265 TTSX in 338

[Tikkamike]

I have a 338 Lapua I had the rifle build around the 300 SMK hoping it would shoot it well. and it does shoot it well. In fact it shoots amazingly well. However I have shot several deer and antelope with it and it absolutely destroys them no matter where you hit them. Blowing baseball sized holes though everything. which is fine I dont mind loosing a little meat if it means im not loosing an animal no problem there. But it ruins capes like nobodys business, that is a big problem with deer and antelope. It also tell me this bullet is coming apart on impact or shortly after but since there is 300 grains of bullet there a small animal like a deer is no match for it it just blows on through. However on elkits not blowing huge holes through them. SO FAR. my didter shot her bull at 461 with it and he was dead instantly, I shot a cow saturday that didnt have much of a chance either at 490 yards. so I dont doubt its killing ability. and for elk im in love! it doesnt seem to ruin their capes at all. I build the rifle with elk in mind but I wouldnt mind using it on trophy deer and antelope too. So I am throwing around the idea of the 265 tipped tripple shock. I looked up roughly what my drop would be (in 1/4 moa clicks) and they are pretty comprable up to 900 or so at 1000 the SMK pulls away then takes off. I want to be able to shoot elk at 1k yards or maybe a little further if the conditionds are right. at 1000 yards the SMK is102.2 clicks the 265TTSX is 111.3 at 1400 yards the SMK will be 182 clicks the TTSX will be 213. so obviouslt the SMK is superior by far. BUT keeping in mind 1000-1200 being my max is the trade off worth it? the TTSX will not blow big holes and will be great for anything. Please no opinions on how you think either bullet will or wont perform. my question is strictly "is it worth the trade off of a little bit inferior flying bullet to be able to use it on all game and not destroy the hide?"

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

I get exceptional accuracy with barnes bullets. I think it is worth a try at the range you are shooting. Like you say not much difference in clicks. I had rather have a premium big game bullet anytime over a match bullet. That is why I use hunting bullets 99 % of the time. I just rarely hunt beyond 1000 yards where the hich bc match bullets take over. I just play the odds. I can turn clicks but I can't compensate for poor bullet performance costing me an animal. The Barnes should solve your problem of huge exit wounds.

 

[Tikkamike]

I was hoping you would reply LTLR I almost just IM'd you cause I wanted your opinion. But I completely agree with you i just wanted someone to back up my thoughts I guess. I guess if I ever "outgrow" the performance abilities of the Barnes (providing they shoot well in my rifle) I can always go back to the SMK. I have a great load worked up for them so I guess all i have to do to go back is load some shells and switch turrets. Thanks

 

[jwp475]

Barnes bullets are very accurate and I use them a lot. IMHO the 225 TTSX is the better choice to 1000 yards. The 225 has a BC of .514 and you should be able to push it to about 3300 FPS. The 265's BC is .575 thus not significantly higher and with the reduced velocity I'm not sure that it would be the best choice. The 265 TSX would most likely not give much higher velocity than the 300 SMK before running into high pressures

 

[Tikkamike]

You are probably right ballistically speaking but I want the extra 40 grains of. O e crushing penetration power when it gets there

 

[jwp475]

You are probably right ballistically speaking but I want the extra 40 grains of. O e crushing penetration power when it gets there

Not tyo worry, I dought that you would recover a 225 TTSX from an Elk. I've had exits with them from a 338 Win on 2000+ pound Buffalo

 

[elkregulator]

Don't rule out the 210 Swift Scirocco 2 or the 275 A-Frame. I've never heard of a "failure" with either one of these.

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

Elkregulator, you are right about the 210 swift scirroco at .510 BC. I don't know why that bullet is not more popular. It is an excellent bullet for all the 338's. It makes a great rifle out of the 338 win mag. In the big 338's it shoots very flat and enough BC to go 1000 yards easily. At 3560 fps I drive it in my 338-378 it is sheer terror on anything. I have mentioned that bullet on here a few times but it just never caught on. I push it near 3300 fps out of my rem 700 338 RUM and it does a good job there also. I think the 225 AB at .550 BC just makes it to easy to go up 15 grains. But the 210 swift is a much stronger, tougher bullet than the accubond and worth considering.

 

[Piast]

Mike and jwp475

Gentlemen,

Could you please let me know how you load your ammo for TTSX 265 and TTSX 225?

What kind of powder you use and how much.

Thank you

Piast

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

I tried them in some of mine a few weeks ago. Which cartridge you need info about.

 

[Piast]

If you could tell me how you load your TTSX 265 bullets for 338 Lapua I would greatly appreciate it.

What kind of powder and how many grains?

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

Id stick with the 300 SMK for wind bucking abilities at LR period, thats why you had it built around that bullet, and for the shear energy, right??

Unless your an expert wind reader, you need all the advantage you can get on your side.

At LR, the least of your worries is how flat shooting something is, thats what a rangefinder and target knobs are for. Your main worry is wind which im sure your well aware of, and nothing matches the 300g SMK, especially not a Barnes...I wouldn't shoot them if my life depended on it.

Biggest exit hole I ever saw in a deer was from a 100g XLC from my 25-06 at 3400fps. Buck was about 150 yards, bullet entered the onside shoulder and exited the offside shoulder leaving a pie plate size exit hole, could not believe it.

 

[Edd]

I like Barnes bullets. I use them in my 25-06. I wish they made some 100gr TTSX 6mm's.

 

[CRNA]

Interesting read. I figured with a 338 Lapua you could shoot 300 grains of jello at something and kill it!! Ha Ha. Just curious if the Barnes would pencil through the animal?