70gr Barnes tsx 5.56

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 70gr Barnes tsx 5.56

Posted: 9/16/2018 10:46:46 PM EDT

So I’m going to put together a rifle for a family friend that takes care of our land. I’m putting together the rifle from some parts I have from previous builds. We have quite a few black bear and coyotes on our land. He’s had some bears get in his yard and I figured it would be better for him to have a rifle instead of just his 40. I know a 308 AR would be ideal. But for this thread let’s keep it to 5.56, the Barnes 70gr TSX seems like the best round for this. With it being copper it will penetrate and retain a good amount of weight. Are there any other hunting rounds out there that have worked well as far as penetration? I know people aren’t running around using 5.56 as their go to bear hunting round but this is bear defense.

Posted: 9/17/2018 5:14:55 AM EDT

[#1]

I think the Barnes TSX is a good choice.

Posted: 9/17/2018 7:59:41 AM EDT

[#2]

Barnes works really well. They also make a 78g and 80g TSX. The Hornady GMX are 100% copper design as well.

Posted: 9/17/2018 5:32:45 PM EDT

[#3]

If I had to use an AR for bigger game than it “should” be handling, I’d use a 70gr TSX. No doubt.

Posted: 9/17/2018 8:40:44 PM EDT

[#4]

Barnes copper bullets provide exceptional penetration, and are well regarded for killing things.

Posted: 9/17/2018 10:04:42 PM EDT

[#5]

Thanks for the responses guys. Barnes makes good bullets. I would use the hornady stuff but I can't find any ammo already loaded up, I can find bullets but nor full out cartridges.

Posted: 9/17/2018 11:29:51 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
Thanks for the responses guys. Barnes makes good bullets. I would use the hornady stuff but I can't find any ammo already loaded up, I can find bullets but nor full out cartridges.

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Black hills loads 70gr GMX to 5.56 spec in sealed cases.

Posted: 9/17/2018 11:30:48 PM EDT

[#7]

Quote History

Quoted:
Barnes works really well. They also make a 78g and 80g TSX. The Hornady GMX are 100% copper design as well.

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The GMX is gilding metal. Less fouling. The current iteration of the 70gr gmx likes impact velocities of around 2000-2700fps.

Posted: 9/18/2018 4:30:06 PM EDT

[#8]

I think that's a good choice.

I would think the Federal FBIT3 would be a good choice too.

Posted: 9/19/2018 1:56:09 AM EDT

[#9]

Two things sold me on the TSX before I even loaded any.
( I load the 62gr TTSX)
1) The expansion threshold that gets my loads past 300yds
2) The claims of full expansion within a inch.

The 62gr ttsx is, and I'm going by memory... .997"

Sounds alot like full expansion, before the base of the bullet disappears under the skin.

If anyone has or knows anyone with access to a Phantom, I would love to see that on high speed.

Again going by memory, the expansion threshold of the 70gr I think was 1800fps. 100fps slower than the 62gr.

If I'm shooting something that can kill me...I'm shooting Barnes.

One more tip.
I had less than ideal results loading the 62gr with .223 load data.
Once I found the Barnes 5.56 load data...they come alive.
With Varget and RL15...the minimum 5.56 load is 2 full grains more than the MAX .223 load.

Posted: 9/19/2018 5:47:23 AM EDT

[#10]

I like your choice. The 62 grain nosler partition is outstanding as well. They hold together at 22-250 velocities on deer sized game for me.

Posted: 9/19/2018 10:06:11 AM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
Two things sold me on the TSX before I even loaded any.
( I load the 62gr TTSX)
1) The expansion threshold that gets my loads past 300yds
2) The claims of full expansion within a inch.

The 62gr ttsx is, and I'm going by memory... .997"

Sounds alot like full expansion, before the base of the bullet disappears under the skin.

If anyone has or knows anyone with access to a Phantom, I would love to see that on high speed.

Again going by memory, the expansion threshold of the 70gr I think was 1800fps. 100fps slower than the 62gr.

If I'm shooting something that can kill me...I'm shooting Barnes.

One more tip.
I had less than ideal results loading the 62gr with .223 load data.
Once I found the Barnes 5.56 load data...they come alive.
With Varget and RL15...the minimum 5.56 load is 2 full grains more than the MAX .223 load.

View Quote

What's your barrel length and velocity for the 5.56 loads?

@mybronco2

Posted: 9/19/2018 3:05:08 PM EDT

[#12]

16"

These numbers were shot back to back, same setup same day.

Xm855. .............2924 fps
62gr TTSX ........2868 fps.

Posted: 9/19/2018 3:13:08 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
16"

These numbers were shot back to back, same setup same day.

Xm855. .............2924 fps
62gr TTSX ........2868 fps.

View Quote

That is about what I'm getting from 70gr stuff.

Posted: 10/4/2018 9:34:01 PM EDT

[#14]

I’ve shot deer and hogs with the 70 TSX and FBIT3. The Barnes is a fantastic bullet and would be my choice for larger critters where drywall, auto glass, etc. are obviously not concerns

Posted: 10/7/2018 1:51:51 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
That is about what I'm getting from 70gr stuff.

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
16"

These numbers were shot back to back, same setup same day.

Xm855. .............2924 fps
62gr TTSX ........2868 fps.

That is about what I'm getting from 70gr stuff.

Iv pushed them faster, but at a loss in accuracy.

Posted: 10/7/2018 5:19:41 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
I think that's a good choice.

I would think the Federal FBIT3 would be a good choice too.

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I concur. I'm going to pick up a case of this stuff soon, hopefully it groups well out of my 20" AR15A4 I intend on using for deer hunting. I think the extra velocity of the 62 is a big advantage compared to 75-77gr bullets. I've been using bonded softpoints (GD & Fusion) for 7-8 seasons now, I cant imagine a better style bullet for medium game or 2 legged critters.

62gr Mk318 Mod 0 or Mod 1 may be good for bear defense as well, if you can get your hands on some for a decent price. Not sure its ideal for deer though

Posted: 10/8/2018 10:04:04 PM EDT

[#17]

I use 55 gr Barnes with good hog success.

Posted: 11/7/2018 11:40:53 AM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
So I’m going to put together a rifle for a family friend that takes care of our land. I’m putting together the rifle from some parts I have from previous builds. We have quite a few black bear and coyotes on our land. He’s had some bears get in his yard and I figured it would be better for him to have a rifle instead of just his 40. I know a 308 AR would be ideal. But for this thread let’s keep it to 5.56, the Barnes 70gr TSX seems like the best round for this. With it being copper it will penetrate and retain a good amount of weight. Are there any other hunting rounds out there that have worked well as far as penetration? I know people aren’t running around using 5.56 as their go to bear hunting round but this is bear defense.

View Quote

The only concern with the 70 gr. TSX is bullet stability. I have two AR-15's with 1:8 rifling...One of them is yawing at 100 yards with poor grouping and the other stabilizes them pretty good and with tighter groups, so 1:8 seems to be marginal for that bullet. I am testing the 62 gr. next with the marginal rifle to see if they stabilize better. I am confident that if you have a 1:7 you will be good to go with the 70 gr.

Posted: 12/9/2018 10:49:21 PM EDT

[#19]

It’ll be a 1/7 FN m4 carbine length 16in

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 70gr Barnes tsx 5.56

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