What's so good about solid copper bullets?

[stg2ahn]

Please enlighten me.

Do they outperform softpoints or other fancy polymer tipped bullets?

Looks like an expensive way to make bullets....

[Grantness]

They retain more of their original weight (usually ~95%). In other words, these bullets dont tend to come apart or break up on impact. They are known for reliable and controlled expansion. This property allows for superior penetration while maintaining good expansion.

[stg2ahn]

:ponder: :thumb:

[fatherfoof]

As usual, Grant is quite correct. On the flip side, trauma surgeons really hate lead bullets, because invariably they break up and you miss a tiny piece that nicked the bowel or some other organ. A week later you have a crashing patient and have to go back in.

[stg2ahn]

I guess this copper round would only be good for large game like african game. Or maybe in states like CA, where they are trying to make "green bullets" to protect condors from lead poisoning :lmao:

[Esteves]

Copper's significantly less dense than lead. All else being equal a solid copper bullet will have the potential to fly faster than a lead-cored bullet of the same dimensions.

Lathe-turned bullets can be machined to very tight tolerances.

[Grantness]

If a bullet is longer/larger for a given weight, it will usually have a better BC too... This is partially why TSX has become so popular. It is incredibly accurate for a hunting bullet.

[556Stealth]

Up Sides

Tighter possible tolerances in machining
No non-concentric core/jakets
Better BC for weight/velocity. Increased effective range.
Near 100% weight retention
Environmentally friendly (Yay! lol)


Down Sides

Manufacturing costs
Not available loaded from very many manufacturers (yet)
Longer length for weight means that some common twist-rates may not stabalize them
Require slightly higher velocity to expand vs. a lead-core projectile
When glass/steel is encountered (in cars) the petals sheer off, while lead bonded projectiles perform a hair better (Federal LE223T3, TBBC, as an example).

[556Stealth]

They retain more of their original weight (usually ~95%). In other words, these bullets dont tend to come apart or break up on impact. They are known for reliable and controlled expansion. This property allows for superior penetration while maintaining good expansion.

The 28% increased exansion that Barnes claims is a bit interesting if you look at the physics of it.

Let's compare the TSX and the TBBC round. Both premium examples of their kind.




Both rounds expand to roughly the same diameter in gel and animals, with perhapse the TBBC expanding a bit more (Usually almost doubling it's diameter in my experience).

Look at the two expanded rounds. Notice something? The TSX has a LOT less surface area due to the "petals" (look at all that space between them). Less tissue is crushed. Less resistance is met. More penetration will occur. Simple physics. But...both rounds will penetrate well enough to through and through most animals/other... that would be shot from almost any angle. What use is 36" of penetration on a 18" thick target?

I too am a fan of the TSX's and think they are great, I just think that simple physics needs to be re-visited when a question about "superior penetration of the TSX" round comes up.