In the interest of science, we wanted to test the performance of the Barnes TSX bullet against an old standby. The old standby was the Winchester power point load that has been used for years. The Rifle used for this test was a Little Sharps chambered for 30-30. Both the Barnes TSX bullet and the Winchester bullet were 150 grain bullets. The Winchester load was factory loaded while the Barnes load was a hand load. The ballistic gel used in this test consisted of homemade gel that we mixed up and molded into blocks. The mixture we used approximates the FBI gelatin.
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Barnes TSX Bullet.
The Barnes TSX bullet is an all copper hollow point bullet. There are not a lot of all copper bullets made for the 30-30, but Barnes makes a 150 grain flat nose, flat base bullet for the 30-30. This bullet has a deep hollow point to facilitate expansion at 30-30 velocities, and a flat point that allows it to be used in tubular magazines. The current price on the Barnes web page is $42.99 for a box of 50 bullets. In our test of the bullet, 2 blocks of ballistic gelatin were set end to end. The load used consisted of the Barnes TSX FN FB , 27.6 grains of IMR 3031 powder, CCI 200 primers, and once fired Hornady cases. This load is safe in this rifle, HOWEVER, if you decide to load this bullet, use the load data from Barnes and work up from their starting load. As can be seen in the video, the Barnes TSX bullet went through both blocks. The first block was knocked over the second block and landed on the ground on the far side of the table. The bullet produced a consistent wound channel through both blocks before exiting the second block. The interesting thing that occurred with this bullet is that the table was splintered under the first block even though the bullet path was about 2 inches above the table.
Winchester Super X Power Point Bullet
The Winchester bullet we tested was in a factory loaded cartridge. The bullet is the 150 grain flat point, flat base bullet. It has an exposed lead tip with a notched contoured jacket. Winchester states their load has a muzzle velocity of 2390 FPS. For testing this bullet, two blocks of ballistic gelatin were placed end to end and shot. The bullet exited both blocks. The first block had a strip come out of the top the full length of the of the block, which landed about 10 Ft. beyond the block. The wound channel was a bit wider than with the Barnes bullet. There were a few small fragments of lead scattered throughout the first block.
Our conclusion of this test is that both bullets performed acceptably. If you needed to use a lead free bullet because of regulations or preference, then the Barnes bullet is a great choice. The old time Winchester power point performs as it has for years and is totally adequate for any deer in range. The Barnes bullet looks high performance and performed well in our test. The Winchester bullet also performed well.