand quicker on thin-skinned game, and I like the faster muzzle velocity of the lighter bullet.

 

If you are looking for better bullet performance but don't necessarily want to work up a new load, I'd recommend Nosler partitions.

 

[firstcoueswas80]

One thing you will need to make sure of:

 

Barnes TSX and TTSX boolits do not like being shot on top of (after) any other bullet. When you start developing loads for the TSX, make sure your barrel is clean. No powder, no copper. Nothing. Shoot 2-4 foulers, THEN start for groups.

 

 

Isn't that right Scout'm?

[curmudgen]

This is not a forum I usually look in....

 

I have loaded barnes bullets for several years for my .280 Rem.

Being cheap I've only purchased 100 at a time.

Barnes has changed their offerings over the last several years.

When I first started I was using Barnes X bullets in 160Gr and loaded them the same as the Nosler Partitions.

I switched from the Barnes X bullet to the XLC's when I got a really good price, and noted that I got roughly the same performance from the XLC as with the X bullets, except I was using 2 grains less powder. (54 Grains instead of 56 grains) I also switched from H4831 Powder to the H4831 SC (Short Cut) powder at the same time.

Also, copper fouling was much less with the XLC bullets.

Use Barnes BC-10 for cleaning out the copper.

Now they have stopped making the XLC bullets and are making Triple Shock, which I will assume is equivalent to the older X-bullets. ( I have picked up some due to the Kaibab Tag my son drew, but as of yet I'm still using the XLC's)

 

So here are my observations:

 

The Barnes Copper bullets are longer than a lead core bullet of the same weight. This could impact your loads IF you are using a powder that fills the case and the longer bullet will compact the powder.

The XLC was a coated bullet and required less powder for the same velocity and produced less copper fouling.

The newer "Triple Shock" appears to be about the same as the older X bullets.

Plan on reducing your loads from what you used on a lead core bullet and look for signs of excess pressure, particularly if using a slow powder. Work up to the same powder load if that is warranted.

Use a suitable cleaning agent to remove copper fouling.

 

I have shot 1 Elk and 1 Mule deer, and each of my 2 sons have killed an elk using Barnes bullets. I have never recovered one of these as all were pass through single shot kills. I guess that means they have worked OK for me.

 

I normally load 140Gr nosler ballistic tip bullets when targeting the Coues Deer. They are designed to expand quicker on thin-skinned game, and I like the faster muzzle velocity of the lighter bullet.

 

If you are looking for better bullet performance but don't necessarily want to work up a new load, I'd recommend Nosler partitions.

One reason I'm going with the Barnes bullets is that I like 110 gr. bullets for whitetail and Barnes is one of the few companies, Sierra being another, that make 110 gr. bullets for the .270 that are constructed for use on big game. Jack

[shaynec]

Starting with a completely clean barrel is the best advice posted so far. Cr-10 will remove copper but something like Butches bore shine is a lot safer to work with and very effective if you give it time to do its thing.

The TSX is a totally differant beast from the old x-bullet, it doe not foul nearly as bad as the x bullet and I have not found it to be very difficult to load for . Barnes has a new guide, just out, that covers the TSX and the Tipped TSX in the 270. IMO Shayne

[Red Rabbit]

I have loaded the 150 and 168 TSX for my 300. Have found that velocites and charges are close to a regular jacketed bullet. Unlike the original X, the grooves on the TSX reduce bearing surface and fouling. You should be able to start with normal starting charges and work up.

 

I have found the Montana Extreme 50BMG/Copper Killer to be real good at removing both powder and copper fouling. It has good reports on 6mmBR.com As Casey said, remove all copper before testing the TSX, and also if going back to regular coppper guilding jacketed bullets. Shot maybe 5 tsx foulers.

 

Accuracy with the TSX has been very good in my rifle. In fact, the 150 TSX is the most accurate bullet in my Kimber 300 WSM.

[krp]

Go to the Barnes website and click on, TECHNICAL, click on load data. They list H4350 as their most accurate load. I just loaded 15 loads with 57 grns and the 110 grn TSX, shot great I'm not messing with it. Didn't crono yet.

 

Kent

[scoutm]

One thing you will need to make sure of:

 

Barnes TSX and TTSX boolits do not like being shot on top of (after) any other bullet. When you start developing loads for the TSX, make sure your barrel is clean. No powder, no copper. Nothing. Shoot 2-4 foulers, THEN start for groups.

 

 

Isn't that right Scout'm?

 

This was my experience. I was amazed at the difference it made. Not quite sure why but it did make a big difference.

[curmudgen]

Thx guys, your info is very helpful. Isn't this a great site? Jack

[.270]

ain't the sst made to explode on contact? i've been with some guys that used em and it looked like they hit em with a grenade. i've always had real good results from the interlocks. and they are cheap. i tried the barnes some when they first got popular. lost several hundred fps and said heck with it. have had some real bad experiences with animals running off after direct hits with barnes since then. in fact, every time i've been with someone who used them, every time, after hits right in the lungs, they ran off. every time. in fact, i won't hunt with anyone who uses them after the last fiasco. guess some folks don't mind trackin' stuff, but i do. they are probably a decent bullet to used on really big animals and maybe on kodiaks. but they are about as useless as anything i've ever seen for elk. just punch a hole and don't do much inside em. Lark.

