Copper bullets

[two-feet]

Im thinking of switching from lead bullets with lung shots to copper bullets and shoulder shots. Comments? I shoot a .308 for moose and bear

[REMINGTON JIM]

Barnes TTSX 165 gr will get the job done ! RJ

[bcsteve]

I’ve been using nothing but Barnes TSX and TTSX for the last 15 years on deer, bear and moose in a .260 Rem, 7mm Rem Mag, .300 WSM, .35 Whelen and .375 Ruger. Completely satisfied.

[two-feet]

Shoulder or lung?

[Weatherby Fan]

Barnes offers 130gr, 150gr and 168gr VorTX ammo for the .308

[TexasWalker]

I shoot TTSX's at everything, same results, dead animals.
I don't understand the lung or shoulder part of your question.
You put a 168 TTSX through the lungs of any animal and it will die, and fast.
Shoulder shooting is just messy and creates a ton of bloodshot meat, I like to eat the shoulders not leave them for the coyotes.
Granted I have clipped a few shoulders but my goal is always the boiler room.
TTSX bullets unleash a garden hose blood trail and turn lungs to goo.

[Gateholio]

308 use a 130 or 150 ttsx and kill everything you want wiht lung shots, shoulder shots, whatever you like. Forget the heavy .30 cal bullets with all copper in a .309

[steve-r]

85gr TSX in my 243 and 168gr TSX in my 308. Deadly. Always the boiler room, never the shoulder.

[Bustercluck]

I have a pic of a recovered bullet that is the exact same as B.C. Steve’s profile pic. I don’t know from experience, but the consensus seems to be to go down a bullet weight and shoot them faster. I don’t know if this is fact or might have something to do with some of the older tsx bullets not opening up for some users, but I haven’t heard of any problems with the ttsx.

Im running 210 grain ttsx in my .338 win mag and I’ve also used the 225 grain.

[mastercaster]

308 use a 130 or 150 ttsx and kill everything you want wiht lung shots, shoulder shots, whatever you like. Forget the heavy .30 cal bullets with all copper in a .309

I've been reloading TTSX for several years now for both my hunting rifles. I use 130 gr. in my .308 but the barrel has a slow enough twist to stabilize them whereas both my son and daughter's .308s have a faster twist and won't so I build their ammo with 150 gr. projectiles. Because they maintain almost a 100% of their initial weight you can go a good 30 grains lighter than your average lead projectiles. Use the right powder and you'll get 3000 fps and incredible accuracy.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1974/43921051235_a142c145bc_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/29V9Sm4)IMG_1119 (https://flic.kr/p/29V9Sm4) by Brent Davy (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150607128@N03/), on Flickr

I have taken shoulder shots with them in the past which really anchors the animal to the ground and most of the time there has been minimal damage to the meat. Sometimes you can eat the meat right up to the hole. I have heard stories about taking lung shots and having pass throughs where the bullets haven't opened up but I think it is rare. It's never happened to me and I usually get my three deer per season and have never had to track an animal yet.

[RobU]

Im thinking of switching from lead bullets with lung shots to copper bullets and shoulder shots. Comments? I shoot a .308 for moose and bear

TTSX Barnes all the way for me. Extra work with barrel fouling and discolouration but devastating killer. Avoid the shoulders and go for lungs when u can. Bear, bison, elk, moose devastating bullet.

[bcsteve]

I haven’t noticed any extra work or fouling with TSX or TTSX bullets compared to other bullets. What do you mean by “discoloration”??

[bcsteve]

Shoulder or lung?
Yes...... ;)

[REMINGTON JIM]

Shoulder or lung?

Always shoulder on BEARS but Lung on the Deer - Moose -Elk - Rest of the Hoof Family ! jmo RJ

[Darksith]

Im thinking of switching from lead bullets with lung shots to copper bullets and shoulder shots. Comments? I shoot a .308 for moose and bear
Don't do it! When you start shooting copper, you need to make sure you have the velocity and I don't see a .308 getting it almost out of the barrel

[CAC]

When shooting copper consider the minimum velocity requirements.

Min Velocities are as follows.
150gr TSX- 1800fps
150gr TTSX- 2000fps
165gr TSX- 1800fps
165gr TTSX- 1800fps
168gr TSX- 1500fps
168 TTSX- 1500fps

I shoot the 168gr TTSX, super accurate and expands as the lowest velocity.

