Do I need more grains?

[Johnny_Yemon11]

Back story: I switched to a 150 gr TTSX a few years back after purchasing a different 30-06. I tried their 180 and 168 gr bullets but my gun shot the 150’s the best. A local guy reloads them, I like supporting local and he was a good resource when I was changing ammo.

I’ve shot 2 elk with this rifle. First was shot in the neck from the front, turned and then high shouldered without an exit but dropped immediately. Second was shot quartered towards me through the shoulder, she made it 50 yards and died probably 10 minutes after the shot I’d guess(waited 30 to look). But she also didn’t have an exit wound.

This second did have me a bit concerned because she lacked a significant blood trail especially in the immediate area where she was shot. She wasn’t hard to find, but conditions were good.

They both died rather quickly but should there be an exit wound?

I didn’t grow up hunting and am trying to learn as I go. Shot distances were ~220 and ~170 yards.

Thanks for taking a look.

 

[Johnny_Yemon11]

I should add, at some point during quartering, the chest cavity was punctured and a river of blood came out. Unfortunately I didn’t grab the heart, but it appeared she was just pumping blood into her chest cavity and filling it up. A small about of bubbles were frothed at the wound.

 

[JFK]

No. You are doing fine. Heavier bullet with copper will be going slower, which will reduce upset/bullet opening up and actually decrease trauma. Those shot distances you listed it won’t make a huge difference because everything will be going plenty fast inside of 400 yards, but with monos like a Barnes, faster is better. Only reason to load heavier is for bc, and that really only means anything if you plan on shooting past 400-500 yards.

 

[actionshooter]

They died so I would guess there is some "overthinking" going on.... to many people get wrapped up in caliber, grains, and ballistics... ??

 

[Johnny_Yemon11]

Thanks for the quick reply and reassurance.

I don’t plan on shooting past 500 in general but also the velocity drops below 2k fps past 460 or so. 2000 fps is needed for full expansion on most bullets correct?

 

[Mojave]

Mono-metal bullets are best as fast as you can push them. In the 30-06 this is a 150 grain world.

 

[Johnny_Yemon11]

They died so I would guess there is some "overthinking" going on.... to many people get wrapped up in caliber, grains, and ballistics... ??

Agreed and it was relatively quick, just wanted to make sure I’m not missing something.

 

[Taudisio]

Second was shot quartered towards me through the shoulder, she made it 50 yards and died probably 10 minutes after the shot I’d guess(waited 30 to look). But she also didn’t have an exit wound.

This second did have me a bit concerned because she lacked a significant blood trail especially in the immediate area where she was shot. She wasn’t hard to find, but conditions were good.

They both died rather quickly but should there be an exit wound?

Agreed and it was relatively quick, just wanted to make sure I’m not missing something.

She took 10 minutes to die? I’m assuming that is the one in the photo?
That is unacceptable and the opposite of relativity quick/rather quickly.
I would be reevaluating the bullet choice and/or shot placement.

Personally, I will not shoot a mono unless the law forces me to. I understand the reasoning for guys to use them though.

 

[Johnny_Yemon11]

She took 10 minutes to die? I’m assuming that is the one in the photo?
That is unacceptable and the opposite of relativity quick/rather quickly.
I would be reevaluating the bullet choice and/or shot placement.

Personally, I will not shoot a mono unless the law forces me to. I understand the reasoning for guys to use them though.

Sorry dad, I’ll do better next time…

Ya I get it about bullet choice, but fortunately/unfortunately my rifle loves those 150’s and I can get them reloaded at a decent cost.

 

[Koda_]

Thanks for the quick reply and reassurance.

I don’t plan on shooting past 500 in general but also the velocity drops below 2k fps past 460 or so. 2000 fps is needed for full expansion on most bullets correct?

yes.

Ive heard Barnes is 2000fps impact. Hammers are 1800fps.

As for your initial questions your bullet choice is not only fine but excellent. Not every shot gives an exit wound, regardless of bullet type.

 

[Taudisio]

Sorry dad, I’ll do better next time…

Ya I get it about bullet choice, but fortunately/unfortunately my rifle loves those 150’s and I can get them reloaded at a decent cost.

