Which Barnes bullet to use?

[White Smoke]

I am unfortunately living in Kalifornia and required to use non-lead bullets. In all my other rifles, the Barnes TSX, TTSX and MPG's have all been just outstanding bullets for me. I just got a 6.5 upper for my AR and am collecting the necessary "stuff" to reload for it. I want to work up a load for western mule deer, as well as hogs, and have a choice of a 120 grain TSX or TTSX or a 130 grain TSX. What's your thoughts...120 or 130? Thanks

[A5BLASTER]

Neither. Go with the 127 LRX or one of the Maker Trex bullets.

[Bigs28]

I agree with a5. Barnes is a good product. No complaints about them. I hunt with maker bullets though. Mark at maker answers the phone personally. Answers all questions and will make you bullets the same day if he doesn't have them available. I hunt with the 110g but plan on ordering some 95g next.

[BCHunter]

Per barnes website use one weight class below typical weight for caliber. So in grendel use the 100 grain if using ttsx

[BobinNC]

Barnes now lists a 115 gr 6.5mm TAC-TX. Something to consider....

[A5BLASTER]

Barnes now lists a 115 gr 6.5mm TAC-TX. Something to consider....

They list it as a loading component? Are is that the bullet they are useing in their grendel factory round?

[BobinNC]

They list it as a loading component? Are is that the bullet they are useing in their grendel factory round?

Yes, they now list it as a reloading component.

https://www.barnesbullets.com/bullets/tac-tx/

And yes, they are now loading it in a Grendel factory Round. I'm sure the TTSX and TAC-TX are identical. The difference is just marketing I believe.

Cartridge6.5 Grendel
TypeTTSX BT
Weight115
Twist RateStandard
Box QTY20
Catalog #30829

[Mikey7373]

I also live in California and have to use lead free bullets for all hunting , the last time I checked the Maker Trex bullets were not on the approved list of lead free bullets unless I missed it or misread the list.

That being said the two times I have been checked by game and fish in the field when they asked to see my ammo they didn?t identify the manufacturer of the bullet, what they did do was take a magnet to see if it would would stick to my ammo when it didn?t stick they handed it back and then checked the ammo in my side arm because any side arm carried in the field also needs to have lead free bullets,so being they didn?t identify the bullet manufacturer maybe it wouldn?t matter if the OP uses Maker Trex bullets for hunting.

[ricsmall]

How’s a magnet going to stick to a lead or copper jacket? Just curious. Maybe they’re just looking for bimetal jackets?

[BLUESGUNNER]

I also live in California and have to use lead free bullets for all hunting , the last time I checked the Maker Trex bullets were not on the approved list of lead free bullets unless I missed it or misread the list.

That being said the two times I have been checked by game and fish in the field when they asked to see my ammo they didn?t identify the manufacturer of the bullet, what they did do was take a magnet to see if it would would stick to my ammo when it didn?t stick they handed it back and then checked the ammo in my side arm because any side arm carried in the field also needs to have lead free bullets,so being they didn?t identify the bullet manufacturer maybe it wouldn?t matter if the OP uses Maker Trex bullets for hunting.

I can't imagine living there. It must be rough trying to comply to regulations set in place by people who have absolutely no connection to reality whatsoever. I'm glad you can work with it and still enjoy the great outdoors.

[rickOshay]

I spoke with Paul at Maker recently about the TREX getting on the CA approved list. He said they were informed by CA in October that the approval process would be complete in “a few weeks”. Maker has been at this for about 2 years now. Extremely frustrating.

As to Barnes - given that the TTSX and Tac-X are essentially the same bullet - buy whichever is cheaper. The 100gr as been preferred due to the high minimum velocity required for the TTSX. The 115 gr Tac-X would also be a good choice too.

[Mikey7373]

RickO, that is awesome news about the Trex for those of us that have to shoot lead free more options are always better. I?ve been trying out the cavity back bullets but haven?t found a load yet with them that I?m satisfied with.

Ricsmall , I thought the same thing when I saw him pull what I figured was a magnet from his pocket since he touched it to the tip of the bullet, lead isn?t magnetic but I didn?t say anything, on the other hand my then 12 year old son who is quick as a whip asked out loud whats he doing , I said hes checking for lead bullets, my son says , if that?s a magnet it won?t stick to lead right dad. He knows because we melt lead and make our own fishing weights. The game and fish guy didn?t acknowledge what my son said, checked my side arm, license and tag and said you can go. 2 years later my son will still pick up a magnet in the garage touch something lead and say nope lead still isn?t magnetic. Haha

[White Smoke]

In California, handguns carried ONLY for protection do NOT have to have non-lead bullets. That's straight from DFW in San Diego.

[drewsbow]

not Barnes but I like the 120 gr Hornady GMX

[BluntForceTrauma]

The heavier all copper bullets take up a lot of powder space in the small Grendel case, so that is something to bear in mind. Personally, I would go with the Barnes 100 grain or at most 115 grain in order to preserve powder space and keep the velocity up to assist in mushrooming of the bullet at farther distances.