GroovyJack,
I thought they were lousy bullets when Barnes solids first cam out - lots of fouling and very poor accuracy in my rifle. Then I heard that they had solved those problems. Now you say they are having problems again.....
I guess I will stay away.

I have a good friend who is a PH in Africa , he sent some pictures of a critter hit with TSX's I believe from a 7 mag and the entrance and exit wounds both look like a frag grenade .. Granted dead is dead , but it shouldnt be doing that , Barnes hemhawed around with the guy and told him it musta been hot handloads etc , it wasnt , it was factory loaded stuff as I recall .. They wouldnt admit it , and I have seen and heard of several other problems similar to that ..

Now if you had an exit wound wouldn't the bullet have had to stay together?

Not saying it didnt stay together , anybody loves a two holer it's me , but the bullet shouldnt be making an entrance wound that looks like an exit wound either ..

They have changed something in their alloy mixes with the solids I know almost certainly , from my own experience ..

There appears to be a lot of evidence out there to support this idea in the expanding bullets as well ..

It appears they are softer and more brittle than before ..

Believe me I dont like bashing Barnes , cause they have collected a lot of my money over the years , and I was buying them before Randy Brooks bought the company from Fred Barnes ..

Rifle, Hunting: Barnes TSX* and Speer Hot Core**.

Rifle, Target: Sierra Match

Handgun, Hunting: Hornady XTP or Beartooth GC

Handgun, Target: My own cast or Lazer Cast

*I'm surprised to hear of disenchantment with the TSX as we have had dozens of kills on elk, deer and antelope wherein the bullet performed flawlessly. There are many outfitters that place the TSX or the TTSX on the favored bullet list and continue to do so.

** Hot Cores are the original mass produced bonded core bullet and have been excellent performers over the years.