I'm looking to start reloading and I'm trying to decide on a bullet for deer. I've narrowed my choices down to the Barnes TTSX and the Nosler Accubond. Which one has given you more one shot, dead-right-there kills? I know the Barnes usually exits unless it's a Texas Heart Shot. I think the Nosler Accubond will expand more rapidly, but may not penetrate as deeply as a Barnes TTSX, but I have no first-hand experience to prove this. I have heard from people who have shot 50-100 deer with Barnes TSX without a single deer run. Then I've heard from people who shot 3 or so deer with Barnes TSXs and all ran. So I'd like to hear from both sides and if you had a bad experience with the Barnes TSX could you also include the cartridge, MV, and impact range?
Barnes TTSX vs Nosler AccuBond
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Captcurt
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Not needed for deer.
The Barnes is a great bullet, but unless you shoot a small caliber it is not needed for deer. I have used the Accubond in several calibers including some hot calibers such as the 300 WSM and 257 Weatherby. Works well in 270 Win and 300 Savage too. Never had a problem with deer. If you want to spend the extra money the Barnes will work fine.
The Barnes is a great bullet, but unless you shoot a small caliber it is not needed for deer. I have used the Accubond in several calibers including some hot calibers such as the 300 WSM and 257 Weatherby. Works well in 270 Win and 300 Savage too. Never had a problem with deer. If you want to spend the extra money the Barnes will work fine.
witchhunter
Member
Welcome to THR. You will need to shoot a few of each to pick. I would shoot whichever is more accurate. All of the premium bullets are very good these days. Don't write off any brand until you try em. Depending on your caliber choice you may be surprised. Lots of deer have been killed with cast lead bullets. In my opinion, it has more to do with where you hit em. There is no magic bullet that always drops em.
WTBguns10kOK
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Either bullet will work, but neither is necessary for deer, not that I'm trying to stop you from using them. I would use a crap bullet for deer, but I also hunt bear etc with my .243.
Everything I've hit with (factory loaded) TSX or TTSX has been a one shot kill. Shot placement is always the most important. I would expect the guy who's killed 100 has them coming out properly fast, and consistently places shots well. The other guy probably has one of those two things missing.
Everything I've hit with (factory loaded) TSX or TTSX has been a one shot kill. Shot placement is always the most important. I would expect the guy who's killed 100 has them coming out properly fast, and consistently places shots well. The other guy probably has one of those two things missing.
What caliber?
The Accubond is basically a Partition with better aerodynamics. You'll get flat trajectory and deep penetration with expansion. A very good bullet.
The TTSX works very different, many people use them wrong and get poor results. Most bullets, even Partitions and Accubonds lose 30-50% of their weight at impact. Meaning that a conventional 180 gr bullet only weighs 90-125 gr after it hits hide. The TTSX's will maintain 100% of their weight most of the time. Meaning a 130 gr bullet will still weigh 130 gr after impact and give penetration equal to much heavier bullets.
Their disadvantage is that they don't expand well at speeds under 1800 fps, and very little at 2000 fps. For best results they need to impact at around 2200 fps. Since heavy bullets aren't needed for penetration you are better off dropping down in bullet weight until you can get at least 3000 fps at the muzzle. Keep the range close enough so that impact speeds are 2000-2200 fps and they work very well. You will still be at those speeds out to 400-450 yards with most calibers starting at 3000 fps.
When people try to use the same bullet weights they have been using with TTSX's they often get lots of penetration, but little expansion. It usually results in dead game, but often longer blood trails. They do a great job of allowing smaller calibers to kill like bigger calibers. At close range a 90 gr 243 kills like a 30-06.
Both are more than needed on typical deer, with typical calibers. But if you want to use one bullet on a variety of game including deer, bear, or elk, either would be a good choice. Both are about the same price.
The Accubond is basically a Partition with better aerodynamics. You'll get flat trajectory and deep penetration with expansion. A very good bullet.
The TTSX works very different, many people use them wrong and get poor results. Most bullets, even Partitions and Accubonds lose 30-50% of their weight at impact. Meaning that a conventional 180 gr bullet only weighs 90-125 gr after it hits hide. The TTSX's will maintain 100% of their weight most of the time. Meaning a 130 gr bullet will still weigh 130 gr after impact and give penetration equal to much heavier bullets.
