I have a 300 WSM Kevin [Montour County Rifles] built me on here. It is DEADLY accurate with the Barnes 165 gr factory loadings. It that bullet good enough for bull elk out to 400 yards? I would think it would be fine ,but want to get some opinions from some of you that have killed more elk. I hate to go change things up ,but would be more than willing if I need a heavier bullet. THANKS!!
165 gr Barnes TTSX For Elk
- Thread starter DUKFVR
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Broz
Well-Known Member
We take over a dozen elk evey year. No Barns bullets for me anymore. And that goes for the guys I am helping too. I got tired of tracking due to no expansion. Switched to Bergers and have not tracked one since.
Jeff
Jeff
gillettehunter
Well-Known Member
I have used the TTSX for the last couple of years and have done well w/ it. I'm using a .300WSM w/ the 150 gr TTSX. Best accuracy of any bullet I've tried including Bergers. Last year I shot a mature [likely 3 1/2 yr old] cow at perhaps 150 yards. She went less than 40 yds. The yr before was a large 5X5. Hit him at less than 200 yards. He went perhaps 75 yds. I have textbook expansion w/ the TTSX.
Now they don't have the BC of the Bergers, but they will hold together better. I had a bad experience 5 yrs ago w/ the Bergers and have been reluctant to use them again. Lots on this forum wouldn't use anything but the Bergers.
Check out the forums at Africahunting.com. The PH's seem to like the Barnes bullets. Comments are that hitting the animal on the shoulder works well w/ the Barnes bullets. Rest assured if you do your part the 165 will be fine.
They have worked for me. Others will have different preferences and experiences. Bruce
Now they don't have the BC of the Bergers, but they will hold together better. I had a bad experience 5 yrs ago w/ the Bergers and have been reluctant to use them again. Lots on this forum wouldn't use anything but the Bergers.
Check out the forums at Africahunting.com. The PH's seem to like the Barnes bullets. Comments are that hitting the animal on the shoulder works well w/ the Barnes bullets. Rest assured if you do your part the 165 will be fine.
They have worked for me. Others will have different preferences and experiences. Bruce
Magnumitis
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It should prove to be a deadly combination. No track job will be required.
Tikkamike
Well-Known Member
im with this guy but I would try the 180 if it doesnt shoot as well you can always go back to the old load and itll be the exact same, the extra weight of the 180 will serve you well. 165 is pretty light for caliber so you wont get as good of penetration as you will with the bigger bullets. I have killed lots and lots of elk and have seen the 180 first hand anchor a cow at well past 700 yards
rooster740
Well-Known Member
I have shot a bunch of elk with the 150 and 168 grain tsx out of a 308Win. A hand full were between 400 and 500 yards. Last year I blasted two cow elk with the Barnes bullets out of my 300 WM. As of lately I am trying a few Bergers for their slicker design, but the Barnes bullets have yet to let me down.
I think you said it yourself... sounds like you've got a whole lot of confidence in the Accuracy of the 165 TTSX. Accuracy and confidence in that accuracy are huge.
As long as you're using a premium bullet, if you put that bullet in the right place the chances of a long track are pretty slim. You'll find all of us on this sight split hairs regarding everything technical, and there will always be guys who have had failures with one of the premium bullets. When that happens they lose confidence in that particular bullet and switch to another. I've done it myself. It's all part of the fun.
With an all copper Barnes I think the 165 will work fine well beyond 400 yards for elk, and you'll get good velocity and a nice flat trajectory out to 400 yards. Is the 180 better for elk? Maybe. I would hunt with whatever you feel is more accurate. But you would have fun trying to figure out which one shoots better!
I really APPRECIATE all the feedback & help. I am an elk newbie. This feedback helps on my thoughts. I am gonna have to try some of the Federal loads with the 180 gr TSX. I got this rifle for my 25th wedding anniversary & it has been a Great shooter. The 165's were the 1st loads I shot out of it & it is under MOA out to 300 yards with these Barnes vortex loads. I have killed several muleys,but only 1 elk & it was a cow. Shot it with a 308 2 years ago. I was using the 180 gr MRX Barnes bullet & it did hammer her. Having not elk hunted or should I say hunted where there were many elk never got a chance on a legal bull. I have gotten pulled this year for a tag in a great area for bulls. Just want to make sure the 165's were heavy enough for a bull if I do my part. I have seen some boxes of the Federal loads for the 300 wsm with the 180 gr MRX still on shelves. I may try a box of these & see how they shoot in my gun. THANKS Again for all the thoughts & opinions.
jakes10mm
Well-Known Member
Is the 165gr a good option for 30-06? We are planning our first Elk hunt and two of my hunting buddies are using 30-06. The 180 in 30-06 seems to lose steam fast. I'll be using my 300WM, so I'll go heavy, probably a 210 Berger at this point, but still working through my bullet options. The Barnes TTSX and Nosler Accubond are still in the running. Thinking the 165-168 level for the 30-06 might be the ticket for my 30-06 friends.
T3-OleMan
Well-Known Member
MRX:lightbulb Better try them quick and if they work buy ALL you can find.....Discontinued a year or so ago. Good luck
minute of elk
Well-Known Member
i wouldn't hesitate to shoot an elk with one- but i'd aim for the shoulder. i'm a big fan of their destructive capabilities, but not their expansion...
I LOVE Barnes 180gr TTSX in .30-06. I went to Colorado 10-21-12 hunting elk. I was a little worried about its expansion shooting long distance. I shot my first bull, a 4x5, at 530 yds. I shot him IN the shoulder. He dropped. I fired two additional shots to make sure he stayed down. Bullet went through shoulder blade, ribs, offside ribs and shoulder and out the other side. Two of Three bullets complete passthrough. Found third bullet under hide on offhand side with 3/4 expansion and weighed 170gr. I hunted at 10000 feet. I live at 3100 feet.
Less air density= Bullets Shoot further AND FLATTER. Bullets maintains speed longer= bullet is going faster when it reaches target because of ELEVATION. This is huge when using Barnes because you want to be assured of the expansion. At home (3,100 ft) at 530 yds bullet hits target at 1852 fps. At 10,000 ft bullet impacts 530 yd target at 2012 fps.
Less air density= Bullets Shoot further AND FLATTER. Bullets maintains speed longer= bullet is going faster when it reaches target because of ELEVATION. This is huge when using Barnes because you want to be assured of the expansion. At home (3,100 ft) at 530 yds bullet hits target at 1852 fps. At 10,000 ft bullet impacts 530 yd target at 2012 fps.
I'm using the 168 TSX and TTSX in my 30.06. If I was elk hunting with it, I'd definitely pull the trigger if I saw a bull I wanted at 400 yards.
To the OP, the 165 is PLENTY of bullet for any elk. I like the Barnes bullets and I've never had to track any animal I used them on, nor have my western friends.
