barnes 85gr TSX 243 win load

[kenscot]

I have been having difficulty finding a deer load for my 243 win
I have tried nosler ballistic and partitions in 95 &100gr weights. Group sizes between 1.5 - 2". Also tried several factory loads with all differant bullets with the best being the remington core locks around an 1"
Considering trying the barnes 85 gr. TSX bullets and just wondering what kind of loads other might be using with accuracy and success

[Redhawk1]

I have been having difficulty finding a deer load for my 243 win
I have tried nosler ballistic and partitions in 95 &100gr weights. Group sizes between 1.5 - 2". Also tried several factory loads with all differant bullets with the best being the remington core locks around an 1"
Considering trying the barnes 85 gr. TSX bullets and just wondering what kind of loads other might be using with accuracy and success

Even if someone is having success in there rifle does not guarantee you will have the same success. Your best bet is to start at the minium load and work your way up tell you find the accuracy you need.  

[Lawdog]

I have been having difficulty finding a deer load for my 243 win
I have tried nosler ballistic and partitions in 95 &100gr weights. Group sizes between 1.5 - 2". Also tried several factory loads with all differant bullets with the best being the remington core locks around an 1"
Considering trying the barnes 85 gr. TSX bullets and just wondering what kind of loads other might be using with accuracy and success

Even if someone is having success in there rifle does not guarantee you will have the same success. Your best bet is to start at the minium load and work your way up tell you find the accuracy you need.  

I agree with Redhawk1 on this.  I haven't tried the 85 gr. TSX yet in my .243's or my .240 Weatherby as I still have a limited supply(a bit over 120 bullets) of the 95 gr. TSX that Barnes first released for the .243 calibers.  Just wish that Barnes had kept the 95 gr. version instead of opting for the lighter weight 85 gr. version and dropping the 95 gr. TSX.  Lawdog
 

[Maryland Hunter]

I can't find it now (of course), but I remember reading an article on the 243, and the authors choice for a deer load was the 85 TSX on top of H414 powder. He got great accuracy and terminal results.

MH

[Thebear_78]

Another factory load to try out would be the federal premium 100gr Gameking SBT loading.  I have yet to see a 243 that wouldn't shoot this load well.  THey are also dynomite on deer.

[Graybeard]

If your biggest concern to date is accuracy why in the world would you even consider Barnes bullets? They have a well deserved reputation of being very inaccurate in a huge number of rifles. I've never found a load with any of them in any of my rifles I'd take to the woods. I've worked with them a bunch trying different powders and different seating depths but just never found anything any of my guns would shoot. Most would barely stay on an 8.5" x 11" target sheet at 100 yards. This from guns that shoot sub MOA with conventional bullets.

[Thebear_78]

Graybeard-

I always had similar results with conventional barnes x bullets.  I tried some of the 225gr 338 TSX bullets in a 338 win mag and they actually shot really good.  I was so impressed with them that I tried the 180gr 308 bullet in my 30/06, again good accuracy with dependable performance.  They may really be on to something with the triple shock idea.  I'm looking forward to trying them in my 375 H&H.

[kenscot]

GB,
I also had miserable results with the original Barnes bullets and would never consider them for hunting. I had just read a lot of reports on them here. So I was willing to give them one more try.
To date I found a load using Sierra 85 gr. HPBT that will consistently shoot .75" groups.
I know some guys swear buy these for deer just not sure I feel real confident using them on deer so what I might have here is an accurate coyote rig

Bear
I also tried the Federal premium load nada I believe this gun just does not like bullet larger than 85 grs.

[Lawdog]

Graybeard,

If your biggest concern to date is accuracy why in the world would you even consider Barnes bullets?

