Barnes TSX bullets , 100gr, will group nicely, then they don't. I am starting to think that barnes bullets are a little difficult to reload due to the rings, less area for bullet to barrel contact resulting in poor accuracy. Any one have the same problem with barnes bullets?
Barnes TSX bullets.....
- Thread starter deerslayer
- Start date
I have been able to build sub-MOA loads with 168 gr tsx for my 308 out to 500 yrds so I can't ask for much more than that.
What I will say though, I take the time to weigh and sort my bullets. I have found up to a 2 gr spread in bullet weights. I honestly don't know if this makes a difference, but I figured it couldn't hurt and I'm happy with the results.
What I will say though, I take the time to weigh and sort my bullets. I have found up to a 2 gr spread in bullet weights. I honestly don't know if this makes a difference, but I figured it couldn't hurt and I'm happy with the results.
I would look at the gun more than the bullets if it will shoot one day and not another. Make sure your scope and action screws are tight. I found any of the tsx/ttsx are a easy fix to tighten up a gun that isn't grouping well. I honestly have had excellent results in any rifle and calibre I have put em in. They are my go to hunting bullet in my 300s and I load them for a few friends.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
I'm in the process of load testing and change over to Barnes TSX and TTSX in five rifle calibers I have. I'll get into it in more depth once hunting season ends but the calibers the change to Barnes is taking place in are, 270 Win., 7x61 S&H, 30-06, 308 Norma Magnum and 358 Norma magnum. I'll also be loading them for my sons 338 WM. So far, from what load little work I have been doing with them, I'm pleased. So far I haven't found them any harder to work up loads for than any other bullet. Also, as with any other bullet, some weights perform better than others.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I use the TSX and the TTSX in both the .30/06 and the .375, and I've played around a bit with the banded solid in the .375. In all cases accuracy proved to be much better than with nonbanded versions of the earlier X Bullets and Monometal Solids.
The TSXs usually shoot, sometimes when a rifle doesn't seem to like much else.
One thing I have noticed with TSXs is that they can do weird things to neck tension. Sometimes you'll seat a bullet, and be able to push the bullet in farther with just your thumb, or check COL with a caliper just to see the caliper pushing the bullet in. Maddening. It's like some of the bullets are undersize, but when I measure them its not. The best guess I have is that seating past groove after groove "massages" the neck larger during the bullet seating process.
Anyway, it's an easy check and an easy fix. Take your loaded cartridges and press the bullets hard again your bench. You shouldn't be able to budge any of them. If you can move the bullet you need more neck tension, which you can get by turning the expander ball down about .001". I don't know why it happens sometimes but not all the time. I do know that I now have turned- down expander balls in .25, 7mm, .30 and .375. I just put it on the list of things I can't explain, but have quit fighting.
It might help you narrow down your accuracy that comes and goes. It will help those that are wondering why their bullets are seating deeper in the magazine.
One thing I have noticed with TSXs is that they can do weird things to neck tension. Sometimes you'll seat a bullet, and be able to push the bullet in farther with just your thumb, or check COL with a caliper just to see the caliper pushing the bullet in. Maddening. It's like some of the bullets are undersize, but when I measure them its not. The best guess I have is that seating past groove after groove "massages" the neck larger during the bullet seating process.
Anyway, it's an easy check and an easy fix. Take your loaded cartridges and press the bullets hard again your bench. You shouldn't be able to budge any of them. If you can move the bullet you need more neck tension, which you can get by turning the expander ball down about .001". I don't know why it happens sometimes but not all the time. I do know that I now have turned- down expander balls in .25, 7mm, .30 and .375. I just put it on the list of things I can't explain, but have quit fighting.
It might help you narrow down your accuracy that comes and goes. It will help those that are wondering why their bullets are seating deeper in the magazine.
Why don't you experiment with the weights, then you will know whether or not it is worth the effort to weigh and seperate them?
Take the five heaviest and the five lightest and fire each group at 500 yards, noting if their is a difference in POA.
I have noticed the neck tension thing too Dogleg. What I have started to do is just put the slightest bit of a crimp on the case neck. Pretty much all of my loads land in the last groove and I crimp the bullets there and have no more troubles with bullet slip. I load and shoot a ton of these bullets and they just flat out work!
I think there are some issues with a barrel that has been used to shoot other brands of jacketed bullets and then switching over to Barnes or maybe just a dirty barrel that upsets the Barnes bullet. a very good copper removing cleaning may help
