Hey Dudes, didn't mean to restart old arguments with my post. I want to clarify my conclusions as the context might not be clear. For me, a meat hunter with shots at or under 100 yards, friendly relationships with all bordering neighbors in case a deer runs, and controlled, known-distance shots, the TSX works better for me as a meat harvesting round, precisely because it does less damage. No different than bowhunting.
With all that said however, the 77gr TMK is without a doubt the deadlier bullet. If I was hunting at farther distances up to 400, sure I would probably take it instead. But with my sub-100 yard set up, it just did more damage than I would like. I lost an entire front quarter due to the shrapnel blasting out the other side.
If you are trophy hunting backcountry, or with unknown ranges, then the 77gr TMK would be the far safer choice. Like I said in my original post - for defensive carbine / predator control / hog control, the 77gr TMK is my new go-to because I don't care about meat loss in those situations, just maximum killing ability.
I think you just gotta analyze your personal situation with this stuff.
With that said, does anyone have specific information on the 77gr TMKs performance through bone? I would like to experiment with some high shoulder anchoring shots this season as that is the shot I aim for when I do make it out to the backcountry mountains.