Barnes bullets on elk

[Chad280]

What’s everyone’s experience with Barnes bullets on elk?
I’m loading a 7mag and shots are 30 to 100 yards max where I hunt. I’m curious if it going to be a good bullet

 

[Doug Beach]

They’ll work, quite well. Go at least one weight lighter than you would with a lead bullet.

 

[msalm]

I used the 168 ttsx in a 300 WSM for a few years. Worked very well on two bulls at 75 an 550 yards. 75 yarder was a raking shot through the leading edge of one hind quarter up through liver, lungs, and broke the offside shoulder. Without that bullet I likely would not have tried that shot and it performed perfectly.

 

[johnfred1965]

At that range out of a 7mag, it would be one of the few bullets that will hold together perfectly at those high impact velocities.

 

[Toby Bradshaw]

From elk-sized critters (kudu, oryx) shot at ranges from 90-300 yards. 180gr TSX, 300 Win Mag, no complaints on my part. Of course, many other bullets were not recovered because they passed through.

 

[JEFFPPC]

I load these bullets for my brother in law in 308 165 gr. He hunts in the timber, shots 25 to 100 yds. He has had 100 % kill rate and never had to chase one. DRT or within 25 to 50 yds on multiple kills. Also good accuracy.

 

[watercam]

Barnes bullets macerate the heart/lung cavity and penetrate very well. I had a frontal shot on a cow that traversed from right shoulder to left rear haunch using a .30-06/168gr. TSX at 375 yds.. Have yet to lose an animal when well shot.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I had picked up a couple boxes(clearance at fleetfarm) of the Barnes .284 160 gr bullets, worked up a good load, ended with almost .080 jump. Since I drew a Wyoming elk tag, I may try these instead of the Berger load. Not because of the lead free, but for the penetration.

 

[lotech]

I've used the Barnes 150 TSX BT in 7x61 Sharpe & Hart (approximately the same ballistics as a 7mm Remington Magnum) on two (maybe three, can't remember for sure) bull elk at ranges between about 200 -250 yards. Works very well but have only recovered one bullet that showed perfect mushrooming and retained all its weight.

 

[Field_2_Fork]

I load 140gr TTSX in my 7RM - Tikka M65, about 3340fps with RL22 I think it is. Took my first cow elk this past December at 200 yards, she took about 6 steps down the hill. Very accurate load as well. No complaints here!

 

[nmkid]

Finally, a question on a bullet for elk. I used Barnes when I lived in Wyoming. Never had an elk survive one!!

 

[Chad280]

Thanks everyone

 

[338bigdog]

Work great taken 2 elk with them recovered bullet just under skin in other side. My moose last year at 280 yards went through both shoulders and no recovery of bullet. Moose didn’t make it 10yrds and piled up. Ther my go to bullet in cooper 280ai. 150 ttsx

 

[Chad280]

Now to try and find a load with the 150’s with what powder I have

 

[Fort_Bragger]

I've taken a few elk with Barnes and my 300RUM. If you want to kill something, they will certainly do it, but you'll lose a lot of meat. At least that was my experience. I had some exit holes you could put your head through. Nosler's kill elk just as dead without leaving a lot of bloodshot meat with the hide.

 

[searcher]

I absolutely love the Barnes in my 7 Mag. For Elk, I'd choose the Nosler lead-free as they open a bit slower and penetrate a bit more on an elk-sized critter - with a bit less meat damage. I try to get a through-and-through if I can. I use the Barnes on everything else - as they are wicked good.

 

[cjames]

Chad
I haven't shot any elk with it, but in my 7mm Rem Mag I load a 150 TTSX and have shot A LOT of big boar hogs. And it knocks the hell out of them. It blows thru both shoulders and I can't ever remember one not exiting on the other side. I'm getting 3,150 FPS in my rifle with 65 grns of IMR 4831. I went old school on the load.

 

[Chad280]

I’ll try that load in my BROWNING BAR. I’m having trouble getting it to group worth a damn. About to sell it!

 

[CharlieNC]

If you want to understand the anatomy of killing and how different bullet designs perform, buy a copy of Nathan Foster's Long Range Terminal Ballistics. You can Google his website and get a copy there. When the book was published several years ago it was based on his personal taking 9000 animals plus those of associates. It is a very thorough assessment of bullet construction vs penetration, wound channel, shock, etc. Book costs less than a box of bullets and is well worth the money. The short answer is he does not recommend Barnes due to erratic non-expansion results.

 

[JFrank]

I’ve wondered about a Lapua scenar BTHP for Deer or Elk