Bullet Bio: Barnes Tipped Triple-Shock

by
posted on September 23, 2015
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
bullet_bio_3_barnes_f.jpg

The Tipped Triple-Shock is a descendant of the original Barnes X-Bullet. Like the X-Bullet the Triple-Shock is an all-copper projectile with a small hollow cavity at the front. But, unlike its predecessor, the caliber diameter body of the Tipped Triple-Shock is ringed with grooves to help reduce fouling and improve accuracy. It also has a Delrinacetal resin—tip to increase ballistic coefficient and promote expansion.

The Tipped Triple-Shock was introduced in 2008, so by bullet standards it’s relatively new and not all hunters have had the opportunity to try them. They generally shoot like a laser, very flat and into itty-bitty groups. The pointed tip helps with the trajectory and it enhances expansion by exposing a larger meplat and cavity for fluids to enter. If there’s a down side to the Tipped Triple-Shock design it's that they are, like all mono-metal copper or gilding metal bullets, addicted to velocity. By that I mean, the faster they hit, the better they work.

Though it varies from bullet to bullet, a Tipped Triple-Shock needs to impact at about 2,000 fps in order to fully expand. Hunters need to be conscious of this when taking shots. I’d loaded some 110-grain Tipped Triple-Shocks for my .30 Remington AR and took it pronghorn hunting. This was a one-hole load at 100 yards, and when presented with a shot at a tad over 400, I didn’t hesitate. The pronghorn went down at the shot but got up and staggered off. The problem was the bullet had slowed to about 1,800 fps by the time it hit the speed goat and expansion was minimal. I had to get closer and shoot him again.

On the other hand, when these bullets hit with velocity they are pure copper wickedness. I put an 80-grain Tipped Triple-Shock from my .243 Winchester through an antelope at about 240 yards. It impacted at about 2,700 fps and the antelope nose dived into the Wyoming dirt and never moved again. On another occasion, a Tipped Triple-Shock from a .300 Win. Mag. pushed through a warthog end to end. His nose found the Africa dirt in a hurry.

Tipped Triple-Shocks will not dump a lot of energy inside a crittergenerally about 50 percentbut because of this they penetrate very deep, even though they usually expand to double diameter. This means they make a wide hole, through and through. You won’t recover a lot of Tipped Triple-Shock bullets but you will recover a lot of game. And, since they are bleeding out both sides, the blood trails are easy to follow.

Latest

Success
Success

Building the Ultimate Elk Bow

Elk are remarkable creatures that dwell in some of the most hellish landscapes on earth. An elk bow needs to be tough, light, and ultra-accurate. Here's how to build the right one for you.

First Look: Spandau S2 20-Gauge

Spandau Arms, a brand of SDS Arms, has announced that the  Spandau S2 Shotgun is now available in a 20-gauge model in both a Mossy Oak Bottomland and a traditional wood finish.

Count Some Quail, Tally Some Turkeys

The Arkansas turkey season ended in May, but there’s still good reason for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to keep the birds in mind when they head out to their favorite hiking trail or drive the backroads of The Natural State. Outdoorsmen who scare up coveys of quail are welcome in the survey as well.

2025 Online Firearm Sales Continue to Grow

While nationwide firearm sales have held steady this spring, guns.com is reporting significant growth, surpassing 10-percent year-over-year gun sales growth in the first half of 2025, according to the company's internal data.

#SundayGunday: Henry Special Products Division HUSH

This week on #SundayGunday, we’re checking out the HUSH Series, from Henry’s new Special Products Division, SPD for short.

New for 2025: Federal’s Personal Defense HST .44 Rem. Mag.

Federal Ammunition has recently added a new HST .44 Remington Magnum “Light Magnum” load featuring a specially designed hollow-point bullet, ideal for those seeking HST performance for self-defense with magnum revolvers.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.