Question for Picksbigwagon

[sparkydm]

I seem to recall you had some Barnes bullets you were going to handload with? If so, did you load them? Shoot them? Hunting?

[picksbigwagon]

I have loaded some varmint grenades in a 243 and have a box of 30 cal. 180 gr. TTSX that I have not loaded yet. what is your question.

[sparkydm]

Just curious what your experience has been with them in loading,shooting, and on-game performance. I started working with the 130gr TSX 30 cal in my .308 last year as a deer load. Just looking to learn all I can. Thanks.

[picksbigwagon]

I know with the varmint grenades, I shot a gallon of water with it loaded in a 243, there was an entrance whole, but no exit. I don't think I will use them for coyotes, which was my initial thought. we haven't tested the 180 grain ttsx in the 308 yet, maybe later this winter we will get out to the range and run some down the pipe. I have heard a lot of great things about them. In fact I also have a box of 53 gr. tsx for the 223 to load up as well. My buddy wants those loaded up for himself, and i wouldn't mind trying the 62 (I think) TSX in my AR....

I have been hesitant with loading them due to the 3 rings on the bullet body. Not sure how to crimp the load or should I crimp the load with those rings on there.

[sparkydm]

Well, I crimped the 130 grainers because Barnes told me to. They told me that bullet has a short shank and needs some extra tension on the bullet to keep it in place. A call to Barnes will gain you some tips on loading for your specific bullet/rifle. They will tell you how far from the lands to seat the bullet, for example. As far as terminal performance on whitetails, they made a small hole going in, slightly bigger hole coming out, about the size of a nickel. And that was after going through a shoulder or two. Heart and lungs were liquefied. The two deer I shot in Wisc. didn't get far and weren't available for comment.

[picksbigwagon]

Their reloading manual will be my next reloading purchase.....

[sparkydm]

Yep, I'm going to get that one too. If you don't already know, you can access reloading data from bullet and powder makers at loaddata dot com. check it out if you haven't already. I think lead bullets are in the beginning stages of being phased out. Just a matter of time. The problem is that load development is so expensive with these bullets!

[picksbigwagon]

That is why I have stayed with Hornady for the most part. Barnes bullets are expensive.....