To hunt with Standards or Monos...that is the question.

I have always liked bonded bullets, Hornady interbond have worked well for almost 30 years no for pigs, deer, elk and moose. Thay no longer make them, but I have a few thousand left in 165 and 180. Got into 6.5 cal. (Creedmoor and RPM) with143 ELD-X that shoot great but too much meat damage out to 300. Tried 143 Norma Bondstrike last year on whitetail and so far, good. Loads for ELD-x and Bondstrike was the same in both rifles.
 
I've killed so many animals with varying bullets since I grew up in the south and in Texas where game limits are very generous. I can't say I've ever had a bullet fail due to the construction of the bullet. I've used everything from cheap Core Lokts and Power Points to high $$ mono bullets.

I went through this phase of thinking I needed ultra tough bullets with deep penetration. I was sorely disappointed in their performance; not that they didn't kill the animals but blood trails were sparse, animals always ran, and wound channels were small. This was my experience with every mono bullet I tried.

I've gone back to cup and core or light lightly bonded bullets and have been much happier with the results.

For me, I'll never use monos unless I hunt a state where I'm forced to.
 
My 280 AI loved the factory loaded Nosler Accubonds, 140 gr. But living in the People's Republik of Kalifornia, we must use monos. I went to Hammer and am using the 143 HH over Reloder 23. Very happy with the results. Also using a 117 HH in my 264 WM. Developing a load for my 300 WM now, using a 165 gr. mono. Out of curiosity, I am going to try Barnes LRX and see how it performs. So far I have been happy with the mono results in velocity and accuracy. I use my rifles for hunting, not target shooting, so preservation of meat is importantly to me. I don't want bloodshot inedible results, or lead fragments. I'll be sticking to using monos.

I tend to agree with the importance of shot placement. Cost of the bullet doesn't bother me either, as it is the least expensive part of my trip. But I'm not shooting mass quantities at targets either.
 
I've used monos (Barnes TTSX) in a couple of cartridges on game the last three years or so. I have found the results to be impressive on deer sized game in a light for caliber scenario. When driven hard these have killed like lightning at short to medium ranges for me. My experience is limited. I've taken two big mule deer with 300 Win Mag using 150gr TTSX, one at 25yds, one at 475yds. Both shot in the neck, both DRT but a cup & core would do the same. I've taken a large hog and a good size whitetail with my 338-06AI running 160gr Barnes TTSX, both at 75yds or less. Both went less than 20yds from point of impact. Again, the same could be accomplished with cup & core. I will say however that I have never seen that much blood come out of animal that fast when I hit the pig. There was blood spray 15-20ft behind her and the blood trail (15yds or so) was at least a foot wide. All that being said, I shot a big axis buck at about 75yds with a 270WSM and conventional bullet with the same results, good blood trail, ran less than 20yds.
My opinion....if you like light for caliber, the monos are impressive, complete pass through and high shock. But if your hunting thin skinned deer size game at short to medium ranges they aren't necessary.
 
Reverend Mr. Black said:
Read every post. :)👍

More than nice having your experiences shared here.

Skipping Coyotes, Elk & Moose.....my 270 is hands down my favorite, most trusted rifle. For now anyway, monos will remain a temptation.

Thanks everyone!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...


I can't personally speak of mono's from a .270 Win, other than my daughter killing a deer or two……but, from coyotes through moose, my wife's cartridge and mine have been pretty effective using monos! memtb
 
Not all monos are the same, the fracturing ones definitely kill differently than the controlled expansion types
If you want them to really perform you need to pay attention to twist rates your barrel. Projection length out of the case is important, how far they are seated into the neck of the brass as well. Some of them are bore riders too so brass length is another important thing to check
 
Reverend Mr. Black said:
memtb.......

Care to share those 1 or 2 cartridges and which monos??? Like I need more temptation. :cool:
Click to expand...

My wife uses a .338 WM with Barnes 225 grain TTSX's @ 2950 mv. I'm running Barnes 270 grain Barnes LRX's @ 3020 mv from my .375 AI.

Mine @ 9 lbs. 1 ounces - fully loaded, scoped and with sling, her's is 8 lbs. 15 ounces - fully loaded, scoped and with, sling. Both are Winchester Model 70's and neither wears a "brake"! They're hunt'n rifles…..not bench shoot'n rifles! 😉 memtb
 
Thanks nube...

Unfortunately, I just don't have the technical knowledge so many on here have. Over the decades, I've just followed the bullet Maunual's recommended COAL. Never had an issue...at least, not yet. 👍
 
Last edited:
memtb...

Thanks. LONG time ago my every-day Big Bore was a .458 Mag. L-U-V-E-D that moa rifle. Killed a lot of game with it. Now 80 y/o and my being 90 lbs lighter, I'm counting on my 24" 30-06 with 200 gr to get done what the .270 might not? Thanks again for the reply. Best to you both.

Cheers.
 
Out of 270's, have used 85gr TSX to 155gr LRX. They have all worked. Have settled on 130gr T/TSX/LRX for my standard twist. Which ever shoots best. The 155 LRX out of my 1:8 twist.

Have not shot many of the newer mono brands, but Barnes beat Hornady head to head every time I was working up loads. Never tried the E-Tip.

Badlands Bullets was fantastic, but no longer in business.

I have shot a few Hammer 160's out of my 6.8 Western though. Not enough to form an opinion, and have not shot anything with any Hammer bullet yet.
 
Reverend Mr. Black said:
memtb...

Thanks. LONG time ago my every-day Big Bore was a .458 Mag. L-U-V-E-D that moa rifle. Killed a lot of game with it. Now 80 y/o and my being 90 lbs lighter, I'm counting on my 24" 30-06 with 200 gr to get done what the .270 might not? Thanks again for the reply. Best to you both.

Cheers.
Click to expand...
What are you hunting that gives you concerns with the .30-06? My choice with that cartridge has been all over the map. I thought the 200s worked well, but dropped a lot faster and didn't seem to accomplish anything more than 180 gr. In fact with the bullets available now I might be leaning towards the 165gr as the best midweight do all. I know a guy who has gravitated to the 130gr Barnes running hot for everything but he's not a long shot taker.
 

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