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Never been on an elk hunt before. Working up a 308 load. Is the 150 ttsx plenty or need to step it up to the 168? Thanks
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When I was using a 308 a lot I trusted pretty much everything to a 165gr bullet. Never hunted elk with it but if I did it would be the 165 gr bullet. Never could get 150's to shoot that well. 165 and 180's shot great. Going to hunt deer this year with another 308 with 189gr cast bullet's. This years elk cartridge will be a 30-06 with 180 gr bullet.
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Gun is a sako finnlight already tuned in on the 150 ttsx. Picked up some 168's to load up and try. Just curious on the 150 in case I run out of time working on the 168. Thanks
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Daughter will be using a .308 Win/130TTSX slightly over 3000fps. Under 400 yards it should be fine.
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I have a friend who uses one rifle for everything out here...a BLR .308 and 150gr Corlokts! Mule Deer, elk and one big cow bison! ha He has used factory loads and handloads, but always the 150 CL. I would think the 150 TTSX would be even better...if that's even possible!
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Never been on an elk hunt before. Working up a 308 load. Is the 150 ttsx plenty......? Yes.
_________________________________________________________________________ “Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
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You'll be fine. Work up your loads, be familiar with your rifle, bust the elk right in the oil pump and everything will be "sunshine and puppy dogs".
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You'll be good with the 150TTSX! memtb
You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel
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A 150gr TTSX will be more than enough if you do your part... Good luck
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Different caliber but I've shot a lot of elk with a 270 using 150's, usually Speer Hotcores. It never failed me.
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My personal choice is the 180 grain in .30 caliber, but if I had to run a 150 ttsx, I wouldnt stay home...
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I think it will be fine. I used 165 gr Speer Grand Slams in my .308 quite successfully, but generally one can drop one bullet weight when using the monolithic TTSX and similar bullets. I do use the 168 gr TTSX in .30-06 and .300 Weatherby and 150 gr TTSX in 7mm Weatherby.
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A 150 Barnes is just fine!!!!
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Never been on an elk hunt before. Working up a 308 load. Is the 150 ttsx plenty or need to step it up to the 168? Thanks Your 150 TTSX will work on any elk that ever walked. If it shoots tight groups in your Sako, you can hunt any Mule Deer or Elk or other large game in the Rocky Mountain West with confidence.
THE CHAIR IS AGAINST THE WALL. The Tikka T3 in .308 Winchester is the Glock 19 of the rifle world. The website is up and running!www.lostriverammocompany.com
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if your gun shoots the 150's well, you are good to go. TSX and TTSX perform like heavier bullets. know your speed and keep it above the minimum recommended per manufacture and you should be good. TTSX's like lots of tissue, so keep it tight in the pocket!
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As many others have said, 150 is fine for a mono bullet. If you were shooting a lead core bullet, then I'd recommend a 165/8
I probably hit more elk with a pickup than you have with a rifle. I have yet to see anyone claim Leupold has never had to fix an optic. I know I have sent a few back. 2 MK 6s, a VX-6, and 3 VX-111s.
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I've killed a handful of elk and eleven different species of African game with the 150 grain Accubond at just under 2900 fps mv
The TTSX will do fine in my thoughts
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Wait for that almost perfect quartering away shot than it wouldn't matter if you use either. Take a shot at a big animal while he is running away from you than you may want a big magnum. Too cover all basis and hunt successfully a big magum should be used unless you know of somewhere the elk are thick and close by. Long shots at big elk require magnums unless you see one stand perfectly broadside or sleeping.
Last edited by Ziggy; 09/03/17.
