TTSX vs ELD-X

[Hugger-4641]

Just looking for opinions of others who've used the Barnes 168gr TTSX.
I've been using 168gr ELD-X in my 30-06's for several years now and been very happy with accuracy and performance on deer. But I have been unable to get them for almost a year now. So I bought some 168gr TTSX and going to try them. Obviously they are longer than the ELD-X so I've got to figure out my seating depth, but I'm more curious about expansion and penetration of the TTSX vs the ELD-X ???

 

[Varminterror]

The ELD-X will expand more violently and retain less weight, but will typically anchor game faster. Don’t hit hard stuff, put it on the pumphouse and they’ll drop like a bag of rocks.

 

[Captcurt]

The TTSX is a great bullet but not necessary for deer. The Hornadys do well at half of the cost of the Barnes.

 

[Hugger-4641]

I don't really want to switch from the ELD-X. I've been checking every site I can for 6 months and nobody has had the 168gr Eld-X. I've been able to get the 200gr ELD-X from Midway and Midsouth, which I use in my 300wm, but it looks like I may need to be prepared to use the TTSX in my 30-06 this year.

 

[Varminterror]

Lemme check my shelves when I get home - remind me Monday, I might have a box or maybe more of 30 cal 168 ELD-X’s at home. Might be factory seconds I picked up in Grand Island at the factory, but I only buy “appearance” or “set up,” flaws, none of the “won’t group” seconds. If you’re interested, that is (and assuming I recall correctly that I still have them).

 

[Hugger-4641]

Lemme check my shelves when I get home - remind me Monday, I might have a box or maybe more of 30 cal 168 ELD-X’s at home. Might be factory seconds I picked up in Grand Island at the factory, but I only buy “appearance” or “set up,” flaws, none of the “won’t group” seconds. If you’re interested, that is (and assuming I recall correctly that I still have them).

Absolutely would like to buy them. Seconds don't bother me in the 30-06. I use my 30-06 in a few specific hunting spots where I may get a 350yd shot, but normally 200 to 300. As long as I can stay close to MOA I don't have any problem with seconds.
I use my 300wm in a couple spots where I can make 400yd + if I need to, so I'm a bit more stringent with it.

 

[Hugger-4641]

I shoot the 129 accubond LR in my 6.5x284 and they expand and exit, my wife shoots the eldx in her 6.5 creed and they do not exit. I prefer the accubonds.

I haven't tried the accubonds either, but I've been happy so far with the 143gr Eld-X and A-Max in my 6.5cm. I haven't actually hunted with it, but I set up an Axis II for my SIL who hunted for first time ever last year. He killed four deer, all one shot kills.

 

[JFrank]

Just looking for opinions of others who've used the Barnes 168gr TTSX.
I've been using 168gr ELD-X in my 30-06's for several years now and been very happy with accuracy and performance on deer. But I have been unable to get them for almost a year now. So I bought some 168gr TTSX and going to try them. Obviously they are longer than the ELD-X so I've got to figure out my seating depth, but I'm more curious about expansion and penetration of the TTSX vs the ELD-X ???
View attachment 1009082

I read on the internet, those won't stabilize in my 1-11 twist 308 above 3000 ft.

 

[Hugger-4641]

That's ok in my 30-06, I'm only loading to about 2900, but I'll have to verify what my twist is. I have a 700cdl sf and a Howa 1500 and I think they are both 1/10.

 

[Varminterror]

@Hugger-4641 I must be getting old... I have 7mm 162 ELD-X’s sitting on the shelf beside 30 cal 178 ELD-X’s, and convoluted the two. Sorry I was mistaken, I don’t have any of the 30 cal 168’s on hand.

 

[jmr40]

I've been using 168gr ELD-X in my 30-06's for several years

Hornady doesn't make a 168gr ELD-X. They make a 168 gr ELD-M, which is their match bullet. The ELD-X is their hunting bullet and the lightest they offer in 30 caliber is 178 gr.

There are lots of folks who use match bullets for hunting with great success, it really depends on the bullet. There are some I'd use, some I wouldn't. But I haven't heard anything either way about the ELD-M as a hunting bullet. The ELD-X is a softer bullet that expands rapidly. But if you stay with heavy for caliber bullets they still penetrate enough. And since 178 gr is the lightest ELD-X offered they still do fine.

