The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Barnes TTSX too tough for Texas whitetail?

jmr40 · November 15, 2013, 04:07 PM

The TTSX is more bullet than you NEED for whitetail. But if it shoots well for you it isn't a disadvantage either. The main advantage of the Barnes bullets is 100% weight retention allowing very light bullets to penetrate as well as much heavier, larger caliber bullets. The disadvantage is that if they impact too slow you don't get good expansion. If you can get 3000 fps at the muzzle and 2000 fps at impact they are going to kill anything in NA.

The biggest mistake most make is using the same bullet weight they would use with standard bullets. Those 130's are more suitable for moose in a TTSX. I'm shooting 130's in my 308 at over 3050 fps and would use that bullet on anything short of coastal brown bear.

In a 270 I'd be shooting either 95 gr TTSX @ 3700 fps or 110's @3400 fps. for deer.

Remember, conventional bullets lose 20-50% of their weight at impact. That means a typical 130 gr bullet will only weigh around 65-100 gr after impact. About the same or less than a 95 gr TTSX.

November 15, 2013, 04:07 PM	#13
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,805	The TTSX is more bullet than you NEED for whitetail. But if it shoots well for you it isn't a disadvantage either. The main advantage of the Barnes bullets is 100% weight retention allowing very light bullets to penetrate as well as much heavier, larger caliber bullets. The disadvantage is that if they impact too slow you don't get good expansion. If you can get 3000 fps at the muzzle and 2000 fps at impact they are going to kill anything in NA. The biggest mistake most make is using the same bullet weight they would use with standard bullets. Those 130's are more suitable for moose in a TTSX. I'm shooting 130's in my 308 at over 3050 fps and would use that bullet on anything short of coastal brown bear. In a 270 I'd be shooting either 95 gr TTSX @ 3700 fps or 110's @3400 fps. for deer. Remember, conventional bullets lose 20-50% of their weight at impact. That means a typical 130 gr bullet will only weigh around 65-100 gr after impact. About the same or less than a 95 gr TTSX.