Barnes VOR-TX 70 grain TSX

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04-21-23, 09:36
rocsteady

Barnes VOR-TX 70 grain TSX

Picked up a box of these and heading to the range today to see how my 12.5” Troy likes them. Expecting they’ll be pretty darn good. Was very happy with both my hand loaded 70g TSX and ASYM 70 g TSX out of the short barel, but will be glad to start adding these to the fold if they perform as expected.

Only have one box at the moment so going to be a couple rounds to see POA/POI at 50 yards and then a couple very scientific 2 liter water bottle “tests” at 50 and/or 100 yards before I add more to the stockpile.
04-21-23, 11:00
1168

I’ve noticed that Vortx 70gr is a clone of the semi-famous brown tip. I think you will be happy with them.
04-21-23, 13:10
themonk

Love the 70 grain TSX. I generally see 1 to 1.5 MOA out of them.
04-21-23, 20:03
rocsteady

So they seem just fine. A quick six rounds from 50 yards through the 12.5” Troy and Aimpoint T2 put all six in a group small enough to be in the 10 ring. The odd, to me, thing was I had put two, three round groups of Black Hills 50 grain rounds in the 10 ring at the same distance. Without changing anything, shot the VOR-TX rounds and both three round groups were to the right of the BH by a few inches. Been my experience that I’d get some up and down variation, usually lighter, faster rounds printing higher. Most of my experience is with 16” barrels though. Is that odd, to have the different rounds print to the side of each other? Not that there can’t be shooter error of course, but both groups were pretty solid. Can’t seem to get the pics small enough to add them here again though.
04-21-23, 20:18
ABNAK

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1168

I’ve noticed that Vortx 70gr is a clone of the semi-famous brown tip. I think you will be happy with them.

I have a bit of the Silver State Armory 77gr "brown-tip" clone from years ago. IIRC the boxes were marked 5.56mm, not .223. I haven't shot any, so can't vouch for accuracy, velocity, or terminal effects. I also have some of the Hornady 5.56mm 77gr GMX, which *should* be a close second behind the SSA as far as similarity.

As I recall you're a fan of the Fusions. Given your street creds :D, if you could pick ONE 5.56mm round, be it for GWOT or domestic use, what would it be?
04-22-23, 07:39
rocsteady

While we wait on the SME, my two cents, with zero street cred, is that whatever “brown tip” clone that you are the most accurate with would be a dynamite choice. The 70 grain TSX seems to be one of the best all around performers you could get in 5.56. It’s been proven to be effective on critters two-legged and four, up close and at some considerable distance, from various length barrels, and doesn’t embarrass itself in LE/SHTf/HD instances either. Were I to be so fortunate to live in a non-urban area some day, I would be switching my “mags at the ready” from the current BH 50 grain setup to something with the 70g TSX for sure.

My brother recalls seeing someone with much more experience than I have, stating the opinion that he wouldn't buy Barnes loaded ammo anymore bc after Remington bought them they eventually shifted production to Remington facilities which weren't nearly as good. Said he would get a single box of ammo with multiple different primers and higher SDs which showed a lack of attention to detail.

Looking at the box of them (the VOR-TX) I bought, and another is on the way, they are some of the prettiest rounds I’ve seen. I’m thinking I’ll take another day and see how I shoot them beyond 50 yards. The longest range I have access to is only 200 though.
04-22-23, 07:54
rocsteady

Not that it proves anything, but pictures are pictures, Two 3-round "groups" at just 50 yards, Aimpoint T2:

Black Hills 50g:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/UdY5FEEPrSJvQoPa9

Barnes VOR-TX 70 grain:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/cA23vcd989AsppER8
04-22-23, 08:45
SBRSarge

I’m a big fan of Barnes ammo and bullets.

What velocity are you getting with the 70s out of your 12.5? I never chrono’d the 70s in my SBR but out of my 16” I got 2688fps.

I usually stick with the 62gr loaded by Barnes or Black Hills for my 10.5 Noveske. I like the 62 for the extra velocity since the weak spot with the TSX/TTSX at longer range is expansion speed. With solids like these, they tend to retain weight better than cup/core bullets so often will give penetration equal to heavier traditional bullets that shed weight during penetration.

Sad that Asym closed. They made some great ammo.
04-22-23, 08:51
rocsteady

I will have to search for my chrono and see what sort of velocity for both the BH and the Barnes. That would be interesting to see where they are out of the 12.5”
04-22-23, 08:55
Todd.K

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocsteady

Were I to be so fortunate to live in a non-urban area some day, I would be switching my “mags at the ready” from the current BH 50 grain setup to something with the 70g TSX for sure.

I wouldn’t go out of my way to replace the 50gr load, unless some larger animals are a possible defensive use. Both are solid performers.
04-23-23, 16:49
rocsteady

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABNAK

I have a bit of the Silver State Armory 77gr "brown-tip" clone from years ago. IIRC the boxes were marked 5.56mm, not .223. I haven't shot any, so can't vouch for accuracy, velocity, or terminal effects. I also have some of the Hornady 5.56mm 77gr GMX, which *should* be a close second behind the SSA as far as similarity.

As I recall you're a fan of the Fusions. Given your street creds :D, if you could pick ONE 5.56mm round, be it for GWOT or domestic use, what would it be?

I had a few hundred of the Silver State Armory 70 grain TSX that you're describing but they popped primers when shooting from my 16" BCM. Never had an issue, before or since, with that rifle with dozens of different types of rounds. They had me send what was left back and said they found nothing wrong with them but I never bought them again.
04-23-23, 17:14
Disciple

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocsteady

I had a few hundred of the Silver State Armory

Weren't they infamous for hot loaded ammunition?
04-24-23, 06:17
rocsteady

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disciple

Weren't they infamous for hot loaded ammunition?

