7mm-08 round for cow elk. Barnes 145gr LRX or 150gr TTSX?

[Hungry like the Wolf]

Hey -
So I'm working up a load for cow elk hunting with my 7mm-08 in Wyoming this fall. I wanted to get some opinions on this...
Between the Barnes 145gr LRX and the Barnes 150gr TTSX what would you go with and why? I really like both bullets and I'm torn about which direction to go.

You might be asking why not just load some of each and let the results make the decision? Well, I've only got a few of the 145 LRX left and need to acquire more. I'd rather spend $50 than $100.

Thanks fellas ~

 

[CoStick]

LRX, better expansion

 

[tunafed]

Of the two I'd go with the LRX. That said the 120 ttsx would be my choice in a 7mm-08

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

 

[ResearchinStuff]

I dislike both for a 7/08 because it's such a mild cartridge. Those bullets are too heavy/slow/hard to really open up well or upset, but the lrx will do it better because it's a bit softer. You're in the perfect position to run basically any cup and core bullet and get really good expansion, fragmentation and tissue destruction with adequate penetration. Barnes really just gives you lots of penetration and not much else.

 

[Hackleback]

The Hornady Whitetail hunters have worked just fine for deer and elk (both cows and small bulls) for us.

 

[Kimber7man]

Nosler 140 e-tip worked out of my 7mm08 on my cow elk. Through and through, she didn't go far and just tipped over and rolled downhill.

 

[Ratbeetle]

Why not the 139 lrx? That would be my choice.

 

[35WhelenAI]

130 TTSX from a 30-06 is fine elk medicine. 120 TTSX from 7mm-08 would be the same.

But of the two, 145 LRX. The lighter the better (velocity is king with mono's) within normal reason.

 

[BjornF16]

If must use copper, first choice 120 TTSX to get velocity up…otherwise LRX since they are softer than TTSX and will expand at lower velocities

If you are seeking LRX bullets, pm me

 

[twodogs]

I've hunted elk for years here in MT with a 7mm-08, and my favorite bullet for it is the Barnes 120 gr. TTSX. I've taken well over a dozen elk with it, and it has performed perfectly for me. I load mine with Varget or Big Game; each provides sub-MOA accuracy in my Kimber Montana.

 

[eaglemountainman]

Another vote for the 120 TTSX

Of your two choices, I'd go with the LRXs.

 

[35WhelenAI]

Along with the 130 TTSX mentioned earlier in this thread from my 30-06, 110 TTSX from 270 Winchester does the number on elk as well.

120 TTSX from the 7mm-08 for the win and never look back.

 

[AkRyan]

General rule of thumb when shooting solid coppers is to go down 1 step from standard weight. They require more speed to properly function. The new hornady cx is a copper alloy that's supposed to function much better at lower velocity. It was purpose built for hunting.

 

[Pharmseller]

If you’re willing to expand your options, I vote 150 ELDX over Big Game.

 

[Mginn68]

I’ve loaded up some of the hammer hunters in 131 grain.

Ladder work up came out to 46.2 grains of varget. SD 2 and averaged 2,912 on velocity. This is out of a 18” proof barrel.

 

[TheHammer]

139gr lrx would get my vote

 

[LeavittVr]

Another vote for the 120 ttsx

 

[Doc Holliday]

The 150 TTSX should not be on your list. If you wanted something at that weight in a TTSX, go with the 140 TTSX. If you put a 140 TTSX and a 150 TTSX side by side, you will see that the 150 TTSX is significantly longer, and therefore will give you less room for powder. All of that said, I would also go with the 120 TTSX in a 7mm-08.

Looking at the date of your original post, I imagine you already settled on something by now.....

 

[bbell]

I have an email from Barnes somewhere but the 145 Lrx has a higher minimum velocity compared to the 139lrx. Pretty sure it was 1800 for the 145 and 1600 for the 139. Either way it was a noticeable amount. Just fyi.

Also between a friend and I we have about 5 elk with the 140 tsx.

 

[MHWASH]

My successfully used the 120 TTSX ON 2 cow moose and one cow elk.