7mm 120 ttsx

[Pharmseller]

Started hunting with it couple of years ago in 7mm-8 and killed few antelope and whitetail deer with it. Powder I use is IMR 4895 and Varget and my groups run between .500 to .750. Just remember that Barnes bullets expand better under higher velocity. I believe 120 TTSX needs about 1700 fps to expand properly.

Barnes recommends 1800 fps, advocates suggest 2000 fps.

I can tell you from experience the 120 NBT is an angry little bullet.




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[Roadrunner1]

There you go, my full load gets approx 3000 fps and reduced load will get probably 2800 or less so it might work, but I had Barnes 165 TSX not expand in 30-06 at approx 180 yards and 2500 fps on mule deer.

 

[MattB]

The OP needs to understand that monos need speed to expand, so creating a low-recoil load with the 120 tax will limit effective range.

 

[Ringbill27]

The OP needs to understand that monos need speed to expand, so creating a low-recoil load with the 120 tax will limit effective range.

I was looking to see if anyone would mention this. Barnes claims the 120gr will reliably expand down to 1700fps. If this is a shorter range rifle I guess it would work as reduced recoil bullet.

I myself would prefer a full power load or a less horse power cartridge.

 

[Roadrunner1]

7mm08 with 120 ttsx and full load does not have a big kick, it's pretty mild.

 

[Pharmseller]

7mm08 with 120 ttsx and full load does not have a big kick, it's pretty mild.

That’s a bold statement.

My Tikkas kicked pretty good. Significantly harder than my reduced load using 120 BT.

Not really reduced, 41.0 gr Varget, the starting load per Nosler. Still 88% fill, about 2800 fps.




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[Roadrunner1]

I'm shooting Rem 700 Mountain which weighs 6.4 lbs with scope in McMillan stock, with the left hand resting on the scope the recoil is very mild, unless I have a heavy hand.

 

[Dedeer11]

The OP needs to understand that monos need speed to expand, so creating a low-recoil load with the 120 tax will limit effective range.

Yes for sure. We are not looking for a reduced recoil load anymore, just thinking that a 120 grain should produce less recoil than a 150-160 grain bullet. And if the 120 will do the job for now on deer and antelope, then why not try it.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

In my OEM Tikka T3x, the 120 NBT over 44 grains of Varget at 2.810 COL is extremely accurate and very soft shooting. According to Bison, at roughly 3,000 MV (I have not chronoed, but estimating with 22") it delivers 13ft. lbs. in a 8.5# rifle. I have a Limbsaver on my Tikka and was comfortable shooting this load in a t-shirt prone off a bipod.

First 10 shot group with this load attached.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Yes for sure. We are not looking for a reduced recoil load anymore, just thinking that a 120 grain should produce less recoil than a 150-160 grain bullet. And if the 120 will do the job for now on deer and antelope, then why not try it.

*Rough* recoil numbers for 150 and 162.

150 with Ramshot Big Game

162 with Winchester Staball 6.5

 

[A382DWDZQ]

Ok we will have to look for that article. Thank you.

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[Pharmseller]

Look at the 120 BT unless you’re tied to monometals.




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[Dedeer11]

Thank you for the suggestions. I just got my first mule deer junior tag in Nevada. We will have to try these out.

 

[35WhelenAI]

We run the 120 ttsx in 7mm-08 for newbies till they prove themselves on live targets. With the ttsx, we get exits and blood trails 95% of the time. For proven shooters, we run 120 gr NBT. I wouldn't be scared to use either bullet, but started with the ttsx and stuck with it for newbies, just in case.
I tell folks w 7mm-08, "Barnes = shoot bone at over 250 yards w short barrel".

How does a newbie prove themselves with one bullet over another on a live target?

 

[KenLee]

How does a newbie prove themselves with one bullet over another on a live target?

Repeated shot placement on live targets is the proof.
Until I know they are settled on live animals, I have them shooting bullets with the best chance of a blood trail.

 

[35WhelenAI]

Repeated shot placement on live targets is the proof.
Until I know they are settled on live animals, I have them shooting bullets with the best chance of a blood trail.

It appears that beginners get the better bullet.

 

[KenLee]

It appears that beginners get the better bullet.

They get the "easier to trail if it runs" bullet.
I prefer the 120 gr NBT if shooting over 250 yards, but these are 20 inch barreled 7mm-08s shooting factory loads.
Generally the nbt drops em a lil faster with average shots in the vitals.

 

[35WhelenAI]

I can appreciate what you're saying. It's simply foreign to me one would choose a bullet for beginners that makes a blood trail but for experienced shooters choose one that doesn't. I'd be making it easy to trail, regardless of who was shooting the gun. Seems like a solution in search of a problem.

 

[KenLee]

I can appreciate what you're saying. It's simply foreign to me one would choose a bullet for beginners that makes a blood trail but for experienced shooters choose one that doesn't. I'd be making it easy to trail, regardless of who was shooting the gun. Seems like a solution in search of a problem.

NBT does 75% of the time and usually drops em DRT. Just a numbers decision. Newbies generally get big excited.

 

[35WhelenAI]

Like I said, I can appreciate what you're saying, but it is a solution in search of a problem. Pick the best bullet for the game at hand and have everybody shoot it.

With that said, the way you describe the firearms as all being the same, is this a private hunting property where you supply everything including the guns?