Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting 130 grn TTSX in 300 Win Mag

A week or so ago I started trying various 300 Win Mag loads out for accuracy in my TC Pro-Hunter. This rig will be going with me on a Utah elk hunt. I wanted an accurate (1.5 moa or better) loading that would shoot reasonably flat and retain quite a bit of weight upon and throughout impact. Federal offers a 130 grain tipped triple shock loading for this caliber. Velocity is listed at 3500 fps. This shows to be one flat shooting combo, but I wondered about accuracy and bullet integrity. I lined up (5)plastic one gallon milk jugs filled with water at 100 yards. In between each milk jug I placed a magazine / periodical. The impact and destruction caused by this round on the first milk jug was extremely impressive. I don't know if I will ever get all the plastic and paper pieces picked up. The bullet continued penetrating up through one side of the 4th milk jug and stopped. Call it 19"-24" of penetration through water and dry newsprint. Remember there were periodicals sandwiched between each milk jug. The bullet presented the perfect four petal mushroom we've all seen pictures of and weighed in at 130.0 grains. Accuracy for me with this loading at 100 yards for 3 round groups is running a very consistent 1". I am very happy with the results so far and plan on trying this combo out on some Axis deer shortly. From all indications thus far, and if this load performs as well on live game as I am beginning to believe, I think my quest for a good elk round may be over. Anyone else tried this load yet?

You might, just for grins, run the wind drift numbers out at ranges where that flat trajectory matters... Compare it to (say) a 200-gn Accubond (BC .588) at 2900 fps or so... The heavier bullet will blow around a LOT less at ranges where flatness of trajectory matters.

Many ways to skin a cat <g>! I hope you shoot a big boy with that load and report back. Very interesting load!

A 130gr. bullet of any brand would'nt be my first choice for a 300 mag on elk. JMHO

I admit that a 130 grain bullet for elk sounds strange. I sure have read alot recently about 25-06's, and smaller, being adequate for elk. If that is the case, and those folks don't have some kind of "super 25-06" that pushes a bullet close to 130 grains to close to or better than 3500 fps, how can the Federal 130 grn TTSX not be equally adequate? Not casting stones here at all, just wondering out loud...
I am tracking on the heavier bulles drifting less at far ranges. 300 yards though, is a long shot for me. I started out bow-hunting so I guess I still feel that need to get up as close to 'em as possible and pick my spot. This load looks like a laser out to 300.

Any load out of a 300WM, with proper sight in, looks like a lazer to only 300 yds.

I guess I did not realize that there were that many loads out there that would put the bullet's impact no more than 3" above or below the point of aim out to only 300 yds.
I will pull the reloading manuals back out in a few days and look this trajectory stuff over again.

That 130gr TTSX should be a wicked bastid on elk or deer! Good luck, and post photos of your kill!

168 or 180 TTSX would be my choice.

what unit are you hunting?

The .308" 130 TTSX is bigger than it "should" be. With 100% weight retention it kinda changes the traditional rules.

Here's one beside a 180gr CorLokt,

For me. I'm more inclined to go with a bullet that retains more energy out a ways. I also like bullets that the wind doesn't push as much.

I have no doubt you'll be pleased with the results with your 130 grain TTSX.

But - having said that - I'd be shooting a 165, 168 or a 180 TTSX.

But - life IS about choices - good luck!

I would be more concerned about ft. lbs. of energy at 300 yards versus flat trajectory .Not saying the 130s wont kill an elk, but why chance it? JMO

Clay,

Believe me, if you're not going to shoot over 300 yards, something heavier will for all pratical purposes shoot just as flat. And wind can be a big factor in elk country.

I know you have wind in that part of Texas. But it ain't the same as wind that can blow in 2 or 3 directions HARD in 300 yards in the mountain.

There isn't any real problem with penetration on elk using the 130 TTSX, but heavier bullets will land closer to the point of aim at any range out to 300 in any kind of wind.

+1

Shooting 168's out of mine, and better than an inch!

Thanks for the suggestions / info guys. Here is a list of the some of the bullets I've tried thus far. Accuracy was not all that I'd hoped for with some. All groups are 3 shots:

180 grn Trophy Bonded grouped 1.25" at 100 yards.
180 grn Oryx grouped 1.75" at 100 yards.
180 grn Swift Sirocco grouped 2.25" at 100 yards.
180 grn Partition grouped 2.5" at 100 yards.
180 grn Ballistic Silver Tip grouped 7/8" at 100 yards.
165 grn Triple Shock grouped 1.75" at 100 yards.
165 grn Partition grouped 1.75" at 100 yards.
150 grn Ballistic Tip grouped 1.25" at 100 yards.
I've got some 150 grn SST's to play with, but thought they might be a bit fragile for elk...?

We, brother-in-law and I, are planning to hunt near Ogden / Liberty.

When I get more time, I'll try to chrono the Ballistic Silvertip, Oryx, and Trophy Bonded loads. Then I'll see how they stack up when pulled from water and newsprint.

Thanks again,

JB,

I played around with a ballistic calculator and some heavier bullets in the wind. I see what you, Jeff, and Brian are saying. Thanks all.
Please pass along a thank you to Eileen. The "Wild-Tamer Hamburgers" recipe is another reason I'll testing elk bullets on Axis. We've gone through quite a bit of my freezer stock since getting Slice of the Wild.

Keep up the good work and don't be a stranger.

Last 3 rounds from my Vanguard 300 WM...



I took a 6x6 bull elk last season using the 130 TTSX from Federal.

One shot, 80 to 100 yds, through the shoulder, and the rib cage about 6" below the spine, into far shoulder. Went about 40 yds and dropped dead. None of the typical blood splash on the ground through his nose from being lung shot...because I believe the impact and shock was so severe that he literally never drew another breath. Blew the lungs all to hell, but very little ruined meat.

I'll be sticking with the TTSX 130s.

One note...

If you zero at 100 yds, you should be about 2" high at 200 yds. No, I'm not kidding. This combination is a freakin' laser!!!

Does anybody have drift charts you can post, like compared to a 180 Partition factory load?

Look at the ballistic charts in the the Barnes manual. It will give you an idea of comparable drift values for a 10 mph crosswind at various ranges. You can compare those with other bullets of similar weight and BC values at similar muzzle velocities. Also, Bob Forker's Ammo & Ballistics II has values for factory loads--you can usually find a copy at Barnes & Noble. Browse one and find the loads that you want to compare...

Anybody else? Don't have Barnes manual or a bookstore to browse