E-TIP and Barnes... Similar performance?

[Strawberryridge]

Having used X bullets in the past with great results, Im wondering how the E-tips stack up against them? I like the price of E-tip seconds for working up loads with, but havent been able to find much "past experience" information on them related to actual on game performance... I enjoyed 6mm's short review, and the accompanying elk photos, but beyond that, I havent seen much for strong support either for or against them... 7mm 150 XBT's always gave lights out performances on game and flat trajectories, but I just cant bring myself to use the TSX or TTSX with the B.C. murdering bands cut into the shank, just cant do it...

Im hoping some of you here can give me something solid with the E-tips, some past experience, photos, etc...

Ive been using Accubonds the last couple of years from a few different calibers, and Partitions are always my trusted "go to" bullet, but if these E-tips are all their cracked up to be, they might be just what Im looking for. Any helpful information here guys?

 

[DrMike]

130 grain ETip, 270 WSM.

 

[FOTIS]

Someday Doc I will get my moose!


Great picture Doc.

 

[SJB358]

If I was going to shoot a monometal bullet, the ET would be the one. It gets a full sized mushroom and has excellent BC. They almost seem like Swift A-Frame since they don't lose much lead either. I have had decent luck with the Barne's but shoot PT's for the most part, if they shoot in my rifle. Scotty

 

[Guest]

You can review my experience this past season here:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=14761&start=0&hilit=Exit

I'm. Firm believer that at magnum velocities the E-Tip is a terrific bullet. I'm going to the range this afternoon and work up a E-Tip load for my 300Wby.

 

[DrMike]

Someday Doc I will get my moose!

I'm pulling for you, Fotis.

 

[Strawberryridge]

The votes of confidence so far are great, thanks. Looking at posted velocities people have put up, it seems like velocities tend to be a bit lower with the E-tips than comparable leaded bullets, is it because of the long bearing surface being more tempermental with pressure and spiking faster? I can see where that might be the issue, but is it really or am i just imagining it?

I appreciate the feedback guys, keep it coming...

 

[DrMike]

Velocities are comparable to those achieved with TSX in all cartridges and in all platforms I've tested to date. I imagine people are being careful. Maybe we're getting wiser, learning that marginally higher velocities don't increase the ability to kill game.

 

[Guest]

So far the velocities I've been able to achieve have been similar to (if not exactly the same as) velocities achieved with lead core stuff. I'm running 3400-3450fps with the E-Tip in my 270Wby, and I can achieve 3450-3500fps with lead cores, but when I do, primer pockets get loose after three firings, telling me I'm really probably running over the limit with that load. I'm happy with 3400-ish from the E-Tip as it more than makes up for the slight velocity loss with the higher BC (than a comparably weighted lead core) and the terminal performance.

 

[jmad_81]

I have shot them out of a 270 WSM, and a 338 WM. Only game I have taken with them was a small buck at about 100 yards with the 338 WM. Did a fine job. I have pulled a lot of the ET out of the dirt at 200 yards, and they seem to hold up better than the TSX. I have shot the TSX out of my 338 WM with great results on an elk or two as well. But the ET wins the dirt test.

Might have to load some 140 ET in the 280 AI for my wife this year for her elk.

 

[efw]

My 257 Roy seems to hate those ETips (center & lower left bull same load as on graph paper, fired on a different day) :lol: :

I'm almost afraid to run that load over a chrono for fear it'll suddenly become incapable of killing anything I'd point that rifle at!

I've got an early antlerless-only season coming in less than a month and planning to run this load. I'll be sure to let y'all know how they perform. I'm sure it'll come as no suprise... 'cept maybe to the unfortunate doe! Anybody think I can recover one?

To be fair, my rifle really likes TTSXs and I can already tell that I'll be able to get more velocity, but I'm a bit contrarian and was happy to be able to go w/ a monometal that avoided the Barnes cult :twisted: .

Thats just how I roll :wink: !

 

[DrMike]

Eric,

It looks as if you are ready for that doe season. I should expect that the load you show will work. Good stuff.

