I shoot the 168 grain TSX out of my .308 Win. and it shoots very well (Under 1/2 MOA). They perform very well on game, I've taken around 5 elk with them and 2 deer and have never had to shoot them again. As far as destroying meat, I don't feel the damage is excessive, however, do expect to loose some around the entrance and exit wounds (you'll have both with a Barne's, trust me). I really like the Barne's terminal performance and accuracy, but the groves cut into the bullet accompanied by they shallow boattails significantly lowers their ballistc coefficients, which makes them a poor choice for long range hunting. They have a minimum expansion velocity of 1800 fps so as long as they impact the animal at or above this velocity they will get the job done.

You're welcome, I'm sure they'll work very well for whitetails. Best of luck to you.

I was having trouble finding a great bullet that shot well in my '06 until I bought a box of Federal Premium 165 grain TSX. Rifle shoots cloverleafs with them and gets the job done on the large bodied mule deer I have shot with them. I am not saying to run out and buy Federal factory loads, but factory or handload, you can't beat the Barnes Tsx or TTSX! Folks will tell you that this bullet or that bullet is better, yada yada, etc. There may be some bullets just as good, but none better sez me! FWIW

I handload so I don't have that problem. However, your encounter with the TSX is not surprising. Being an all copper bullet, to get the bullet to weigh as much as a standard lead cored bullet they must increase the bullets overall length. By doing this, you sacrifice case capacity by seating the bullet to standard length and risk jamming the rifle into the rifling (which isn't necessarily a bad thing) if you seat them out a little longer than standard length, along with risk having your COAL too long to function out of a short action. But, since you bought factory ammo, the seating depth should be to SAMMI specs, so what I would think is the TSX had a more forward ogive location than the other bullets you tried. How did the TSX's shoot for you out of curiosity?

Got seven loads out to the range today. Most groups were disappointing until the very last. 80.4 grns. of H1000 behind the Barnes TTSX 180 grn bullet. 100 yrds. 4 bullets. 1 flier. 3 bullets cloverleafed into a 5/8" group!!!

Sorry, late to this. TSX is overkill for deer, but I use them anyway, just so accurate in my guns. Besides, don't need another load for larger game.

Like WAM said, Barnes does recommend them seating further off the rifling. If they are loading hard then just make sure the bullet is not impacting the rifling or being driven down into the case. Both will increase pressure. Never tried the wax - interesting. Just plain black marker on the bullet should work or just measure the OAL before an after.

Just got back from RMEF Convention in Reno so am late on this issue.
Remember the rifle will tell you what it likes to shoot. Having made that statement, I have taken a couple of hundred animals with the Triple Shock since they have come out. I don't use anything else as long as the rifle will shoot them accurately. Calibers from 30 06, 300 Win Mag, 338 Win Mag, 375 H & H, 416 Rigby.
They mushroom well, but tend to sail through animals of all sizes. Have found them to be exceedingly accurate in most calibers.

I'm late on this too. I shot the old Barnes bullets and quit using them because of inconsistent accuracy. Then when Barnes made the TSX with the grooves, they became my most accurate bullet in the .30 and .375 calibers and among the best in the .25 caliber. Now I consider them to be the best hunting bullet available. However, their cost prevents me from using them as much as I would like. I consider them to be overkill for deer since many other less expensive bullets kill them just as dead. They do allow you to step down a size in bullet for the same penetration though and that can add speed to your hunting bullets if you need it. For example, I would feel comfortable using 90 grain TSX bullets in my 25-06 for deer although I do currently use 100 grains for them. Try them and I am sure you will like them... like all accurate bullets, you have to test seating depth in your rifle to find the best OAL.

Thanks, Happy Myles.

Bet you had fun at Elk Camp. I was wanting to go, but work got in the way. Our chapter banquet is June 12th. Maybe next year.

Best regards,
WMH