Mono pass through?

[Macintosh]

I dont have enough experience specifically with elk to say one way or another, but of the TTSX's I've put into an elk one passed thru and the other hit the off-side shoulder ball joint and did not. On deer they pretty much always pass thru barring a wierd one-off shot hitting major heavy bones after passing thru a significant distance.
I have READ that the larger mushrooming ttsx's and other traditional monos often catc under the off-side hide due to the large frontal area and the skin acting like a trampoline. A caliber-diamter shank like you get with a partition or a very heavy match bullet might be more likely to pass thru. The post just above here regarding hammers alludes to the same thing.

 

[Valumpessa]

My preference would be bullet weight retention as much as possible, with more consistent expansion and probability of pass through. I'm a meat hunter so limiting damage is one of the goals.

 

[S-3 ranch]

I’m just ambivalent about what people shoot , be it a copper mono or flying bomb SST , or a nice bonded Norma or swift A Frame
Shoot a match bullet and you imo really need to be careful on shot placement ( heart/lung cavity broad side
Copper or bonded to drive deep on imperfect angles or dangerous African game or even bears
I helped field test the barns X back in the 1990’s and never recovered one on a deer or nilgia , caribou, moose all where pass through DRT shots, with outstanding penetration in a 180gr .300wm , we also has excellent results back then with Winchester, Remington, federal, cup and core. ( the heavy for caliber match bullets craze hadn’t really started yet )
But for trophy hunting purposes I would say I prefer a mono or CC , bonded over a match, solely because a perfect shot placement might not present itself during the hunt

 

[grizz19]

If you want pass through and want to stick with copper, try Hammers. I very rarely recover one.

This

 

[Formidilosus]

My preference would be bullet weight retention as much as possible, with more consistent expansion and probability of pass through. I'm a meat hunter so limiting damage is one of the goals.

Partition or Federal Terminal Ascent are the two most likely to give you want you want.

 

[wapitibob]

I don't need to stick with copper. Have you had similar issues with Barnes catching? Any idea why the Hammers would be better in this respect?

Hammers lose their petals quickly and leave a slug that will easily pass thru when shot in the ribs. I'd rather have the petals remain and if I go back to a solid would probably go back to a tsx instead of the hammer, both of which i have used on Elk. I had no issues with either solid killing Elk immediately. Pass through's aren't something I care much about, thru or not has made zero difference in time of death for me. Pronghorn like to run 50+ after their heart disintegrates, Deer and Elk go 5-30.
If meat damage is a concern, stay off the shoulders.

 

[Valumpessa]

Partition or Federal Terminal Ascent are the two most likely to give you want you want.

And stick to 130 grain?

 

[roadrunner]

My last two elk have been killed with a single shot and dropped within 20 yards using 270 cal 130 gr Barnes TTSX. Last year's bullet barely expanded (first pic). This year's was much better. Both found just under the hide. Is this normal?

Not complaining, I just expected the bullet to pass through. Concern being the very little external blood loss, which could make tracking very difficult if they didn't drop right away.

We've killed dozens of elk using the .270 offering of 140 gr Accubond's that will "jelly-fy" lung tissue.

The 130 gr would do just fine.

Disclaimer: my opinion and observation only. Don't base this as fact.

 

[Valumpessa]

We've killed dozens of elk using the .270 offering of 140 gr Accubond's that will "jelly-fy" lung tissue.

Glad to hear it. Estimate on the percentage of those that were pass through shots?

 

[Marshfly]

And stick to 130 grain?

I would stick to whichever your rifle groups best of what Form recommended.

 

[Thegman]

I've had 30 caliber 165 Barnes TSX blow lung chunks out the offside of a moose, multiple 130TSX zip right through a moose and 150 TTSX penetrate 4 feet or so on a frontal shot moose. OTOH, I've also caught lots of monos (mostly 150 ETips) in moose and bears. I think, as stated already, when shooting big animals, with other than non-expanding solids, exits just aren't going to happen all the time. It's more about what will exit most often.

