Working up a load for New Mexico Elk 290 TEZ and 209 Blackhorn over 2000fps

[Bob L.]

Lucky enough to have drawn a muzzy elk tag for New Mexico and wanted a relatively flat shooting setup out to 200 yards.
I have heard good things about the Barnes 290 TEZ and wanted to see what kind of velocity and accuracy I could get.
Shooting with a Knight Mountaineer 50 cal
I loaded some 2 shot groups with different powder charges by VOLUME.
105v shot 2025
110v shot 2100
115v shot 2137
I was really impressed with velocity but with no brake it really had a lot of kick and recoil with those upper end charges.
At 100 yards shooting with a fine crosshair globe and rear peep they all shot well but for recoil and accuracy I will go with the 105V charge putting 2 shots within 1.125” with globe and peep setup. Still pumping them out at 2025 and manageable recoil.
Looking at some drop charts with a 150 yard zero I should only be 2-3” high at 100 and at or under 6” at 200 yards.
I was able to recover one of the bullets at the pit and seems to mushroom nicely.
I’ll see what kind of grouping it does at 150 and 200 yards.

 

[Gila]

I would be happy to get an elk load to shoot that good. Congrats on drawing the tag!

 

[Bob L.]

I would be happy to get an elk load to shoot that good. Congrats on drawing the tag!

Thank you! I’m happy how it shoots and excited drawing!

 

[ElDiablito]

Good choice. You’ll need larger groups to really see what it’s doing but looking good so far. If you’re not producing acceptable groups, you might try substituting a black MMP or Harvester sabot for those Barnes-supplied blue sabots. The TEZ sabots are often not the best choice.

 

[ElkArcher918]

Kudos to you for starting to put the work in to get that muzzy dialed in, worthy of the tag you drew in NM. I would shoot larger groups at those 150-200 yds. ranges, consider other solid copper bullets in the same weight range or heavier, shooting accurately and ethically at a big old elk at 200 yds wo scope is quite a feat (realistically, many muzzy shot elk do not provide one with much of a blood trail). Here in CO where we are limited to open sight/peep sight-globe my self-imposed effective maximum range for bull elk is 100-125 yds tops. If I can get closer the better. Have fun filling that NM tag.

 

[Bob L.]

I should have added I used black harvester sabot with these 290’s as those fit the best down my barrel. I had consistent repeatability going down the barrel shot to shot.
I will shoot some groups at 200 yards and post.
Thank you

 

[ElDiablito]

I should have added I used black harvester sabot with these 290’s as those fit the best down my barrel. I had consistent repeatability going down the barrel shot to shot.
I will shoot some groups at 200 yards and post.
Thank you

I wondered if that wasn’t the case. Couldn’t tell for sure from your pic.