Elk Bullet

[325]

Ok, so I may use my 6.5 Creedmoor for elk hunting over the coming years. I'm wondering what would be the better bullet
A) Barnes 120 grain TTSX
B) Hornady 143 grain EDL-X

Please discuss

[j270wsm]

Ether will work just fine. Personally I use 140gr Sierra gameking in both my 270wsm and my sons 6.5x55 and haven't had an issue

[todbartell]

Barnes, due to superior penetration capability through muscle bone and hide.

[Brew]

Barnes would probably be better for punching through bone. The eld will work though.
when my creedmoor arrives I'll be using the eld.
Just started loading the eld in my 300 rum and they are working great so far out 1km. Going to try them in a 7x57 as well.

[yota]

I use a Barnes 140 in my 7mm RM for elk ive shot 4 and haven't recovered a bullet yet full pass throughs even through both shoulder blades on one

[375shooter]

The ELD-X has just come out recently, so there's not much info available on terminal performance, yet. Should work satisfactorily, though. It probably requires a 1-8" twist to stabilize, properly.

Barnes TTSX, already has a proven track record. Works well for tough shot angles. Penetrates deep. Retains virtually all it's weight, even when heavy bone is struck.

[Rotorwash]

I've been waiting since I got my rpr in 65cm for those eld-x bullets to come out. Since there aren't any around I've been using hornady 123 gr ssts and I'm pleased with the results. 1/2 moa or better and fairly decent bc numbers. I shot a bear with them this spring at 300 yards and he ran 20 yards and dropped. There was a golf ball sized exit. Also I use this bullet in my 260 with great results as well. Hope that helps some

[325]

Thanks for the comments. I already have a load worked up for Barnes 120 TTSX but am curious to try the 143 ELD-X.

I have used 150 and 168 grain Barnes TSX and TTSX out of my 308 for years. I've never worried about shot angle as I've always been confident that the bullet would break large bones. I'm just wondering if it would be wise to have the same confidence in a 120 TTSX out of my Creedmoor, given that it's such a light bullet?

[375shooter]

Thanks for the comments. I already have a load worked up for Barnes 120 TTSX but am curious to try the 143 ELD-X.

I have used 150 and 168 grain Barnes TSX and TTSX out of my 308 for years. I've never worried about shot angle as I've always been confident that the bullet would break large bones. I'm just wondering if it would be wise to have the same confidence in a 120 TTSX out of my Creedmoor, given that it's such a light bullet?

I think you CAN have the same confidence. The 120 gr. TTSX 6.5mm has the same Sectional Density as a 165 gr. .308 diameter TTSX, so theoretically will penetrate equally.

[Brew]

Please use the eld and post pictures of a dead elk so we can see how the bullet performed. We already know the barnes will work.:lol:

[KodiakHntr]

Used a 162 amax on my bull last year. 100-ish yards. No blood shot, ate right up to the hole through his neck.

[Ltbullken]

I'd go with the 120 TTSX. I would penetration for an elk.

[.264winmag]

@ CM speed I'd go with the eld-x, my guess would be it's slow enough to still penetrate tough bone without jacket/core separation.

[todbartell]

Thanks for the comments. I already have a load worked up for Barnes 120 TTSX but am curious to try the 143 ELD-X.

I have used 150 and 168 grain Barnes TSX and TTSX out of my 308 for years. I've never worried about shot angle as I've always been confident that the bullet would break large bones. I'm just wondering if it would be wise to have the same confidence in a 120 TTSX out of my Creedmoor, given that it's such a light bullet?

We sacked a nice bull moose a few years back with the 127gr LRX @ 2850 fps, it will perform nicely on elk

[Bugle M In]

I'd probably go with the hornady, just for the fact it is a heavier grain bullet.
Looks like it is all you need.
I used to use Winchester power points 150gr in a .270.
It work fine, and actually work better than some of the newer fancier bullets that I have now.
I think I will try both barnes and hornady, and see which one shoots better for me.
Caliber size and shot placement are still the biggest factors, regardless of which bullet you use.
One thing I like about polymere tips is, is that they hold there shape over time, compared to say
nosler partitions with that led tip that goes all mushy and flat.

