Discussion Forums

Nigel Musto

Nathan, I have been playing with monolithic bullets for a few years now. Mainly the Barnes TTSX and LRX. I have read your views on them, and whilst I can see your point I do believe there is some middle ground if they are used correctly, especially here in the UK.

I would much rather shoot a deer with a copper bullet than a BT. Most BT's (my experience is with Nosler BT and Hornaday SST) cause massive internal damage which frequently punctures the diaphragm causing internal contamination, significant meat damage and a mess to clear up. Copper if used correctly can kill with Hydrostatic Shock without causing the same degree of damage and contamination.

In the UK there is an anti lead movement and whilst I don't believe there is much in the way of evidence for it, the way of the world is that the antis and tree huggers will finally persuade a government of the day that its a problem and the rules will be changed, much like California. It is therefore imperative that we learn how to use them.

For normal UK hunting ranges, inside 300 yds, providing the projectile is driven fast enough, they are in my experience the most effective bullet for dropping a beast on the spot, probably due to the Hydrostatic Shock theory that you are so keen on.

To achieve this in most rifles a light for calibre bullet has to be launched quickly, with a view of achieving a terminal velocity of more than 2800 fps. In my 280AI I can launch a 120 grain TTSX at 3450 fps which has devastating effects on deer out to 250 yds. In the 6.5 Lapua a 100 grain TTSX launched at 3260 fps has the same effect on the smaller deer species out to 200 yds.

I absolutely agree that for long range hunting these bullets will cause very slow and delayed kills, but in the UK over the ranges that are acceptable for deer stalking they can be used to great effect IF the correct weight of bullet is selected.

Some calibres will become marginalised - poor killers of game. Unfortunately these include calibres such as the 308 Win. Very common in the UK and around the world you need to drop to a 110 grain TSX to achieve the velocity required and then it's only effective with a TTSX to about 200yds. Many will not understand the limitations and continue to load there trusted 150 grain bullets which they will not understand will not work well on their quarry at the distances they want to shoot over. This is likely to be the cause of a great deal of suffering to a great many deer and the loss of reputation of these bullets - some of which we have already seen.

However, with proper education and clear guidelines on calibre and bullet selection the copper bullets can work very well over normal UK stalking ranges.