The answer to that is simple.  The newer Barnes TSX(which is, by the way, the bullet we are talking about here) is fast gaining a reputation for being more accurate than GameKings, Ballistic Tips, Core-Lokts, SST's, InterBonds, AccuBonds, etc. on top of giving better terminal performance.  I know you have tried the older Barnes X bullets but have you ever tried the new TSX version?   :?:   The old X bullets did/do give some shooters problems with accuracy, mostly due to seating depth.  Most found that playing around with the seating depth cured the problem but there were a few that couldn’t get the seating depth right.  This problem doesn’t exist with the TSX.  At this point in time the Barnes TSX is the best bullet one can use for hunting purposes..  Lawdog
 

[Thebear_78]

I wouldn't think twice about using the 85gr sierra for deer, my dad has a good friend who has used that bullet on 20+ michigan whitetails with great results.  I have never had any problems with the sierra 100gr SBT or the Nosler 100gr Partition, I have had poor luck with 100gr coreloks and 100gr winchetser PP.  I had a corelok pensil right thru a deer an a winchester PP blow up on the shoulder of a small doe, no blood or hare,  was eventual found about 100 yards away.  It was laying there with no appreciable damage, not a drop of blood.  I imagine the 85gr TSX would also work very well.

[Redhawk1]

Graybeard,

If your biggest concern to date is accuracy why in the world would you even consider Barnes bullets?

The answer to that is simple.  The newer Barnes TSX(which is, by the way, the bullet we are talking about here) is fast gaining a reputation for being more accurate than GameKings, Ballistic Tips, Core-Lokts, SST's, InterBonds, AccuBonds, etc. on top of giving better terminal performance.  I know you have tried the older Barnes X bullets but have you ever tried the new TSX version?   :?:   The old X bullets did/do give some shooters problems with accuracy, mostly due to seating depth.  Most found that playing around with the seating depth cured the problem but there were a few that couldn’t get the seating depth right.  This problem doesn’t exist with the TSX.  At this point in time the Barnes TSX is the best bullet one can use for hunting purposes..  Lawdog
 

Lawdog, so many guys are stuck in the stone age and are not willing to try new things. And they tried the older Barnes X bullets and assume they are all the same. But it goes back to the old argument  I don't want to get into. We know they work and work well, so there opinion is mute.

I still use the older Barnes X in some of my guns with great success, as you pointed out, I found where to seat the bullet and my accuracy outstanding. The TSX is a great design and I find the to be extremely accurate.  

[kenscot]

Lawdog/Redhawk
Gentlemen I knew after reading GB's reply it would not be long before I would see your rebuttle.  :lol:
It is the posts that I have read here( mostly from yourselves) that has me willing to try Barnes again.
I have never doubted their terminal ballistics I just could not get past the lousy accuracy the original X bullets showed in a couple of my rifles.
Now I am an admitted Nosler fan but if the TSX can cure the accuracy ills of this rifle I will have no problem in singing it's praises.
When I started this post I was looking for load  reccomendations that have worked well for others to use as a guide in helping select powders to work up loads with.

[Lawdog]

Lawdog/Redhawk
Gentlemen I knew after reading GB's reply it would not be long before I would see your rebuttle.  :lol:
It is the posts that I have read here( mostly from yourselves) that has me willing to try Barnes again.
I have never doubted their terminal ballistics I just could not get past the lousy accuracy the original X bullets showed in a couple of my rifles.
Now I am an admitted Nosler fan but if the TSX can cure the accuracy ills of this rifle I will have no problem in singing it's praises.
When I started this post I was looking for load  reccomendations that have worked well for others to use as a guide in helping select powders to work up loads with.

Just remember to keep in mind that Barnes recommends you start with the TSX bullets seated at 0.050" off the lands.  Using that as a guide point I haven’t had to adjust the seating depth.  Now the older "X" bullets you had to adjust the seating depth as much as 0.065" down to as little as 0.025", depending on the rifle, bullet and caliber.  And I'll stand up and admit that is A HECK OF A SPREAD to be playing around with just to get good accuracy.  I used the older "X & XLC" bullets but until Barnes came out with the TSX I always told hunters to use Nosler Partitions.  Now that I have found a better bullet than the Partitions I tell everyone about them.  If you would like some data for your rifle just drop me a PM and I will help all I can.  Lawdog