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Wait for that almost perfect quartering away shot than it wouldn't matter if you use either. Take a shot at a big animal while he is running away from you than you may want a big magnum. Too cover all basis and hunt successfully a big magum should be used unless you know of somewhere the elk are thick and close by. Long shots at big elk require magnums unless you see one stand perfectly broadside or sleeping. I disagree
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Wait for that almost perfect quartering away shot than it wouldn't matter if you use either. Take a shot at a big animal while he is running away from you than you may want a big magnum. Too cover all basis and hunt successfully a big magum should be used unless you know of somewhere the elk are thick and close by. Long shots at big elk require magnums unless you see one stand perfectly broadside or sleeping. I disagree Same here Ted. Taking a shot at an animal running away,unless it is already badly wounded is poor judgement at best. My success rate is in the very high 95+%. I have killed elk with a 30-30,44 mag, 50 cal muzzle loader, .308, 45-70 and most with a 30-06.Only a few with a 7mmMag. None with the Texas heart shot. The only ones that didn't fall over right away was due to poor bullet placement on my part and that was darn few.
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Wait for that almost perfect quartering away shot than it wouldn't matter if you use either. Take a shot at a big animal while he is running away from you than you may want a big magnum. Too cover all basis and hunt successfully a big magum should be used unless you know of somewhere the elk are thick and close by. Long shots at big elk require magnums unless you see one stand perfectly broadside or sleeping. I disagree Same here Ted. Taking a shot at an animal running away,unless it is already badly wounded is poor judgement at best. My success rate is in the very high 95+%. I have killed elk with a 30-30,44 mag, 50 cal muzzle loader, .308, 45-70 and most with a 30-06.Only a few with a 7mmMag. None with the Texas heart shot. The only ones that didn't fall over right away was due to poor bullet placement on my part and that was darn few. In addition all except two in the last few years were killed with cup and core bullets except the ML which was pure lead
Last edited by saddlesore; 09/03/17.
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles
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Wait for that almost perfect quartering away shot than it wouldn't matter if you use either. Take a shot at a big animal while he is running away from you than you may want a big magnum. Too cover all basis and hunt successfully a big magum should be used unless you know of somewhere the elk are thick and close by. Long shots at big elk require magnums unless you see one stand perfectly broadside or sleeping. I disagree Same here Ted. Taking a shot at an animal running away,unless it is already badly wounded is poor judgement at best. My success rate is in the very high 95+%. I have killed elk with a 30-30,44 mag, 50 cal muzzle loader, .308, 45-70 and most with a 30-06.Only a few with a 7mmMag. None with the Texas heart shot. The only ones that didn't fall over right away was due to poor bullet placement on my part and that was darn few. In addition all except two in the last few years were killed with cup and core bullets except the ML which was pure lead I personally wouldn't take a shot at one running away either, I have an issue taking a shot at one looking in my direction but if we were to take a poll and everyone was being honest I bet the majority would say they have taken the shot. Big bulls make people do unethical things. And when u spook one at of the brush and he's running away from you at 100yrds you will take the shot. So a magnum will help cover those unethical moments your having. If you hunt in mountainous terrain extreme "shot angles" are the norm so a magnum will help. Big bulls require big bullets in mountainous terrain and where long shots are the norm. You will be well equipped with a magnum. To totally disagree with this statement is a lack of common Sense.
Last edited by Ziggy; 09/04/17.
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I've never used the 150 grain TTSX on anything let alone bull elk. But, I have killed a bunch of nice bulls over the past 30 years or so. My experience suggests your bullet will be just fine out of your .308. Contrary to what many think elk are not all that hard to kill. But, like almost any game animal if you shoot him around the edges you'll have a rodeo on your hands regardless of what you shot it with. Wounded elk can change zip codes on you. However, to say big magnums are required to cleanly kill elk doesn't fit with what I've seen. It comes down to good bullets and good shot placement with little regard for raw horse power.
Last edited by super T; 09/04/17.
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I personally wouldn't take a shot at one running away either, I have an issue taking a shot at one looking in my direction but if we were to take a poll and everyone was being honest I bet the majority would say they have taken the shot. Big bulls make people do unethical things. And when u spook one at of the brush and he's running away from you at 100yrds you will take the shot. So a magnum will help cover those unethical moments your having. If you hunt in mountainous terrain extreme "shot angles" are the norm so a magnum will help. Big bulls require big bullets in mountainous terrain and where long shots are the norm. You will be well equipped with a magnum. To totally disagree with this statement is a lack of common Sense.
