Barnes TSX

AKHunter · 04-05-2008, 08:17 PM

Has anyone handloaded the Barnes TSX and had good accuracy doing so. I tried the Barnes X when they came out. I did'nt care for them at all. Accuracy was less than acceptable for me and the copper fouling was intolerable. I loaded them in .338 winmag and .30-06.

Supposedly the accuracy and copper fouling issues have been resolved. What do you think ?

Paul T · 04-05-2008, 10:03 PM

Well I have tried them and from some of the Info I have seen on them your supposed to load them short of the rifling and how far short I couldnt recall and I was told it had to do with the ogive dementions but that might really have to do with the bc instead. They look the same to me as any other bullet except Bergers. As for fouling in my 22-250 I really couldnt tell much difference cause as usual after fifty or so rounds I still had to bring out the butches..

Nathan123 · 04-05-2008, 10:28 PM

I use Barnes TSX in .375 H&H (270gr) .330 Dakota (250gr) and .30-06 (180gr) accuracy was good on all counts. I have not had a problem with fouling (i never had a problem with fouling with origional X bullets either but i know of people who did)

I tried TSX in .223 (62gr) but the rifling on the rifle i tried them on was too slow so they did not shoot well, i will reserve my opinion of them until i get my .22-250

The only trouble i have had with TSX was in .375 I found that they were a perfect fit to the seater in 2 different sets of dies and the seater was grabing hold of the projectile when i lowered the ram on my press. This was easily fixed by putting some graphite on the seater, but that would last only about 8 or 9 loads then it would start to grab again. It was too much stuffing around for my liking so i only load Woodleigh's in my .375 I gave the rest of the box to my mate and he had the same problem (he also had the same problem with 300gr TSX) I have not had this happen with any other callibre, only in .375

rdale501 · 04-06-2008, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKHunter

Has anyone handloaded the Barnes TSX and had good accuracy doing so. I tried the Barnes X when they came out. I did'nt care for them at all. Accuracy was less than acceptable for me and the copper fouling was intolerable. I loaded them in .338 winmag and .30-06.

Supposedly the accuracy and copper fouling issues have been resolved. What do you think ?

The Barnes reloading manual says you have to remove all of the old copper residue inside you barrel before using their bullets or you will get some severe fouling. They recomend using Barnes CR-10. Their clain is that their bullets are made from pure copper and not a copper alloy. This means it is softer and more sensitive to fouling. My manual says some guns will foul after as few as 20 rounds. I can't say for sure because I've never used them, but this is what my manual says.

Ron AKA · 04-06-2008, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKHunter

Has anyone handloaded the Barnes TSX and had good accuracy doing so. I tried the Barnes X when they came out. I did'nt care for them at all. Accuracy was less than acceptable for me and the copper fouling was intolerable. I loaded them in .338 winmag and .30-06. Supposedly the accuracy and copper fouling issues have been resolved. What do you think ?

Have not loaded them, but one possible cause of reduced accuracy is the length of the bullet because they are less dense copper instead of lead, especially in the larger weights for the caliber. They can be stabilized, but it requires more spin. I can't say how much more, but I suspect some have that experience. Apparantly Barnes sells a computer program that tells you what twist rate you need. Kind of disappointing that you have to pay to get their bullets accurate...

Choosing twist rate is a tradeoff affair. If you go with too much spin and the bullet center of gravity is off it can wobble or apparantly even explode in flight. If you so too slow and the bullet is long, then it can tumble (keyhole) especially as it slows down. Here are a couple of articles to read. I would assume the recommended twist rates here are for normal lead jacketed bullets and you need more for the Barnes.

Lilja Precision Rifle Barrels - Caliber and Twist Rates

Lilja Precision Rifle Barrels - Articles: A Look at Bullet Imbalance and Twist

My thoughts would be to stay away from the bullets which would be marginal for enough spin for your barrel, and go with lighter ones. Likely to be more accurate.

Ron

AKHunter · 04-06-2008, 12:42 PM

Not sure what the twist rate is in my factory Ruger .338wm or in my Mark X Mauser .30-06. But both shoot sub MOA with any weight bullet I have handloaded for them. It is very likely I gave up trying to find a more accurate loading for the "X" bullets due to the copper fouling, I dont like the clean up time involved.

Since I get such good accuracy from Nosler and Hornady bullets I tend to get uppity when I see 1.25-1.5" groups at 100yards. I invest alot of time developing loads and stick with the good ones.

Perhaps I should just stay the course.

lefty o · 04-06-2008, 01:09 PM

if hornady, and nosler are doing what you want them to, i would not change.

Magnumsrule · 04-07-2008, 05:40 PM

I picked up some 7mm 140 grain TSX bullets to try out. I havnt reloaded them yet but i am hoping too soon. Ill give u a range report when i test them out.

Palladin8 · 04-08-2008, 10:18 PM

I would be interested in the range report Magnumsrule as I am wanting to load them in my .280AI after I shoot all these fire forming loads.

Magnumsrule · 04-08-2008, 11:37 PM

Im sure lookin foreward to tryin them out. But hunting season is still about 5 months away.... I also have nosler accubonds in 160gr that i want to load. And i have some speer to practise with. Should be a good fall if the animals show up. I really hope to get the tsx'x loaded up soon but im reling on my dad to come show me the ropes. Getting us both in the same place with a reloading bench seems to be difficult at the mo.

