Yet another bullet type question

[BDB]

I know, there are soooo many of these, sorry to throw out another.

I use the Federal High Energy loads in 30-06 with a Noslar Partition for elk. I am now trying the Federal loads with Barnes bullets. So far I just have the 165 grainers and they come with the Medium Game (deer) designation. On the site the list the 180 grainers for elk.

My gun seems to like the 165's a little better than the 180's but it's not enough to really worry about. For me it's more about 1 load and 1 POI for elk, pigs and muleys. So, my question is with the TSX bullets that seem to penetrate very deep from all I have read, is there really that much differnce in whacking an elk with a 180 vs a 165 grainer of the same TSX bullet? Just curious what ya'll think.

 

[Redneck75]

Best I can figure, elk die pretty good with 165 grain holes in them. I shot 3 several years ago (over the course of 3 seasons) and they crumpled up right nice. I figure if you hit them right, they won't be able to tell the difference so go with the one that shoots best. Good luck!

 

[AZ Jim]

Just my 2 cents worth, but I will take the 180's. If you were to hit some bone or your angle was a little off that extra bullet weight might be the extra you need.

That being said my son shot a cow elk at 80 yards with a .243 using a 100 grain Nosler Partition and it took about 10 steps and fell over. The bullet never exited but landed on the off side under the skin. He did hit it in the heart, so it had do with bullet placement.

The heavier bullet weight just gives you more forgiveness. Elk are some tough critters and go a long way wounded.


AZ Jim

 

[slowpoke]

I shot a cow elk and a large hog with the 165 TSX 30-06 load last year and they both dropped on the spot. Granted, neither was near as large as a large bull elk, but from the bullet performance I wouldn’t hesitate to use them. Hope you get to find out how they work

 

[Speckmisser]

Steve,

Take a look at JJHack's post in the Africa forum regarding the performance of TSX and a few others on big African game.

What he found, and this jibes with some of the stuff I've read elsewhere, is that it should be fine to use the 165gr TSX where you'd have used a 180gr lead bullet (e.g. Nosler Partition, Sierra Game King, etc.). Because of its construction and the BC (I don't usually dabble in the technicalities...so forgive me if I get this backward), you don't need the extra weight in the TSX.

This is a bonus since most 30-06 rifles seem to like the 165 and 168 gr bullets better than 180s.

Anyway, check out his post.

 

[hafpakcerts]

Speck is correct from what I have heard. Being a solid, copper, the TSX will hold together better than a conventional jacketed lead bullet. A 165 that holds together would most likely give better penetration than a 180 that comes apart.
I used 160 TSX (280 rem) on elk last year without reservation. I think you would be fine with the 165 TSX.
Good Hunting, Kirk

 

[wmidbrook]

I've used TBB's in 165 with good results on pig, deer, and 1 cow elk so far. They are similar in terms of weight retention although not as good by most reports as the TSX.

In addition to JJHack's report, I met a group of hunters from Chico who, between the 4 of them, cleanly bagged 17 hogs using TSX's in .243 and .257 Roberts two years ago.

 

[northca]

I shoot my 30-06 for everything, and I use a 150 gr bullet....... it has done the job on bull and cow elk, pigs, bear (black) and deer. I think if you are much better off with the smaller bullet if thats what your comfortable with shooting, I believe in shooting one load and shooting it well! just my .02

 

[bobby7321]

maybe give the 165 MRX a try?

 

[BDB]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm going to try and nail a hog or two with the 165 TSX's and see how they do. This year will probably only be an archery elk hunt for me so I am in no great rush right now to settle on an elk load. That and I know the 180 gr NP's do the job and I have lots of 'em