[325]

We sacked a nice bull moose a few years back with the 127gr LRX @ 2850 fps, it will perform nicely on elk

Yeah, I like the idea of the 127 LRX, and am getting good groups with them, but my Creedmoor seems to like the 120 TTSX a bit more (at 500 yards 5 shot groups average 5"-6" with the LRX and 3"-4" with the TTSX). I do, however, think the 127gr LRX would be a better hunting bullet, all else being equal.

[todbartell]

I'd probably go with the hornady, just for the fact it is a heavier grain bullet.


do you feel the 23gr heavier initial weight of the Hornady will increase effectiveness? I have tested the ELD-X and experienced approx 60% weight retention @ 2500 fps impact velocity. So if you don't nuke an ELD-X into bone you might recover a bullet that weighs 80 grains.

For the record I have ELD-X 143gr and would hunt with them, but for elk/moose I shoot Barnes, especially in a 6.5mm cartridge

[Fisher-Dude]

Yeah, I like the idea of the 127 LRX, and am getting good groups with them, but my Creedmoor seems to like the 120 TTSX a bit more (at 500 yards 5 shot groups average 5"-6" with the LRX and 3"-4" with the TTSX). I do, however, think the 127gr LRX would be a better hunting bullet, all else being equal.

I wouldn't recommend shooting a bull elk at 500 yards with a 120 grain TTSX from a 65CM.

But that's just me. According to some, bull elk just fall over dead when they see you have pretty blue tips on your bullets.

[.264winmag]

I wouldn't recommend shooting a bull elk at 500 yards with a 120 grain TTSX from a 65CM.

But that's just me. According to some, bull elk just fall over dead when they see you have pretty blue tips on your bullets.

I would have to agree, but respectfully have no experience with the 6.5mm ttsx. I do have this real world test, a 6.5mm 140 HVLD on a ram @ 803yds. Impact velocity around 2300fps, through/through font shoulders while bedded. Exit diameter around twice the size as entrance and killing was still very delayed, enough so that another round was sent landed 3" away from first with immediate results standing broadside. Now if my math is correct the CM/120ttsx will have the same velocity of around 2300fps out to about 350 yds. I would draw the line of effective killing power of such diameter bullet at this speed at sheep/deer size game, let alone a tough old bull elk. Sheep are pussies when it comes to soaking up bullets, Elk are not...

[Bugle M In]

Only other thing I could add....there is no real reason someone hunting Elk should not be able to close the distance down
to inside 300 yrds....and ya, there tough.

[325]

I have no intention of shooting an elk at 500 yards. Never said I did. I am using 500 yards to compare groups and practice my shooting. I love bugling elk and always mange to bring them in close.

Also, sheep aren't always wimps. I've friends who guide who've spend days going after a wounded ram.

[.264winmag]

I have no intention of shooting an elk at 500 yards. Never said I did. I am using 500 yards to compare groups and practice my shooting. I love bugling elk and always mange to bring them in close.

Also, sheep aren't always wimps. I've friends who guide who've spend days going after a wounded ram.

At modest ranges the CM is plenty of Jam, in real close the ttsx would likely be a better choice.

Any animal can seem tough with poor shot placement or lack of energy. Stones' are the easiest to kill # fer # ime, perhaps BH are tougher but I've been in on 4 stones way out there and 3 went down like they were struck by lightning. Seen Blacktails/whitetails take twice the punishment and go twice as far.

[375shooter]

I have a 6.5-06 AI now. I'm very interested in trying the 143 gr. ELD-X bullets, but only for shots over 600 yards if (and that's a big IF) it's accurate enough for such shots. For more modest ranges, like up to 400 yards, I'm just going to use the 127 gr. LRX. This year, I'd like to shoot a black bear with it, or possibly an elk.