Accubond vs TTSX

[pacmule]

Building a new hunting rifle, looking to develope one good load that becomes the only thing shot from the rifle, hunting deer, elk, pig, bear, whatever.
Rifle will be 338-06AI, originally planned on working up load with 225gr. Accubonds to hopefully be around 2750fps. However lots of guys seem to like the TTSX, living here in the PRK, I may end up using non-lead anyways, so now thinking of trying 210gr. TTSX up to 2800fps or more.

So what good or bad experiences do you have with these as hunting bullets? My goal is to try to get a good hunting load close to 1/2 moa, so accuracy is important, as well as terminal ballistics.

Thanks for your input, Pacmule

[Nathan Krynn]

I use a TTSX 95gr on my 6.8, I do not do it because of laws as FL has none. I really like how it retains and it hits hard when pushed fast enough to expand, that is the key. I never used a solid before and was totally impressed.

You really do not need that kind of accuracy. Look at 30-30's, they are not 1 moa guns. Matter fact most bolt guns are not either, at least the older ones I grew up with. With a 6" kill zone average and most hunting is not far distance (when people are honest, and do not hunt in certain conditions) heck my last 5 pointer of the season was standing next to my truck when I exited the woods and like 20 yards away. Not saying that is a good goal, just don't get hung up on it.

[DSMeyer]

I'm doing a load ladder for both Noslers and Barnes 180grainers for my 300WM. So far the Barnes have had the smallest grouping of 5/8", the Noslers had the most consistent groupings throughout the ladder 1 1/8" to 7/8". The Noslers best grouping out of my M70 was going about 2850fps the Barnes best was at 2917 fps. Now these are magnum charges 70-80 grains of powder.
For your expectations of a 338-06 to be humping a larger bullet at these speeds sounds really dangerous to me. My quick googlefu of speeds for your round would be more like 2450-2690 82-101%capacity charge for 200/210 gr. or 2321-2595 80-102% case capacity for 225 gr. Still great speed for a big round out of a non magnum sized cartridge. Now you mileage may vary, but I'd hate to see yourself blow up your rifle or hurt yourself trying to achieve blistering speeds out a cartridge/rifle that wasn't designed for it.

[wxl1]

Use Barnes TSX & TTSX in my 270, 7 Rem Mag, 284 Win, 243, 300 WinMag, 300 WSM, 6.8 SPC... My favorite hunting bullet. Have used the Accubond in 270 and 6.8. Like it in my 6.8 and so far have no issues between the 95 TTSX & 100 gr Accubond for deer. In my 270 have had a few tips break off in the Accubond so the 130 Barnes is my choice for the 270.

[pacmule]

wxl1, how did those nosler tips break off, "normal" handling in hunting situation?

Thanks to everyone for the responses, keep them coming. So far it is kind of what I was expecting. I was never intrigued by all copper bullets, thinking I would prefer more sectional density, however they seem to have a dedicated folowing of satisfied users.

Pacmule

[ricemanff]

I am using the ttsx 165 gr for my 300 wsm with 56 grains of varget. Groups are 5/8"@100yrds in a win model 70 and 1" to 1 1/8' at 200 yards. I have really good luck with knock down on deer and elk. I like the bullet alot, just make sure it is the tipped tsx. I did not have the same performance out of the tsx. I prefer the MRX bullet but it is no longer available, that is when I was told about the ttsx.

[pacmule]

Got another question, this one may kill the TTSX. Apparently they need good velocity to achieve expansion. there is no minimum velocity given on barnes website, I read somewhere that it is 2000fps or above. Anyone have info on that or make any long range kills with the TTSX where velocity may be approching that.
The nosler is supposed to expand down to 1800fps which I should have over 600 yds, nearly 700yds if I recall. If the TTSX needs to be above 2000fps then I could lose a fair amount of effective range.
To DSMeyer, Hodgens site shows loads that I believe come within 100 fps of my stated goals for the 338-06, mine will be ackley improved which should get me that extra 100fps. I have been reloading for over 30 years and will take all precaution working up the loads.

pacmule

[ElvenSoul]

My 7mm-08 loves the Barnes while my .280 loves the Nosler!

[DSMeyer]

10-4 about the Hodgdon site, I pulled the data off the Nosler site for 336-06 A-square which I believe is the new full name for your round. Just numbers really, every site has different values, even older books vary from newer ones. You have the experience, just don't pop one.
The Barnes bullets can be inconsistent on full expansion, I've had the open fully at around 1700 (estimated guess with a lung shot)and not fully open at same speed. But everything I've hit with them at 250yrds or less has had total and full expansion. It's one reason why most say to take a shoulder/ heart/lung shot with them. They'll definitely penetrate as well as guarantee full expansion.

[DuknBucks]

Accubonds all the way!

All i load for my 243, 270 and 30-06 ....kills deer and bear dead! great weight retention and pretty darn good grouping.

Going to Africa next month Ill let you know haow that goes!

243= 90grain
270=140grain
30-06= 200grain ( still working this one) Probly drop to 180 next testign session.

[Fjold]

Barnes used to give the minimum expansion velocity of their TSX at 1,800 fps

I use the 300 grain TSX from my 375 H&H and start them at 2,500 fps. It works well on big game all the way out to 300 yards.
I also load them in my 7mm Mag, 6.5x284 and 270.

[ruggyh]

Got another question, this one may kill the TTSX. Apparently they need good velocity to achieve expansion. there is no minimum velocity given on barnes website, I read somewhere that it is 2000fps or above.
pacmule

Send Barnes an email, they vary and that sounds high. They usually respond within a week.