150 grain vs 168 grain TTSX

Ocurtis

Ocurtis

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Dec 28, 2016
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Hoping for some help from the long range crew on here. I am preparing for my elk hunt during 4th season in Colorado. Where we are going there is a good chance my final shout could end up bring in the 300-400 yard range. I know this isn't super long, but I am planning on shooting Barnes TTSX as it seems to be the most accurate from my gun, and I have heard great things about these bullets.

I was planning on shooting the 168 grain, but am a little concerned with the velocity at these ranges, as the TTSX requires velocity to expand. I am considering dropping to a 150 grain as I can maintain over 2400 FPS at these ranges (7,000 elevation.)

Let me know your thoughts. I know the copper bullets stay together much better than lead, making smaller bullets capable of doing similar internal damage as they retain their weight.


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Both will work fine. What are you shooting .308 or 30-06?

I like the 168 on elk out of either cartridge. I have shot elk with a .308 (168 TTSX) and they worked amazing. I am sure you will have the same results.
 
I'm shooting 30-06.. sorry thought I said that. Have you had any shots on elk at range?


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NBK said:
Both will work fine. What are you shooting .308 or 30-06?

I like the 168 on elk out of either cartridge. I have shot elk with a .308 (168 TTSX) and they worked amazing. I am sure you will have the same results.
Click to expand...

The gun you worked on!


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You can allways try the LRX bullets they expand at a slower speed. But with a 30-06 and TTSX at 400 yards you will have a dead animal if you put it in the right spot.
 
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Put either one in the right spot and the animal won't be able to tell the difference. I've had the opportunity to watch dozens of elk tip over. They are easily shocked by the proper bullet placement but as with any animal a bad shot results in long walks and not always getting the animal in the cooler. Go with what gives you confidence.
 
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Sound like your answers are all yea. But if you want cold hard facts for serious confidence you should try using a ballistics calculator. Plug in weight and speed and you will get bullet velocity and bullet drop at your specific ranges. More importantly you will get ft-lbs of energy numbers at those ranges. Results are very interesting when you compare the different weights in relation to inertia.

Be careful though, just because you have the numbers does not mean they are correct. You must verify at the range with bullet drops at distance. Wouldn't want your hunt ruined by the saying "garbage in, garbage out".
 
xjon said:
Sound like your answers are all yea. But if you want cold hard facts for serious confidence you should try using a ballistics calculator. Plug in weight and speed and you will get bullet velocity and bullet drop at your specific ranges. More importantly you will get ft-lbs of energy numbers at those ranges. Results are very interesting when you compare the different weights in relation to inertia.

Be careful though, just because you have the numbers does not mean they are correct. You must verify at the range with bullet drops at distance. Wouldn't want your hunt ruined by the saying "garbage in, garbage out".
Click to expand...

Thanks! Yeah I used a ballistic calculator, adjusted for 7,000 feet elevation. Do you know the minimum effective velocity for Barnes bullets? I was considering 2200 a good minimum


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xjon said:
I would call barnes and speak to a ballistician.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Better than that, I am going to stop at Barnes factory in Utah next Monday! I will be driving to salt lake for work and gonna stop by!


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Ocurtis said:
Thanks! Better than that, I am going to stop at Barnes factory in Utah next Monday! I will be driving to salt lake for work and gonna stop by!
Click to expand...
Hell yeah!
...and check out LP with the quick reply on stats. Thumbs up!
 
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xjon said:
Hell yeah!
...and check out LP with the quick reply on stats. Thumbs up!
Click to expand...

I will be working in Salt lake next week, and then heading to Wyoming for a weekend antelope hunt. Try out whichever works better for me. The 168 grain is extremely accurate (less than .5" at 100 yards.) if I can get similar performance from 150 grain I may switch


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Make sure you site in with one and stick with it. Those two bullets will shoot differently for sure. What I am trying to say is don't show up for your speed goat hunt and make the call when you get there.
I watched one of my customers miss a boar 5 times around 100 yards by using a different ammo than he sited in with. That was a costly mistake but since it was my money he probably didn't learn his lesson.
 
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Guys mentioned LRX...cool thing about lrx is when you find the butt of your bullet under your steel target. No question its yours with an X stamped on it.


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You need to shoot the Barnes bullet at distance to see if they will group in your gun. They shoot great at 100 yards for most guns

When stretched out (depending on the gun) we have noticed they will start to open up and eventually keyhole. My buddy's custom 7 Saum we noticed it starting to open at about 450 yards and keyholes in the target at 600. My 338 would shoot great out to 500 yards (2 1/2" groups) and at 750 I couldn't hit the target. My 6.5x284 would shoot great to 750 and 1,000 would really open up barley staying on a 30" target.
These three guns are all shooting 1/2" or less at 100 yards.
 
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Lungpopper said:
You need to shoot the Barnes bullet at distance to see if they will group in your gun. They shoot great at 100 yards for most guns

When stretched out (depending on the gun) we have noticed they will start to open up and eventually keyhole. My buddy's custom 7 Saum we noticed it starting to open at about 450 yards and keyholes in the target at 600. My 338 would shoot great out to 500 yards (2 1/2" groups) and at 750 I couldn't hit the target. My 6.5x284 would shoot great to 750 and 1,000 would really open up barley staying on a 30" target.
These three guns are all shooting 1/2" or less at 100 yards.
Click to expand...

Great info, thank you! I plan on shooting this out to 500 yards while in Wyoming st my brothers place.


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The original post suggested you would be shooting out to 400 yards. The Barnes is a life switch at that range. Shoot what bullet produces the best groups and don't over think.
 
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NBK said:
The original post suggested he would be shooting out to 400 yards. The Barnes is a life switch at that range. Shoot what bullet produces the best groups and don't over think.
Click to expand...

That is my intent.

I called down to your shop today, seems you are one of the only places around with Barnes VOR-TX in shop so I will be stopping big tomorrow for a box of each.

Thanks!


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