Deer Bullet

[Iron Worker]

I have some Sierra 160 gr TMK bullets loaded up in my 7mm WSM that I use for shooting steel. Will they work for Nevada Mule deer ?

 

[dfanonymous]

they will work. Will they work good is another story. there will be jacket separation and loss in weight retention. at high velocity they will act more like a full metal jacket, not a energy dumping hunting bullet.

 

[sable tireur]

Iron Worker,

I've been using a 7mm-300 WSM (the same cartridge really) with Barnes 140 gr. TTSX and Hornady 162 gr. ELD-X bullets. Both perform admirably in game but if the distance starts to get a little longer, I'd shoot the ELD-X.

Where is your hunt located in Nevada?

Regards.

 

[Iron Worker]

Area 141-144 east of Eureka . I was shooting the 160gr TMK today in hot desert ,(Dang our gun bbls get so Hot after just a few shots) They shot so well,69grs of H1000 produced 3125 fps . But I don't want a bullet failure. So I think I'm going to buy a box of those ELD-x 162gr .

 

[waltercrouse]

I have to use copper bullets here in California. Utah sent me a voucher to purchase copper bullets,too. They have condors there ,also. Barnes 150 grain TTSX works real well and they work on ELK. I do not like Nosler copper bullets ,had a bad hunt with them. I have not tried Hornady GMX on game yet. Good Luck in Nevada.

 

[Cleveland48]

I will be using the 120 TTSX in my 6.5 CM this year. It's my first time using a mono bullet. Accuracy has been great, but not sure if it may be too tough for our whitetail though. My back up is the tried and true 140 Sierra gameking though. I believe the Barnes will work fine though. All my shots are 300 yards or less. Honestly 150 yards or less is 95% of my shots so exspansion should not be an issue.

 

[sable tireur]

You will not have any problem with the Barnes TTSX on Whitetail. I quit shooting Gamekings a long time ago when the newer and better designs came along. But another style to consider is the Nosler 125 gr. Partition or the 129 gr. AccuBond LR.

Regards.

 

[Cleveland48]

I have yet to shoot the partitions in any of the 6.5's I've owned. Don't know why, but I guess I need to try them. Been wanting to try the 129 AB LR too! Shot a bunch of the 130 AB out of a 260 and they worked very well for me. Bought some 120 GMX to run with some varget today. Hopefully test them out tm evening.

 

[Stk]

Will they work? Probably, but there are certainly better options out there.

 

[Iron Worker]

I want to hammer the deer,so I bought some Hornady 162gr ELD-X bullets .$38.99 for a 100ct . But dang Nosler BT were I think $32.00 for 50ct.

 

[Outlaw6.0]

If the TMK is your go-to load, shoot it. A well placed shot with a TMK is FAR better than a poorly placed shot with a "hunting" bullet. Remember, Berger was just another "target" bullet at one point too. I'd expect the tip of the TMK to initiate expansion better than a HP would... who knows.

On the other hand, If you want to try the ELDX, rock on my brother. Just make sure you get plenty of practice in and are confident in your shot placement.


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[lancetkenyon]

I have used SMKs on a lot of game. From cottontails to Coyote, javalina, mule deer, and elk. From a .224" 52 SMK to a .308" 210 SMK and just about everything in between except a 6mm version. Never had an animal walk away from one. Ever. To be honest, all of the fastest kills I have witnessed were from "match" bullets. SMK and Berger Hybrids. They are all I shoot with the exception of a few units in my state that request the use of non-lead bullets. I expect the TMK to perform as well or better than the SMKs.
I am ready to work up a load with the 160 TMK in my new .280AI starting this weekend. And I have no worries as to what it will do to game with proper shot placement. I have 4 elk tags to fill this fall, and I will hopefully let you know first hand how they work by mid-December.

 

[sable tireur]

I have 4 elk tags to fill this fall,

Wow! And I can't even get drawn for one...

 

[Zeke-BE]

Last week I just took this Antelope in New Mexico at 461 yards with a 6.5-270 AI at 3,055 fps with 142 SMK. Below is the the exit and when I took the hide off it was the size of a baseball