Barnes X vs TSX vs LRX

[cowboybart]

Due to a shoulder injury, magnums are out for at least a year. I might try to harvest some animals with a 30-30 AI Contender, but my other choice is a 6.5x47 Lapua. The Lapua is built on a Sako 75 action and I have never shot it. I will be shooting it left handed this year, and off of a bipod. While digging up components, I have selected the Barnes X (original X) 120gr XFB and IMR 4064 powder. All of my manuals talk about loading the TSX .050" or better off of the lands. I would assume this would be true for the original X as well.
Anybody remember anything special about the original X bullets that I might need to know?? I don't want different bullet/powder recommendations, because this is what I have on hand, so this is what will get used. I'm sure with this combo I will find a load that is minute of antelope at 3-350 yds.
I would like input on distances from the lands, for this bullet.

 

[KMLampson]

I seem to recall that the original Barnes X bullets had reduced charge weights compared to grooved TSX bullets. I would email Barnes for load data and suggestions, they are usually pretty responsive.

 

[memtb]

Due to a shoulder injury, magnums are out for at least a year. I might try to harvest some animals with a 30-30 AI Contender, but my other choice is a 6.5x47 Lapua. The Lapua is built on a Sako 75 action and I have never shot it. I will be shooting it left handed this year, and off of a bipod. While digging up components, I have selected the Barnes X (original X) 120gr XFB and IMR 4064 powder. All of my manuals talk about loading the TSX .050" or better off of the lands. I would assume this would be true for the original X as well.
Anybody remember anything special about the original X bullets that I might need to know?? I don't want different bullet/powder recommendations, because this is what I have on hand, so this is what will get used. I'm sure with this combo I will find a load that is minute of antelope at 3-350 yds.
I would like input on distances from the lands, for this bullet.

I know that you wish to use the components that you have, if this is the "original" X Bullet (no grooves) …..you may wish to reconsider.

The "original" X, was bad about fouling (except in an excellent barrel), exhibited higher pressures and lower velocities than the newer TSX, TTSX, or the LRX. You will most likely be much better served with the newer "grooved" bullets! JMO memtb

 

[Grizzly60]

Agree with the 2 above comments. But the original x will shoot. I've never shot past 200 yds. They will foul your barrel.
What weight are you gonna load? I have the old Barnes manual, I can snap a pic for you.

 

[19Wyoming]

I shot the originals for many years. I never had a fouling problem, but I cleaned the barrels after every outing.
They like a jump , at least in my 300 Weatherby and 340 weatherby. I have some older barnes manuals I can send you some pics of if
you need data. Let me know.

 

[bigngreen]

The original Barnes were copper fowling machines and would pressure up and sucked on game, I'd pick the ttsx before using an original and there are a lot better bullets to be had these days easier that don't have the copper fowling issues.

 

[memtb]

To expound upon what I mentioned earlier, and others have mentioned …..they had a reputation for fowling. It was very barrel dependent. I had a "match grade" barrel and never had fouling issues. My wife and several friends had fouling issues (one friend very, bad fouling) and accuracy issues. After some very determined barrel polishing, the fouling and the groups were much improved!

There's nothing you can do about the pressure issue. The new grooved bullets, considerably reduced the bullet to bore surface area, and gave much improved accuracy, almost eliminated fouling, and generally showed much higher velocities without the pressures! memtb

 

[cowboybart]

I have only loaded the original X bullets in my 416 Wby 2 decades ago, and yes they fouled. I moly coated these 6.5 120 XFB bullets many years ago (when I thought that was a good thing) and this barrel is a Kreiger that has been shot some by the previous owner. I'm hoping it is a smooth non fouler.
I will gladly look at pix of old load data, but I doubt the 6.5x47 Lapua will be listed. If you post a copy of the 6.5x55 page, or 250 Savage page, maybe I can extrapolate data from that.

I have been out of work for 2 months and I am not going on a component search with no money. What I got is what I'm using - warts and all!
I called Barnes last Thursday and am still awaiting a response.

 

[Grizzly60]

Don't wait for Barnes. I'm still waiting. They did answer the email after a week.

 

[Grizzly60]

Don't wait for Barnes to call. I'm still waiting. They did answer the email.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

The book data above ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ appears to be for a 6.5x55 and not for a 6.5x47. Just sayin'.

With regard to the old Barnes bullets, I've noticed 3 things that they prefer:

1. Starting with a squeaky clean barrel seems to prevent a rapid buildup of fouling
2. Looooong bullet jumps work well even if they exceed .100"
3. The slowest of the recommended powders for any given bullet weight rarely produced the best groups. Starting with a medium burn rate powder (for that bullet) shortens the testing.

Just my observations from when I was shooting Barnes original X bullets.

 

[cabelasken]

After taking 40+animals with the TSX and TTSX bullets and having no problems with terminal performance, I switched to the LRX bullets because they seem to mushroom slightly faster. I've taken two elk with them in a 280 AI 145 gr and the wound channel was almost identical in a 420 yd shot and a 100 yd shot. As with the TSX and TTSX bullets, the LRX exited with a petal shaped hole in the far side hide. That said, I hope to give the Hammers a try this season to see for myself how they work on elk and deer.

As far as the older X-bullets are concerned, the very early ones were hard to seat consistently because the ogives were so inconsistent. About two or three years after their introduction, this was corrected and subsequent bullets were perfect. TSX. TTSX and LRX bullets have been some of the most accurate bullets I have found.

 

[memtb]

I have only loaded the original X bullets in my 416 Wby 2 decades ago, and yes they fouled. I moly coated these 6.5 120 XFB bullets many years ago (when I thought that was a good thing) and this barrel is a Kreiger that has been shot some by the previous owner. I'm hoping it is a smooth non fouler.
I will gladly look at pix of old load data, but I doubt the 6.5x47 Lapua will be listed. If you post a copy of the 6.5x55 page, or 250 Savage page, maybe I can extrapolate data from that.

I have been out of work for 2 months and I am not going on a component search with no money. What I got is what I'm using - warts and all!
I called Barnes last Thursday and am still awaiting a response.

Hate to hear that you're not working…..buying components is bad enough when employed!

Good Luck on getting employed and getting a good load developed! memtb

 

[Grizzly60]

The book data above ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ appears to be for a 6.5x55 and not for a 6.5x47. Just sayin'.


Hey VH, I'm aware of the post it's for 6.5x55. There's no data for 6.5x47.
But to clear it up, reread post #8
Just so I don't be like no idiot in your mind.