For several years, I searched for a premium bullet that would penetrate well, maintain it's weight, and be accurate. That's a tall order.
I tried Partition bullets in a variety of calibers and got the first two of the three, with accuracy always lacking.
I tried Speer Grand Slams, which did pretty good, but again, lacked accuracy to meet my standards.
Then I decided to try Barnes bullets. First was the X bullet. It performed well in the two areas of penetration and weight retention, but accuracy suffered in my rifles.
When Barnes came out with the Triple Shock, I read a lot of reviews before giving it a try. I took an expensive chance on a box of 140 gr. TSX for my 7mm STW. BINGO. It shot great and has now become my favorite load for that cartridge. My son also loads the TSX in a .300 Rem Ultra Mag, with great accuracy, and I have used it in a .338 Win Mag too.
In Wyoming the TSX got it's trial run in both the STW and the Ultra Mag. A total of 12 animals (mule deer and antelope) were taken at ranges varying from 100 to 400 yards. Of the 12, 10 animals dropped on the spot and didn't take a step. The other two went perhaps 25 yards.
Now, I realize that both cartridges are way more than needed for antelope and mule deer (I've taken several antelope with a 25-06). But, the TSX is accurate, penetrates into tomorrow, and drops game with authority. It has become my bullet of choice for the 7mm STW, being a very flat-shooter, accurate and drops animals as if they were been poleaxed. There's been no tracking of wounded game.
As to damage from the bullet, I've had mixed results. Of course, antelope are thin-skinned, so I'm sure the damage is more pronounced on them than say, on an elk, especially with larger calibers like the 7mm STW and .300 Rem. Ultra Mag. If you hit an animal broadside through both lungs, most likely you will not get a lot of damage unless a rib goes through. If you hit the shoulder or gut shoot one, you may find a mess on the offside. I have never recovered a TSX bullet, however.
While they are a bit pricy, the TSX are good hunting bullets. I have never used the TTSX, but no doubt they are equally impressive. I have heard they expand a bit quicker, but that's only what I have read.
You will be using a 7mm08 and less powerful rifle, so the result will prove itself in the field where it matters most. You won't know for sure until you give them a try in your rifle.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Here is an example of a whitetail buck I shot with a .338 Win. Mag. and a 210 gr. TSX. The distance was probably 75 yards. The damage was less than I would expect from a 30-06. Entrance was hard to find, and exit was not bad - broadside lung shot. The deer dropped on the spot. Hit in a different area, the results could have been more dramatic. As a side note, the rife used was a Vangaurd Sub MOA.
Entrance side
Exit side. This photo was "doctored" to remove the blood around the exit wound. The wound
itself was not touched. The blood was cleaned up so the exit wound could be seen better.
Nothing hidden here or manipulated to appear as something other than what it was.
Some 7mm STW animals with 140 gr. TSX
387 yard mule deer, dropped on the spot with the STW and 140 gr. TSX
My son and his 360 yard antelope with 168 gr. TSX from a .300 Ultra Mag.
VicFox from Australia and some animals he took on our Wyoming hunt, using the 7mm STW
and the TSX bullets
Here is a target I shot with the STW. The two rounds to the right, both top and bottom,
were shot first. I then adjusted the scope to the left a bit and shot two more shots, which
almost mirrored the first group. Total group size was 9/16".
Last, here is a video clip of our 2010 Wyoming hunt. The first antelope to drop in the video
and the mule deer were both shot with the TSX bullets, the antelope buck being at 360 yards
and the mule deer buck at 137 yards.
Sounds like I'm a salesman's for Barnes Bullets, doesn't it. Actually, I just found
a bullet that performs well for me, one that I really like and I'm sharing my
experiences.
Your results or that of others may vary.