Their disadvantage is that they don't expand well at speeds under 1800 fps, and very little at 2000 fps. For best results they need to impact at around 2200 fps. Since heavy bullets aren't needed for penetration you are better off dropping down in bullet weight until you can get at least 3000 fps at the muzzle. Keep the range close enough so that impact speeds are 2000-2200 fps and they work very well. You will still be at those speeds out to 400-450 yards with most calibers starting at 3000 fps.
When people try to use the same bullet weights they have been using with TTSX's they often get lots of penetration, but little expansion. It usually results in dead game, but often longer blood trails. They do a great job of allowing smaller calibers to kill like bigger calibers. At close range a 90 gr 243 kills like a 30-06.
Both are more than needed on typical deer, with typical calibers. But if you want to use one bullet on a variety of game including deer, bear, or elk, either would be a good choice. Both are about the same price.
jmr40, the caliber is 30-06. I'm looking to start reloading and I'm thinking about the bullet I would load. I already planned on load 150 or 130 grain Barnes TTSX for deer and 168 grain Barnes TTSX for elk because I knew that the Barnes TTSX in a lighter weight would penetrate just as good if not better than a load core bullet of a heavier weight. I also knew that the Barnes TTSX would benefit from the extra speed of a lighter bullet. I've heard that Nosler actually designed the Accubond to shed about 30% of its weight, so that when it mushroomed the jacket would peel back around the base to make the expanded bullet more streamlined to increase penetration. Since both are used for larger game, such as elk, I wasn't worried about the penetration of these bullets on deer, and was wondering more about the ability of these bullets to give DRT kills. BTW jmr40, are you at The Firing Line Forums also?
2ndAmendmentNut
Member
I like the TTSX bullets a lot for hog and axis hunting in southwest Texas. I have used them in various .270s and a number of 30cals. The TTSX is an exceptionally good bullet and very efficient killer. Between my hunting buddies and myself we have probable killed 50 hogs or axis within the last few years and I am not aware of a second shot being needed. Most didn't even move. Of corse bullet placement is still 90% or more of the trick to a clean one shot kill.
As much as I like the TTSX bullets keep in mind that a lot of rifles do not like them. I have had a number of rifles that are accurate with other bullets but simply will not shoot a TTSX no matter what combo of brass, COL, powder, or primers are tried. My advice would be to buy one box of 50 and see if you find a satisfactory load. If you do by 10 more boxes, if not move on to the Noslers.
As much as I like the TTSX bullets keep in mind that a lot of rifles do not like them. I have had a number of rifles that are accurate with other bullets but simply will not shoot a TTSX no matter what combo of brass, COL, powder, or primers are tried. My advice would be to buy one box of 50 and see if you find a satisfactory load. If you do by 10 more boxes, if not move on to the Noslers.
osprey176
Member
If you are just starting to reload,you might be better off learning with less expensive components.Expect to make mistakes as you work through the learning curve. Sierra Game Kings cost half or less compared to the premium bullets and give better accuracy in many rifles.For deer,in a 30/06,they work very well for most people. I load the Barnes,Nosler,and other high end bullets,but I mostly use them for elk,moose,or in my Weatherby. If you are shooting a higher velocity caliber,like the magnums,premium bullets are good insurance against bullet failure at closer ranges.Not trying to discourage you from the high end products,but I would suggest learning the craft first,then stepping up.
Just about any decent hunting bullet in 30-06 will work for you. For deer I would stay in the 150 to 165 grainers to get the best results. Having said that, there is no bullet made that will drop every deer every time in it's tracks. Some are DRT and some even though they have been hit perfect, will still run a ways before they expire. About the only sure way to drop them in their tracks every time is a brain or spine shot. So you don't want to do that and ruin the back straps or a fine trophy mount. I can only speak for myself here, but when I find a great recipe that shoots lights out and kills like a lighting bolt, I will still try to find one that performs a tick better. And with reloading components not being very reliable these days, it would be a good idea to work up several bullet and powder combinations.
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