Different bullet for follow up?

[LCguy]

As my elk hunt draws closer, I am beginning to overthink everything! I get virtually the same accuracy with the Barnes T-EZ and TMZ with appropriate harvester crush ribs on both. Right now, I am leaning towards the TMZ due to higher BC. However, even with the crush rib, I can not get the TMZ seated on the powder on a dirty barrel. I CAN get the T-EZ seated on a dirty barrel. Does it make sense to use the TMZ for the first shot and then the T-EZ for the follow-up, if one is needed?

 

[Rich M]

Always good to be prepared - how's it shoot?

My ML shoots every kind of bullet into a rough 4inch circle at 100 so anything would work good as a 2nd shot.

I just tried Hornady Bore Driver and it shot great - only took 2 shots at 100. 2nd loaded easily on dirty barrel.

 

[taskswap]

+1 on the BoreDriver, but if you need a THIRD shot for any reason those are very hard to load.

Joke all you want about how many shots are needed, but if you're smart and ethical, you can see how you'd take shot 1, and elk being hardy as they are, want a second shot to put it down. Are you really going to walk over and start dressing it with an empty rifle? What if you're in bear country? Well, that's your 3rd right there.

I carry a spare breech plug and some pre-soaked patches. It only takes 30 seconds longer to swap plugs and while you're doing that, run a patch or two through before loading your third bullet. With the breech plug out you can run it through from the back to front and 1-2 is plenty to get out enough fouling (in my experience) before reloading. Better for your accuracy, too.

 

[LCguy]

+1 on the BoreDriver, but if you need a THIRD shot for any reason those are very hard to load.

Joke all you want about how many shots are needed, but if you're smart and ethical, you can see how you'd take shot 1, and elk being hardy as they are, want a second shot to put it down. Are you really going to walk over and start dressing it with an empty rifle? What if you're in bear country? Well, that's your 3rd right there.

I carry a spare breech plug and some pre-soaked patches. It only takes 30 seconds longer to swap plugs and while you're doing that, run a patch or two through before loading your third bullet. With the breech plug out you can run it through from the back to front and 1-2 is plenty to get out enough fouling (in my experience) before reloading. Better for your accuracy, too.

I swab at the range and can get two sides of a wet patch, two dry patches and a new load in, in about 30-45 seconds.

I killed my cow with a boredriver but was not super pleased with the performance, it didn't retain a whole lot of weight, so was hoping to use an all-copper bullet. I get the same accuracy with both Barnes as I did boredrivers. Maybe I will just run the TEZ instead of TMZ because I know I can properly seat the TEZ on a dirty barrel.

I am confident in my shooting ability and the accuracy of the gun but just want to be prepared because anything can happen and as you said, elk are tough.

 

[Rich M]

I've only shot 2 Bore Drivers - didn't try to load #3. #1 and #2 went in easy.

We used to shoot patched round balls - if in a hurry, they shoot okay without a patch.

What about a heavy powerbelt? Should punch thru the ribs.

 

[ElDiablito]

I think it’s a great idea to anticipate and prepare for a second/third shot. In any event, you’re always going to reload a second and be ready in case a shot is presented. Rarely have I needed a third or more.

Sounds like you’re shooting a dirty powder like 777. The lack of fouling is what makes Bh209 (or smokeless, if legal) so great.

When I’m hunting with sized jacketed bullets, I’ll often size the first reload very slightly smaller to make it quicker/easier to load.

 

[LCguy]

I think it’s a great idea to anticipate and prepare for a second/third shot. In any event, you’re always going to reload a second and be ready in case a shot is presented. Rarely have I needed a third or more.

Sounds like you’re shooting a dirty powder like 777. The lack of fouling is what makes Bh209 (or smokeless, if legal) so great.

When I’m hunting with sized jacketed bullets, I’ll often size the first reload very slightly smaller to make it quicker/easier to load.

Unfortunately, Blackhorn is virtually impossible to get ahold of where I am and smokeless is illegal in NM so I have to use 777. The more I think on it, I feel like TMZ for first shot then have a TEZ ready in the speedloader for the reload is a good option. I get the same accuracy but just that little extra BC will make me feel better for the first shot.

 

[ElDiablito]

Agreed.

The slight difference in BC will make virtually no difference under 250 yards or so in trajectory or energy retention.