Nosler accubond vs Barnes TTSX
- Thread starter fleury
- Start date
I've killed approximately 200 animals with various TSXs. Many of those were taken while doing a head to head bullet test. We would average 20 animals per day, apiece. I'll stand by my diagnosis.
Yes. The reason is density related. Typically, a 180 grains bullet of solid copper will be much longer than his jacketed lead counterpart.
A .30 caliber, 180 grains AB measures about 1.380" while the Barnes TTSXBT measures 1.550". Even the 0.30 cal. 165 grains TTSXBT (1.430") is longer than the 180 AB.
So, for the same OAL, the Barnes TTSX will have to be seated much deepenr into the case, hence the less powder in the case.
Northman999
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Yukon
This is more like what I would reccomend.
If having your rifle loaded with TSX's is going to give you that extra edge of confidence, then go ahead and do it, but I've shot several black bears, caribou and moose over the years with plain cup-and-core 130's, 150's, and a couple with older 160 grain KKSP's, and never found the .270 to fall short. Most guys who have never seen it have no idea how deadly a 130 grain cup-and-core bullet into the ribs is on big game.
Both are great bullets, buy both and choose the one that shoots betters.....you can go with a lighter and faster combo using the TTSX if you wish.
As stubblejumper said, "Accubond expands better at lower velocities, and the TTSX holds together better, and penetrates better, at high velocities."
As stubblejumper said, "Accubond expands better at lower velocities, and the TTSX holds together better, and penetrates better, at high velocities."
well, I didn't do it on purpose, but it happens sometimes
Since I am still extremely confused, I will just get both (when I can find them) and use the one that give me the tightest group!
I can't source them at the moment or powder, might have to go whit N160 since at the moment it's the only thing available.
I can't source them at the moment or powder, might have to go whit N160 since at the moment it's the only thing available.
Bigfoot 870
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
My experience is that the Accubond has not been as accurate as the TTSX/TSX or even the Partition. Last box of Accubonds was even more expensive than the TSX as well. Lately I've been using the Berger Hunting bullet and have been very happy with accuracy and very quick kills on deer and Black bear.
arcticcathonda
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
You win, coffee on keyboard!
I would go AB..
I am from the school of dumping entire energy of the bullet inside the animal....however IF the bullet passes through you will get a better blood trail
Nosler Ballistic tips have NEVER failed me nor the AB devastating kills.
I am from the school of dumping entire energy of the bullet inside the animal....however IF the bullet passes through you will get a better blood trail
Nosler Ballistic tips have NEVER failed me nor the AB devastating kills.
yeah, that was a good one, but it's right too.
Quote Originally Posted by stubblejumper View Post
The Accubond expands better at lower velocities, and the TTSX holds together better, and penetrates better, at high velocities.
I'll give it a try, since I have nothing to do right now.
The entry level, cheaper bullets called 'cup and core' are good bullets but at high velocities that todays magnums generate, they can come apart easily and if they don't penetrate enough they can blow up on the surface and not deliver a killing shot. So, they came out with bonded bullets, more expensive but stay together better at high velocity and penetrate better.
Copper bullets are by nature tough bullets and the higher the impact velocity is, the better they will expand. So, when the velocity drops off at longer ranges, they don't expand as well. The manufacturers give a minimum velocity for effective expansion, some where around 1800-2000 f/sec. So, as stubblejumper said, the Accubond will expand much better than the TTSX at lower velocities.
Your question about the 40 yd shot on a bear or moose depends on what cartridge it is being delivered with. If it's a high velocity magnum then the TTSX will hold together better at high velocities and penetrate into the vitals. If it's a lower velocity round, then the Accubond will probably do a better job. 40 yds is pretty close and both would probably do a good job at that distance on a moose or bear. Manufacturers strive to make a 'do all bullet' so it will work at close and far, high and low velocities, and make lots of money in the process.
There are many variables in hunting situations (thick hide, thin hide, close, far, heavy animal or light) so you have to get familiar with the various bullets on the market and choose the one that best fits your hunting situation as the OP is trying to do and it can be frustrating.
The Accubond expands better at lower velocities, and the TTSX holds together better, and penetrates better, at high velocities.
I'll give it a try, since I have nothing to do right now.
The entry level, cheaper bullets called 'cup and core' are good bullets but at high velocities that todays magnums generate, they can come apart easily and if they don't penetrate enough they can blow up on the surface and not deliver a killing shot. So, they came out with bonded bullets, more expensive but stay together better at high velocity and penetrate better.
Copper bullets are by nature tough bullets and the higher the impact velocity is, the better they will expand. So, when the velocity drops off at longer ranges, they don't expand as well. The manufacturers give a minimum velocity for effective expansion, some where around 1800-2000 f/sec. So, as stubblejumper said, the Accubond will expand much better than the TTSX at lower velocities.
Your question about the 40 yd shot on a bear or moose depends on what cartridge it is being delivered with. If it's a high velocity magnum then the TTSX will hold together better at high velocities and penetrate into the vitals. If it's a lower velocity round, then the Accubond will probably do a better job. 40 yds is pretty close and both would probably do a good job at that distance on a moose or bear. Manufacturers strive to make a 'do all bullet' so it will work at close and far, high and low velocities, and make lots of money in the process.
There are many variables in hunting situations (thick hide, thin hide, close, far, heavy animal or light) so you have to get familiar with the various bullets on the market and choose the one that best fits your hunting situation as the OP is trying to do and it can be frustrating.
I shot AB's of various calibers at a very short distance (more or less 25 meters) in fir logs - following the grain flow, which is much stronger than any animal in N-A - and they all kept at least 70% of their initial weight, expanded at over 2 X the initial caliber and kept together, mushrooming like if it came from a dream. I shot Barnes in the same kind of logs, it opened about 2 X the diameter in petals.
So, take it as you want, they both do the trick.
BTW, I still have to recover a (9.3mm) AB bullet from a game. I never recovered a Barnes neither.
If the AB is too expensive, you still can go InterBond of the same weight. They also work.
I shot Black Bears with both bullets and I can't tell the diffence, except that the front of the AB explodes at contact (hence it's weight loss) as I regularly found thiny pieces of copper in the abdominal cavity.
So, take it as you want, they both do the trick.
BTW, I still have to recover a (9.3mm) AB bullet from a game. I never recovered a Barnes neither.
If the AB is too expensive, you still can go InterBond of the same weight. They also work.
I shot Black Bears with both bullets and I can't tell the diffence, except that the front of the AB explodes at contact (hence it's weight loss) as I regularly found thiny pieces of copper in the abdominal cavity.
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Thanks for clearing that up!
i'm thinking your rifle might make the choice for you. my t3 7 mag likes 139 gmx more than any other bullet inc ab's. my 280 cooper will shoot 140 acubonds better than any mono i have tried. try them both and let your rifle make the choice for you. if your lucky both will shoot well.