But TTSX, bullets are on the harder end of the spectrum and need lots of speed at impact to expand. A 168 gr is borderline too heavy for 30-06. The general rule when going to a solid copper bullet is to drop down at least 1, if not 2 bullet weights and shoot them fast. A 130 gr TTSX will retain about the same weight, and penetrate about the same as a 180 gr conventional bullet.

Just be aware you can't use the same load data with TTSX's that you use with conventional bullets. They are longer and sit deeper in the case reducing case capacity and MV. You need to find data specific for that bullet.

I realize with components being hard to find we've got to use what we can find, but I'd not go above 150 gr with a TTSX in 30-06 or 308 given the option. The heavier bullets are best when fired at magnum speeds.

 

[Flycaster1977]

Thats way too heavy a barnes for deer. It will penetrate, but thats about all. Even driven hard, theyre not gonna meet enough resistance in a deer to expand very much. Thats more a heavy bodied critter bullet.
If your set on the x bullet, go light, like 130 grn, and push them 2900+

If you want another option, ive had great results with 150 accubonds in my 06. I would look at partitions or even the ballistic tip, both in 150 if i couldnt get the accubonds.

 

[horsey300]

I don't really want to switch from the ELD-X. I've been checking every site I can for 6 months and nobody has had the 168gr Eld-X. I've been able to get the 200gr ELD-X from Midway and Midsouth, which I use in my 300wm, but it looks like I may need to be prepared to use the TTSX in my 30-06 this year.

Do you mean 168 eldm? https://www.midsouthshooterssupply....int308-diameter-168-grain-eld-match-250-count

 

[Hugger-4641]

Nope, ELD-X is designed for hunting. I have loaded some ELD-M. M stands for "match" looks identical to the ELD-X but supposedly doesn't expand as well and thus not recommended for hunting.

 

[Hugger-4641]

Thats way too heavy a barnes for deer. It will penetrate, but thats about all. Even driven hard, theyre not gonna meet enough resistance in a deer to expand very much. Thats more a heavy bodied critter bullet.
If your set on the x bullet, go light, like 130 grn, and push them 2900+

If you want another option, ive had great results with 150 accubonds in my 06. I would look at partitions or even the ballistic tip, both in 150 if i couldnt get the accubonds.

I haven't looked at accubonds, I'm game to try them. I have been looking at partitions and can't find them either outside of loaded rounds.

 

[Hugger-4641]

I had a brain fart, the ELD-m and A-max are 168gr for 30-06, the Eld-x are 178gr. I have some A-max and Eld-m, can't find the ELD-X other than the 200gr that use in my 300wm.

 

[Hugger-4641]

Thanks for all the replies, this is exactly the information I needed. Sounds like I need to use these 168gr TTSX in my 300wm and find something else for my 30-06.
I've got a little time yet, but I don't want wait too long and be in a crunch when the season starts.

 

[horsemen61]

Thanks for all the replies, this is exactly the information I needed. Sounds like I need to use these 168gr TTSX in my 300wm and find something else for my 30-06.
I've got a little time yet, but I don't want wait too long and be in a crunch when the season starts.

I think your making a wise choice here friend!

 

[Hugger-4641]

@Hugger-4641 I must be getting old... I have 7mm 162 ELD-X’s sitting on the shelf beside 30 cal 178 ELD-X’s, and convoluted the two. Sorry I was mistaken, I don’t have any of the 30 cal 168’s on hand.

Nope, you are correct, the eld-x are 178, not 168. I would definitely buy them from you if you want to part with them.

 

[twistytorn]

I moved from lead to copper solids a couple of years ago in the .30-06 and the key is to move down one notch with bullet weight. At least for deer, it seems that to get a reliable expansion you need to drop to the next big notch in bullet weight to get the velocity and bullet strength to match up. For .30-06 the 150 solids seem to be the right balance to keep velocity up.

 

[Hugger-4641]

I moved from lead to copper solids a couple of years ago in the .30-06 and the key is to move down one notch with bullet weight. At least for deer, it seems that to get a reliable expansion you need to drop to the next big notch in bullet weight to get the velocity and bullet strength to match up. For .30-06 the 150 solids seem to be the right balance to keep velocity up.

Thanks for the response! In the past I have loaded some 150gr sp in 30-06 and I believe I was pushing 3400fps with the hotter loads, but I don't think I ever used them for hunting. I've always used 165gr or heavier for hunting with the '06. I may have to expand my horizons and try a few new things this year.