Barnes Bullet Problems...

[CWLongshot]

I haven't used allot of these Barnes Bullets...

I used the original X bullets back when they came out. But quite when I discovered the loading problems and lack of data.

I jumped on the 300 Blk wagon early on and when I hunted I used the BLK tip Barnes bullet designed for the cartridge.

More recently, I like the looks of the TTSX...Specifically the 80G .257 loaded in the 25/45 Sharps.

First off, I am a LONG time loader here. I have discovered the problem, but it caused much aggravation as I gave allot to this maker that apparently they do not deserve.

These bullets are all over the place dimensionally!

One gun/caliber I load them for is finicky and requires the bullets be seated as long as possible for powder cap and function. That's a AR chambered for the 25/45. Now four boxes of these have been bought so aside form selling off I need to use them as they are a costly expenditure for what they are.

My OAL was ALL OVER THE PLACE!! I switched out seater dies so I could seat off ojive. (Not truly, but not off tip of bullet) STILL OAL had to be set for shortest OAL, then singly and tediously adjusted to make all same.

Last night I pulled out the Sinclair nut and measured the bullets and well, ya could have knocked me over with a feather...

Here is a few bullets randomly taken from the box and measured... .Such a HUGE Variable is STUPID loose for a "quality" bullet.

Then I grabbed a box of another bullet. This one is a Hornady FTX 110G .257 bullet. .002 variable. MUCH better..

Any one having issues with OAL when Loading the Barnes TTSX, well it may not be you or your technique!

CW

 

[reloader326]

I have seen the same issues with the Barnes 70 grain TSX. COL was good, but Ogive to base was all over the place. I am loading for an AR in 5.56. I have them loaded up but have not shot them yet.

 

[hm1996]

Some people swear by them.

I have tried them in .223, 243, .308 & .338 and have not found any of my rifles that like Barnes bullets and finally gave up.

Regards,
hm

 

[Seebass]

Originally Posted By: hm1996Some people swear by them.

I have tried them in .223, 243, .308 & .338 and have not found any of my rifles that like Barnes bullets and finally gave up.


My experience also. Here in CA we have to shoot lead free beginning in 2019. I started working up a .243 load with both Barnes TTSX's AND Hornady GMX's and couldn't get a group less then 3" @ 100 yards. Different charges, seating depths, shorter and longer COL. NOTHING worked...

I then tried a smaller, on the rise bullet company. I loaded some CA compliant 92g Cavity Back MKZ's to a max COL of 2.71". My first test I was getting cloverleafs. Havent looked back since! If youre looking for a lead free bullet and having problems, give this company a look!

 

[ackleyman]

I think that you have an legitimate issue, but it would be best to have contacted barnes first before posting, none of us can do anything about your issue.

IN the calibers I shoot, I got the barnes to shoot very accurately, simply jumped them .050, and they shot small groups.

I have never seen a rifle shoot a barnes bullet loaded closer than .030 to the lands. I have seen them shoot extremely well jumping .100 to .120

 

[Plant.One]

i would totally send those pics to barnes... and make sure you include the lot numbers on them.

i'm betting they're gonna want those back...

 

[Bear]

Barnes says to load them .050 off the lands and work them closer or farther away as necessary. So I'd say if you load off the lands using the ogive that the distance you are worried about in length is moot.

 

[Redleg84]

I had the same issues when I tried loading them too. I wasn't impressed with the bullets at all. Too many other good options available

 

[ackleyman]

80 tipped are very accurate in my 243
100g tipped was very accurate in 257 Weatherby and 25/06
120g tipped and 140g tipped were very accurate in 7 mags
120g tipped and 127LR were very accurate in 6.5x47Lapua, 6.5 Creed, 6.5x55
110g tipped in a 270, mack daddy bullet for big bucks, tiny groups!

Brother shoots 62g in AR on hogs
130g tipped in 308 and 30/06

very accurate = bullets touching in the group at 100 yards with no paper between the holes

my load development was easy, I jumped them .050, used the same powder charge as other cup and core bullet weights that the barrel liked.

Copper fouling on par with any other bullet other than Swift.

I must admit, I have never measured the ogive lengths on the bullets, I jumped them enough to where it was not an issue for a HUNTING round, and they are not a long range loads of me.

 

[shermanrm]

I use ttsx's in all my big game loads. Most of the time it works on first load tried.
Having said that my wife's 270 absolutely hates 130's however I tried some 110's and it loves them. Have been experimenting for forty years, now I am working up one load for each gun to shoot for all purposes. Thinking about doing same to all my varmint loads.
I moly every bullet I load - even handgun's. May make a difference for individual guns.
Don't be afraid to experiment!

 

[reloader326]

Originally Posted By: reloader326I have seen the same issues with the Barnes 70 grain TSX. COL was good, but Ogive to base was all over the place. I am loading for an AR in 5.56. I have them loaded up but have not shot them yet.
Update: (if anyone gives a flying rat's beehookey)
These were 4, 3-shot groups with Accurate 2230, ranging from 22.8 to 25.4 Grains, per the 2016 Western Powders Load Guide for 5.56 X 45.
1.25 to 2.14 MOA.....not horrendous but not great either. Will have to keep trying, might take the 1.25" MOA load and try to see if it's possible to get more consistent results with the Ogive to base measurement. It's worth a shot or 3.
p.s. The 25.4 grain loads had high pressure signs; cratered primers, swipe marks on the base and slightly loose primer pockets.

 

[IdahoSawtooth]

I know what bullets I wouldn't be using. They are way over priced to. Lots of better options unless you have to use lead free.
I loaded some Barnes up for a friends 300wm that was elk hunting in Teton park where lead free is required. Got them to shoot finally about moa but used up a lot of ammo figuring a load out. Ended up .040 off the lands.
They are long for there weight so your normal go to loads dont usually work.

 

[WyoBull]

I am a Barnes bullet fan so I guess I go against the grain on this thread. In my 220 Swift I have a 36 gr Varmint Grenade load worked up that is very accurate but I only shoot it on calmer days when the wind is not howling so it is not my "go to" bullet for that rifle. In fact, both of the coyotes in my avatar photo were shot with the Barnes 36 gr VG bullet out of my 220 Swift.

In my 7mm RUM and 375 H&H I load exclusively Barnes bullets and my loads for them are sub-MOA accurate and everything I have shot with the TSX's or TTSX's have dropped where they were shot.

 

[reloader326]

Holy Moly, 36 grain bullet out of a .220 Swift. That's freakin' cruisin'!

 

[ackleyman]

I found that the biggest problems that barnes tripple shock shooters have is that they set the bullet too close to the lands.

I have substituted loads that shot well for the cup and core bullets for the barnes bullets, but seated the barnes .050 off the lands. Accuracy in all Remington rifles were exceptional.

This worked well for me due to the fact that I do not tend to shoot red line max loads in my rifles, about 2.0g less than max or so.

 

[NdIndy]

Col doesn't matter to me. Ttsx stacked holes on the targets and meat in the freezer.