Nosler vs. Barnes X

WeedWacker · November 17, 2007, 07:50 PM

What does a barnes X slug have over a Nosler Ballistic Tip or Boat Tail?

Edit: This is from a hunting aspect

Andrew93 · November 17, 2007, 08:08 PM

A barnes x bullet is solid copper and will hold together on bigger animals a lot better than the nosler ballistic tip.

hilblly · November 18, 2007, 07:40 AM

I have actually spoken with ballistic specialists from both companies.
Nosler states the weight retention of their Ballistic Tip(depending on velocity) will be between 40 and 60 percent.
Barnes states the weight retention of the TSX or (X bullet, which are now in limited supply) to be upwards of 90 percent.
I took a fairly large bull elk this season with the 130 gr. TSX in 270 Win from 150 yds. Muzzle velocity 3175 fps. Entry hole as expected, bore diameter. Exit hole, 2 1/2". Animal went about 20 yds and dropped. Hit was just behind the shoulder.
Don't have any first hand experience with the Ballistic Tip, but from all the research I have done it is a lighter game bullet in the smaller calibers
Hope that helps
Mike

Tomas · November 18, 2007, 07:34 PM

I can't speak to the efficacy of the Noslers, but they have always been very accurate in my rifles. However, I was blessed with the rare recovery of a Barnes XLC this year I fired out of my .308 Weatherby. I took the bullet out of a very large cow elk.

She was running full speed from right to left, and the bullet entered about 6" behind her left front shoulder. Shot was about 50 yards. She was quartering away when I hit her, and the bullet destroyed the near lung, traversed her chest, destroyed the far lung and lodged in her neck. I'm not sure how far the bullet actually travelled, but it must have been a good 22-26" of elk chest and flesh, maybe more. Load was 180gr travelling at about 2650fps, using 44gr of 748.

She dropped in a heap and was suffocating when I came up to her. A 10mm 135gr Nosler JHP (at 1450 fps - a great coupe de gras load) to the noggin ended it humanely. After we gutted her, we noticed her esophagus was completely filled with pink, foamy blood. She was done.

This Barnes XLC did a serious number on her, expanded to .63, and retained weight was 179.6gr - 100%. Gotta love it.

Tom

November 17, 2007, 07:50 PM	#1
WeedWacker Senior Member Join Date: December 13, 2006 Location: Body: Clarkston, Washington. Soul: LaCrosse, Wisconsin Posts: 1,591	Nosler vs. Barnes X What does a barnes X slug have over a Nosler Ballistic Tip or Boat Tail? Edit: This is from a hunting aspect __________________ - Jon Disequilibrium facilitates accommodation. 9mm vs .45 ACP? The answer is .429

November 17, 2007, 08:08 PM	#2
Andrew93 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2007 Location: sneaking up on you Posts: 106	A barnes x bullet is solid copper and will hold together on bigger animals a lot better than the nosler ballistic tip.

November 18, 2007, 07:40 AM	#3
hilblly Member Join Date: October 8, 2004 Location: Southwest, MT Posts: 94	I have actually spoken with ballistic specialists from both companies. Nosler states the weight retention of their Ballistic Tip(depending on velocity) will be between 40 and 60 percent. Barnes states the weight retention of the TSX or (X bullet, which are now in limited supply) to be upwards of 90 percent. I took a fairly large bull elk this season with the 130 gr. TSX in 270 Win from 150 yds. Muzzle velocity 3175 fps. Entry hole as expected, bore diameter. Exit hole, 2 1/2". Animal went about 20 yds and dropped. Hit was just behind the shoulder. Don't have any first hand experience with the Ballistic Tip, but from all the research I have done it is a lighter game bullet in the smaller calibers Hope that helps Mike

November 18, 2007, 07:34 PM	#4
Tomas Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 1999 Location: Blue State Posts: 441	I can't speak to the efficacy of the Noslers, but they have always been very accurate in my rifles. However, I was blessed with the rare recovery of a Barnes XLC this year I fired out of my .308 Weatherby. I took the bullet out of a very large cow elk. She was running full speed from right to left, and the bullet entered about 6" behind her left front shoulder. Shot was about 50 yards. She was quartering away when I hit her, and the bullet destroyed the near lung, traversed her chest, destroyed the far lung and lodged in her neck. I'm not sure how far the bullet actually travelled, but it must have been a good 22-26" of elk chest and flesh, maybe more. Load was 180gr travelling at about 2650fps, using 44gr of 748. She dropped in a heap and was suffocating when I came up to her. A 10mm 135gr Nosler JHP (at 1450 fps - a great coupe de gras load) to the noggin ended it humanely. After we gutted her, we noticed her esophagus was completely filled with pink, foamy blood. She was done. This Barnes XLC did a serious number on her, expanded to .63, and retained weight was 179.6gr - 100%. Gotta love it. Tom