I tested Federal Trophy Copper (180 gr), Federal Trophy Bonded Tip (180 gr), and Barnes Vor-TTSX (180 gr) on my Tikka T3 LS .30-06. The test consisted in measuring bullet velocity at 3 yds and 100 yds employing a Chrony F1 chronograph. I then used the application iSnipe to recalibrate the ballistic coefficients in order to obtain a velocity curve consistent with my field results. Five cartridges per bullet and per distance were used.
Resulting ballistic coefficients (within parenthesis values declared by the manufacturers) were as follows:
Federal TC: 0.455 (0.523)
Federal TBT: 0.315 (0.500)
Barnes Vor-TTSX: 0.380 (0.484)
Muzzle velocities (calculated from the 3 yds data) were also different as by the manufacturers:
Federal TC: 2,770 ± 9 (2,700)
Federal TBT: 2,756 ± 13 (2,700)
Barnes Vor-TTSX: 2,615 ± 45 (2,700)
Velocities at 100 yds were as follows:
Federal TC: 2,575 ± 28 (2,530)
Federal TBT: 2,479 ± 71 (2,522)
Barnes Vor-TTSX: 2,393 ± 38 (2,520)
As the data show, velocity decreased more rapidly at 100 yds for Federal TBT (-9.9 %) than for Barnes VOR-TX (-8.2 %) and Federal TC (-6.9 %). Both Federal cartridges also grouped much tighter (within 1 MOA), compared to the Barnes (within 2 MOA).
Overall the test showed that Federal TC outperformed the two other bullets in terms of muzzle velocity, velocity conservation and BC. Both Federal bullets revealed a slightly higher muzzle velocity than the declared ones, whilst the Barnes had a lower velocity than the declared one. It is also worth mentioning that TC and VOR-TTSX are both wholly copper-made, while TBT has a lead core, which raises some environmental and health concerns.
Considering the prices (in Canadian $) of the Federal TC (39.99 $), the Federal TBT (39.99 $) and the Barnes VOR-TTSX (48.99 $), and the ballistic performances I will continue using my since ever first choice, i.e. Federal TC, for moose hunting in Canada.
Cheers!
