150 for elk
03-24-2007, 08:06 AM
#12
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,085
RE: 150 for elk
I agree with James B...Sure, you can kill an elk with 150s in a .300 mag, but there are much better choices in projectiles...150 grain bullets in .300 mags have a reputation as meat wasters and you run the risk of overexpansion and inadequate penetration on heavy game.... A well constructed 180 grain bullet would be a much better choice for that cartridge, and a 200 grain would be better yet, IMHO... 150 grain .30 caliber bullets are an excellent choice for deer sized game in standard chamberings such as the .308 or 30-06, but not such a good choice for heavy game at magnum velocities...
03-24-2007, 10:13 AM
#13
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Saskatchewan Canada
Posts: 6,921
RE: 150 for elk
tgh, pygmy summedit up. Why risk lack of pentration on a big animal for a few more fps?
As far as the barnes TSX being it is all copper and designed to retain 90% of orginal mass it will resist deforming better then a copper/lead bullet at higher impact velocities. As far as expansion yes and no, many factors are invloved here like striking bone, etc. I have used the 140 TSX to harvest 2 bull elk and 1 bull moose in the past 2 years, on the elk I received pass thrus but didn't touch any serious bone along the way. The exit holes showed expansion but not as much as I have seen from traditional copper/lead bullets with similar shot location. It didn't make a difference though as both bulls went downjust as reliably. On the mooseI recovered a bullet after taking a1/4 away of maybe 70 yards. In this case the bullet took out the lungs, through the opposite shoulder and came to rest in the hide. Bullet recovered weight retention was 91% and expansion was .714" (over double orig. dia). Unbelievable penetration, excellent terminal performance and very little meat loss - from 140gr/.284 bullet spit out at high MV from my 7mm rem mag. Previously with the same rifle 160gr was my choice for a nosler partition,etc(copper/lead)and it never failed me either.
I know others have stated lighter work, this just my opinion based on my experience.
As far as the barnes TSX being it is all copper and designed to retain 90% of orginal mass it will resist deforming better then a copper/lead bullet at higher impact velocities. As far as expansion yes and no, many factors are invloved here like striking bone, etc. I have used the 140 TSX to harvest 2 bull elk and 1 bull moose in the past 2 years, on the elk I received pass thrus but didn't touch any serious bone along the way. The exit holes showed expansion but not as much as I have seen from traditional copper/lead bullets with similar shot location. It didn't make a difference though as both bulls went downjust as reliably. On the mooseI recovered a bullet after taking a1/4 away of maybe 70 yards. In this case the bullet took out the lungs, through the opposite shoulder and came to rest in the hide. Bullet recovered weight retention was 91% and expansion was .714" (over double orig. dia). Unbelievable penetration, excellent terminal performance and very little meat loss - from 140gr/.284 bullet spit out at high MV from my 7mm rem mag. Previously with the same rifle 160gr was my choice for a nosler partition,etc(copper/lead)and it never failed me either.
I know others have stated lighter work, this just my opinion based on my experience.
03-24-2007, 02:07 PM
#16
Typical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Denver, Colorado
Posts: 599
RE: 150 for elk
In approximately half the responses, an understanding ofsection density appears to be absent, OR the respondent feels it is simply unimportant when tackling bigger game.... an error in my opine.
03-24-2007, 06:30 PM
#18
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 309
RE: 150 for elk
Skeeter7mm haswritten an excellent presentation for the SD and WHY the heavier bullet is opted for when hunting elk. Also Skeeter, the Barnes TSX is designed to open from 1700fps and up in speeds.
I've been working with an aquaintance who's bullet use and hunting resume is is bested only bysome of the pros in the magazines. He uses a Blaser riflein .300 WM for 99% of his hunting. Uses 180gr TSX's to kill everything. Partitions prior to the release of TSX's.Has even usedthe TSXon brown bear with not one complaint. When I purchased my .300 WSM, I asked his opinion on the best reloads I should try to obtain both the best accuracy and knock down power from that cartridge. Without hesitation, he said" reloader 22 and 180 gr Barnes TSX bullets"! He then showed me several of his targets to prove his statement. All under 1/2" at 100yds. His trophy room looks like the Museum of Natural History. Trust me,his opinion counts very much in my book.
You should re-read Skeeter's post. He nailed it very politiely!
I've been working with an aquaintance who's bullet use and hunting resume is is bested only bysome of the pros in the magazines. He uses a Blaser riflein .300 WM for 99% of his hunting. Uses 180gr TSX's to kill everything. Partitions prior to the release of TSX's.Has even usedthe TSXon brown bear with not one complaint. When I purchased my .300 WSM, I asked his opinion on the best reloads I should try to obtain both the best accuracy and knock down power from that cartridge. Without hesitation, he said" reloader 22 and 180 gr Barnes TSX bullets"! He then showed me several of his targets to prove his statement. All under 1/2" at 100yds. His trophy room looks like the Museum of Natural History. Trust me,his opinion counts very much in my book.
You should re-read Skeeter's post. He nailed it very politiely!
03-24-2007, 06:44 PM
#19
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location:
Posts: 5,180
RE: 150 for elk
I may go elk hunting 3ed season but im taking my muzzy loader. 385 great plains bullet. Shoots just a touch over 1/2" groups @ 100. I figured i'd sight it 2 -3" high at 125 and be close to around 8" low at 200. Its a better setup than my old 30-30.
