Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Monolithics - easing into 308 bullets

I have a load for one of my .308's. (150 T-TSX) I used RL-15, groups really well. With the velocity only 20 fps different than the Vortex ammo. Barnes loading that different bullet, I could be happy shooting the factory stuff.
This is coming from a long time reloader who has some rifles that have never seen a factory round in the chamber.
Wish you the best.

The TTSX Vortex component bullet. It has a higher BC (0.440 BC) than the 'regular' 150 TTSX and appears to open wider. The video link hammer provided shows the difference. The loaded ammo is a bit pricey - $40/box. But if it shoots good and has powder that doesn't get crazy velocity fluctuations in response to temperature, I'd pay and simply hunt with it.

Interesting, they do make it clear they are using a different bullet in their loaded ammo for the 308 than the standard 150 TTSX. Learn something new everyday...

At the same time, it demonstrates why velocity is king in the monos. The only 338 160 TTSX I recovered was .75" across. That was a short range range shot and it opened really wide. Probably similar to what a 130 out of a 308 would do.

He's referring to the 150grn TTSX bullet specific the the Vortex 308 ammunition line. New this year, it's a different bullet designed to perform better at lower velocities also has a better bc than the 150TTSX component bullet.

David

I called Barnes this PM. No 150 gr TTSX Vortex component bullets. The conversation was a bit interesting. The Barnes tech said he wasnt aware of any such video, which I get, but he stated the Vortex bullet would open at longer distances but would not open any wider. The video clearly showed otherwise. Oh well.

I'll likely try the factory Vortex ammo.

I don't know why they don't transition most of their mono bullets to the softer design for easier opening and a bit better BC. That's why I shoot the 7mm 150 and the 308 168gr Etip.

The video showed the bullets being fired at 300 yards. If you were to fire both at 50 yards, they would likely have expanded to the same diameter.

The video shows the bullets being fired at 200 yards, not 300. The Barnes tech doing the shooting states this at about 3:38 in the video.

About 4:20 the older guy in the video says, "This is a component bullet shot into the gel and it just doesn't have the velocity in 308 to open up the way you want."

Barnes Tech: "Exactly"


David

Ah, thanks. My mistake. But the point still holds

While I am a big mono proponent and prefer both entrance and exit holes.

Here is another thought.
Wouldn't a Hornady 180gr or 165gr IL serve your purpose?

Perhaps at 50 yards.

100? 150?

David

The point is that the rep bwinters spoke to was trying to say that the softer VORTEX bullet isn’t designed to open wider than the component bullet if both expand to their max diameter.

I’ve no doubt that the softer bullet will expand wider once the component bullet slows down enough that it’s not achieving max diameter.

I agree, but based on that video it would appear that the 150 TTSX wasn't designed to open fully throughout typical hunting ranges at 308 velocities. Its easy for me to see why someone would conclude that the Vortex bullet would open wider based on that video.


David

Agreed. The 130 TTSX and the .308 Win are like PB & J.

Ham and eggs...

Unless I'm shooting bigger critters than WT's, a 130 gr. mono is about right for the .308. Any bullet that will blow thru a WT is heavy enough, IMO. And the lighter ones do fly faster.

Speed kills. Monos like speed. I try to go as light and fast as the application will allow.

DF

I personally can see no use for a monolithic in the 308. It's pretty easy on bullets. Two years ago I used a 308 to shoot a 6pt bull elk in the front leg knuckle with a 165 Hdy SPBT. The bullet center punched the ball joint and made it through both lungs. At the impact a loud "CRACK" echoed across the meadow from 200 yards away where it was standing. The bull dropped in its tracks. That may be the worst torture test you can ask of a bullet, and it worked fine.

A 165 Speer Hotcore exited a 7x7 bull the previous year.

Ever consider the Trophy Bonded Tip bullets? Might be your Huckleberry.

Yep I would use any CC 165 in a 308 before a mono. I like the 165 Federal TTB ...Kind of the best of all worlds

You know what works, and that's the gold std. And we use what we have confidence in.

That 135 CEB Raptor is an interesting alternative. It's impressive.

DF

The 140 Tipped TBBC has been working amazing for us this fall out of a 270 Win at 2900...