Thoughts on Barnes TSX, TTSX, and other solid bullets (Fox Bullets from Slovenia)

[RAVEN ROCKS PRECISION]

We are considering stocking more Barnes products to include TSX, TTSX, LRX, and banded solids. Additionally, we are looking at importing a European offering called Fox Bullets (https://www.foxbullets.eu/). For those who aren't familiar with Fox, they are roughly 90% copper and 10% zinc. They feature a thermostable polymer tip and are designed to expand reliably at lower velocities. They are more of a short to medium range hunting bullet and calibers range from .22 to .375 and include .308, .318, .323, .338, 358, and 9.3mm. Hoping you can give us some feedback on what you'd like to see available (Barnes or Fox), and any other info is greatly appreciated!

 

[mdwest]

Until recently I have used TSX and TTSX almost exclusively in every caliber from 243 to 416.. The only reason I have deviated and started loading hornady in a couple of calibers has been barnes hasnt been readily available in a few of the calibers I shoot at the places I most frequently shop (Cabelas and Scheels locally, and Midway online)...

Definitely interested in learning more about fox..

 

[Inline6]

I'm not sure about the fox bullets, they do not look to offer anything as an advantage as far as ballistics.

If they are readily available and the supply doesn't dry up, and most importantly they fly true. It could be an opportunity to fill in some gaps.

 

[RAVEN ROCKS PRECISION]

Until recently I have used TSX and TTSX almost exclusively in every caliber from 243 to 416.. The only reason I have deviated and started loading hornady in a couple of calibers has been barnes hasnt been readily available in a few of the calibers I shoot at the places I most frequently shop (Cabelas and Scheels locally, and Midway online)...

Definitely interested in learning more about fox..

Thanks for the feedback, with regard to the Fox bullets, they are made in Slovenia and have distribution across Europe. Reloading data is currently available from Vihtavuori. The owner tells me that the alloy they use aids in better expansion at lower velocities as compared to other bullets (not that they can't still be pushed fast). I'd like to get ahold of some samples for folks to test in the near future as an option. I agree that availability aside, performance will dictate the demand. I estimate that they will be similar in price as the Barnes.

Attached is a picture of some of the calibers they load their projectiles in. Also, attached is a picture of one of their projectiles.

 

[DieJager]

You mean full copper bullets or only solids? I do not fully comprehend the question to be honest.

If the first, I have good experiences with Sax bullets from Germany.

 

[FlowHamed18]

Using both TTSX and TSX in different calibers... never had any issue with their performance. Shooting foxes up to red stags in .243Win up to 8x68

Unfortunately they weren't available during COVID so we tried Hasler bullets from Italy.
I have to say they are equal in quality and performance....

 

[Doug3006]

I have used TSX and TTSX with complete satisfaction in a variety of rifles. They are my go to bullet whenever I can find them! Particularly in the larger calibers.

 

[mdwest]

I'd like to get ahold of some samples for folks to test in the near future as an option.

If they send you some for T&E, I’m happy to load some up in any caliber I have and host a hog hunt here in TX for you and a few others to try them out on live game (we can hunt hogs year round, day or night, etc here)…

I’ve got access to a proper cleaning facility where we could get a few good autopsies done on the property..

 

[SRvet]

I like the TSX and TTSX bukkets and have shot hundreds of deer with them. The Fox bullets have a good reputation in the UK and are quite widely available. Our government forestry comission have been using Fox bullets for several years with good levels of success. They will have shot in the region of 6000-7000 deer with them, probably more (educated guess so could be a way off either way!)

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi!

I have used the FOX bullets in my 9,3x62 ZKK 600! Three boxes (150 bullets) of their 220 gr. My loads with R15 and W 748 reach, easelyxj As usual, two and three quarter boxes developing loads, on paper, practicing and the majority of the remaining, checking the zero of the rifle before the hunts and upon arriving at the hunting camps. I used exactly six on game...!
I like them !!!! Small and consistent grouping and excelent performance on big red deer: compleate expantion and compleate penetration. I recovered only one of that six samples. Will upload some pictures

CF

 

[RAVEN ROCKS PRECISION]

I like the TSX and TTSX bukkets and have shot hundreds of deer with them. The Fox bullets have a good reputation in the UK and are quite widely available. Our government forestry comission have been using Fox bullets for several years with good levels of success. They will have shot in the region of 6000-7000 deer with them, probably more (educated guess so could be a way off either way!)

Thanks. I've heard they are popular. Have you considered switching from Barnes or would you say you're content with the loads you've developed with the TSX and TTSX?

 

[RAVEN ROCKS PRECISION]

Hi!

I have used the FOX bullets in my 9,3x62 ZKK 600! Three boxes (150 bullets) of their 220 gr. My loads with R15 and W 748 reach, easelyxj As usual, two and three quarter boxes developing loads, on paper, practicing and the majority of the remaining, checking the zero of the rifle before the hunts and upon arriving at the hunting camps. I used exactly six on game...!
I like them !!!! Small and consistent grouping and excelent performance on big red deer: compleate expantion and compleate penetration. I recovered only one of that six samples. Will upload some pictures

CF

Thank you! How would you compare them to other bullets you've used?

 

[SFRanger7GP]

My go to bullet is the Barnes TSX or TTSX. They have never failed me, but on smaller game (whitetail does for example) the animal will take a death sprint, sometimes a good 50-100 yards. However, they always leave a blood trail that even an old, fat boy with glasses can easily follow.

