130 TTSX for moose from a .30-06?

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Jim870

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I'm looking to pick one do all load for everything from Whitetails to Moose. I have just got back around to loading for my .30-06 and have been thinking that a single load for deer to moose wouldn't be a terrible idea. Now before I go out and buy some of the traditional all arounders, 165-180 grain bullets like the Interloc, Partition and Accubond or 150-180 grain TSX, TTSX, or GMX. My dilemma stems from the fact I have a load developed that shoots very well with the 130 TTSX that I have already on hand. I see lots of positive remarks regarding this bullet from the .308 Winchester and .300 Savage on elk and the mythology behind the Barnes bullets is they only work better with more velocity, so from the .30-06 would only be better, right?

Ok to sum things up, have 130 grain TTSX's on hand and shooting good. Should I stick with it or should I be looking elsewhere for a deer to moose load for my .30-06?
 
Stick with it. It's a great deer/moose load for a 30-06. The 130gr TTSX will do everything a 180gr Nosler partition or cup and core bullet will do, and nobody will tell you that a 30-06/180gr combo won't kill a moose.
 
Gatehouse said:
Stick with it. It's a great deer/moose load for a 30-06. The 130gr TTSX will do everything a 180gr Nosler partition or cup and core bullet will do, and nobody will tell you that a 30-06/180gr combo won't kill a moose.
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For sure. Which makes me want to ask, why try to do something that might just be able to do all that, instead of just using what everybody knows will be able to do all that?
 
My friend has RELIABLY killed over 10 moose using his .25-06 rem and 100 gr TSX bullets. They just do the job. A 130 gr TSX with a .30cal boresize will be like the hand of God smacking down the moose. Take my word for it. The load , if stiff enough, should be more than enough at +/- 450 yards.
 
rral22 said:
For sure. Which makes me want to ask, why try to do something that might just be able to do all that, instead of just using what everybody knows will be able to do all that?
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Try?

The 130gr TTSX will expand and out penetrate a 180 gr cup and core bullet. It will penetrate at least as much as a 180gr Partition.

My question would be, why do you want to use something that might not work as well as a 130gr TTSX?
 
A lot of people have misconceptions about just how lethal Mono bullets are , even at a reduced weight from the normal range of each specific caliber. An 80gr TSX has dropped several moose (bang/flop) that I have seen. You can usually go to 60-70% of the traditional bullet weight.
I use either GMX (gilding metal 95%copper/5% zinc.) or TSX (100% copper) and have had nothing but spectacular kills. I like that the bullet weights are reduced, which 1) increases speed and flattening short term trajectory and 2) recoil is reduced increasing MY accuracy. I just shoot better with lower recoil guns.
 
When you look at a ballistics chart, its interesting how a 180g and 160g bullet will have the same energy delivered at 250 yards. Velocity is a different thing but its the energy at impact that I look at. You're also getting a flatter shot. As I've been loading my own and going over these charts I'm thinking seriously optimizing my scopes and zeroing my rifles to 240 yards. The vital zone is 6 inches from 0 to 300 yards with my 300 win mag. For moose I'm using GMX 165g bullets. That said, I may just want to drop the weight down to 125g. or less especially with the GMX and TTSX. With 100% copper and 95% weight retention you should be able to drop a size or two.
I guess its important to know what damage your cartridge will do at a given distance. What I'm comfortable loading at 100 yards may change at 200 or 300+ yards.
Good luck!
 
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The above information is bang on. I use to shoot 150gr. cup-n-core .270 projectiles for whitetail. Now, I shoot 130gr. GMX reloads for everything; deer, elk, moose.
I range from bang/flop to short tracking of blood trails on larger game, but I know what my .270 likes and monolitics have never disappointed.
 
The point is that you get a bullet that weighs about 125/130 grains that will KILL EVERY BIT AS WELL AS ANY 180 GR BULLET, AND YOU WILL FEEL LESS RECOIL MAKING YOU A BETTER SHOOTER. JMHO
 
Kryogen said:
question, why not just use a regular hunting bullet in 180 grains?
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Take a Nosler Partition as an example. Its weight retention at or after impact is roughly 60-70%. That translates into a bullet of about 180g becoming one of 115g. Now look at a Barnes TSX or Hornady GMX. Weight retention is about 95%. This means an bullet of 125G would lose 6g and become 119g or a 165g bullet would be 157g at or after impact. Couple that with less recoil because you're using a lighter bullet and as mentioned you become a better, more confident shooter.
 
I friend shot a sheep shot at 275 yards with a 150 grain TTSX, through the lungs.The guide said the hole on the off side looked the same as the entry hole with no expansion. Sheep aren't tough, it didn't go far. I've shot 2 sheep with the Partition at similar ranges. One dropped on the spot, the other was a poor shot and just clipped the front shoulder at an angle, this one went 75 yards. Sure glad I was using a Partition as it bled out before we got to him.
 
Kingofalderwood said:
Take a Nosler Partition as an example. Its weight retention at or after impact is roughly 60-70%. That translates into a bullet of about 180g becoming one of 115g. Now look at a Barnes TSX or Hornady GMX. Weight retention is about 95%. This means an bullet of 125G would lose 6g and become 119g or a 165g bullet would be 157g at or after impact. Couple that with less recoil because you're using a lighter bullet and as mentioned you become a better, more confident shooter.
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For some reason, some people just can't seem to comprehend that concept. Either that, or the math confuses them.:)
 
Jim870 said:
I'm looking to pick one do all load for everything from Whitetails to Moose. I have just got back around to loading for my .30-06 and have been thinking that a single load for deer to moose wouldn't be a terrible idea. Now before I go out and buy some of the traditional all arounders, 165-180 grain bullets like the Interloc, Partition and Accubond or 150-180 grain TSX, TTSX, or GMX. My dilemma stems from the fact I have a load developed that shoots very well with the 130 TTSX that I have already on hand. I see lots of positive remarks regarding this bullet from the .308 Winchester and .300 Savage on elk and the mythology behind the Barnes bullets is they only work better with more velocity, so from the .30-06 would only be better, right?

Ok to sum things up, have 130 grain TTSX's on hand and shooting good. Should I stick with it or should I be looking elsewhere for a deer to moose load for my .30-06?
Click to expand...

How far do you shoot whitetail at Jim? If like 400 yards and under, just don't change a thing. If you are shooing farther I would get a bigger bullet. I'm guessing Moose will be 200 and under.
My 270 likes 130 gr Barnes, but I use 130gr Hornady Interbond for deer as the Barnes pencil through sometimes, and would use the 130gr Barnes for moose. I personally would use a better BC Barnes bullet in your 30-06, just cause i would want to have the option of better long range energy for deer.
 
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