Barnes vs GS Custom

[lcq]

I understand that g's custom bullets are very costly but the cost of a couple boxes of bullets is trivial on a hunt. I'm interested in how they perform compared to Barnes, hornady or nosler mono metal bullets. I can easily get Barnes to shoot but have never shot anything but paper. Personal experiences are much appreciated

 

[James.Grage]

I use Barnes Factory in my 338 WM and they perform great. Usually punching holes on both sides of the animal.

I have also use Remington and they usually remained in the animal, however under the skin of the off side.

Both have their positives.

Other than that i have uses Hornady, Nosler and Federal factory ammo...

 

[BWH]

I've had great success with Barnes TTSX! All (8 animals) were thru & thru except for the head on chest shot on Black WB. Recovered bullet about 3 feet into him. Perfect mushroom. No complaints!

 

[CAustin]

Plenty of great bullets cone right off the shelf.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

lcq,
I use GS Custom extensively in my .308Win, which gets used a lot as a rental rifle. They turn the .308Win into a different beast, firing the 130gr projectile in the 3000fps range. They will knock down most on the plains game list. A close friend of mine has even reported to me that he had a complete pass through with the 130gr projectile on an Eland bull at 150yds.
In my opinion, they are superior to Barnes because:
1. They are produced from 100% copper, which means that they are softer and require less velocity to expand.
2. However, the quicker you drive them, the better they perform.
3. Their drive bands are a lot smaller than Barnes, so with being a softer projectile, they produce a lot less pressure, which ultimately means that you can push them harder.
4. Minimal barrel fouling.

Take Care,
Marius Goosen

 

[Patrick R]

lcq,
I use GS Custom extensively in my .308Win, which gets used a lot as a rental rifle. They turn the .308Win into a different beast, firing the 130gr projectile in the 3000fps range. They will knock down most on the plains game list. A close friend of mine has even reported to me that he had a complete pass through with the 130gr projectile on an Eland bull at 150yds.
In my opinion, they are superior to Barnes because:
1. They are produced from 100% copper, which means that they are softer and require less velocity to expand.
2. However, the quicker you drive them, the better they perform.
3. Their drive bands are a lot smaller than Barnes, so with being a softer projectile, they produce a lot less pressure, which ultimately means that you can push them harder.
4. Minimal barrel fouling.

Take Care,
Marius Goosen

+1 - use them for more than 5 years with great success, especially their solids on my .458WM

 

[elmerfudd555]

These bullets both have excellent reputations but they have significant differences and one thing in common:

Both bullets are 100% Copper but the GS uses lead bonded to the copper in their soft points. The rear of the GS like the Barnes is solid copper (ie the lead is up front only)
The Barnes would have much higher BC due to the more streamlined shape and tipped configurations available
The rings or bands on the Barnes are to minimize copper fouling and the entire bullet length engages the rifling as the whole bullet is "groove diameter" Gs handles this very differently
On the GS the main bullet is "bore diameter" and the thin rings are "groove diameter" thus they are the only part of the bullet that engages the rifling. Their theory is that due to this construction pressure is reduced (all copper bullets are softer than conventional gilding metal bullets and can create higher pressures)
Apparently you can get some higher velocities as a result of this construction but I have never tested them to prove the marketing so to speak.

I only have experience with shooting game with Barnes, which have never let me down, ever. That said I would not hesitate to use the GS as they have a great reputation.
I do believe that the load data for their bullets is different and you will need to investigate load data as due to their unique construction I seem to recollect you need a little more powder to get the velocities expected.

GS also produces some "heavy for caliber" weights in the 375 and up class of dangerous game bullets.

Good luck!

H

 

[gillettehunter]

If you search some of the threads here you will find that there are a lot that have had good success with Barnes TTSX. Often give great accuracy. Terminal performance is excellent. Only downside is that they do produce copper fouling quickly in rifles with rougher barrels.
Gs also has a good reputation. Would not go wrong with either. Bruce

 

[JimP]

I have been shooting Barnes bullets exclusively since my .340 Weatherby was new, except for the few Hornady and 10 or so Noslers when I was deciding on a round to choose for it. I started out with just X bullets then went to the TSX and of all the several elk that have fallen to this bullet all have been one shot kills, although a couple have had a second shot put into them. I have the philosophy of keep shooting until he is on the ground. I have only recovered one 225 grain X bullet and that was from a very long shot that hit the elk in the head with a lot of bone damage done.

Once my supply of TSX bullet runs out I will go with the TTSX but I expect the same results.

 

[lcq]

Sorry for the delayed response but the net went out in sunny Akumal where I'm sunning my FWA before getting in shape for the May hunt.

Lots of great info thanks. The reason I'm asking is of the three guns I have I shoot the 308 best and the 7mm mag next with the 300wsm a very distant third. Given I'll be hunting zebra and BWB I don't want to take chances.

