Poly-Tipped TSX

Desert Fox · Apr 12, 2009

Has anyone here tried them. I just ordered 3 boxes of the 180 to try with my 300 Bee. This one has a much higher B.C than the regular TSX. Should be good Kalifornistan approved, long range non leaded bullet. :wink:

DrMike · Apr 12, 2009

I've loaded them in several calibers. I've noticed no difference in group size contra the TSX. The suggestion is that the polymer tip will promote expansion, but I've never had a problem with expansion on a TSX. There may be a significant difference at longer ranges, but I can't address that yet.

Guy Miner · Apr 12, 2009

I've used the regular TSX's with good results. Haven't tried the tipped version. Reminds me of Nosler's E-Tip... Similar bullets.

FOTIS · Apr 12, 2009

I tried the 168 gr in my 30-378 Bee. I got 3600 fps from them but it looks like I need to play more with them from an accuracy standpoint.

R Flowers · Apr 12, 2009

I have tried several versions of the tipped TSX and have generally had good results.

The 210 grain tipped TSX shoots pretty well in my .338 Win Mag, but not as well as the 200 grain Ballistic Tip or the 225 Partition. I have not shot any game with them as of yet.

The 110 grain Tipped .277 caliber TSX shoots great in my 270 WSM and gets close to 3600 fps with IMR 4350. I get great groups with this load and have every intention of trying it out on an antelope in New Mexico this fall. So far all I have shot with them are coyotes, but they dropped in their tracks.

I recently tried the new 80 grain .257 tipped TSX in a .257 Weatherby Mag with good results. A friend inherited this gun and wanted me to work up loads for it. When I got it I found it was made in Germany in the early 1970's and had a 1 in 12 twist. I tried any number of 100 grain bullets in it, figuring that they would work with that twist. Mixed results, to be sure.
The 100 grain Hornady and Nosler Partition shot poorly at best. The 100 grain Barnes TSX shot very poorly with obvious signs of the bullets keyholing on the target. The 100 grain Sierra did shoot well, groups as small as a half inch.

However, I was concerned with the Sierra holding together at the .257 Wby Mag velocities. I saw the new Barnes 80 grain and decided to give it a try. I emailed Barnes and they suggested it should work fine on deer, antelope, wild hogs, etc. etc. They also sent some reloading data, good customer service, I would say.

I tried the 80 grain tipped TSX and was rewarded with consistant 3/4 inch groups. I have no idea of the speed as my chronograh develped a short in one of the screens. I soldered it back together, but have not been back to the range. I imagine they are going better than 3600 fps.

blacktailhunter · Apr 12, 2009

My biggest issue with the Barnes TSX or TTSX is the fact that Barnes can't get the grooves in the same location consistently. I have not noticed a difference in performance, but at the hefty price they are, I expect a bit more attention to detail. You would be amazed at the different groove locations in just one box of 50! I just interpret it as being in a hurry on the production floor. Imagine if Nosler couldn't keep the location of the Partition consistent, omit the bonding process on the AccuBond, or have the white tips fall out...wait, this has happened.

Thank goodness they don't try to insert the polymer tip at the base.

Desert Fox · Apr 12, 2009

My biggest issue with the Barnes TSX or TTSX is the fact that Barnes can't get the grooves in the same location consistently.

I haven't noticed it! Where do you measure the grove? The only difference I noticed between the Tipped and the original TSX is the lenght of the bullet and the position of the groves. I have to readjust the seater die to compensate for the increase in lenght. Otherwise it won't fit the magazine.

bobbyrum · Apr 13, 2009

Desert Fox you are right. The TSX with plastic tip should be well received in Kalifornistan; until some idiot proclaims that birds could choke to death on the tip or get it stuck in their digestive system if ingested while eating. :roll: :roll: :roll:

jmad_81 · Apr 13, 2009

My buddy and I both have shot the 225 gr. TSX out of our 338 WMs and they group great. He has moved on to the TTSX and says they shoot just as good and have a much better BC. I still have about 20 loaded TSX to shoot before I need new ones, but I'm planning on giving them a try. My little bro shoots the TTSX 130 gr. in his 308 and loves them.

If the E tips had grooves in them so a guy could get a bit more FPS out of them and not have the preasure issues I would try them over any other bullet in a heart beat. Heck even Hornady's new non leaded bullet has a few preasure reliefe grooves.

30 whisper · Apr 13, 2009

They both work great I shot whitetail and muley buck two years ago with the tsx and last year a 6pt bull elk a 10 to 20 yards it worked fine all bullets were 150 grs 30cal at about 2850 from my 308 I cronograghed them but can't remeber of hand how fast I would have to look at my notes but was about 2850.I post some pics next time I go to the range.