Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game 130 grain TTSX from a .30-06 for game bigger than deer

Anyone here running 130 grain TTSX for elk and moose? I got a deal to good to pass up on some and am loading them for deer, accuracy is certainly up to the task out to my personal limit of 500 meters.
If they're up to the task, I have my load and will just acquire a lifetime supply lol.

The question you have to ask yourself is-

Is retaining 100% of 130 grains better than retaining 70% of 180 grains and why?

One must consider impact velocity and terminal performance at that speed.

Mono's shine at higher velocity.....not sure a 130 .308 will retain speed out to 500 like a 155-165 or higher will.

I feel the 130 is great in a 308 - but not out to 500.

http://www.barnesbullets.com/files/2016/03/VOR-TX-ballistics-for-web.pdf

In my experience the 130 TTSX would provide plenty of terminal performance on elk and moose. It's big disadvantage at longer ranges would be more wind-drift than heavier bullets.

This^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Tough to shoot ping pong balls with what's available today. That being said, I doubt it would slow most hunters down much

Silly question when you thnk about it.

If JOC could do moose and elk with 130s out of a .270 Why can't you do them out of an '06 with TTSXs?

Of course you can. Just keep terminal velocity up above 2000 FPS and know what to do about the wind. At normal ranges, you'll just get superior performance.

BC matters...

Daughter #1 will be hunting elk with a .308Win and 130g TTSX this year. If I was concerned about the outcome I would have her use a heavier bullet.


My experience with TTSX is we've been unable to recover one. Animals (antelope, mulies and elk) have gone straight down often as not, maybe more. None have gone more than a few yards.

No experience, yet, but I load those for my cousins wife. Well, tsx not ttsx. Needed something with a but less recoil for her and just buying a new gun was not in the cards. I already had them, as i used that combo for a mule deer.

If i had doubts about that 130 penetrating an elk, i would've never loaded them up.

My only doubt, is 500 meters from an 06, but again, just a concern, as I've not run bullet tests or seen the data.

I know what my an 85 XBT did from my 20" 243 on a hog at 240yds.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...ger_1_International_Who_has_#Post3091822

Again, I know Most game is shot far shy of 500 meters, and many rounds are GTG to around 400 with shot placement, but being a light mono (lower BC) my concern would focus on expansion, penetration should not be the issue.

JB is right on the wind issue, as placement is always key to reaching and destroying vitals. Placement, penetration, then expansion........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tcs4w6VArIg

397 yds, above, 280AI, 140 TTSX, Mulie, double lunged....hitting bone promotes mono expansion. Just one situation. I say, hard bullets - aim for hard tissue/bone, soft bullets are better on soft tissue...

Fair enough, I kind of figured 500 was a stretch and that bc would be the bullets weakest point. I will see if I can run one into a deer or black bear this fall and perhaps see if I can find a quality 165-200 grain bullet my '06 likes.

I am sure the round is very capable, but would just want to use the best bullets for long range, if I intended to shoot at the 500m you impose. I would be very comfortable personally up to 400 with the 130 Barnes, other '06 owners may chime in and feel differently.

JB mentioned this bullet being fine, on large game, and I agree, as hitting more muscle and bone promotes expansion, I just feel like the mono is likely to be a bit tougher than a lead core slug and need a bit more speed to show it's best. Hitting shoulders might change that equation.

When you lay a 130 TTSX next to say a 180gr, they are about the same size bullet, length and all. The record is long on the 180. The 200 PT is a helluva hunting bullet in 30 cal, but if you get good speed - say 2700 or better using a quality 180, that might be might pick at longer distances, not sure how BC/MV marry over time with the 180 vs 200 in the '06 velocity window. The Partition is proven, an Accubond might have a higher BC - not sure, and it's a tough bullet as well.

Had a friend who had a 26" M70 pre-64 his dad passed down, and he rebarreled, his pet load for Africa was the older 165 Barnes, he had good success. Not sure of the ranges, but likely most shots under 300 due to the brush/terrain.

Don't get me wrong, I really like the 130 and what it offers within it's performance range. To what distance that is I cannot say. Expansion aside, JB accurately brings up wind, as others. Easier to dial drop, it's constant at a known range as you know. Wind, often changing, and uncertain angles, etc enroute to the animal.

Good hunting.