All-Copper Bullets: Love or Hate?

[Jeff Johnston]

I'm a huge fan of all-copper bullets like those from Barnes (TTSX), Hornady (GMX) and others. After taking a shitpile of big game animals with them, I believe I can depend on them to always expand (to a lesser degree than traditional lead jacket bullets) AND always penetrate (to a greater degree than most other lead and jacket bullets.) While they might not offer the dramatic dead-right-there kills as highly expansive bullets, they also reduce failures that are sometimes induced from shooting high-velocity calibers at heavy animals at close range. They can turn lesser calibers (like the .223 and 243) into killers because they always stay together and penetrate, with some degree of expansion. I've found they are as accurate as any in most rifles. Although they aren't ideal for ultra-long range, I'm not a long-range hunter. But this is just my opinion. Other people whom I trust when it comes to bullets hate them. So I'd like to know your opinion.

 

[Keith Wood]

Love.

 

[Jeff Johnston]

Love.

What's your go-to bullet for most hunting, Keith?

 

[Keith Wood]

I have a few favorites, depending on the game animal, distance, etc.

For monos, I love the TSX and the CX. I really like exit wounds and broken bones and they seem to reliably produce both. I will say that they perform better when the impact velocities are high so that's something to keep in mind. The Nosler E-tip seems to perform similarly though I've only used it on one elk.

I'm also a really big fan of the Partition, especially the 175gr. 7mm. That is my go-to elk bullet (from a 7mm Remington Mag) and I've used in on plains game including elk-sized kudu (from a 7x57mm) as well.

For whitetail, I've had great success with Norma's factory whitetail ammunition. I spoke to one of the Norma engineers from Sweden and he told me that it basically uses the premium Oryx bullet-- bonded and with a tapered jacket that locks itself onto the core. I've shot a pile of deer and pigs with it and it has performed really well. Based on a sample of one, I'm not a fan of their Bondstrike.

I'm sure there are plenty of other great bullets out there but these are the ones that I have the most experience with. I hate match bullets for hunting-- sorry to burst anyone's bubble or bend their flat brim.

 

[bwana52950]

 

[bwana52950]

View attachment 148

Two bullets TSX from 416 Remington on two different buffalo. Both were one shot kills. My concern is lack of expansion on the second bullet. Acted more like a solid. Velocities are important when shooting these. Obviously velocities on larger magnums are less than the 30 calibers, etc.

 

[bwana52950]

Two bullets TSX from 416 Remington on two different buffalo. Both were one shot kills. My concern is lack of expansion on the second bullet. Acted more like a solid. Velocities are important when shooting these. Obviously velocities on larger magnums are less than the 30 calibers, etc. I have become a fan of the swift A frame on Cape Buffalo.

 

[robmcleod82]

Ive had good luck with the barnes LRX in my 260AI. I have never recovered one, last critter i shot with them was a bull elk at 650m both shots passed through boiler room shots no shoulder.

 

[Godfather]

Cali based hunter, so you grow to love them, but now I really do love them, and use them almost universally.

 

[deadeyejunior]

I used a 181gr Hammer on my moose last fall, it worked well. It was approx 135yd shot through the high shoulder. My go to bullet is still an Accubond though.

 

[jacobylovell]

I have a few favorites, depending on the game animal, distance, etc.

For monos, I love the TSX and the CX. I really like exit wounds and broken bones and they seem to reliably produce both. I will say that they perform better when the impact velocities are high so that's something to keep in mind. The Nosler E-tip seems to perform similarly though I've only used it on one elk.

I'm also a really big fan of the Partition, especially the 175gr. 7mm. That is my go-to elk bullet (from a 7mm Remington Mag) and I've used in on plains game including elk-sized kudu (from a 7x57mm) as well.

For whitetail, I've had great success with Norma's factory whitetail ammunition. I spoke to one of the Norma engineers from Sweden and he told me that it basically uses the premium Oryx bullet-- bonded and with a tapered jacket that locks itself onto the core. I've shot a pile of deer and pigs with it and it has performed really well. Based on a sample of one, I'm not a fan of their Bondstrike.

I'm sure there are plenty of other great bullets out there but these are the ones that I have the most experience with. I hate match bullets for hunting-- sorry to burst anyone's bubble or bend their flat brim.

Do you decide on whether to load the CX or the TTSX based on their accuracy through the rifle or are there other factors you take into consideration?

 

[Godfather]

The United States Army doctrine is crystal clear on this point - accuracy is final

But yes, there are or should be considerations for weight or size, and penetration. An accurate smaller round can take down a large animal, à la the many who shoot 22 Creedmore and take big animals, and the same is repeated as you go larger. The dynamic of penetration is also important.

Now, that all being said, Africa has thin and thicker skinned animals. I’d be very comfortable shooting a thin skinned Impala with a round that has less penetration ability and moderate weight. I’d have huge reservations of taking that same round up against a Cape Eland, where I want some heft, and some penetration.

Do you decide on whether to load the CX or the TTSX based on their accuracy through the rifle or are there other factors you take into consideration?

 

[jacobylovell]

The United States Army doctrine is crystal clear on this point - accuracy is final

But yes, there are or should be considerations for weight or size, and penetration. An accurate smaller round can take down a large animal, à la the many who shoot 22 Creedmore and take big animals, and the same is repeated as you go larger. The dynamic of penetration is also important.

Now, that all being said, Africa has thin and thicker skinned animals. I’d be very comfortable shooting a thin skinned Impala with a round that has less penetration ability and moderate weight. I’d have huge reservations of taking that same round up against a Cape Eland, where I want some heft, and some penetration.

Thanks Godfather

 

[kevin.l.parrott]

208gr Barnes LRX out of a 300PRC at 300 yards through both shoulders. I’m a big fan of Barnes copper bullets

 

[benton.frisse]

Im curious to see how copper shot will continue develop with the availability/price issues with out non-toxic shot.

 

[justin.dowdy]

Two bullets TSX from 416 Remington on two different buffalo. Both were one shot kills. My concern is lack of expansion on the second bullet. Acted more like a solid. Velocities are important when shooting these. Obviously velocities on larger magnums are less than the 30 calibers, etc.

I don't mind the all copper bullets but for Africa work I am strictly an A Frame guys. I run cutting edge solids. I tried the raptors, tested a 500 Jeffrey on a white tail. I was not wholly impressed with the performance, although it thoroughly killed the deer obviously, so I stick with A frames for situations where I need a tough/soft bullet.