Barnes Triple-X heads

[Baldrick]

Does anybody use Barnes Triple-X (solid copper) heads, either when hand-loading or in factory rounds (e.g. Federal)? Whilst I am by no means unhappy with the performance of standard copper/lead bullets, I was wondering whether an all-copper bullet actually has any benefit over the traditional heads.

 

Do they over-penetrate in normal use? Do they fail to expand when used on small/medium-sized deer?

[njc110381]

I shot a rabbit with one from a 6.5x55 and it appeared to expand ok. It certainly didn't just drill through, I only found odd pieces of it

 

I load mine 50 thou off the lands, they seem to like being held back a fair way. Unfortunately I've not hit anything worth talking about with them yet.

[Baldrick]

Yes, sound logic, Fister. Doubtless there will be a total ban on lead projectiles at some point. I was thinking more from an angle of any ballistic advantage that the copper bullets give, rather than cost.

[Paul223]

Copper bullets tend to retain weight better than lead ( during and after expansion), IIRC this tends to be close to 90 odd %, and in doing so will provide deep and or through penetration, this coupled with the fast predictable expansion and a forward area which i would imagine must be 2 1/2 to 3 times the area of the original bullet will no doubt transfer a lot of the bullets energy into the carcase.

 

Copper does bounce around a lot

[Paul223]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_lPErxsBHA

http://www.lapua.com/index.php?id=834

http://www.barnesbullets.com/information/high-speed-video/

[dodeer]

Have been using them in my 6.5x55 using homeloads. 139g head.

Very bad performance on Roe, with bullets going straight through leaving no noticeable exit wound. They tend to run 100 or so yards then drop dead.

Good for Fallow and Sika though!

I have near enough the same point of impact for these as with my 120 b/t norma which i now use for Roe and Fox and still do use some Barnes for bigger stuff, but when i run out i'll stick with Norma