Sandstrom
WKR
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2020
- Messages
- 413
So far this year, my father and I have used the Barnes 150 grain TTSX 308 at @2825 FPS for 3 antelope and 2 cow elk.
First were the antelope, a doe and a yearling at 80 yards. Both dropped dead where they stood. Next the buck antelope, 325 yards, also dropped dead in his tracks. No bullets recovered.
First elk (mine) was at 285 yards broadside, she wobbled and took a step after the first shot, so I sent another one and she went down. Upon inspection first shot was through the ribs at the back of the lungs, second shot went through front leg bone and clipped the heart. No bullets exited, one was found on other side of ribs beneath skin, perfect mushroom, the other one was presumably in the gut pile.
Second elk (my dads) was also at 285 (in the same herd as mine) yards broadside for first shot. Bullet hit front leg bone and destroyed it. No further penetration, however there was a slight area on heart that looked bruised. She walked off with the herd and stoped about 100 yards away. She was standing and looking very sick. We were presented with the option of a “Texas heart shot” or a head shot. We tried the latter... At this point she was ranged at 380 yards. Needless to say we did not hold for the 20 mph wind that had not affected the first shot, but sure did when she was at the top of a ridge. The next two shots were misses. She then turned and walked back down hill towards us and again stopped broadside at 330 yards. Dad took a shot that went high and through the back about 1 inch above spinal cord. She was still standing. He corrected and put the next shot into the lungs and she went down. A couple of high fives while my father and I waited for her to expire.... about two minutes goes by and she stood up and started walking again... I put another shot into her lungs and she went down and stayed down. Upon inspection, both chest shots had frothy blood trickling out, no exit wound, the shot in the back above spine exited. One bullet recovered good expansion, however missing two of the four “petals” the other two were presumed to be in the gut pile and one exited.
Obviously the 308 150 grain TTSX was great on the antelope, but how was it on the elk?? My initial reaction based on my results would be that I was at about the maximum range for cow elk, and that I was possibly under gunned. Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Ryan
First were the antelope, a doe and a yearling at 80 yards. Both dropped dead where they stood. Next the buck antelope, 325 yards, also dropped dead in his tracks. No bullets recovered.
First elk (mine) was at 285 yards broadside, she wobbled and took a step after the first shot, so I sent another one and she went down. Upon inspection first shot was through the ribs at the back of the lungs, second shot went through front leg bone and clipped the heart. No bullets exited, one was found on other side of ribs beneath skin, perfect mushroom, the other one was presumably in the gut pile.
Second elk (my dads) was also at 285 (in the same herd as mine) yards broadside for first shot. Bullet hit front leg bone and destroyed it. No further penetration, however there was a slight area on heart that looked bruised. She walked off with the herd and stoped about 100 yards away. She was standing and looking very sick. We were presented with the option of a “Texas heart shot” or a head shot. We tried the latter... At this point she was ranged at 380 yards. Needless to say we did not hold for the 20 mph wind that had not affected the first shot, but sure did when she was at the top of a ridge. The next two shots were misses. She then turned and walked back down hill towards us and again stopped broadside at 330 yards. Dad took a shot that went high and through the back about 1 inch above spinal cord. She was still standing. He corrected and put the next shot into the lungs and she went down. A couple of high fives while my father and I waited for her to expire.... about two minutes goes by and she stood up and started walking again... I put another shot into her lungs and she went down and stayed down. Upon inspection, both chest shots had frothy blood trickling out, no exit wound, the shot in the back above spine exited. One bullet recovered good expansion, however missing two of the four “petals” the other two were presumed to be in the gut pile and one exited.
Obviously the 308 150 grain TTSX was great on the antelope, but how was it on the elk?? My initial reaction based on my results would be that I was at about the maximum range for cow elk, and that I was possibly under gunned. Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Ryan
