Mono pass through?

[Valumpessa]

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.

 

[MTMeatHunter]

Do you have an approximate impact velocity for each of those bullets?

 

[bruceleroy]

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!

 

[Valumpessa]

Do you have an approximate impact velocity for each of those bullets?

I'd estimate 2475 and 2600 (270 yds and 212 yds respectively).

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

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?

I keep impact velocities over 2200fps, I've yet to catch a 145lrx in 7mm (deer/elk/pronghorn) or a 80gr ttsx in 6mm (deer/pronghorn). I've caught two 180gr hammer hunters that tumbled and caught on the far hide (deer and oryx). Found a shank off a 131hammer hunter 7mm (deer) that was in the the rear quarter (quarter toward shot, it either went all the way through the animal or exited and reentered).

My buddy caught a 168gr ttsx 30cal in a barbary sheep once, very dense animal and it was a quartering away shot so it traveled a good distance before catching on the hide.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I'd estimate 2475 and 2600 (270 yds and 212 yds respectively).

Were they quartering shots?

 

[handwerk]

All we shoot are Barnes TTSX & LRX's, yes we've caught a couple after dozens of antelope deer and elk.
They've been accurate and deadly out to 420 yards, my kids and I are not LR shooters, we have no plans to change from the Barnes...we also like the lack of blood shot meat.

 

[Valumpessa]

Were they quartering shots?

Both broadside. Behind shoulder shots.

All we shoot are Barnes TTSX & LRX's, yes we've caught a couple after dozens of antelope deer and elk.

Sounds like these last 2 of mine were just an anomoly.

 

[SloppyJ]

Both broadside. Behind shoulder shots.

Sounds like these last 2 of mine were just an anomoly.

Absolutely not an anomaly in regards to expansion. You're doing good to get 1.5x diameter. Do yourself a favor and try another bullet just for testing sake. A cup and core.

 

[Formidilosus]

Sounds like these last 2 of mine were just an anomoly.

It is not an anomaly. About 20% or a bit more of Monos that open get caught in elk that I’ve seen. The LRX especially as they tend to open better/more consistently than others. The expansion shown is also inside the expected range- the bullet on the left looks like it started opening then yawed and ripped the petals off.

 

[Valumpessa]

Absolutely not an anomaly in regards to expansion. You're doing good to get 1.5x diameter. Do yourself a favor and try another bullet just for testing sake. A cup and core.

Any recommendation? Looking for something less likely to get caught up but I don't necessarily want to go way up in bullet grain.

 

[Jason Snyder]

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

 

[Valumpessa]

About 20% or a bit more of Monos that open get caught in elk that I’ve seen.

Wow. More than I expected. Good to know.

 

[Valumpessa]

If you want pass through and want to stick with copper, try Hammers.

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?

 

[SloppyJ]

Any recommendation? Looking for something less likely to get caught up but I don't necessarily want to go way up in bullet grain.

There's a 130 Berger Classic Hunter that would keep the same weight as your barnes. Not promising it'll leave an exit but I promise it will kill quicker. The 168s in 308 are legit.

If you want the best bullet for quick kills and potential to exit, get a 130 or 140 nosler partition. If you don't need a high BC for long range stuff, they can't be beat IMO. I'm guessing with the 130 barnes that the BC isn't high on your list.

130 Patition - .416 G1
140 Partition - .432 G1
130 TTSX - .392 G1

 

[180ls1]

Any recommendation? Looking for something less likely to get caught up but I don't necessarily want to go way up in bullet grain.

You will be hard pressed to beat the 130 SST Hornadys if that's the case, for factory stuff.

 

[Valumpessa]

If you want the best bullet for quick kills and potential to exit, get a 130 or 140 nosler partition. If you don't need a high BC for long range stuff, they can't be beat IMO.

Thank you. I'm leaning toward testing something like the Nosler Partitions.

The Barnes are killing okay, but I'd like to see more probability of pass through/external blood loss in the case they don't drop right away and I need to track. The 20% stat mentioned is alarming.

 

[Valumpessa]

You will be hard pressed top beat the 130 SST Hornadys if that's the case.

Will check them out. Thanks

 

[180ls1]

Will check them out. Thanks

I saw your prior post. I have shot quite a few with my .270.

The bonded/partition type are more likely to pass through and leave blood trails. So if that's what you want, choose one of them.

However, the SST/ELD-X type did more damage and produced quicker kills. Less likely to pass through. I preferred this type as it usually put them down quicker/closer.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

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?

The hammers shed their petals so the shank that continues forward is smaller than the barnes which peel petals. Less resistance = more depth of penetration. Not saying its good/bad/or otherwise, just explaining the mechanism.