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Has anyone experienced less copper fouling with the E-tip vs using the Barnes family bullets in their experience?
Don
Don
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
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DON,
I note no difference in fouling between either the E-Tip or the TSX. I have shot them both extensively in the same rifles. I suggest that if a barrel has been broken in so that it is essentially lapped and the throat is likewise lapped, there is no serious problem with copper build-up. You see copper build-up when the throat is rough (tool marks) and the copper wash is drug down the barrel.
I note no difference in fouling between either the E-Tip or the TSX. I have shot them both extensively in the same rifles. I suggest that if a barrel has been broken in so that it is essentially lapped and the throat is likewise lapped, there is no serious problem with copper build-up. You see copper build-up when the throat is rough (tool marks) and the copper wash is drug down the barrel.
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Dr Mike:
Currently I'm shooting the AccuBond in the 300 RUM. I find I must clean it about 20-rounds fired. I use CR-10. I get a little annal about it too. But comparing the amount of blue patches I get to the old Barnes XLCBT Bullet used, it is far less. I am wanting to experiment soon with the E-tip. This gun has about 800 rounds put thru it and still shoots well. I try to limit it to two shots at a time due to it being so overbore. The E-Tip is to new to me, just curious about the copper build up.
Don
Currently I'm shooting the AccuBond in the 300 RUM. I find I must clean it about 20-rounds fired. I use CR-10. I get a little annal about it too. But comparing the amount of blue patches I get to the old Barnes XLCBT Bullet used, it is far less. I am wanting to experiment soon with the E-tip. This gun has about 800 rounds put thru it and still shoots well. I try to limit it to two shots at a time due to it being so overbore. The E-Tip is to new to me, just curious about the copper build up.
Don
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,416
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If you try the E-Tip, you'll throw rocks at any XLCs you have left. Barnes attempted to address the issue of copper fouling by using the proprietary coating on the XLC; unfortunately, the bullet was still very bad for fouling. The relief grooves cut in the TSX have addressed that issue. Consequently, I do not find that the E-Tip gives any more copper build-up than does the TSX, but compared to the X-bullet or the XLC, the E-Tip is a vast improvement. The AB does not foul the barrel as badly in part because it is not pure copper, but rather gilding metal. As an aside, the Hornady GMX is composed of gilding metal, and has relief grooves cut in it, so there is no excessive fouling with it in my tests so far. I like the E-Tip; I loaded up a number of loads for my 300 WSM to test as soon as the weather warms just a little. Hopefully, by Saturday I'll be able to get out and shoot them. Right now, it is minus 19 and snowing, and I hate it when my solvents freeze as I'm shooting.
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Just for the sake of clarity, let's remember that the E-Tip is not a copper solid, either. It is made of a copper alloy, which I seem to recall is gilding metal (of presumably the same alloy as Nosler bullet jackets). I can't verify the alloy composition, but I can verify that it's not pure copper.
I can also speak from experience that the E-Tip does not foul as much as the TSX/TTSX, in two barrels in which I've used both.
I can also speak from experience that the E-Tip does not foul as much as the TSX/TTSX, in two barrels in which I've used both.
- Nov 4, 2004
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Don,
I don't shoot Barnes bullets but I can tell you that the E-Tip fouling is no different than the AB, BT or PT bullets.
JD338
I don't shoot Barnes bullets but I can tell you that the E-Tip fouling is no different than the AB, BT or PT bullets.
JD338
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Thanks to all for your input and shared knowledge.
Dr. Mike, I do have several boxes of 180 XLC Bullets left over, but have been done with them for over a year. That is one high maintenance bullet from my perspective.
Just have a few reloads left to blow away someday. I know the quality of Nosler will not fail me, anxious to try the E-tip soon as time permits. I'm not a fan of the new grooves cut in the newly designed bullets offered today by various manufacturers, glad to see Nosler didn't follow that path. I've tried them and they fail to produce acceptable velocity. I still believe they do not seal the bore completely, at least in my 300 Ultra Mag. I found the answer switching back to the Nosler offerings.
Don
Dr. Mike, I do have several boxes of 180 XLC Bullets left over, but have been done with them for over a year. That is one high maintenance bullet from my perspective.
Just have a few reloads left to blow away someday. I know the quality of Nosler will not fail me, anxious to try the E-tip soon as time permits. I'm not a fan of the new grooves cut in the newly designed bullets offered today by various manufacturers, glad to see Nosler didn't follow that path. I've tried them and they fail to produce acceptable velocity. I still believe they do not seal the bore completely, at least in my 300 Ultra Mag. I found the answer switching back to the Nosler offerings.
Don
I have shot both E-tips and TTSX. Serious fouling with TTSX, very accurate to start with, 15 rounds later 1.5 inch groups, 5 more and coffee cans are relitively safe at 100. I use wipe out to clean with and the differance is astonishing between the two types of bullets. When I shoot TTSX the blue just pukes out of the barrel for two cleanings and then some. I have yet to see any differance between ETs and conventional bullets.
i don't mean to be offensive, but the TTSX are hunting bullets made for deep penetration, ie big game. If you are saying they give great accuracy to 15 rounds, what are you hunting that 15 rounds later 1.5" isn't enough. I have found them to be very, 1/2 MOA, accurate with no noticable fouling in my Savage 116. I would say that all monolithic bullets foul about the same.
No sweat, but 15 rounds for a broke in rifle to lose accuracy is quite low. It isn't totally detrimental to hunting, but I really think it is too much copper. I noticed the same thing with the 225gr TSX's in my 35 Whelen, and I really had to put alot of elbow grease into cleaning in order to clean the barrel up properly. I think the Barnes are good bullets, but I don't like the amount of copper they leave behind. Good hunting bullets, but I tend to sway towards Nosler which allow more shooting with less cleaning. No sweat though buddy, each to their own, if it works for you, you should stick with them. That moose and WT can't argue about the performance the Barnes puts out! Scotty