I must be in the minority then because I have never taken that shot. Ethics is a thing hunters practice when no one else is around to see them. I have been around this forum for 15+ years and have read a lot of post from a lot of guys. From those post I don't think the majority would take that shot. Of course from some of the threads from the younger generation on here, nothing is a big surprise anymore. There is nothing wrong with putting the safety back on when a bull or cow has out smarted a hunter, which is exactly what happens if you a hunter sees the butt of the elk running away. That is common sense, not lack of it. Elk, big or small are not hard to kill. However, having patience to wait and put the bullet in the right place to do so seems to be a task many have trouble doing so. In the realm of 400-700 yards,magnums do come into play quiet handily . At those distances putting the bullet in the right place should be an easy a task if the shooter is up to it as the elk are not normally aware of the hunter. Years ago I did fall for the idea and carried a 7mag for 2-3 years. In my younger days,I thought it would kill and elk with any shot presentation. One long tracking job convinced me otherwise
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Get a quality bullet, practice with a good load, A LOT, put the bullet in the proper place and let the work of getting your elk out begin. Elk have been taken (both legally and illegally) with probably every caliber from .22 - .5 or larger. They aren't bullet-proof, despite what some would have you think. Won't comment on taking an un-wounded game animal from behind, that's an ethical question on THAT hunter in THAT moment can decide. I, personally have taken elk with a bow, a .50 muzzle loader, 25-06, 264 WM, 30-06, 300 WM, 300 Wby Mag and 308. Most were with the 30-06 or the bow. I had an uncle that took nearly all of his elk with a 256 Newton (think down-loaded 264 WM) in a Newton rifle. My Dad took his last elk at age 80 with a 30-06. Their Dad took his elk with a 30 Winchester (aka 30-30). To the best of my knowledge, all of the elk those three men took were with common, store-bought (or in my uncle's case, reloaded with) cup and core bullets. The 'magic' of each of them was that they had practiced enough to know where their rifles hit and then proceeded to take animals with one well placed shot.
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Wait for that almost perfect quartering away shot than it wouldn't matter if you use either. Take a shot at a big animal while he is running away from you than you may want a big magnum. Too cover all basis and hunt successfully a big magum should be used unless you know of somewhere the elk are thick and close by. Long shots at big elk require magnums unless you see one stand perfectly broadside or sleeping. I disagree Same here Ted. Taking a shot at an animal running away,unless it is already badly wounded is poor judgement at best. My success rate is in the very high 95+%. I have killed elk with a 30-30,44 mag, 50 cal muzzle loader, .308, 45-70 and most with a 30-06.Only a few with a 7mmMag. None with the Texas heart shot. The only ones that didn't fall over right away was due to poor bullet placement on my part and that was darn few. In addition all except two in the last few years were killed with cup and core bullets except the ML which was pure lead I personally wouldn't take a shot at one running away either, I have an issue taking a shot at one looking in my direction but if we were to take a poll and everyone was being honest I bet the majority would say they have taken the shot. Big bulls make people do unethical things. And when u spook one at of the brush and he's running away from you at 100yrds you will take the shot. So a magnum will help cover those unethical moments your having. If you hunt in mountainous terrain extreme "shot angles" are the norm so a magnum will help. Big bulls require big bullets in mountainous terrain and where long shots are the norm. You will be well equipped with a magnum. To totally disagree with this statement is a lack of common Sense. I disagree with your thoughts on magnums At sub 300 yards a mag is not killing the biggest bull elk any better
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Wait for that almost perfect quartering away shot than it wouldn't matter if you use either. Take a shot at a big animal while he is running away from you than you may want a big magnum. Too cover all basis and hunt successfully a big magum should be used unless you know of somewhere the elk are thick and close by. Long shots at big elk require magnums unless you see one stand perfectly broadside or sleeping. You haven't hunted elk much, have you? Most of my shots at elk have been full broadsides at stationary elk under 300 yards. My longest, at 487 yards, was standing broadside. None have been running, one (my first, back in the early 80's) was walking slowly and broadside at about 100 yards. Most of the time the longer the range the longer you can wait for a broadside. The longest I've waited was from about 11:30 to sundown when i got a 350 yard shot, again on a broadside. Using rifle you can shoot well is way more important than the cartridge you use. Daughter #1 will be using a .308 Win this year with 130g TTSX at 3045fps at the muzzle. I'm not the least bit worried that it isn't a big magnum as she shoots it very well.
