Accubond vs TTSX
 

Interested in developing a load for Tikka T3 30.06 and going through the bullet options.

Think I've narrowed it down to an Accubond or TTSX.

I know the differences in structure from the two, and would likely go with a 165 in Accubond, and either 168 or even 150 in TTSX to grab the extra speed.

Anyone have preference of one or another in that caliber?

Thanks

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With ttsx you need to go light for caliber to maintain as high velocity as possible. They are equally capable bullets. Anyone telling you there is much difference in on game performance is hearing voices. Serious.

It seems the TTSXs shoot better over a wider array of guns. That being said both are incredible bullets.

Haven't tried Accubonds as I figured if you could go lead free, why not.
150 TTSXs give me 100m five shot groups with all holes touching or very nearly so out of my rifle.
Hard to argue with that
PS also kill deer quite effectively

I chose accubonds because they are much more affordable while still maintaining performance

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I was in the same position 2 years ago. 165AB vs 15gn TTSX for my savage 30-06.
The TTSX were very accurate in three different powders i tried (4350, W760, R17). I choose to go with RL17 which was giving 3000+fps and sold the AB's without testing them.
I killed two deer (bang-flop shots) and a moose. The moose required a follow shot but this was my mistake.

With the Barnes offerings you can reduce bullet weight up to 25% and get similar performance as a lead core bullet.
So with that in mind, look at a 130grain TSX or TTSX, vs. a 165Gr. Accubond.

Speed is king with the Barnes bullets, if your impact velocities get lower than 2000 FPS expect poor expansion.

Being it’s a 30/06 And your impact velocities will never exceed much over 2800 FPS, you’re better off with a lead core bullet anyways.

Both have great penetration and weight retention on impacts. slightly better BC's for reducing wind drift with the lead bullet. Depends if that matters to you or not.

I use both plus the LRAB, but with the ttsx driven hard I know I can pin a big animal from any angle... also they have been fur friendly on yotes under 100m with frontal and lung shots hit at 3300fps with a 140gr 7mm ttsx or a 80gr 6mm ttsx my .02

I shoot 130 and 150 TSX out of my 308. Kills just great out to 500 yards so far. The 130s leave at 3150, so far, judging by the wound channels, no issues with not opening up, 98% weight retention at any distance, good penetration, have only ever recovered one bullet and it was a 150 TSX that went front to back side on a moose at 300 yards. Perfect 4 petal expansion. The 150s are doing 3000, so out of an aught six you should be able to get another 100 FPS or more easily. The TTSX actually open up easier and have a little better B.C.


I also use 270 grain TSX in the 375, they kill great. Have never used the Accubonds on game but they were very accurate. If I was using Nosler for hunting I would go Partitions.

I chose the accubonds, but mainly because it shoots better out of my rifle. I started hand loading them and they shot even better.

I shoot a Remington 30+06 as well (not that yours will necessarily shoot better with accubonds) and they knocked down to cow elk at 250 and 300 yards so I am sold.

Probably, that if the ttsx shoots well in your rifle it would have similar result. But I would mind the speed thing like others have said.

I went with the 150 TTSX. 3000 fps with H4350. Very happy with the performance so far.

I run he 150 TSX bullets at 308 speeds out of my Ruger single shot and have killed two deer with them , the kills were absolute sledge hammer style one shot kills at just over 130 and just under 200 yards ,
Cat

Ttsx
 

I started using TTSX four years ago as factory loaded ammo, in that time between my wife and I we have 7 shot deer between 20-300 yards. It performed lights out. Those deer were hit well in the vitals so I don't have any experience with a poor shot with it.

I decided to make good use of the Barnes brass and get back into reloading. I loaded up a bunch of 100 grain TTSX behind some IMR 4831 this summer. Both the factory ammo and reloads have been grouping 3/4", sometimes significantly better.

I'm using a .25-06, but looked at a .30-06 this fall, I passed when I shouldn't have, but I was planning on loading up the 150 gr TTSX for it.

Oddly enough, the Accubonds were more expensive when I compared prices this morning.

You can't go wrong with either bullet. My top 2 choices and the decision is made on whichever one is most accurate in that particular rifle.

They were when I bought them a few years ago too. Ballistic tips were pretty cheap but not the accubonds or partitions. Still the best deal on practice bullets are Hornady interlock or interbond and they kill good too. 30 bucks a hundred rather than 60 for 50 like Barnes, so about a quarter the price. .

