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

18.2 minus 16.9 equalls 1.3 inches. Anyone here want to bet they can really tell or notice that kind of difference in the real world of shooting at an elk? the 9 inches flatter trajectory, though is discernable. Folks tend to forget that speed can often help overcome wind drift to a large degree. When a bullet is out IN the wind for a shorter amount of time the wind has less opportunity to do its evil.

Don't the reputable programs account for time-of-flight rather than distance? (One would think.) I do think that there is an advantage for the speedier projectile when shooting moving targets. (ie. Those speedy 130s would probably be great on a caribou meat hunt, taking some of the guess out of leading skittish animals if necessary.)

Yes they do, which is why the real world difference in wind deflection is so small despite lower BC's for shorter lighter bullets but a lot of shooters just look at the high BC's and assume that they would be drastically better in the wind without taking into account the lower start up speed / time of flight for the heavier high BC projectile. Real world differences are usually small if both bullets are a good aerodynamic design and both are loaded to their max speed for the cartridge in question. Good point RE the running game benefits. There is a reason that ballistic progress has gone toward higher and higher speeds and we are not all still shooting 45/70's and such.

I've used 130 TSX on deer and a lope out of an -06. They have expanded well out to over 400 yards when started out at only 3000.

I've never recovered one either. I think they would do fine on elk out to 300 yards.

OTOH, the only real reason I can see to use one is that they recoil less. If recoil is a non-issue for you, then why not just use something heavier anyway? They really don't flatten things out that much, and to 300 yards it is meaningless in comparison.

No doubt.Good luck on your elk hunt.

Ran some numbers through exbal 200 accubond at 2900 and the 130 ttsx at 3500. Elevation at 500 yards for the 130 is -35.9, 200 AB is 46.4, Wind drift at 10 mile hour 130 is -20.7, 200 AB is 14.4, energy for the 130 ttsx is 1353 lbs, 200 AB is 2067.

1. 130 ttsx shoots 10.5 inches flatter than the 200 AB

2. 130 ttsx drifts 6.3 inches more than the 200 AB

3. 130 ttsx gives up 714 lbs of energy


Looking at these numbers I'll take the accubond every time

jc

You think???

MD: how about an article actually comparing drop, penetration, and wind drift between a 130 grain monolithic (Barnes) and a 180 grain jacketed (Partiton, for example) bullet?

I think many would be very interested in seeing side-by-side comparisons. I've often used lighter for caliber bullets such as Barnes with outstanding results, in spite of criticism from others that heavier bullets are necessary.

Lighter bullets drift more, but they're faster so that makes up much if not all of the difference. We can all read ballistics charts, but do they tell the truth? When I've compared, the results are very close.

You don't do much long range shooting I can see that...

When comparing bullets where the BC is as different as it is in this case, I most assuradly have seen a difference in wind drift. At longer ranges than the OP's 300 yards, though. It's not subtle.

At 300 on in, which is what the OP said, I say heck with it.. the guy wants to try an experiment, let's not talk him out of it! Go shoot an elk and report back.

Not trying to talk him out of it. But longer ranges got brought up and stubby little bullets just don't cut it.

Lets define long range a bit. For most hunters, say 99% of us, 300 yards is a LONG ways out there. Very few should shoot out at 400 or even 500 yards. Even for those who practice at such ranges very few shots are offered at ranges past 200 yards in the real world of hunting and a 300 yard capable rifleman will bring home a lot of game if he or she is also a good hunter. As was said a moment ago, OP stated out to 300 yards or so which is a reasonable limitation and a practical limit for all but the very best game shots. For HIS question, and THIS application, the 130gr TTSX at 3500fps will perform wonderfully. OP can sight in to be dead on at 300 and still be within just a very few inches of line of sight or hold all the way there or a bit past that. Buy 'em, load 'em and go slay a BIG freakin elk with with said ammo!

130 monos do veryGooD out of 308win & .30/06

http://www.gsgroup.co.za/bgeer.html

http://www.gsgroup.co.za/galrynokruger.html

so there must be some sorta hex on the 130mono/.300mag, to make it no good...

For quick reference...

http://www.federalpremium.com/products/details/rifle.aspx?id=750

At 300 yds, from a 300 WM, a 130 TTSX is toodling along at 2667 fps, and still packing 2053 lbs of whack.

At 400 yds, it's still doing 2421 fps, with 1692 lbs.

http://www.federalpremium.com/products/details/rifle.aspx?id=221

At 400 yds, the 300 WM 130 TTSX is about par with a 25.06 115 Nosler Partition at 200 yds...although I'm sure anyone would be more comfortable with the extra 15 grains and wider body of the 30 cal. 130.

At 300 yds, the 130 TTSX matches the 25.06 at 100 yds.

And at 200 yds, the 130 TTSX is pretty close to the 25.06 at the end of the barrel.

Now, people will argue here all day long...and then some...that the 25.06 is an entirely capable elk round. I shoot one myself, and to a point I'd have to agree.

Point being, if a 25.06 is a capable elk round, a 300 WM or WSM loaded with 130 TTSXs shouldn't even up for debate.

Certainly not out to 350 or even 400 yds.

I like 'em 'cause they shoot flat to 300, which, IMHO, ups my odds with regard to judging distance. Aiming about 6" high, which still is well within the kill zone, if I'm 50 yards shy of the truth in my guess work, I should still have a dead elk on my hands. If I still shoot under, then I'm an idiot for taking such a long shot in the first place.

Until the actual loads are run over a chronograph, it's all speculation.

3469 fps ten feet from muzzle on 6-10-09.
1.5" high at 100 yards yielded a 300 yard group centered 1/2" above the bull.

Now THAT is flat shooting!

Thanks for the range report, I still say use 'em. Can you shoot at 350 and or 400 yards at your rifle range? It would be interesting to see what kind of actual drop you are getting there, as well. Looks to me like a load that is capable of a dead on hold out to 350 at least on most game animals.

I'll be away for about 2 weeks. When I get back, I'll move targets back to 400 and 500 to see what kind of drops I get. I am still saving up milk jugs and magazines for bullet integrity tests on the Oryx, Ballistic Silvertip, and Trophy Bonded. Deep freeze went out yesterday, so my Axis test is also backed up a bit. Oh well, makes the summer move along faster when have things to try out / discover.

Those are great groups and would be very useful if you are aiming for the elk's eye. They look great on paper, but you have to ask yourself what you are really trying to acomplish. Are you trying to split hairs or kill an elk? I'd stick with a good heavy 180 or 200 and put the crosshairs right on his shoulders. If you miss by three inches...your elk is just as dead and he will look just as good on your wall.

Actually, when I'm shooting at a critter with either my bow or a rifle, I am aiming to split a hair. I don't see anything else in the sight picture...

Carry on...