Thread: Recovered Barnes 30 cal 130gr ttsx

Have been using the ttsx in various 308s for around 15y and have shot many deer with them.
This is the first I have ever recovered.
Muzzle velocity 3000fps, deer 110y.
Shot on point of shoulder breaking those bones then a couple of ribs before traveling diagonally the lenght of a big mature red hind threw a full punch and the pelvis bone to come to rest in near the hip joint.





Retained weight is 74.7 gr.

Of note is that it has lost all of its petals and even the base is expanded.
If it was typical for them to lose petals I would have come across them while butchering other animals.
In the past I have run them 180fps faster in longer barrels.

So I conclude I must have connected a branch on the way to the animal and the bullet was at least already expanded or the petals were lost before hitting the animal.
That ability to hold together and penetrate is why I changed to them for bush hunting/closer range shots in the first place.

What do you think? Did I hit a unseen branch or have you found petalless barnes before?

I thought the petals were meant to frag off in an ideal scenario?what charge and powder are you loading?

Originally Posted by Yesmate

I thought the petals were meant to frag off in an ideal scenario?what charge and powder are you loading?

They are designed/intended to stay together however when driven fast( faster than 308 velocitys) they will shed petals.
In this rifle I am running 50.5 gr 2206h. This is probably above maximum ! Work up what is safe in your rifle.

I shoot the same out of a 16 inch barrel. Usually they pass right through but occasionally I find one. Devastating performance on target. Pretty sure all of these didn't hit any branches, the ones with missing petals just hit more bone

Originally Posted by Brakelie

I shoot the same out of a 16 inch barrel. Usually they pass right through but occasionally I find one. Devastating performance on target. Pretty sure all of these didn't hit any branches, the ones with missing petals just hit more bone

Attachment 273657

This one of mine is expanded down a lot further than your collection....only one band left. and same 15.5 inch barrel length.

That's actually quite impressive, that's the most deformation I think I've seen from a solid copper bullet yet...

Try the 110gr TTSX. They sting real bad with 748.*

They definitely can lose one or more petals due to hitting bone. Seen it several times but also tend to keep penetrating straight and deeply as a rule. Even the 270 and 300 gn TSX bullets can lose a petal or more after hitting bone. I don't think if makes much if any difference to their lethality. I like TTSX bullets and they are my main hunting bullet.

Originally Posted by TeRei

Try the 110gr TTSX. They sting real bad with 748.*

The 130gr was the lightest available when I started using them.
Now with a bit less velocity in the short barrel I have been considering the 110 and 110 cx as designed for blackout velocitys....tho after recovering this I'm not sure.

Not surprised this is the first you have recovered, I stopped using barnes because of the tendency to pin hole and not expand which is the down side to swagged copper, I only use Outer projectiles now.

Originally Posted by Billo

Not surprised this is the first you have recovered, I stopped using barnes because of the tendency to pin hole and not expand which is the down side to swagged copper, I only use Outer projectiles now.

I haven't had any problems with them not expanding but have always kept shots in close less than 300y.
Certainly they don't damage meat like a cup and core does tho,it's like an apple corer has cut a hole threw the animal usually.