 

[6mm Remington]

6mm Remington 90 gr. E-Tip at about 175 yards. Took him dead center in his chest facing us head on with just a slight turn. The bullet exited on his left side behind the rib cage and he dropped on the spot. Great performance.

100 yard water jug test. E-Tip on the left. Retained 98.8% weight. Nosler AccuBond. Nosler Partition.

300 yard water jug test. 90 gr. Nosler E-Tip 6mm Remington.

My son has taken two antelope at about 300 yards with this bullet. The both exited and antelope dropped immediately. You saw his cow elk and the terrific job it did there. As stated the buck at the top was done in immediately also with great performance. I"ve sure been impressed with them. I might even try them in my son's 300 WSM just for fun. Who knows! I wish I had some more of the other antelope photo's. The damage around the wound channels was quite impressive and it was obvious the bullets expanded nicely. Some of this might be a little redundant, but I hope it helps. At 300 yards, the bullet still expanded nicely also. Seems to be a winner!
David.

 

[6mm Remington]

efw my vote is that you will not be able to recover one!

 

[JD338]

The E-Tip is a very robust bullet that is indeed very accurate.
7mm 150 gr E-Tip from a 280 AI

300 yd recoveries

.300" c/c at 100 yds

338 200 gr E-Tip from a 338 RUM

100 yd and 300 yd recoveries

257 100 gr E-Tip from a 257 Roberts

The E-Tip is an excellent bullet that you can trust.

JD338

 

[Oldtrader3]

Nice pics and groups. I have not tried the E-Tip Nosler bullets yet. Part of the reason that I have not was weight variablility that I was getting with the older Barnes GRX and newer TSX bullets in .338 caliber kind of scared me off monometal bullets, at least in .338 caliber. I guess that I will just have to buy a box and see what I get for weight distribution, accuracy and perfomance?

 

[DrMike]

I won't diss the TSX or TTSX, they are good bullets. However, the E-Tip is every bit as good, if not better. It simply performs well on game and gives me great accuracy in every rifle I've tried it in so far.

 

[YoteSmoker]

The way I see it, all the latest monolithic bullet designs work about the same. I lean toward the TSX or TTSX because Barnes has been doing it the longest, had time to screw up a few designs along the way and get them worked out. Hornady and Nosler started making their own versions in the last few years. The E-tip is gilding metal vs copper of the others. Judging by the pictures, they all perform about equal.

 

[SJB358]

That 200gr ET is one I would like to monkey with in the 338WM in the future I think. I believe I could get enough speed from it to get good expansion out for a good ways and the bullet would hold together well enough to really penetrate well. I just don't have to use copper bullets, so I have held off on them for the most part. I have had good luck with the Barnes stuff, so I have no doubts the Noslers will be better! Scotty

 

[efw]

That top target was my first-ever experience w/ monometals. I don't typically shoot magnums at all, I've always figured that premium- & ubber-premium bullets were for magnums, which stress the projectile with high impact speeds so I left 'em for others. That and I love to shoot a lot so I didn't see a need nor was I able to afford monometals.

When I traded into that 257 Roy I figured that was as good an opportunity to use 'em as I was going to find, and found a deal on 100 gr ETip seconds as well as some TTSXs up for trade. I don't anticipate shooting the Roy like I do other rifles for fear of burning out the barrel, so I decided to just make that ETip load the go-to and leave it at that; a hunting rifle, with very little target practice through it.

I can't wait to see how they do on game, and I'm keeping my eye on Shootersproshop for more seconds so I can just get a thousand of 'em... put those with a 5 lber of RL22 and I figure I've got about as close to a lifetime supply as I'll need, and I'll be free to go forth and fill an ark.

As a rifle loonie who is prone to tinkering, this is a big step for me. Normally I'd be tweaking this or trying that and I have attempted to make heavier bullets work through that rifle but just can't anywhere near the performance I've gotten from the ETips, so I decided to leave it alone.

At least for now !