[Darksith]

When shooting copper consider the minimum velocity requirements.

Min Velocities are as follows.
150gr TSX- 1800fps
150gr TTSX- 2000fps
165gr TSX- 1800fps
165gr TTSX- 1800fps
168gr TSX- 1500fps
168 TTSX- 1500fps

I shoot the 168gr TTSX, super accurate and expands as the lowest velocity.

These are impact velocities not muzzle velocities. Keep that in mind, understand what your bullet is doing down range. I would also say that those velocities are marginal at best

[Darksith]

https://onyourownadventures.com/hunttalk/attachment.php?attachmentid=72719&d=1500932845

[todbartell]

I run 150gr Barnes in my 308 for hunting. I would feel confident with them on lung shots out to 350 yards, where impact speed will be approx 2000 fps.

[Downwindtracker2]

Ballistics can be broken down into three classes, internal, , flight and terminal. Lead bullets are more dense, so they fly better, making them better long range bullets. Because lead is softer they can have a greater range of impact velocities. Let's face it, we want to blow holes in game, this what kills them through blood loss. And quickly too, it saves their suffering and our tracking. Where copper has the advantage, it's easier for the manufacturer to make a bullet with less voids, thus better accuracy. Just don't allow your California Condor to eat lead bullets.

[Fella]

This 150 gr TTSX weighed in at 151.6gr, probably due to the elk meat trapped under the petals lol
http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag105/Fellala/86ECFD5F-8ED9-4FF5-A9B8-ACC6026C8FF7_zps7pieen1b.jpg (http://s1301.photobucket.com/user/Fellala/media/86ECFD5F-8ED9-4FF5-A9B8-ACC6026C8FF7_zps7pieen1b.jpg.html)
http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag105/Fellala/9D576FB9-7E78-490C-B64F-2C6686D4FBB8_zpsx0issu6r.jpg (http://s1301.photobucket.com/user/Fellala/media/9D576FB9-7E78-490C-B64F-2C6686D4FBB8_zpsx0issu6r.jpg.html)

[Keta1969]

If you switch to copper and have a great rest and perfect shot and the animal walks away don't assume you missed. All bullets have their shortcomings in the wrong situation. As for accuracy never found them to be more or less accurate than any other bullet, but I load my own.

[Rieber]

I've been reloading TTSX for several years now for both my hunting rifles. I use 130 gr. in my .308 but the barrel has a slow enough twist to stabilize them whereas both my son and daughter's .308s have a faster twist and won't so I build their ammo with 150 gr. projectiles. Because they maintain almost a 100% of their initial weight you can go a good 30 grains lighter than your average lead projectiles. Use the right powder and you'll get 3000 fps and incredible accuracy.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1974/43921051235_a142c145bc_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/29V9Sm4)IMG_1119 (https://flic.kr/p/29V9Sm4) by Brent Davy (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150607128@N03/), on Flickr

I have taken shoulder shots with them in the past which really anchors the animal to the ground and most of the time there has been minimal damage to the meat. Sometimes you can eat the meat right up to the hole. I have heard stories about taking lung shots and having pass throughs where the bullets haven't opened up but I think it is rare. It's never happened to me and I usually get my three deer per season and have never had to track an animal yet.

Can argue with this performance other than 2 clicks left. This is gold in my books.

[ryanonthevedder]

The argument that was presented to me was that because a copper bullet retains most of its weight after impact you can use a lighter bullet and thus get more velocity. A 180g copper/lead projectile that sheds 15% will penetrate like a 150g (talking .308 dia). Therefore you can get the penetration of a 180g and the velocity of a 150g with a copper bullet. A buddy of mine uses special cavity back ones for his 7.62 and has shown excellent expansion down to 1300fps. He also took a big MD with a quartering to shot and extracted the bullet just in front of the tail with almost full weight retention. They are performers but I hung my hat on Accubonds and Ballistic Tips so I have no need to develop another load at this point.

[Ajsawden]

If you switch to copper and have a great rest and perfect shot and the animal walks away don't assume you missed. All bullets have their shortcomings in the wrong situation. As for accuracy never found them to be more or less accurate than any other bullet, but I load my own.

People should not be assuming they missed in any situation. If I see someone shoot at an animal I better see some effort to look. Copper or lead, every crew has stories of a moose that ate up 4 bullets through the boiler room that didnt respond at all until dropping dead a minute later.