I believe so.
04-24-23, 08:25
ABNAK

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disciple

Weren't they infamous for hot loaded ammunition?

IIRC there were earlier and later production runs that differed. The later ones were watered down, so I suspect the issue was with the earlier batches.
05-12-23, 17:58
bfoosh006

It will be very interesting to see what the AAC /PSA 70gr TSX is loaded at.

Scuttle butt is it is coming soon.
06-19-23, 19:25
1168

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABNAK

I have a bit of the Silver State Armory 77gr "brown-tip" clone from years ago. IIRC the boxes were marked 5.56mm, not .223. I haven't shot any, so can't vouch for accuracy, velocity, or terminal effects. I also have some of the Hornady 5.56mm 77gr GMX, which *should* be a close second behind the SSA as far as similarity.

As I recall you're a fan of the Fusions. Given your street creds :D, if you could pick ONE 5.56mm round, be it for GWOT or domestic use, what would it be?

I apologize for the long delay, but I’d have a hard time not recommending M855a1. It makes really good wounds, and has other redeeming qualities. Second choice would be Fusion MSR, with no concerns at all. 70gr VORTX is good shit, as well.

Always good to hear from a fellow recovering Chuck. Hope you’re doing well.
08-10-23, 23:29
BufordTJustice

Just grabbed several boxes of Barnes VOR-Tex 70gr TSX 5.56 from Midway.

Superb on hogs and is printing under 1MOA from my Sionics 11.5".

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
08-11-23, 09:16
SBRSarge

Quote:

Originally Posted by BufordTJustice

Just grabbed several boxes of Barnes VOR-Tex 70gr TSX 5.56 from Midway.

Superb on hogs and is printing under 1MOA from my Sionics 11.5".

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Twice smoked hogs are great. Smoke ‘em with the 5.56 and then again with the Traeger!
08-11-23, 09:28
BufordTJustice

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBRSarge

Twice smoked hogs are great. Smoke ‘em with the 5.56 and then again with the Traeger!

You, sir, have great taste! [emoji41]

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
08-11-23, 18:05
ABNAK

Any opinions on the AAC 70gr TSX 5.56mm ammo? They are supposedly a "newer" ammo producer. Same Barnes bullet, loaded to 2850fps (according to the box pics I've seen).
08-11-23, 19:23
Disciple

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABNAK

Any opinions on the AAC 70gr TSX 5.56mm ammo? They are supposedly a "newer" ammo producer. Same Barnes bullet, loaded to 2850fps (according to the box pics I've seen).

Did you miss this mega-thread or are you asking anyway? https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread...mmo-Evaluation
08-11-23, 20:11
ABNAK

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disciple

Did you miss this mega-thread or are you asking anyway? https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread...mmo-Evaluation

Oh hell, I didn't see it! Thanks for the link.

Oh, it was under the Reloading and Ammunition forum. I generally don't check there often, but guess I should have.

EDIT: Okay, I read the last couple pages of that thread; velocity seems right up there but some doubts about rim thickness/et al? Maybe that's why the AAC ammo is essentially a buck a round? I'd LOVE to have a $1/rd ammo of that bullet make and quality.....but it would need to be proven a bit longer I guess.
08-11-23, 21:10
SBRSarge

Quote:

Originally Posted by BufordTJustice

You, sir, have great taste! [emoji41]

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thanks!

The wife, who rarely eats wild game, likes the pulled pork from wild piggies even better than domestic. The flavor is more robust without being gamey.

Damn. I think I need to go shoot another wild porker!
08-12-23, 08:31
1168

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABNAK

Oh hell, I didn't see it! Thanks for the link.

Oh, it was under the Reloading and Ammunition forum. I generally don't check there often, but guess I should have.

EDIT: Okay, I read the last couple pages of that thread; velocity seems right up there but some doubts about rim thickness/et al? Maybe that's why the AAC ammo is essentially a buck a round? I'd LOVE to have a $1/rd ammo of that bullet make and quality.....but it would need to be proven a bit longer I guess.

$1.37/rnd https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_...oat+tail+20+bx

$1.56/rnd
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1016541455

AAC is the PSA of ammo. I’d buy the Barnes Vortx 5.56 70gr. It is high quality, and a spot-on replica of brown tip.
08-12-23, 11:27
BufordTJustice

Barnes VOR-TX 70 grain TSX

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1168

$1.37/rnd https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_...oat+tail+20+bx

$1.56/rnd
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1016541455

AAC is the PSA of ammo. I’d buy the Barnes Vortx 5.56 70gr. It is high quality, and a spot-on replica of brown tip.

I just snagged 300 more rds of this from Midway USA for a 30% discount. $24.99/20. And then I stacked another discount code on top of that. I'm barely over a dollar/rd at this point.

Already verified zero in my SBR with the last batch of 70gr TSX and it's spot on from the last boxes (obv a different Barnes batch).

Primers are staked/sealed, solid crimp on the mouth (with sealant), OAL is very consistent. I'm inside MOA with it in my SBR. Could not be happier.

If I were running a better optic (with magnification), I could better understand the precision it's capable of. Using my 4 moa (really, 3.4 moa) T1, I'm stacking rds in the same hole at 50 meters.

I have no exp with AAC, but Barnes brought the HEAT with the 70gr 5.56 pressure TSX.

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08-12-23, 14:48
ABNAK

Anyone know if the Barnes load uses a CFE style of powder to reduce the copper fouling?