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Copper Bullets: Yes, No, Maybe So?

Discussion about what manufactured ammunition feeds your Henry or other firearms
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Redthies
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Copper Bullets: Yes, No, Maybe So?

Post by Redthies » Sat Oct 09, 2021 12:07 am

Who has tried copper bullets for hunting (aside from you Kalifornia folk). I bought a box of the Barnes .30-30 Vor-Tx 150 gun TSX FN rounds to try out. They are an intriguing looking bullet. Super thin walled and deep HP.

I also bought the same thing for my 7-08. 120 grn Tipped TSX BT. A very cool looking bullet as well. They claim 3005 FPS at the muzzle, and “opens instantly on contact, double diameter expansion and 100% weight retention”! Those are some big claims, but if they are even mostly true, they will be phenomenal to hunt with.

So if you’ve either dropped an animal, or just have a lot of shooting time with 100% copper bullets, what the verdict?
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Re: Copper Bullets: Yes, No, Maybe So?

Post by GunnyGene » Sat Oct 09, 2021 7:09 am

Most folks object to the price for solid copper, about double that of traditional ammo. I have no experience with it, but I'd take a hard look at the internal and external ballistics of it in any gun that isn't designed specifically for hi-speed, low weight projectiles. Barrel twist may not be appropriate for example.

Also: from Chuck Hawks:
https://www.chuckhawks.com/hunting_bullet_guide2.htm

Barnes Bullets

Barnes is primarily known today as a manufacturer of solid copper (X-BULLET type) projectiles, which they originated. The basic version today is the Triple Shock X-Bullet (TSX), available in hollow point and plastic tipped variants.

The TSX is basically an X-Bullet with three driving bands around its circumference. These bands reduces friction on the bullet's trip down the bore and gives the copper displaced by the rifling lands somewhere to go (besides packing into the barrel's grooves). Copper fouling is a problem with solid copper bullets. The TSX line has replaced the first generation X-Bullet and second generation XLC bullet lines. Barnes Triple Shock X-Bullets are offered in Federal, Weatherby and Cor-Bon factory loaded ammunition, as well as to reloaders.

One of the friendly tech reps at Barnes Bullets told me that all X-Type big game hunting bullets, regardless of caliber or weight, are designed to initiate expansion at impact velocities of 1600 fps. Effective expansion will occur at impact velocities in excess of about 1800 fps. TSX bullets, HP and tipped, are known for very deep penetration (they usually shoot clear through CXP2 animals) and very high weight retention. Barnes also produces an extensive line of Banded Solids (homogeneous non-expanding) rifle bullets in calibers from .22 to .600 NE.
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Re: Copper Bullets: Yes, No, Maybe So?

Post by BigAl52 » Sat Oct 09, 2021 9:35 am

Ive used them for hunting in my 338 Win mag. I have also bought just the bullet and reloaded them. I can tell you nothing from personal experience about getting an animal with them. But accuracy wise in my gun you need to work real hard to get a load put together that shoots better than the factory loads do. They also do not like to be seated close to the lands like other bullets do. Some bullet jump is better for accuracy.
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Here is a 5 shot group shot with reloads at a 100 yards Gun is a Savage Bear Hunter 338. The bullets I used here were the blue tipped ones.
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Re: Copper Bullets: Yes, No, Maybe So?

Post by Redthies » Sat Oct 09, 2021 10:36 am

Thanks for the responses. The .30-30 will be my 336 BL which has the micro groove rifling, and I will look into compatibility with that. I also have lots of Horandy FTX 160s, so will have a back up plan. I like the concept of the copper bullets, but if using them jeopardizes a reliable and humane kill, I’ll stay with conventional bullets.
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Re: Copper Bullets: Yes, No, Maybe So?

Post by Shakey Jake » Sat Oct 09, 2021 10:38 am

The only Barnes I've tried was in my .280 and it didn't like them so much. Different barrels I guess give different results. Never tried them for hunting. Now I have reloaded the Nosler lead free E-tip bullets for my 25-06 (100 gr) and it shoots 'em just fine.
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Re: Copper Bullets: Yes, No, Maybe So?

Post by JEBar » Sat Oct 09, 2021 10:42 am

I've never hunted in an area that required copper bullets .... in the hope of someday doing so I did a good bit of research and have stockpiled Nosler E-tips ====> https://www.nosler.com/products/bullets ... -tipr.html in all of our 30 cal rifle weights that I hunt with .... on the range their trajectory is very close to Nosler ballistics which are much cheaper to shoot
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Re: Copper Bullets: Yes, No, Maybe So?

Post by North Country Gal » Sat Oct 09, 2021 11:01 am

I've used Barnes factory ammo in 357, 44 mag and 454 and accuracy has been excellent. Not cheap, but every bit as good in accuracy as any premium lead factory loads. I've also used Barnes sabots when shooting inline muzzle loading. Definitely the most accurate sabots in my Encore ML. TC sabots weren't bad, but the Barnes shot better.
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Re: Copper Bullets: Yes, No, Maybe So?

Post by JEBar » Sat Oct 09, 2021 11:24 am

North Country Gal wrote:
Sat Oct 09, 2021 11:01 am
I've used Barnes factory ammo in 357, 44 mag and 454 ....
agree with the performance of Barnes .... for solid copper in our 45-70 we use their Barnes Buster Bullets .... in our 45-70 Government (458 Diameter) 400 Gr Flat Nose Flat Base ====> https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010409631 .... in our 44 Mag 44 Remington Magnum (429 Diameter) 300 Grain Flat Nose Flat Base ====> https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010419149?pid=966023
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Re: Copper Bullets: Yes, No, Maybe So?

Post by Rifletom » Sun Oct 10, 2021 2:23 pm

I've shot the 115gr Barnes TTSX in my .25-06 when I had one. Shot very good. It took a very good Ca. pronghorn in 2007 with that load. I've also loaded up those Barnes 150gr TSX's in my Mod 94 30-30 with great accuracy. Used Win 748 in that load.
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Re: Copper Bullets: Yes, No, Maybe So?

Post by Redthies » Tue Oct 12, 2021 12:14 am

Well, we got out and burned some powder and learned a few things. My Marlin hates 160 grain FTXs (LeverEvolution), Which is too bad as I have a ton of boxes of that, but it does like the Barnes copper rounds! Top two targets are both from 100 yards with 4x Nikon. Two shots, and then one. Patches are covering shots from Hornady. Used the headache rack on the pickup as a shooting bench. Hi-tech red-neck!

I also shot my BBSC “big game carbine” .44 Magnum for the first time too. I used my laser bore sight to set the Skinner Express and Patridge combo, and it turns out it was quite effective. It’s dead center, but hitting low. The rear is as low as it goes, so I guess I’ll take a hair or two offthe front in order to get my POI lower. Photos in next post.
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SGC .22 LR Stripped and oiled up
BBSC .357 w Skinner Express & Patridge
BBSC .44 Magnum with Skinners
Marlin 1895GS .45-70 w RPP Cloverleaf
Marlin 336BL .30-30 w Skinner LoPro 2 and Sig 2-7x
1912 Winchester 1894 .30 WCF

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