Barnes 95 gr TSX terminal review NSFW

Dec 2009
240
0
Graham, Wa
Sitting over my clear cut.



Deer down.. I saw a couple of does in a clear cut, and I called him out at 142 yards using a doe estrus call. I saw him pop out into a tiny cut, lined up behind the shoulder and a tad low, and squeezed off a shot. He just turned and looked at me, so I thought I pulled the shot. I took another quick shot at the same place, but same thing. No flinch, no jump, he just kept looking at me. I thought I was flinching or jerking the trigger in my excitement, so I took a big breath, lined up on his shoulder, and shot again. This time, he spun a full 180, and bolted into the trees. I finally found him, less than 30 yards from where I shot him. Turns out the first 2 shots were about 3 inches apart, right where I was aiming, low double lung. The 3rd shot took him through the top front of his shoulder, broke his shoulder, and severed his esophagus. He was dead on the first shot, I just didn't trust my shot. Oh well, not my prettiest work, but deer down on a clean kill.





Low, double lung shot at 142 yards.



This is my second deer with the 6.8, and I've gotten the same impression both times regarding the terminal effect of this round. It absolutely does the job, but you have to trust your shot. I have yet to see a really clear indication that i've even hit an animal. You just don't get that big jump or flinch, and certainly not a knockdown.

Also, the new 6.8 specific .270 95 gr Barnes Tipped TSX is not the most accurate bullet i've shot out of my 6.8(1.5 at 100 yards). It also tends to copper foul your barrel after about 20 rounds, but it's easy enough to clean. Terminal performance is not DRT (really, what 6.8 round is?), but it certainly did the job. Didn't tear up the meat, and didn't tear up the hide on exit. It's a good bullet, I just don't know if it's worth the $35 for 50 bullets.

Anyone else hunt big game with 6.8?
 
Jan 2009
1,684
0
s. greenlake *****
listen.. in my book, 3 shots, 3 hits IS "pretty" ha ha

nice work.

I've not hunted with 6.8, but I used to hunt w/ .243, .270 30.06 and .308

Killed many deer with .243 Not a lot of THUMP when you hit them there either.. but they end up just as dead (when you make a good shot).

Great buck.
 
Dec 2009
240
0
Graham, Wa
It was an absolute ***** getting this deer out. I had to drag him over 100 yards through a clear cut, using a machete to make a hole.



Worth it though.. :rock:

 
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