[curmudgen]

ain't the sst made to explode on contact? i've been with some guys that used em and it looked like they hit em with a grenade. i've always had real good results from the interlocks. and they are cheap. i tried the barnes some when they first got popular. lost several hundred fps and said heck with it. have had some real bad experiences with animals running off after direct hits with barnes since then. in fact, every time i've been with someone who used them, every time, after hits right in the lungs, they ran off. every time. in fact, i won't hunt with anyone who uses them after the last fiasco. guess some folks don't mind trackin' stuff, but i do. they are probably a decent bullet to used on really big animals and maybe on kodiaks. but they are about as useless as anything i've ever seen for elk. just punch a hole and don't do much inside em. Lark.

The SSTs are supposed to be pretty much like the regular Interlocks, but with a plastic tip. They have the interlock ring. I think Hornady's V-Max bullets are the ones that are supposed to explode on contact. I've used Sierra Pro-Hunter 110 gr. bullets with good success on whitetails, so maybe I'll just stick with them, although they aren't as pretty as the Barnes Tipped Triple Shocks. Thx for the input. Jack

[.270]

the sst's are the ones i've seen explode. a guy i was with in colorado shot a muley with one a couple years ago. nastiest thing i ever saw. that plastic tip really makes em pop. i've shot the interlocks for years in all kindsa calibers and have never had one perform poorly. i do sometimes, but not the bullet. the v-max will really blow up too, but they aren't what you'd use on deer or elk. i've had good success with the interbonds too, but they are just too expensive, when the interlocks work just as well. a lot of people use barnes bullets, but i'll never bother with them. they are always trying to improve them to where they will work as well as a jacketed lead bullet, but it won't ever happen. initially, you had to reduce your load way down because they are so much longer and take up case space and have a lot of barrel drag. then folks found out that they didn't kill very well so they've been trying to improve the mushroom, which is about non-existant. now they have the rings cut in em to reduce the barrel drag. as long as we can shoot lead jacketed bullets, that's all i'll use. a couple years ago i guided 4 guys on the late bull hunt. all 4 guys shot 6x6's. 3 guys used .300's and one guy had a .30/.378. one guy had jacketed bullets, one shot in the lungs, ran 50 yards, dead elk. the other 3 guys were using barnes and all made excellent shots, all 3 ran off and had to be tracked down and then punked outta some crappy stuff. any rifle with a jacketed bullet woulda put em down in fine fashion. the barnes just bored holes in em and they ran off. finally died, but it sure caused a lotta work. Lark.

[curmudgen]

the sst's are the ones i've seen explode. a guy i was with in colorado shot a muley with one a couple years ago. nastiest thing i ever saw. that plastic tip really makes em pop. i've shot the interlocks for years in all kindsa calibers and have never had one perform poorly. i do sometimes, but not the bullet. the v-max will really blow up too, but they aren't what you'd use on deer or elk. i've had good success with the interbonds too, but they are just too expensive, when the interlocks work just as well. a lot of people use barnes bullets, but i'll never bother with them. they are always trying to improve them to where they will work as well as a jacketed lead bullet, but it won't ever happen. initially, you had to reduce your load way down because they are so much longer and take up case space and have a lot of barrel drag. then folks found out that they didn't kill very well so they've been trying to improve the mushroom, which is about non-existant. now they have the rings cut in em to reduce the barrel drag. as long as we can shoot lead jacketed bullets, that's all i'll use. a couple years ago i guided 4 guys on the late bull hunt. all 4 guys shot 6x6's. 3 guys used .300's and one guy had a .30/.378. one guy had jacketed bullets, one shot in the lungs, ran 50 yards, dead elk. the other 3 guys were using barnes and all made excellent shots, all 3 ran off and had to be tracked down and then punked outta some crappy stuff. any rifle with a jacketed bullet woulda put em down in fine fashion. the barnes just bored holes in em and they ran off. finally died, but it sure caused a lotta work. Lark.

I've always had excellent results with Hornady interlocks. I used to shoot a 25-06 and the 100 gr interlocks were my standard bullet. I recovered a few of them after they stoppet on the far corner under the skin on a quartering shot and they looked like the perfect mushrooms in the ads. The plastic tip on the SSTs must wedge in and cause the bullets to come apart. The reason I'm looking for another bullet is that I wanted to work up some 110 gr. loads and not many bullets advertised for big game come in that weight. If that fails, I'll go back to 130 gr. interlocks, as I know they'll do the job. Jack

[firstcoueswas80]

Jack,

 

The SST's are designed to perfore like a Ballistic Tip, The Interbond like a Accubond, and the Interlock like a Partition.

[Schmitty]

I shot a couple whitetail does and hogs in TX with the 90 grain SST out of my .243 just to see the results. i was impressed with the performance, complete penetration on all animals, with decent trama inside and nickel sized exit wounds. Ranges were between 25 and 200 yards with similar performance across the spectrum.

 

As for the Barnes, I've killed 4 deer and 2 elk with the old style X bullet. Great penetration and decent expansion. Results varied with 4 DRT's and 2 who made it 30-40 yards before piling up.

 

I've loaded the new TSX in a couple of rifles with very good accuracy. The grooves cut into the bullet do help w/ the fouling, but they kill the BC.

 

Good luck,

 

Schmitty