GlockMeister · 04-09-2008, 12:18 AM

So if I understand those charts that the links you left RonAKA take you to, for example, if a .223 has a twist rate of 1 in 9, then a 68,69 & 75 grain is supposedly the best for .223 then?

Paul T · 04-10-2008, 07:49 PM

Well I got curious and broke out my barnes manual and it only
gives barrell liength and no twist rates. Kinda makes me feel as if I
squandered good money for the manual well it is a bad decision on my part.... Coulda used a pound of powder....

rdale501 · 04-11-2008, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul T

Well I got curious and broke out my barnes manual and it only
gives barrell liength and no twist rates. Kinda makes me feel as if I
squandered good money for the manual well it is a bad decision on my part.... Coulda used a pound of powder....

Yea looks like they could have included the twist rate, mines the same way. I like this manual though, it has a ton of information and I'm secretly in love with Coni Brooks.

04-05-2008, 08:17 PM	#1
AKHunter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 899	Barnes TSX Has anyone handloaded the Barnes TSX and had good accuracy doing so. I tried the Barnes X when they came out. I did'nt care for them at all. Accuracy was less than acceptable for me and the copper fouling was intolerable. I loaded them in .338 winmag and .30-06. Supposedly the accuracy and copper fouling issues have been resolved. What do you think ?

04-07-2008, 05:40 PM	#8
Magnumsrule Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Northern Alberta, Canada Posts: 591 Blog Entries: 2	I picked up some 7mm 140 grain TSX bullets to try out. I havnt reloaded them yet but i am hoping too soon. Ill give u a range report when i test them out. __________________ Cartridge Group Like to discuss cartridges? Join HERE!

04-08-2008, 11:37 PM	#10
Magnumsrule Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Northern Alberta, Canada Posts: 591 Blog Entries: 2	Im sure lookin foreward to tryin them out. But hunting season is still about 5 months away.... I also have nosler accubonds in 160gr that i want to load. And i have some speer to practise with. Should be a good fall if the animals show up. I really hope to get the tsx'x loaded up soon but im reling on my dad to come show me the ropes. Getting us both in the same place with a reloading bench seems to be difficult at the mo. __________________ Cartridge Group Like to discuss cartridges? Join HERE!

04-09-2008, 12:18 AM	#11
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 5,361	So if I understand those charts that the links you left RonAKA take you to, for example, if a .223 has a twist rate of 1 in 9, then a 68,69 & 75 grain is supposedly the best for .223 then? __________________ I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6! Last edited by GlockMeister; 04-09-2008 at 12:22 AM.

04-05-2008, 10:03 PM	#2
Paul T Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Mounds Ok Posts: 250 Images: 5 Blog Entries: 5	Well I have tried them and from some of the Info I have seen on them your supposed to load them short of the rifling and how far short I couldnt recall and I was told it had to do with the ogive dementions but that might really have to do with the bc instead. They look the same to me as any other bullet except Bergers. As for fouling in my 22-250 I really couldnt tell much difference cause as usual after fifty or so rounds I still had to bring out the butches..

04-05-2008, 10:28 PM	#3
Nathan123 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Newcastle, N.S.W, Australia Posts: 354	I use Barnes TSX in .375 H&H (270gr) .330 Dakota (250gr) and .30-06 (180gr) accuracy was good on all counts. I have not had a problem with fouling (i never had a problem with fouling with origional X bullets either but i know of people who did) I tried TSX in .223 (62gr) but the rifling on the rifle i tried them on was too slow so they did not shoot well, i will reserve my opinion of them until i get my .22-250 The only trouble i have had with TSX was in .375 I found that they were a perfect fit to the seater in 2 different sets of dies and the seater was grabing hold of the projectile when i lowered the ram on my press. This was easily fixed by putting some graphite on the seater, but that would last only about 8 or 9 loads then it would start to grab again. It was too much stuffing around for my liking so i only load Woodleigh's in my .375 I gave the rest of the box to my mate and he had the same problem (he also had the same problem with 300gr TSX) I have not had this happen with any other callibre, only in .375

04-06-2008, 12:42 PM	#6
AKHunter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 899	Not sure what the twist rate is in my factory Ruger .338wm or in my Mark X Mauser .30-06. But both shoot sub MOA with any weight bullet I have handloaded for them. It is very likely I gave up trying to find a more accurate loading for the "X" bullets due to the copper fouling, I dont like the clean up time involved. Since I get such good accuracy from Nosler and Hornady bullets I tend to get uppity when I see 1.25-1.5" groups at 100yards. I invest alot of time developing loads and stick with the good ones. Perhaps I should just stay the course.

04-06-2008, 01:09 PM	#7
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 4,783	if hornady, and nosler are doing what you want them to, i would not change.

04-08-2008, 10:18 PM	#9
Palladin8 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 400	I would be interested in the range report Magnumsrule as I am wanting to load them in my .280AI after I shoot all these fire forming loads.

04-10-2008, 07:49 PM	#12
Paul T Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Mounds Ok Posts: 250 Images: 5 Blog Entries: 5	Well I got curious and broke out my barnes manual and it only gives barrell liength and no twist rates. Kinda makes me feel as if I squandered good money for the manual well it is a bad decision on my part.... Coulda used a pound of powder....