Barnes (or other copper) bullets

ligonierbill · June 17, 2014, 04:52 PM

Got bored last winter and started loading some Barnes in several calibers. I finally got out to test some, and thought I'd share the results and solicit your opinions. I should mention that I am working on 9x19 (115 TAC-XP) and .357 Sig (125 TAC-XP), but those are works-in-progress. What I have are as follows:

.357 Mag, 140 XPB: Using H110 or AA #9 in a 4" GP-100, I'm driving these at 1,300, about the same velocity as 158 Hornady XTP. Accuracy? At this point, I can't see a major difference.

6.5x55, 120 TTSX: Loaded over Reloder 22, these were running 2,780, not far from my best load with 140 SGK. Grouped pretty good, although I had the Magnetospeed chrono hanging off the end of the barrel. Note that the 140 SGK are <1" and I have a load for 120 Nosler BT at 1/2".

.338 WM, 210 TTSX: Loaded over IMR-4350, these ran 2,860, about the same as my load for 215 SGK and faster than my "go to" 250 SGK (2,700). Everything I load in .338 groups between 1" and 1 1/2", including these (with the caveat of the "bayonet" chrono).

Now, if I'm shooting at game, the price of the bullet is not a factor. And I do not doubt the terminal performance of the Barnes bullets. However, no one wants to waste money. What say ye? Given these results, would you buy and load more coppers?

Brian Pfleuger · June 17, 2014, 05:11 PM

I use only Barnes TTSX bullets for deer hunting. Their performance has been stellar. I load them light and fast, which is the only reason IMO to use copper. Regular bullets can handle regular speeds. Light and fast, or just use conventional. No real advantage to copper at normal weights/speeds.

AllenJ · June 17, 2014, 05:24 PM

Being a big fan of Barnes bullets I think the cost is well worth piece of mind. Like Brian said though, light and fast works best.

ligonierbill · June 17, 2014, 08:40 PM

One reason I like those rifle rounds is that they're good at sending heavy for caliber (and high BC) bullets at moderate velocities. I'm sure I could do OK with Barnes, but it doesn't seem they will buy me much. The revolver, though, might be worthwhile.

mnoirot64 · June 17, 2014, 11:08 PM

I have loaded 357 SIG with Barnes TAC-XP 125s over a moderate amount of Power Pistol. The exact recipe is not in front of me, but the Barnes bullets were quite accurate and my SIG P229 spit them out at 1,390 FPS. Quite the nasty little bad guy stopper!

Water-Man · June 17, 2014, 11:10 PM

I'm using a Barnes bullet in my Tikka T3 6.5x55.

130gr. @ 2955 fps.

June 17, 2014, 04:52 PM	#1
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,448	Barnes (or other copper) bullets Got bored last winter and started loading some Barnes in several calibers. I finally got out to test some, and thought I'd share the results and solicit your opinions. I should mention that I am working on 9x19 (115 TAC-XP) and .357 Sig (125 TAC-XP), but those are works-in-progress. What I have are as follows: .357 Mag, 140 XPB: Using H110 or AA #9 in a 4" GP-100, I'm driving these at 1,300, about the same velocity as 158 Hornady XTP. Accuracy? At this point, I can't see a major difference. 6.5x55, 120 TTSX: Loaded over Reloder 22, these were running 2,780, not far from my best load with 140 SGK. Grouped pretty good, although I had the Magnetospeed chrono hanging off the end of the barrel. Note that the 140 SGK are <1" and I have a load for 120 Nosler BT at 1/2". .338 WM, 210 TTSX: Loaded over IMR-4350, these ran 2,860, about the same as my load for 215 SGK and faster than my "go to" 250 SGK (2,700). Everything I load in .338 groups between 1" and 1 1/2", including these (with the caveat of the "bayonet" chrono). Now, if I'm shooting at game, the price of the bullet is not a factor. And I do not doubt the terminal performance of the Barnes bullets. However, no one wants to waste money. What say ye? Given these results, would you buy and load more coppers?

June 17, 2014, 05:11 PM	#2
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	I use only Barnes TTSX bullets for deer hunting. Their performance has been stellar. I load them light and fast, which is the only reason IMO to use copper. Regular bullets can handle regular speeds. Light and fast, or just use conventional. No real advantage to copper at normal weights/speeds. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

June 17, 2014, 05:24 PM	#3
AllenJ Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2009 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,766	Being a big fan of Barnes bullets I think the cost is well worth piece of mind. Like Brian said though, light and fast works best.

June 17, 2014, 08:40 PM	#4
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,448	One reason I like those rifle rounds is that they're good at sending heavy for caliber (and high BC) bullets at moderate velocities. I'm sure I could do OK with Barnes, but it doesn't seem they will buy me much. The revolver, though, might be worthwhile.

June 17, 2014, 11:08 PM	#5
mnoirot64 Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2013 Location: Clarksville, Tennessee Posts: 365	I have loaded 357 SIG with Barnes TAC-XP 125s over a moderate amount of Power Pistol. The exact recipe is not in front of me, but the Barnes bullets were quite accurate and my SIG P229 spit them out at 1,390 FPS. Quite the nasty little bad guy stopper!

June 17, 2014, 11:10 PM	#6
Water-Man Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,126	I'm using a Barnes bullet in my Tikka T3 6.5x55. 130gr. @ 2955 fps.