I haven't bought Accubonds in a few years, I was surprised to see them over $60/50.

I have a series loaded for my 06 with 150 gr Accubonds, haven’t shot it yet or have any other data on it. That’s the route I’m going, I have never loaded with Barnes bullets before.

Maybe I’ll get out on my next day off for a range day and chime in later.

Thanks all for the feedback

I don't think I'll go wrong with either, but it seems more people are akin to loading with solid coppers.

The Accubond is supposed to retain 60-70%, therefore a 165 grain would put around the 100 grain mark on impact.

I think the extra speed and 1.5x weight of even a 150 copper is enough to drive through anything.

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Um nope. Not anymore. Both equally expensive.

X2 Even hornady interbonds are $99 per box for 100,so there's not quarter of the price. interlocks are still 52 per box for 100.

For my shooting I go with the accubond in 7mm a 160 and 300 win a 180 even though I am shooting 165's in the accubond to just try them out for accuracy.I have more of them then 180's so why not try them.

The stuff I have killed with them never knew what hit them,they worked really well. Everyone has a personal choice and barnes though I hear good things about there stuff is off limits in my house.

JD

For accuracy hands down ttsx. I have reloaded both and the ttsx is just an easy bullet to shoot well. I have had suggests on 4 different guns with different weights. Accusing, I was 1 for 3.
I reload ttsx in my 30-06. Use the 168gr. They are designed specifically for lower velocity 30 cals and have min velocity of 1800 FPS instead of the 2000+ for the 150 or 165. Contact Barnes, they are eager to help and provide great info.

Not to mention I have shot some great animals with TTSX over the last few years and IMO flawless.

Two of my favourite bullets and my favourite cartridge. I’ve shot the 165 accubond behind 52 grains of IMR 4064 from a lot of different 30-06’s. It gives me a shade over 3k FPS from a 24” barrel and 2850 from a 18” barrel. The bullets will weigh between 114 and 120 grains if you catch them on the off side. Here are a few, I’ve got more now as this pic is about eight years old.

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The 168 TTSX gave me similar velocity with the same load although I also achieved 2970ish with a stout load of RE19

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I shot a few deer and two elk with the 168 grain bullet. Wound channels were slightly smaller diameter then an accubond but penetration was excellent. I didn’t stop any of them. Then I started thinking if the accubond finishes at 115 grains I want to try the 130 from the ‘06

I don’t have my reloading manuals with me here but I loaded with win 760 and velocity was 3350+.

Accuracy was excellent

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I shot three deer and a moose with that 130 the last year I lived in Canada. They were four of the most instantaneous, dramatic kills I’ve ever seen. Ranging from 100 to 380 yards and the toughest (penetration) shot was a running moose at about 100 yards. Bullet broke the onside leg and exited out the far side. Wound channel was excellent and the moose’s landing gears folded up instantly. I typically load 3” high at a hundred with a max range of 400. This load made it pretty simple to deal with the trajectory.

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I’m of the opinion you can’t go wrong with either bullet. I’ve never had any love for a 150 grain as the load manuals typically show 3k fps max and that’s achievable with a 165/168 grain. I did shoot some 150’s back around 2000-2003 but haven’t revisited them since. I wouldn’t overlook the 130 though as it can handle 3-400 yard shots without running out of steam.

My first season using TTSX, so looking forward to seeing how they perform.

Son has same gun
 

I load 150gr TTSX in his 30-06 over 51grs of IMR 4895/2949fps /OAL 3.322" .5" groups 40" penetration in flesh and 1 gr weight loss re: polymer tip gone.

You guys are right, the Hornady Interlocks are still inexpensive but man alive have the Interbonds ever gone up in price. I actually went downstairs and checked some boxes I bought about 4 years ago and they were 38 and 42 per 100. Now they are over double that and on par with the Barnes and Accubonds. Good thing the Interlocks are still such a great bullet.

I use the 180gn AB in my .308 and highly recommend them. They group under .75MOA, are a well made bullet that can take any animal in North America, and have a higher ballistic coefficient if you want to shoot long range.

If all you're doing is hunting deer in farm country maybe you'd want a lesser bullet with better expansion. I regularly hunt in bear country and wanted a bullet that would hit hard if I ever had to use it.

Just some things to think about when making up your rounds.

They are both exceptional game bullets for different reasons. There is no wrong choice with these two. There really isn't.

Migrating to the LRX currently as well.. I see no difference in accuracy nor performance except that they open up at lower speeds than the ttsx