Light for Caliber or Heavy for Caliber Mono’s?

[eaglemountainman]

Have you killer elk with the 130s out of a 3006?

No, but I've killed two with a 120 TTSX from a 7-08.

 

[wapitibob]

140 tsx from a 7stw on Elk and Antelope

143 hammer hunters from a 7stw on Elk, 3470 fps

180 Berger vld hunter from 7stw on Antelope (high shoulder and front shoulder makes a mess)

 

[willfrye027]

When you say, "they penciled through", do you mean to imply, or assume, that they didn't expand?

Because that is not the case. They did expand. They shed their pedals, and the solid base was left to, "pencil", on through.

Not the hammers. Been completely impressed with their performance and highly recommend. Second choice would be Barnes, then GMX.

I’m talking double lung with tiny little exit, deer not even aware it was hit, or makes a 100 yard death run, or requires follow up shots. Here’s one of the federals (worst I’ve ever tried) I recovered in the back ham of a buck from a frontal shot about 300 yards.

 

[peaches]

Have you killer elk with the 130s out of a 3006?

I have taken 2 large cows with a 130 in 308 Win, and 1 with a 150 TTSX.


The 130 in a 308 is like a short action 270 Win.

 

[MattB]

No one should say heavy for caliber, because that would be the wrong way to approach things. Monos need velocity to perform properly, and adding bullet weight diminishes velocity and reduces effective range.

 

[A382DWDZQ]

Something else worth noting is that Barnes factory ammo for 30-06 comes in 180 TTSX, 175 LRX, 168 TTSX, and 150 TTSX.

Here are some minimum velocities for adequate expansion for .308 caliber

• 130gr TTSX- 1800 fps
• 165gr TTSX- 1800 fps
• 168gr TTSX- 1500 fps
• 180gr TTSX- 1500 fps

I think the 175 LRX is probably 1400fps, but that isn’t confirmed.

 

[DoYaPhilMe]

Wow that's a lot of response since I left for work! Looks like the majority like light and fast to my surprise, but I can't argue with personal experience.

 

[bmart2622]

No, but I've killed two with a 120 TTSX from a 7-08.

Ive got a sub .5 moa loaded up with 120s TTSXs for a 7mm08 this year. Did it work well on the elk? Im playing with some 140gr ABs also

 

[TheGDog]

Well.. I shot my first MuleDeer with a 168gr TTSX out of a .308 Win @40yds.

Shot was a little back and a little high. Entry side had a ring of bloodshot like 6" in diameter. About .50-cent piece exit hole.

Upon getting shot... the bucks body knocked sideways about 10" and then his back end went down, not kicking, followed by everything else rolling into the fall. His fronts proceeded to kick for a lil bit after the shot. But not all that much longer.

I'd say for bear/elk maybe do 168gr. For everything else... do your shoulder a favor and go lighter. The 168gr was overkill for that MuleDeer. That one was approx 140Lbs on the hoof I'd say.

 

[SDHNTR]

generally, lighter, but accuracy trumps all.

 

[SDHNTR]

and in a 30-06 the 168 is designed to open at a lower velocity. Even moreso than the 150. Barnes will tell you this. It was an LRX before they started marketing the LRX.

 

[Rich M]

Light and fast is what id do

 

[Monotone Matt]

I switched to ttsx a few years ago, 110 in a 270 at 3250 fps, 150 in a 300 wsm at 3125 fps. With the 300, I shot a cow elk through both shoulders from 200 yards, died very quickly. Same result with a big mule deer buck. With the 270 I shot a big mule deer buck from 150 yards at a down hill angle while he was facing away from me, blew through his spine and out his chest, died instantly. Wife shot a fat cow elk facing almost dead on at 200 yards, entered the chest and exited behind the shoulder and died instantly. I shot a Barbary ewe from 275 yards, quartering towards me, through the shoulder and exited near the hip. Died fairly quickly. Even with the 110 grain bullet penetration isn’t an issue. I would not go heavier than 150 in 30 caliber and am considering switching to 130. With the TTSX speed is your friend and long range is your enemy.

 

[Newtosavage]

Not to be "that guy," but what's wrong with a normal for caliber bullet? Personally, I'd use 150 grain monos from an '06 and call it a day.

 

[wildwilderness]

Something else worth noting is that Barnes factory ammo for 30-06 comes in 180 TTSX, 175 LRX, 168 TTSX, and 150 TTSX.

Here are some minimum velocities for adequate expansion for .308 caliber

• 130gr TTSX- 1800 fps
• 165gr TTSX- 1800 fps
• 168gr TTSX- 1500 fps
• 180gr TTSX- 1500 fps

I think the 175 LRX is probably 1400fps, but that isn’t confirmed.

What’s popular and sells is not always the best option.

I would say they load those because the average hunter only buys premium ammo for the big stuff so it’s a marketing decisions on what to produce.


I really like Hammer bullets so far. You can call and talk to the owner and he will give you all the advise. Super accurate and excellent terminal performance. I’m shooting a 124gr HH out of a 308! And a 120 HH out of a 7-08

Barnes are cheaper, and work well too. In an ‘06 I would look at 130-150gr for deer, 150-168gr for elk+ (The 165gr is made for the 300 mag so is too hard for the ‘06 and 308, thus they made the 168ttsx for slower velocity)

Cutting Edge Bullets also has a good reputation but I have not tried them, or the Buldozer? Brand

 

[long hunter]

Gee wilderness do not be to upset, 180 gr. spitzers out of a Ruger #1 gets the job done, Never bought into the all the hype over the so called fancy new makers of bullets, Remington, sierra, speer been a doing it for a lot longer than the new guys and have had much more experience in the field. Some day hope to hunt elk it will be with the #1 ruger in 30-06 and the old kill em dead 180 core locks. Beware the hunter that shoots one rifle and one specific load as they say. They have never let me down on whitetails in over 40 years.

 

[Monotone Matt]

The original question was about hunting in California. Remington, Speer, and Sierra bullets are illegal to use there.

 

[long hunter]

Hell everything is illegal in the left state, anyway Federal makes a factory loading in solid copper 180 sitting on 5 boxes for 300 win mag. waiting on a chipmunk hunt. Not sure what the bullet maker is bought them on a good deal to shoot up and re-load the brass when 300 win. mag brass was hard to come by.

 

[MJB]

TSX 168, back off the lands and load them hot!

or go the Hammer way and try the Deadblow Hammers.......I will be going this way with the 6.8 Western

In my 270 I use TSX 130 and have killed most of my deer and pigs with that setup

 

[wind gypsy]

I'd look at Cutting edge Lazer 165 and Barnes TTSX 150s for all around bullets in a 30/06.