My thoughts on the all coppers. I've had great success with the 168 tsx's out of my 30-06. Last couple years was shooting 150gr nosler e-tips from my 280 with good results.

[Keta1969]

People should not be assuming they missed in any situation. If I see someone shoot at an animal I better see some effort to look. Copper or lead, every crew has stories of a moose that ate up 4 bullets through the boiler room that didnt respond at all until dropping dead a minute later.

My thoughts on the all coppers. I've had great success with the 168 tsx's out of my 30-06. Last couple years was shooting 150gr nosler e-tips from my 280 with good results.

You're absolutely right never assume you miss. Had a bad experience with tsx that I wouldn't have had with lead hence my comment.

[two-feet]

The reasoning behind switching is:

1. Sick of following bears into the thickest bush in the know galaxy, therefore would like the shoulder shot.
2. Concerned with shooting moose beside water (I hunt lakes and swamps) and have only had to float one, but if I could anchor a moose on the shore it would be best.
3. Dont want the family eating lead.
4.The bullet often ends up hitting bone anyways (quartering to/away, or bad shot) and the coppers have the reputation of shocking the meat less.

[Ltbullken]

I have been using them almost exclusively and they have performed flawlessly. The general rule is to go with a lighter bullet and faster muzzle velocity. You typically want to impact an animal at or above 2000 fps to ensure proper performance with the bullet, so you need to keep that in mind when shooting long distances if that is what you intend. The bullet will hold together whereas conventional cup and core will usually separate. A 165 gr TSX will perform like a 200 gr conventional or even NP as those bullets shed weight almost immediately. I used a 30-06 168gr TSX on a griz and it hammered it hard! Many nay-sayers claim they 'don't open' but they most certainly do when they are employed within their performance envelope.

[tomahawk]

Agree, death comes quick and less mess with double lungs


I shoot TTSX's at everything, same results, dead animals.
I don't understand the lung or shoulder part of your question.
You put a 168 TTSX through the lungs of any animal and it will die, and fast.
Shoulder shooting is just messy and creates a ton of bloodshot meat, I like to eat the shoulders not leave them for the coyotes.
Granted I have clipped a few shoulders but my goal is always the boiler room.
TTSX bullets unleash a garden hose blood trail and turn lungs to goo.

[RobU]

I haven’t noticed any extra work or fouling with TSX or TTSX bullets compared to other bullets. What do you mean by “discoloration”??
I get the green discolouration in my barrel.
Just a little more cleaning and I buy a product for copper for barrel cleaning.
Definitely not complaining. TTSX are great!!

[Blockcaver]

I've been reloading TTSX for several years now for both my hunting rifles. I use 130 gr. in my .308 but the barrel has a slow enough twist to stabilize them whereas both my son and daughter's .308s have a faster twist and won't so I build their ammo with 150 gr. projectiles. Because they maintain almost a 100% of their initial weight you can go a good 30 grains lighter than your average lead projectiles. Use the right powder and you'll get 3000 fps and incredible accuracy.

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1974/43921051235_a142c145bc_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/29V9Sm4)IMG_1119 (https://flic.kr/p/29V9Sm4) by Brent Davy (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150607128@N03/), on Flickr

I have taken shoulder shots with them in the past which really anchors the animal to the ground and most of the time there has been minimal damage to the meat. Sometimes you can eat the meat right up to the hole. I have heard stories about taking lung shots and having pass throughs where the bullets haven't opened up but I think it is rare. It's never happened to me and I usually get my three deer per season and have never had to track an animal yet.

Mastercaster, First great shooting with your TTSX loads!

As per your comment that a faster twist barrel will not stabilize the LIGHTER 130 gr TTSX bullet versus the slower twist in your rifle that does.....this runs contrary to conventional wisdom. A faster twist is necessary for longer/heavier bullets or you get oblong holes in the target (caused by non-stabilized bullet) and poor groups. "Over-stabilizing" shorter/lighter bullets in fast twist barrel usually isn't a problem with copper bullets as they won't come apart like thin jacketed varmit bullets due to excessive rotational forces. That said, you probably tested accuracy and your 130 gr TTSX load wasn't accurate in the faster twist rifles....but not likely caused by the bullet not being stabilized, but due to other issues with the load/rifle combination.

[Ltbullken]

My .30 cal 168 gr TSX recovered from my Griz. Retained weight ...
168 gr.
https://i.imgur.com/ILNczio.jpg