Copper bullet report. Results on 5 pigs and 2 deer.

[ltdann]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Hitechhunter @ Sep 25 2008, 01:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

The truth is the truth, I'm not going to hide it, and the ban is here. Let's put the pressure on Barnes and others to produce a product that works 98+% of the time. Admit there is a problem, and get to work fixing it.[/b]

I think thats the way to go. At least until we get a large selection to choose from. I think I'll compose a letter to the nice folks at barnes.

 

[Mr. Luckypants]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Hitechhunter @ Sep 25 2008, 01:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

The truth is the truth, I'm not going to hide it, and the ban is here. Let's put the pressure on Barnes and others to produce a product that works 98+% of the time. Admit there is a problem, and get to work fixing it.[/b]

Well if you think that is the truth then as an ethical hunter like yourself you shouldn't hunt in condor range anymore.

 

[Hitechhunter]

Instead of hiding from the problem or throwing our hands up in the air, let's task Barnes with improving their product.

 

[ltdann]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Hitechhunter @ Sep 25 2008, 02:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Instead of hiding from the problem or throwing our hands up in the air, let's task Barnes with improving their product.[/b]

I've just completed an e-mail to Barnes and told them of my less than favorable experience and included a link to this forum. Lets see what happens.

I don't hate the stuff, it just didn't perform as well as expected. Since we've only got 2 manufacturing options here in CA, best work with them. Maybe they'll build a CA round.

I urge each of you to do the same.

 

[Speckmisser]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Hitechhunter @ Sep 25 2008, 10:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Have we had any reports of poor performance with the E-Tip's, or has it all been Barnes? Maybe the ETip's are the way to go?[/b]

I've taken two deer-sized animals with the 180gr ETip from my 30-06, plus two hogs (actually, my brother shot one of the hogs with my rifle and ammo at Tejon).

Because I usually shoot for the neck or top of shoulder, my results are pretty consistent regardless of what I'm shooting, from CoreLokt to ETip. What I saw with the ETips appeared to be slightly more tissue damage inside, but the pass-through wounds were similar to Barnes... full expansion exit wound, but nothing "explosive".

This, by the way, is the same thing I saw on similar shots with the Winchester Accubonds.

My brother's hog was shot behind the shoulder. On the hit, it dove five yards into a bush and died there. I didn't see the field dressing, but he said the damage was "about what you'd expect". He shoots the 180gr Sierra Game Kings out of his own 30-06, and said the internal damage looked about the same.

BUT...

On the JHO Texas hunt last year, before I shot my blackbuck, I had a 100 yard shot at a standing axis. I held on the boiler room, instead of my usual neck shot because I was there specifically to test the performance of these new bullets.

LtDan was there when I took the shot.

The deer took off, and Jim, the ranch owner told me it was a clean miss. "He didn't even flinch."

I'm no Carlos Hathcock, but I'm a reasonably good rifle-shot. I had a solid rest and enough time, and the ETips are very accurate out of that rifle. As you asked, Hitech, I have to wonder if that bullet just passed right through that deer and it ran off and died in the mesquite. We'll never know. It's also entirely possible that I just flat out missed, but I couldn't believe it at the time and still can't now. The next morning at 225 yards, I pounded that blackbuck doe with the same rifle and load, and she dropped like a sandbag.

 

[Hitechhunter]

I have also emailed Barnes and linked to this, or one of the other threads. No response. Let's let our voices be heard.

Yeah, Speck. That's the empirical part of the performance equation that can't be quantified, the dang animals act as if there is nothing wrong, and leave no blood trail. Human nature makes us doubt ourselves. I was considering giving up on my pig when I stumbled across it.

This is something that Barnes cannot test for using ballistic gel, yet is a key parameter regarding the actual performance of their product. I'm sure they optimized the design using results from gel tests. However, I suspect the actual field performance differs from the gel and I'd like to see them tackle that issue.

 

[Hitechhunter]

>2000 page views of this thread ought to get somebody's attention at Barnes!

 

[bmtoth]

is it really worth it to save a few condors so numerous big game animals will die wounded? So if all the condors die, will lead bullets be back in?

 

[Rampage1]

"So you had a positive experience? I didn't fire the -06 this year so I limited my comments to 12ga.

Well, maybe I just need some more field time and I'll be happier. It just didn't live up to my expectations. It certainly didn't cause as much meat loss as the noslers."

Yeah I have not even touched my shotguns in a while. I am going to be hunting the muzzleloader season though and I'll be sure to let you know how those do. Hopefully those will work too. It'll be interesting to hear what barnes says (if they get back too you)!

 

[Rancho Loco]

Once again I'll point out that the TSX has been killing loads of critters for years before the ban took place. Now suddenly they suck because of the lead ban? This isn't the only online community using copper bullets. Checking out the success rates of hunters using copper in other states on other boards might make a comparison more valid, but wouldn't help in grinding any axes.

I've done my own comparison - I've shot 10 pigs with the TSX, in two different calibers and three different weights. All died very quickly, most DRT. I've also shot a number of pigs with lead bullets just to mess around. I got my longest death run from a Grand Slam out of a win mag - double lung, 150 yards. Next would be an Accubond out of the '06, double lung 100 yds. Close behind that would be a Hot-cor out of the '06.

So in conclusion - lead sucks. It isn't as accurate for me, and pigs have run their farthest after getting shot by them. Right?

But they don't suck that bad I guess, because I recovered every dead animal.

 

[ltdann]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ltdann @ Sep 25 2008, 01:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Well, maybe I just need some more field time and I'll be happier. It just didn't live up to my expectations. It certainly didn't cause as much meat loss as the noslers.[/b]

Rancho,

see above. For the extra money I paid, I expected equal or better performance. I'll admit, I've only 4 deer to compare it too. and 12 ga at that.

What really fries me, I spent close to 300 bucks working up a load for the 30-06 and never fired a shot in the field. go figure.

 

[Huntr Pat]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Huntr Pat @ Sep 7 2008, 05:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

last year 2007 shot this buck w/7mm weatherby mag tsx he went 15 yards but there was a small hole. I didn't sight in the gun from lead to copper. I could see sight in with copper from lead 154gr to copper 150 gr & $56 a box. The bullet shot almost the same just a little higher.
Hardly any exit wound blood.[/b]

Correction it was Barnes X Bullet in 150gr.

Has any shot the new Tipped TSX it supposed have a bit more expansion.