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Nothing wrong with that bullet as long as you realize its strengths and weaknesess. Great bullet for elk as long as you have enough velocity for it to expand. Im going to guess that your minimum expansion velocity is around 2,000 fps. Keep your targets within the range where your minimum velocity doesn't drop below that and you're good (guessing 400 yds) or so. I've killed 2 pickup loads of elk with a 30-06 (I used 180's but those were different times) and KNOW you'll be fine with those bullets at sub 400 yards. I've also killed 4 or 5 with a 338 Win using 225's and 250's and haven't seen a noticible difference .
You'll be fine, it's probably just not a 600 yard elk bullet. (Unless its already wounded)
Have fun!
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Wait for that almost perfect quartering away shot than it wouldn't matter if you use either. Take a shot at a big animal while he is running away from you than you may want a big magnum. Too cover all basis and hunt successfully a big magum should be used unless you know of somewhere the elk are thick and close by. Long shots at big elk require magnums unless you see one stand perfectly broadside or sleeping. You haven't hunted elk much, have you? Most of my shots at elk have been full broadsides at stationary elk under 300 yards. My longest, at 487 yards, was standing broadside. None have been running, one (my first, back in the early 80's) was walking slowly and broadside at about 100 yards. Most of the time the longer the range the longer you can wait for a broadside. The longest I've waited was from about 11:30 to sundown when i got a 350 yard shot, again on a broadside. Using rifle you can shoot well is way more important than the cartridge you use. Daughter #1 will be using a .308 Win this year with 130g TTSX at 3045fps at the muzzle. I'm not the least bit worried that it isn't a big magnum as she shoots it very well. Good for you my friend. You stick with what works best for you.
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Well I found a load for my 300 wsm last week. No go on the 200 eldX I was shooting in factory loads. Got a 168 ttsx running 3250 on 67 grs RL17. That'll be my primary now. Take the 308 for backup.
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Helenaman: I would opt for the wonderful performing, reliable and accurate Nosler 165 grain Partitions! Best of luck to you with whichever you choose. Hold into the wind VarmintGuy
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168 TTSX in 30 cal is my favorite elk bullet.
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I think my 308 is good to go. 178 ELDX.
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The best factory load I have used was for my wifes 300-win mag. It was Federal Premium ammo loaded with 180-grain Nosler Partition bullets.
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We've killed a bunch with the 150 gr TTSX out of a 30-06. you'll be just fine.
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I think my 308 is good to go. 178 ELDX. How can that be? Al three shots missed the bullseye.
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There was some earlier mention about shooting an elk facing or running away - which is little different in terms of impact velocity than simply standing and facing away - and whether such shots are ethical. Some say 'yea', some say 'nay'.
My own thoughts are it depends on the situation. The difference between a facing elk and one that is facing away is mostly in the distance the bullet has to travel and the material it has to travel through to reach the vitals. In either case, I don't really like them because of the mess a bullet will do passing through the entrails. My preference is a broadside or quartering shot for that reason and I've found that patience will generally allow such shots.
If an elk is running straight away the shot may be easy but I've let several elk and deer go because that shot was all they offered. If the animal may be wounded I'd rather risk the shot than let the animal die an ugly death. The only facing away shot I've intentionally attempted was from an elevated height where I had a clear shot through the spine and angling for the vitals of a bull standing at about 100 yards.
Everyone has to decide for themselves but the difficultly of a shot on running game is often grossly underestimated when it comes to intended vs actual point of impact. Elk have top end running speeds of about 45mph. At that speed they are traveling abut 31fps and a typical elk load (.470 B.C. bullet doing 2900fps at the muzzle) will require a lead of about 3.5 feet at 100 yards and 7 feet at 200. Even an elk walking at 4mph needs a 16" lead at 200 yards.