No problem son.

If they can find a load with those, they should be able to find you a load with another bullet. Better yet, save up your allowance, buy your own equipment, and reload for yourself like a big boy.

 

[Jfjfrye]

TTSX will kill. Is there way better bullets for KILLING consistently out there….. hell yes. If your gun shoots them really well then a heart,
Or double lung shot should be no problem and that’s what you will NEED to do for that bullet to be lethal in a timely manner 100% of the time. Yes shit happens and animals are animals and they move. But being in CA and used TTSX and LRX. They do not consistently perform. And I’ve found there no magic number for velocity that automatically makes them expand. I’ve had the best luck with a mid- mid/high shoulder shot.
But let’s face it…. When the perform perfectly the barley make a hole wound channel bigger than the caliber itself.

The more I hear about stories with monos the more they seem to be the “target tip” of bullet choices.

 

[wind gypsy]

Sometimes there are not exits and blood trails regardless of which bullet you use. Anyone who tells you different is full of it.

There are bullet options that will destroy more tissue than what you are using but may not penetrate as deeply. What you're using is fine.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I don’t plan on shooting past 500 in general but also the velocity drops below 2k fps past 460 or so. 2000 fps is needed for full expansion on most bullets correct?

I prefer 2200+ esp on the TTSX, maybe I'd go down to 2100fps on the LRX for solid expansion. This is 400-500fps over the velocity that barnes says initiates expansion but is FAR from full.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

TTSX will kill. Is there way better bullets for KILLING consistently out there….. hell yes. If your gun shoots them really well then a heart,
Or double lung shot should be no problem and that’s what you will NEED to do for that bullet to be lethal in a timely manner 100% of the time. Yes shit happens and animals are animals and they move. But being in CA and used TTSX and LRX. They do not consistently perform. And I’ve found there no magic number for velocity that automatically makes them expand. I’ve had the best luck with a mid- mid/high shoulder shot.
But let’s face it…. When the perform perfectly the barley make a hole wound channel bigger than the caliber itself.

The more I hear about stories with monos the more they seem to be the “target tip” of bullet choices.

I can't say I've experienced the same with a TTSX / LRX with 2200fps+ impacts. The permanent wound in meat isn't frangible bullet sized but its multiples larger than caliber, IE I think its a minimization to call a 1.5" hole (for example) barely larger than a ~.3" bullet.

I am a broken record on it but when I shoot monos (which was exclusive for years) I shoot for the heart/arterial bundle and have no issues with the wound channel the TTSX and LRX make at 2200+fps. I don't shoot rear lungs with them. I haven't had a problem with barnes when used in that manner.

I did have an issue with another brand punching holes in animals that resulted in rodeos, those were apparently a "hard / offspec batch".

 

[huntsd]

I’ve had pass through issues with factory ttsx i am moving away from that bullet

 

[Johnny_Yemon11]

I’ve had pass through issues with factory ttsx i am moving away from that bullet

What were your distances you were shooting and caliber?

 

[sndmn11]

Thanks for the quick reply and reassurance.

I don’t plan on shooting past 500 in general but also the velocity drops below 2k fps past 460 or so. 2000 fps is needed for full expansion on most bullets correct?

You should stay above 2200

 

[huntsd]

im in CA so I run (and am in the process of moving away to another lead free bullet) the 120 in my 6.5 CM and the 180 gr in my 300wm. I shot a javelina at like 75 yards with the 6.5 and did not get a pass through. Also shot a blacktail with it at 275 that produced a nominal blood trail.

I cant really speak to the 300 as all the kills have been pretty close. I shot a cow elk at 100 yards and did get a pass through (though it was nominal and the blood trial in snow was nominal)

again this is factory ammo not handloaded

 

[Johnny_Yemon11]

You should stay above 2200

Are you basing this off personal experiences, or intel from other hunters? Curious because you’re the second person on here to recommend staying above what Barnes has stated as their minimum. I would think Barnes or any other ammo manufacturer would build a buffer into their recommendations.

Appreciate you chiming in.