9.3x62 Barnes 250 Grain TSX or Nosler E-Tip 250 Grain for PG up to Eland

[etsonaut]

I am headed to Limcroma Safaris in August for Buffalo and PG. For Buffalo, I am using my 450-400 Heym 88B double. So, I am specifically asking for opinions on PG up to Eland.
I am taking my9.3x62 for the PG opportunities. I am hopeful for Zebra, Kudu and Eland, plus opportunistic species.
First, I am not a handloader. I am speaking strictly of factory loaded ammo. I was looking at lighter 250 Grain options for the 9.3 and the two factory loads that are available are Buffalo Bore loaded with Barnes TSX 250's and Nosler E-Tip 250's. There seems to be a lot of that available on Gunbroker.
I'm sure there are numerous opinions out there. Any practical, personal experience?
Thanks in advance.

 

[baxterb]

A friend has used the 250 TSX exclusively here on elk and it does a bang-up job.

 

[Ruraldoc]

I have a friend who has killed 17 cape buffalo his 9.3x62. Most of them with the 250 grain TSX.

It is certainly capable of all plains game including eland. When I go back to Africa,I'm taking a 9.3x62 as my all around rifle.

 

[AZDAVE]

Of the two bullets the Barnes is a better choice. It is tough enough to penetrate the shoulder and expand properly. The other is a much softer bullet.

 

[dchum]

For 99.99 Hendershots will load you 250 grain Nosler accubonds in PPU brass just if you want another option.

But those 250 tsx should be perfect.

 

[Ed Lally]

I have used 250 gr Barnes TTSX out of a .375 H&H mag for everything except Cape Buffalo on the last 6 Safaris with exceptional results. All PG except one Zebra were single shot kills. I have to get a lot of credit to my PH as he provided exceptional shooting opportunities and with the exception of a few 300+ yard shots, all at close range. I see no need for anything else.

 

[Puddle]

I'd be careful with the Nosler factory ammo.
They should be placing a sticker on the boxes stating, "The printed muzzle velocities are aspirational only".

 

[HookMeUpII]

You are going to have a hard time finding better than Barnes TSX/TTSX. I can't speak to DG/buffalo as I only used it for PG. I used a 300WM when I went shooting Barnes 185gr TTSX. Everything died, one shot, and went no farther than 50-100 yds. Now, in everything from .223 up to .458, I basically only use Barnes.

The PH breathed a sigh of relief when I told him I was shooting Barnes.

 

[112Savage]

I have never used the nosler E-tip in any rifles. I do wonder why they don’t have relief grooves when every other mono bullet does with well documented reasons for having them. I have used hornady CX 250’s in 375 and thought they were great. But I think the 250TTSX may be one of the better bullets for all-around use in the 9.3x62. I’ve done gel testing and wet pack testing and it consistently penetrated and expanded very well. It out penetrated the 258 hammer and 286 A-frame. The Aframe had better expansion and shorter neck but not by a huge amount. The gel block is 8” long and 6” across with a slight taper. The 250 TTSX impact was 100yds at 2422fps

 

[leslie hetrick]

it would be fine for the animals listed, i used this MS in 9.3x62 on this buffalo cow. with no trouble at all

 

[jaycee]

Of the two bullets the Barnes is a better choice. It is tough enough to penetrate the shoulder and expand properly. The other is a much softer bullet.

The E-Tip is much softer than a TSX? Sure you’re not confusing your comment with the Nosler BT or Accubond? The E-Tip is homogenous.

 

[AZDAVE]

You are correct I was talking the Nosler BT, I haven't used a E-tip . Thank you for the catch on my mistake between the two.

 

[Tucketed]

Used 375H 250g Barnes TTSX on this Eland plus Kudu, Gemsbok, Sable etc. All one shot kills

 

[dchum]

You are correct I was talking the Nosler BT, I haven't used a E-tip . Thank you for the catch on my mistake between the two.

Your statement still stands though!

Barnes still beats the e-tip!

 

[UpNorthMI]

I'd pick the TSX, I've shot quite a few in .375, great accuracy & consistent performance. I've shot the 250 grain TSX in 9.3 but not hunted much with it. Below is a number of recently recovered TSX 300 grain in .375 from a recent hunting trip, (first on left is .308), they have very high weight retention.

Like others have said my experience is that thet will be at about 100 FPS slower than stated on the box, this is not a serious issue.

Good luck on your hunt.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I have never used the nosler E-tip in any rifles. I do wonder why they don’t have relief grooves when every other mono bullet does with well documented reasons for having them. I have used hornady CX 250’s in 375 and thought they were great. But I think the 250TTSX may be one of the better bullets for all-around use in the 9.3x62. I’ve done gel testing and wet pack testing and it consistently penetrated and expanded very well. It out penetrated the 258 hammer and 286 A-frame. The Aframe had better expansion and shorter neck but not by a huge amount. The gel block is 8” long and 6” across with a slight taper. The 250 TTSX impact was 100yds at 2422fps

View attachment 609823View attachment 609824

@112Savage
What caused the petals to break off
Bob

 

[112Savage]

The bullet that the petals sheared off is the 258 hammer hunter. That is its design and it works wonderfully. I killed all of my plains game from my only trip to Africa with that bullet and was not left wanting.

 

[jaycee]

Your statement still stands though!

Barnes still beats the e-tip!

Wondering why do you say that?

I’ve been using all the variations of Barnes since the early 90’s and have generally been very happy with them (except for the 100 grain TRSX in a 257 Weatherby).

Not trying to start anything, just curious. Have you had a bad experience with the E-Tip or Expanstion Tip? I’m know I’ve had such horrible experience with Hornady’s homogenous bullets in both factory ammo and while working up loads that I never bothered hunting with them. I’ve tried them in 8 different rifles and all of them patterned instead of grouped…

 

[dchum]

Wondering why do you say that?

I’ve been using all the variations of Barnes since the early 90’s and have generally been very happy with them (except for the 100 grain TRSX in a 257 Weatherby).

Not trying to start anything, just curious. Have you had a bad experience with the E-Tip or Expanstion Tip? I’m know I’ve had such horrible experience with Hornady’s homogenous bullets in both factory ammo and while working up loads that I never bothered hunting with them. I’ve tried them in 8 different rifles and all of them patterned instead of grouped…

Yep, I haven’t had good accuracy with E-tips and from videos online they don’t expand as consistent as Barnes or hornadys GMX/cx.

On the other hand, Barnes is funny accurate in most scenarios for me. (I don’t hand load)

I enjoy using other nosler bullets a lot! But I feel the E-tip was made half heartedly by nosler. I think they made it just because copper is becoming more popular in the market and every company has to have a line of lead free for different reasons.

 

[264]

Recovered 250 TSX 's from water buff, left out of boar Texas shot at 5m