The bullet you're using is probably already pretty high up there in that probability. A few other bullets might be a bit higher, but it might be worth sticking with what you're already using for a few more elk if you want to see how they'll do more often, on average. That said, it's also interesting to see how other bullets do, just because, well, it's interesting. For years I'd try a new bullet every year on a half dozen or more bear to moose size animals just to compare to others. Kind of where I am with the 223 now.

 

[Valumpessa]

I've had 30 caliber 165 Barnes TSX blow lung chunks out the offside of a moose, multiple 130TSX zip right through a moose and 150 TTSX penetrate 4 feet or so on a frontal shot moose. OTOH, I've also caught lots of monos (mostly 150 ETips) in moose and bears. I think, as stated already, when shooting big animals, with other than non-expanding solids, exits just aren't going to happen all the time. It's more about what will exit most often.

The bullet you're using is probably already pretty high up there in that probability. A few other bullets might be a bit higher, but it might be worth sticking with what you're already using for a few more elk if you want to see how they'll do more often, on average. That said, it's also interesting to see how other bullets do, just because, well, it's interesting. For years I'd try a new bullet every year on a half dozen or more bear to moose size animals just to compare to others. Kind of where I am with the 223 now

Very well put. That's kind of where I'm at right now. Now that season is over I'm looking forward to potential adjustments to make or experiment with over the next year. Sticking with the TTSX is certainly an option.

 

[Scoutfan]

I second a 140 grain accubonds. Bonus is you can stock up on factory seconds from nosler and practice more for less$. They also make 150 grain if your rifle likes them, but 140 is kinda the sweet spot.

 

[Formidilosus]

And stick to 130 grain?

Ive used the 130gr .277 Partitions the most, 150gr has been very good as well. The Terminal Ascents are 136gr.

The thing here is that no bullet will guarantee an exit. Probably your best bet is a Partition if that’s what you want. The Partition will fragment the front portion leaving a solid wadcutter diameter base to exit- which it usually does. The Terminal Ascents will maintain weight, but has a larger frontal diameter and is more likely to get caught in the offside hide.

 

[Valumpessa]

The Terminal Ascents will maintain weight, but has a larger frontal diameter and is more likely to get caught in the offside hide.

Sounds like exactly what happened with my brother's cow from this year. He was using the 155 Terminal Ascents and found this under the opposite hide.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Stop using solids if it bothers you. Dead is dead though. I would never use a solid for the horrible expansion and crazy speeds they need, in general. Match bullets ALL DAY!

This is the answer, as long as I live in a free state, I will shoot match bullets with a shitton of lead in them.

 

[Tmac]

Sounds like exactly what happened with my brother's cow from this year. He was using the 155 Terminal Ascents and found this under the opposite hide.
View attachment 804102

I’ve had 140 gr. Accubonds and 140 gr. Trophy Tips out of a 270 Win do the exact same thing. As suggested, I’d try partitions, the 150 gr. Federal load has worked well for me and given some exits. Have not used any other partitions out of a 270. But the 130 gr partition is available in factory loads.

If you handload the 140 or 160 partition may be an option. My most reliable combo to exit is a 175 gr. Partition out of a 280 Rem.

 

[Valumpessa]

I don't handload, so will likely give the 130 grain partitions a try. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[OXN939]

My preference would be bullet weight retention as much as possible, with more consistent expansion and probability of pass through. I'm a meat hunter so limiting damage is one of the goals.

What you are describing is the performance you get with Hammers. Here's a pretty short tracking job that happened on a Blacktail, with a .270 at about 200 yards.

 

[Valumpessa]

What you are describing is the performance you get with Hammers.

Nice. How much do the petals fan out on the Hammers? With a broadside shot directly behind the shoulder, is it likely a petal or two will break off and damage meat in the offside shoulder or backstrap?