Elk bullet for 338 win mag?

Anyone have experience with Barnes at all? Over the counter .338's aren't as common as one would think in western Wisconsin. I did find some Barnes TTSX's in 225g.
 
Anyone have experience with Barnes at all? Over the counter .338's aren't as common as one would think in western Wisconsin. I did find some Barnes TTSX's in 225g.
My only experience with Barnes TSX bullets is unfortunately not a happy one. Have not used TTSX either.
A buddy and I worked in a gunshop when the TSX came out, we both had the same cal rifles, me/he a 25-06, me a 300WM he a 30-06.
We ordered some 115gr .257 TSX and 150gr .308 TSX bullets. Due to our staff discount, they were quite cheap as we ordered in bulk, a packet of each, 500 bullets.
Both of his rifles loved those bullets, it's all he uses now, neither of my rifles liked them at all and the 115gr TSX's were leaving oblong holes at 100mtrs.
We both have the same twist 25-06 rifles, so why the TSX was not stable in my rifle I still do not know.
I gave the rest of my bullets, 10 boxes less what I loaded for testing, to him and never looked twice at them again.

That's my experience, yours may differ and print tiny little bug holes.

Cheers.
:confused:
 
Junglebird: I used the older Barnes 185XLC on a big cow elk, 250yds, complete pass through. I also used my friends 338WM with the Barnes 200X in Namibia on PG. I used the 210XBT in a 340W on zebra, Impala in Sa and on the big Namibian gemsbuk. I think the TSX and the TTSX are even better, but no personal kills with the Mediums. While I have never used the 225s in either 338 or 35 caliber, I do believe they are a great choice. I'm one of those that think a 180-186 gr 338 makes a bigger wound channel than the same weight in .30 caliber. While it may be debatable, I just know what I have seen between it and the 180xbt in the 300 win mag, which is a great killer itself! In either weight, push them as fast as you can and take a sharp knife (or 4 ha).
 
Magnum: I had the same thing happen with the 175 x in a 7mm RM. Oblong holes. I think any 100gr mono is about tops in a standard .25 cal factory twist myself. I also think those long bullets (of any caliber) are still in what I call "yaw" ( like an arrow from a recurve bow or a Tomahawk missile on takeoff) for a bit out of the muzzle. I have had a close shot on a Black Hawaiian/257BEE/100tsx make a sideways entry hole. it screwed him up though! lol
 
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Here is my load for 33 nosler—it in a long mag seated longer than standard OAL.. 250 Berger elite hunter 77 grains of 7828 pushing it to a little over 2800fps... should wreck anything in front of it.
 
Definitely voting for 2-250 Abs, and 200 and up Barnes Tsx or ttsx. Have seen all of these perform very well from 50-700 on elk.
 
Last elk I shot was with the 225 SST. Bullet entered the right shoulder, breaking it. Then liquified the heart/lungs and broke the offside leg on exit. Complete pass through.
He stumbled up hill about 15 yards and called it quits.

225 gr SST over 72.0 grains of RE19 @ 2770 fps from a 23 inch barrel.
 
I found that the 225g ttsx over 70.2g of H4350 has given me consistent groups under MOA at 200 yrds. Going to stretch the targets out to 500 yrds this week and see how they do.

This will be my first elk hunt. I'm going first season rifle in Colorado.
 
I'm getting a 338 win mag and have started to research different bullets for elk hunting. (Never been elk hunting before) I've been very happy with the performance of Hornady's bullets in my other calibers, but am a little worried by some of the reviews I've read on them. Bullet blowup with sst's, and general lack of performance with IB's. I'm open to trying other bullets, but want to hear from anyone who has EXPERIENCE with 338 calibers on elk. I'm looking for an excellent performer from 0-400 yards. This is, for the most part, a single purpose round. I will be handloading for it as well. Thanks in advance for the help.
I like 200gr
 
Anyone have experience with Barnes at all? Over the counter .338's aren't as common as one would think in western Wisconsin. I did find some Barnes TTSX's in 225g.

i loaded for a 338wm (22" barrel ) that would not shoot any jacketed bullet worth a **** 1.5" plus , the ttsx 225 ended up being the magical bullet .333" ... if you cant find a good shooting cup and core type bullet .. give a solid copper bullet a try

personally , my luck with hornady bullets has been a total flop .. they are generally cheaper, so it pulls in the frugal fella's .. ive wasted alot of powder and primers trying to get them to shoot good ...
 
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