I have experience-based confidence that a Barnes bullet will reach the vitals, regardless of animal presentation. I know there are exceptions out there, but I have not seen them. Other than Barnes, I like Norma and Nosler. However, Nosler has priced themselves beyond their value. Looking on Midway recently, they cost more than Barnes and are just a few dollars cheaper than Swift. I am loading up some heavy for caliber cup/core bullets (220gr Rem and Hdy for example) to use on my favorite test medium, the Texas feral pig. I also plan to use them on whitetail this year on our lease. Why? Because I can choose my shots on our lease there and sometimes it's good to do things the old-fashioned way.

I went to the Fox bullets website and the bullet is interesting. I don't experiment with loads like I did years ago for various reasons, but I would like to try their bullets. For it to be on my starting lineup, it would have to be cheaper than Barnes, more available than Barnes, or more effective than Barnes. If they expand better and at lower speeds, it could be more effective in stopping the "dead doe last act of defiance sprint". I call it that because they always make it through the mesquite and drop in a nice, thick, cactus patch.

I have used copper bullets from Barnes, HDY and Nosler in .243, 7x57 and 30-06 on deer and pigs for comparison. They all seem to work the same.

@RAVEN ROCKS PRECISION, I appreciate what you are doing here on AH.

Safe shooting

 

[RAVEN ROCKS PRECISION]

My go to bullet is the Barnes TSX or TTSX. They have never failed me, but on smaller game (whitetail does for example) the animal will take a death sprint, sometimes a good 50-100 yards. However, they always leave a blood trail that even an old, fat boy with glasses can easily follow.

I have experience-based confidence that a Barnes bullet will reach the vitals, regardless of animal presentation. I know there are exceptions out there, but I have not seen them. Other than Barnes, I like Norma and Nosler. However, Nosler has priced themselves beyond their value. Looking on Midway recently, they cost more than Barnes and are just a few dollars cheaper than Swift. I am loading up some heavy for caliber cup/core bullets (220gr Rem and Hdy for example) to use on my favorite test medium, the Texas feral pig. I also plan to use them on whitetail this year on our lease. Why? Because I can choose my shots on our lease there and sometimes it's good to do things the old-fashioned way.

I went to the Fox bullets website and the bullet is interesting. I don't experiment with loads like I did years ago for various reasons, but I would like to try their bullets. For it to be on my starting lineup, it would have to be cheaper than Barnes, more available than Barnes, or more effective than Barnes. If they expand better and at lower speeds, it could be more effective in stopping the "dead doe last act of defiance sprint". I call it that because they always make it through the mesquite and drop in a nice, thick, cactus patch.

I have used copper bullets from Barnes, HDY and Nosler in .243, 7x57 and 30-06 on deer and pigs for comparison. They all seem to work the same.

@RAVEN ROCKS PRECISION, I appreciate what you are doing here on AH.

Safe shooting

Thank you for all that feedback.

Regarding the Fox bullets, I found this video interesting with regard to the way the Fox Bullets deform in comparison to TTSX and the like.

(Fox bullet analysis starts at 15:24)

 

[Hunter-Habib]

I’ve shot my latest hippo (on land) in 2022 with a .375 Holland & Holland Magnum (loaded with 300Gr Barnes TSX). It was a 1 shot kill. Definitely impressive ballistic performance. And I’ll probably be using them on my next African safari in 2024. Especially since my default African ammunition of choice (Federal Trophy Bonded Bear Claw soft points) seems to never be in stock ANYWHERE these days.

I liked the old (pre 2011) Barnes Banded Solids with the flat nose. But don’t care for the new (post 2011) Barnes Banded Solids with the round nose.

Fox bullets are pretty great, I’m sure. But I personally think that they could offer heavier bullet weights for the calibers they make their wares in.

 

[Borderer]

We are rapidly being forced down the non lead route in the UK. My local gun shop stocks Fox both bullets and factory cartridges. I have only heard positive things about Fox, there is quite a lot of information on them on UK forums. They do seem to be highly thought of.

 

[Battering Ram]

I have used Barnes for close to 20 years (TSX, TTSX, LRX) exclusively. I switched to them so I could get a lighter bullet moving faster but still get deep penetration on elk.

I load them in the following calibers: 243, 2x270’s,7mm-08, 7mm REM Mag, 308, 30-06, 300 Wim Mag, and 300 RUM.

I used a Hornady ELDX in my 6.5 PRC this year for deer. The bloodshot and damage reminded me of my second reason for using Barnes. My family eats what we hunt and hiking g the mountain in the western U.S. is to much work to not salvage as much of an animal as possible.

Attached is a Barnes TTSX retrieved from under the skin on the off side of an Elk I shot in 2020 at 760 yards from my 300 RUM.

I use these bullets because they work well. They can be finicky to hand load. They are sensitive to seating depth and like to be driven fast. My RUM is sending them at 3400 feet per second (168 TTSX). I haven’t changed the load to a heavier bullet or the LRX for this rifle because it’s still shooting 1/2 MOA.

this was a long read and I appreciate your time and allowing me to ramble on. Thank you.

 

[schwerpunkt88]

I've shot the LRX in .270 with success on deer. Was planning on trying Barnes offerings in .375 H&H, but ended up with the Hornady 250 grain CX as I couldn't find what I wanted in Barnes. The lack of availability is frustrating. Anyone have any experience with the Hornady CX?

 

[RAVEN ROCKS PRECISION]

@Battering Ram I appreciate the feedback, and makes sense to me. What scenarios are you using the LRX over the TTSX?

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi RRP,

Close in performance to the TTSX ones!