Ttsx no blood trail 3 hogs

[Sleepy]

I believe with Barnes, you need a light for caliber bullet, or a cartridge that has some upper end velocity for correct expansion. Or, put it directly into the shoulder and not through the rib cage so that it has something to run into and make it expand.

[boomer453]

I use the the original tax in 3 of my rifles, tried the tipped version but was never happy with ut.

[RUM Mann]

I went from shooting Barnes with very poor results to nosler, very pleased now

[bboswell]

TTSX need to be shot fast in a light for caliber weight or you have to hit bone to get expansion.

[DesertDug]

Thanks for all replies, may I can get my convidince back. Rain this morning so still need to verify zero befor blaming my choice of bullet.

[32drawlength]

I went from shooting Barnes with very poor results to nosler, very pleased now

Same exact experience

I was not impressed with TSX bullets & read similar reports over the years

[xman59]

Ok, two weeks ago I shot a hog at night, was one of a group of 12 or so. They al scattered and I did not know which one was the target. No blood anywhere.

So after looking a round a bit with out finding anything, I assumed I missed.
Went back the next morning and there the sow lied. Oh well buzzards got to eat too.

This leads up to this weekend. Last night I walked up on one of the big boars that visits on a regular basis. I am pumped, been after this guy for some time. I get down on a knee and steady my shot- bang. No flop. Off he goes. No blood.
Dang I must be the worst shot ever.

After getting myself together I go out tonight. Just before dark a nice 90 pounder shows. I am set in the blind. Shooting off the window rail. Bang, and off another one goes. What the heck. No blood.

I will confirm zero in the morning but am starting to think it may be my bullet of choice.

I am shooting an AR308 16" barrel 168 gr TTSX Barnes bullets.

The pig I found the next morning had entry and exit wound the same pin hole size. Are these bullets just running right trough them without any expansion.

Shoots are 80 or so yards.

I am so bummed. I need some meet in the freezer and to mix with this years venison.

Has anyone had an experience like this? Any recommendations on bullets for .308 hog load? Gonna be scratching my head all night about this.

hard to beat the old tried and true bullets ,, standard winchester 150 or 165 gr sp,, hornady, federal,,


I like exit holes on everything which is why I use a 45-70,,, it's big going in and big coming out even if it does not expand,, which has never failed to happen with 300gr hp rounds,,,

[Walker]

Ive loading and shooting Hornady Interlocks for ove 40 years. No complaints yet.

[Radar]

Sierra Pro Hunter 150 gr. , they expand good and shoot good. They are flat base bullets with a soft jacket and work well in a 300 AAC as well.

[txrevolution]

I have run federal gold medal in my 308 for several years and been impressed. The 168 gr is a match round (SMK) and not intended for hunting, but does expand well. Theirsierra game king is its hunting twin and does well in my experience.

[kkp005]

It seems this is a trend with the Barnes. Have to hit bone to get them to expand. They are a tough bullet built for penetration.

I’d go with a traditional soft point. Hornady American whitetails, Winchester power point..etc.

I kill the hell out of hogs with 130gr American whitetails out of my 270

[BBReezen]

All shoots aimed at vitals.

Hit some bone

In all seriousness this x2. The Barnes don’t expand well just running through rib meat and vitals. I shoot the TTSX 80 or 85gr out of my 243 and have never had an issue with hogs or deer. But I shoot direcly in the shoulder. Are there massive blood trails? Not particularly but they’re there along with the dozer trail since the front legs don’t work all that well. It’s hard for an animal to get very far on two feet.

Although, this past season I shot a boar at about 100ytds with my 264 mag and Berger VLDs. I hit him a little behind the shoulder and he went about 20 yards and looked like a murder scene from the feeder to the place of death

[Muddy Bud]

If your set on shooting Barnes bullets, try a lighter bullet. This will increase the velocity the round needs to expand. Maybe a 130 or even a 110 grain round. Or try shooting them a little further out.

[DesertDug]

Not set on Barnes, not any more anyway. The ones I have rolled and waiting to be rolled, well may try the head or shoulder shoot with them.

I want a bid blood trail or dead where they stand. This is for deer and hogs, as I hunt on a small opening with very thick woods surrounding it.


I will be looking for a new go to 270 and .308 bullet.

[DesertDug]

If your set on shooting Barnes bullets, try a lighter bullet. This will increase the velocity the round needs to expand. Maybe a 130 or even a 110 grain round. Or try shooting them a little further out.

Feeder is 87 yards. I had work my load up for the 168 gr since my 16" gasser seems to like the heavier bullets.

Maybe I should just start bringing the .556 and ear hole them. That gun loves 55 grain TTSX, sub moa.

I have not had much experience shooting living animals, just paper so far with these rounds.