168 TTSX vs. 165 GMX

[Newtosavage]

I realize this is a good "problem" to have, but my '06 is shooting both of these bullets equally well (or close enough that it doesn't really make a difference). 168 TTSX's are leaving the tube at 2780 and the 165 GMX's are traveling 2815 fps. They are within 1.5" POI at 300 yards. Essentially, they are interchangeable from my gun.

Which would you choose for elk, and why?

I've heard the GMX are a hair softer and will expand a little better at longer distances. I've also read that they will produce more copper fouling than the TTSX.

Both loads will maintain 2200 fps. impact velocity at 500 yards - the furthest I'd even consider shooting in a hunting situation.

flip a coin?

 

[amassi]

Id stick with the barnes, I believe they designed that 168 for the 06

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

 

[ElkArcher918]

My Savage 116 '06 Weather Warrior loves the TTSX 168s but the GMX are so so. Use this setup for elk.
I have 2 other Savage .270s, shoot 130 grs. TTSX for deer (models 111 and 116 SS Lightweight Hunter) same story. I keep my shots max 300 yds..

 

[brsnow]

The 168 ttsx is actually a LRX bullet and opens down to 1600fps.

 

[TxxAgg]

Tagged

 

[Newtosavage]

The 168 ttsx is actually a LRX bullet and opens down to 1600fps.

Where did you find this out?

 

[Newtosavage]

My Savage 116 '06 Weather Warrior loves the TTSX 168s but the GMX are so so. Use this setup for elk.
I have 2 other Savage .270s, shoot 130 grs. TTSX for deer (models 111 and 116 SS Lightweight Hunter) same story. I keep my shots max 300 yds..

My '06 barrel is off a 116 Savage, so it's the same barrel as your WW. Darn thing shoots really, really well and I have to shoot 300 yards just to see any difference in POI between those two bullets. Even then, the groups overlap. The TTSX's impact about an inch to the right of the GMX's at that distance.

 

[Bull_n_heat]

Great problem indeed. I'd probably shoot a slightly softer bullet with those velocities. Barnes are great but my thought is you want them moving pretty zippy to get them to open up. Plus the GMX are probably just slightly cheaper to shoot.

 

[brsnow]

Where did you find this out?

Barnes directly. I also have successfully taken elk with 150GMX out of a .308. I just like the added margin of error with the lower needed velocity to open.

 

[JakeSCH]

I have taken elk with both and recovered both on the off side ribs when shot with my 308. I'll update this with a photo of both.

Barnes killed the elk at 280 and the GMX at 200 out of my tikka t3x.

The 168 ttsx is actually a LRX bullet and opens down to 1600fps.

I've heard the same thing. TTSX is made softer for 308 and 30-06 where the 165 TTSX is made for the 300 WM and 300 WSM.

 

[Newtosavage]

Barnes directly. I also have successfully taken elk with 150GMX out of a .308. I just like the added margin of error with the lower needed velocity to open.

Did you call them? There is nothing on their website about the 168 TTSX being the same as an LRX, and they don't show a 168 LRX for the .30 cal.

 

[brsnow]

Did you call them? There is nothing on their website about the 168 TTSX being the same as an LRX, and they don't show a 168 LRX for the .30 cal.

I received it via email from them.

 

[Newtosavage]

Maybe I'll just load one behind the other in my magazine, shoot the elk twice (if given the option) and then report my findings.

 

[brsnow]

Here is the portion of the email:
“ The .308 168 gr. TTSX will expand down to 1500 fps. The 130 gr and 150 gr. Will expand down to 1800 fps.“

 

[Newtosavage]

Here is the portion of the email:
“ The .308 168 gr. TTSX will expand down to 1500 fps. The 130 gr and 150 gr. Will expand down to 1800 fps.“

Good to know. Now I'm really undecided. LOL

Actually, that does tip the scale in my mind toward the TTSX's. I was looking for a reason to use them anyway, especially since I still have 1 1/2 boxes at my disposal. But it's also nice to know they are interchangeable with the 165 GMX out of my rifle. So if I can't find one, I can just grab the other. That's kinda rare in my (limited) reloading experience, but it's nice when it happens.

 

[sndmn11]

To pile on, what has been said about the TTSX (~1600fps minimum expansion velocity) is my same understanding from the folks at Barnes per a conversation at WHCE. In the past, I had been informed from Hornady that the 165 gmx ideally wants 2100+fps but will see some expansion still around 1800-1900fps.

I wish manufacturers would have available each unique bullet recovered from gel at various velocities, rather than one example that is supposed to representative for the entire line. I think it is a very overlooked part if what people choose to shoot.

 

[Newtosavage]

To pile on, what has been said about the TTSX (~1600fps minimum expansion velocity) is my same understanding from the folks at Barnes per a conversation at WHCE. In the past, I had been informed from Hornady that the 165 gmx ideally wants 2100+fps but will see some expansion still around 1800-1900fps.

I wish manufacturers would have available each unique bullet recovered from gel at various velocities, rather than one example that is supposed to representative for the entire line. I think it is a very overlooked part if what people choose to shoot.

I would agree with this.

 

[Newtosavage]

Just for reassurance (and because I know they can't have anything better to do this time of year... LOL !)
I sent a question to Barnes about the minimum impact velocity for the 168 grain, 30-cal TTSX. Here's what I got back today:

The .308 168 gr. TTSX will expand down to an impact velocity of 1500 fps.



Thank You
Ryan Farr | Tech Support/Consumer Services Lead
Barnes Bullets, LLC

That's reassuring! Not that I will shoot that far, but my '06 load should be good to at least 700 yards, but I'll keep 500 as my self-imposed limit, and then only if I have a great rest and steady animal.

 

[Hunt4lyf]

I shoot the 168 TTSX out of my 308 and have taken a bunch of elk and deer with it, always a pass through, including one deer that I hit under the chin and the exit just left of the tail.

 

[freddyG]

I shoot 168 ttsx at 2750 out of my 308, and have recovered 3 from the last three elk. The furthest shot was 300 yards, and the petals were barely open. I would think that at 500 yards, they would be close to penciling through, because of the low velocity. Barnes really need to be launched at 3k fps+. I’m going with 110’s this year at around 3400 fps, to see if they expand better.