One other thing people should consider is whether the ammo they are using is adequate for a facing away shot. The first elk I shot was at about 100-110 yards, broadside. My 7mm RM put a 162g Hornady BTSP, chosen for its B.C. more than other factors, centered a near side rib and missed or barely nicked a far side rib. Retained weight was under 48%. Since then I've used more sturdy bullets including Speer Grand Slam, North Fork SS, Barnes MRX and Nosler AccuBond. Those that I have recovered have been few and those encountered a lot more bone or, in one case, penetrated the full length of the animal less an inch or so. Except to stop a possibly wounded elk, I would not attempt a rear shot with anything less than a heavyweight cup-and core bullet.
YMMV
Last edited by Coyote_Hunter; 09/26/17. Reason: spelnig
Coyote Hunter - NRA Patriot Life, NRA Whittington Center Life, GOA, DAD - and I VOTE!
No, I'm not a Ruger bigot - just an unabashed fan of their revolvers, M77's and #1's.
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Never been on an elk hunt before. Working up a 308 load. Is the 150 ttsx plenty or need to step it up to the 168? Thanks TTSX very plenty. Shoot'em threw the slats, just about and decent controlled expansion bullet will work. I even used a 7mm 150 Btip on a bull elk, Shot him twice, because he was headed wobbly legged after the first shot threw lungs/heart, Second shot angled from last rib to bust far shoulder blade, for the very steep hill he just climbed..... I did not wont to pack his furry carcas back up it. He tipped over just before the "cliff' Focus on shot placement.
Last edited by boomwack; 09/25/17.
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Wait for that almost perfect quartering away shot than it wouldn't matter if you use either. Take a shot at a big animal while he is running away from you than you may want a big magnum. Too cover all basis and hunt successfully a big magum should be used unless you know of somewhere the elk are thick and close by. Long shots at big elk require magnums unless you see one stand perfectly broadside or sleeping. I disagree Same here Ted. Taking a shot at an animal running away,unless it is already badly wounded is poor judgement at best. My success rate is in the very high 95+%. I have killed elk with a 30-30,44 mag, 50 cal muzzle loader, .308, 45-70 and most with a 30-06.Only a few with a 7mmMag. None with the Texas heart shot. The only ones that didn't fall over right away was due to poor bullet placement on my part and that was darn few. In addition all except two in the last few years were killed with cup and core bullets except the ML which was pure lead I personally wouldn't take a shot at one running away either, I have an issue taking a shot at one looking in my direction but if we were to take a poll and everyone was being honest I bet the majority would say they have taken the shot. Big bulls make people do unethical things. And when u spook one at of the brush and he's running away from you at 100yrds you will take the shot. So a magnum will help cover those unethical moments your having. If you hunt in mountainous terrain extreme "shot angles" are the norm so a magnum will help. Big bulls require big bullets in mountainous terrain and where long shots are the norm. You will be well equipped with a magnum. To totally disagree with this statement is a lack of common Sense. When I hunt I only feel the need to take shots that are sure to get results. If I ever feel the need to just blast away for any reason I would go ahead and give up hunting for good. Part of hunting tradition for me is about being a fair and honest man and greed has no place in it. I sure do miss the oldtimer hunters who use to live this philosophy to the best of there ability. Trystan
Good bullets properly placed always work, but not everyone knows what good bullets are, or can reliably place them in the field
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 24
New Member
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New Member
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 364
Campfire Member
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OP
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 364 |
Well the 178 eldX in the 308 did its job today. Recovered 2 bullets out of the elk. Anxious to get home see how much weight was retained
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,297
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,297 |
That doesn’t look too bad at all. Nice catch
Semper Fi
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,520
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,612 |
That ELD-X looks pretty good, a lot better than some of the reports of tipped Hornady bullets on here recently. I guess the typical speed of the 308 matches up well with that design.
Gerry.
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 364
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 364 |
Weighed it. 131.5 gr retained. Not bad out of a finnlight 21" barrel at 200 yds
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