I basically agree with you Jeff, back when I ran a 338 and a 340 a lot I had a thing for the 250 Noz. It shoot incredibly well, in fact for me quite a bit better than I could ever get the 210 Noz to shoot.

Most don't likey the 250's as they tend to bounce one around a bit more. Me I just don't notice it anymore. Hmm, wonder why..?

Dober

I don't know if or how well I could run your 340 Mark, but I've reached the point where my sporter .338 is just "eh" in terms of recoil, too!

Not sure if that's something to be PROUD of, or worry about, though.

I really should be shooting today; no rain. But I'm trying to get that moolah gravity effect going... you know the one...

Lee I'll offer what I have many times... 338 win mag with the 225 barnes bullet, NOT The new ttsx ones either, the older "harder" to open ones... around 27-2800 fps IIRC... 2 shots on a caribou at 802 yards, both bullets opened(you can tell the difference in the entry and exit sizes, and both continued sailing on. The second one breaking the spine in the process.

With your round, I wouldn't worry about a tsx, or ttsx of any weight, for at least the first 500 yards....

Yes. First,rumores of the inaccuracy of Nosler Partitions at extended range may be true....if by extended range you mean beyond 600 yards (as far as I have shot them in 7mm,30 cal,and 338).Since I've used Partitions on a couple of bulls to the 500 yard mark myself,and seen others do the same,the Partition is plenty accurate.If your outside limit is 350 yards you have nothing to fear assuming your rifle shoots well in the first place.Partitions shoot great.

Besides, this is something you can ascertain for yourself by shooting the rifle at these distances.

With a 225 at 2800, you won't be able to zero at 300 yards without excessive mid-range at 100-200 yards.The load is not fast enough to give those results.About 3" high at 100 is bout right;this will put you about 5" low at 300 yards.A higher shoulder hold at 350 will catch the chest of a bull elk.

Or you can run dotz to compensate at 350-400.

Yet we all know that drop is not what kills a person, its wind drift... especially in the mountains....

Screw the outfitter and setup for best non wind drift and learn the distances and how to elevate. Thats your job really. Has nothing to do with the outfitter IMHO, you should come ready to make any shot out to 500 yards right now, with some help from YOUR rangefinder and YOUR windspeed meter and YOUR dope chart.

Their job is to find an elk for you.

No flame,just my opinion and since you didn't pay much for my opinion...

If you must go 185 Barnes, how about the 185 TTSX? It has a very respectable .432 BC. With the 185 TTSX you can at least start to make paper/internet arguments of the 185 vs the 225 AB. I agree that the poor BC of the TSX does start to matter. Why have to deal with the extra drift and sacrifice energy at range when there are bullets out there that won't put you in that spot. I'm not a long range hunter by any means, but I at least want to make the problem as easy as possible. The 225 Accubond is one I use in my 338-06 for just that reason, I really like it. But, I have some 185 TTSXs loaded up for the 338-06 and 338 Fed.

Consider this: A 185 TSX starting at 3100 is doing ~1883/24.4 drift @500yds. A 185 TTSX started at 2850 from a 338-06 is doing ~1886/21.4 at 500 yds and the 185 TTSX started at 2700 in a 338 Fed is doing 1768/23.3 @ 500yds. The poor BC reduces the 338 Win Mag to 338-06 at range, and only slightly better than a 338 Fed. Yes, it's all ballistic gack (as someone here eloquently refers to it), but there is a point where it makes a difference.

Morning Landkiller-you've got my curiosity up, why did you zero in on the 185 TSX? Speed, lighter recoil, friend using it?

Thx, and I hope you draw the tag when the time comes. Do you have any preference points built up?

Dober

PRM... good post! I will sacrafice BC to bullet performance though... its why I shoot Barnes because I've NEVER had even anything close to questionable performance or failure with them. I might be able to hit easier with a different bullet, but if I question its ability to work in every situation, then whats the use.

Yes you will certainly have trade offs BC vs speed, but that evens itself out further out... actually since we are only talking 350 yards, an 06 with a 168 ttsx would do anything needed, but if we are using a larger round, why not take the most advantage of it?

I moved from Virgina to Colorado this past November. I missed the entire hunting season due to the move. The distances here are beyond my ability to describe. 300 yard shots are not the norm in Virginia, even for varmits. Out here it seems to be almost point blank range. I've watched that televison show where they are routinely shooting a quarter to half mile, and that is way beyond my capablities. Do that in Virginia, and you could pretty much go on a book signing tour. I don't have the confidence to spin the turrets, so I will have to sight the rifle in around five inches high at 100 yards for a 300 yard zero near as I can figure with either TSX's or NP's running at 2800 fps. I didn't want to wound an elk with a bullet that has run out of gas or inaccurate at extended range. That seems to be cleared up with the last couple of posts. Thank you again for your input. Lee

Those 5 inch high zero's can bite you at times....

I"d rather zero the gun at 200 and turn knobs, or actually if no knobs, then learn the holdover at 300 or furhter.

If you are shooting further, then turrets... turrets are so easy I just dont' know why more don't use em. You range the animal and twist the knob.