What is your choice between the 308 with a 130 @ about 2900 or the 7mm with a 130 @ about 3200?

 

[Diamondhitch]

either one will kill em just as dead. the superior penetration and near 100% weight retention of the Barnes makes em perfect for smaller cartridges, I love em.

 

[enysse]

What is your choice between the 308 with a 130 @ about 2900 or the 7mm with a 130 @ about 3200

I would take the 130 7mm

 

[lcq]

A complete

lcq,
I use GS Custom extensively in my .308Win, which gets used a lot as a rental rifle. They turn the .308Win into a different beast, firing the 130gr projectile in the 3000fps range. They will knock down most on the plains game list. A close friend of mine has even reported to me that he had a complete pass through with the 130gr projectile on an Eland bull at 150yds.
In my opinion, they are superior to Barnes because:
1. They are produced from 100% copper, which means that they are softer and require less velocity to expand.
2. However, the quicker you drive them, the better they perform.
3. Their drive bands are a lot smaller than Barnes, so with being a softer projectile, they produce a lot less pressure, which ultimately means that you can push them harder.
4. Minimal barrel fouling.

Take Care,
Marius Goosen

A complete pass through with a 308 on an eland, wow that is astounding

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

lcq,
The rifle that I rent out to my guests for Cape Buffalo is CZ .375H&H. Unless requested something else, they are loaded with 200gr GS Custom running in the region of 3200fps. Out of the last 4 Buffalo taken with this rifle, 7 shots were taken, with 4 complete pass through. The extra shots were insurance shots. I recovered about 2 of them. One of the projectiles measured 100% weight retention.
On the 130gr GSC out of the .308Win, depending on the distance, the bullets do throw their petals away, which I'm on the fence whether its a good or bad thing. I suppose without the petals, it plays a factor in the penetration. I am yet to weigh them after this, but believe it will be around 85% weight retention.

This one hit a tree on the way to the buff and continued in a straight line:



Top view:



Tree:





Projectile obviously obviously going ass over end....



End Result:

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

What is your choice between the 308 with a 130 @ about 2900 or the 7mm with a 130 @ about 3200?

If you shoot the .308Win best, go with that. Once you start with the GSC's,it does take getting use to the flat trajectory. It took me 2 years to figure out that whether 100yds or 350yds, you never aim off the animal. Sent a couple of projectiles into oblivion aiming too high. Also led running Kudu at 250m, trying to drop the projectile into it's path and letting the Kudu run into the bullet, ending up shooting it behind the ear. It does take getting use to.
There are a couple of members here on AH that has used that .308Win of mine with that combination. It's sweet as.

A very important point is, that you'll be shooting "light for caliber" projectiles. So, you'll need to accept this. With these new "mono" bullet concepts, the old rules go out the window. Check your twist of your rifle, then email Gerry(owner), or I can ask him to chime in here. The twist of your barrel will dictate which bullet weight will perform the best in your rifle. Then, Gerry will be able to help you with your loads. His knowledge from experience is hard to beat.

All the best,

Take Care,
Marius

 

[Diamondhitch]

...A very important point is, that you'll be shooting "light for caliber" projectiles. So, you'll need to accept this...

For sure, when you have 100% weight retention a 130gr bullet performs as well as a 162gr bullet at 80% retention or a 260gr bullet that only retains 50%. That's a big advantage over other premium bullets and mind blowing advantage over a cheap bullet. Not to mention the ballistic advantage at mid and medium long ranges (what most would consider at or well past comfortable hunting distances).

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

For sure, when you have 100% weight retention a 130gr bullet performs as well as a 162gr bullet at 80% retention or a 260gr bullet that only retains 50%. That's a big advantage over other premium bullets and mind blowing advantage over a cheap bullet. Not to mention the ballistic advantage at mid and medium long ranges (what most would consider at or well past comfortable hunting distances).

This is exactly what Gerry (GS Custom Owner) says. It makes perfect sense.

 

[adgunner]

ICQ, I was one of those guys who used the.308win on my first trip to RSA. Shot Impala, Bontebok,Springbuck, Kudu Jackal and 2 Warthogs that year, all one shot ... no tracking. Simply awesome bullet. I am so convinced that i will be reloading GSC's shortly in my CZ 550 .375 to see how they work out. Marius is lucky he still has that rifle ... if he had looked away for just a second it would have been part of my luggage!

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

ICQ, I was one of those guys who used the.308win on my first trip to RSA. Shot Impala, Bontebok,Springbuck, Kudu Jackal and 2 Warthogs that year, all one shot ... no tracking. Simply awesome bullet. I am so convinced that i will be reloading GSC's shortly in my CZ 550 .375 to see how they work out. Marius is lucky he still has that rifle ... if he had looked away for just a second it would have been part of my luggage!

You shot a Jackal on your first trip?

 

[adgunner]