120 ttsx in 7mm08..big game

g-manz35 said:
Not sure where those pics are from or the story behind them, but that second picture with the three bullets is not a pic of TSX/TTSX bullets. The bottom pic looks like the type of performance I get. I've shot a wild boar, a whitetail, a moose and a bear and have been very impressed with the performance. I'm shooting 130 TSX out of a 270 win at 3050. I also have 120 TTSX loaded to 3100 in my wifes 7mm-08 which have been untested to this point.
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I know, but it shows what can happen with mono metals.

But like stated, they gotta whistle to work where as a softer bullet has a larger window of velocities where it will work, not saying they don't work, just prefer the softer bullets with a broader velocity window, I just like to have as much insurance as possible , thus I stay away from em.

That photo from Eagleye is exactly why I load SC II's in many rifles, a soft and thinner front end with bonded jacket, an amazing projectile.
 
Kelly Timoffee said:
I know, but it shows what can happen with mono metals.

But like stated, they gotta whistle to work where as a softer bullet has a larger window of velocities where it will work, not saying they don't work, just prefer the softer bullets with a broader velocity window, I just like to have as much insurance as possible , thus I stay away from em.

That photo from Eagleye is exactly why I load SC II's in many rifles, a soft and thinner front end with bonded jacket, an amazing projectile.
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OK. I get it now. The reason I had mentioned it is that TSX seem to have the best reputation among the mono bullets. Lumping them in with other monos is not really fair. Monos vary quite a bit.
 
Having extensive on game experience with the barnes....upwards of 150 animals....deer,bear, moose, elk, african, and new zealand critters....we have never had a failure by following these guidelines

to be safe, I use AT LEAST 100 fps more than barnes reccomended impact velocities...prefferably 200 fps....this generally means 2000 ft/sec for ttsx. However, not all ttsx have the same reccomended velocity, not all LRX have the same reccomended velocity....it is calibre/bullet weight specific....contact barnes to get SPECIFIC reccomendations for your particular bullet.

Now, IN ADDITION to keeping the speed to 100-200fps over reccomended....I also like to keep the FT/LBS to at least 1000 ft/lbs

If you follow those guidelines to determine your max range, in my experience the barnes will work VERY RELIABLY, even when no bone is hit....they will function below those parameters with a solid bone hit though.

To the OP, nothing wrong with the 120 ttsx in the 7-08....HOWEVER, I think the PERFECT bullet for that calibre is the 139 LRX. Barnes claims expansion down to 1400fps, so lets use 1600fps and 1000 ft/lbs.

In my short barreled 7-08 I run it at 2750 fps.....that gets me 1800 fps and 1000 ft/lbs at 575 yds

a 120 ttsx, barnes reccomends 2000 fps for that one, so lets be optimistic and use 2100 fps/ 1000 ft/lbs, starting at 3000 fps that gets you 2100fps and 1000 ft/lbs at 400 yds

by comparison, with its higher weight and better BC, even starting out 250 fps slower, the 139 lrx will give you 2100 fps and 1300ft/lbs at the max range of your 120 ttsx....hits harder, with a lot bigger safety factor for reliable expansion than the 120 ttsx.....no brainer for me!

if you want to stick with the 120 ttsx, i personally would be comfortable using it on moose/elk etc out to 350 yds.....2200fps, 1300ft/lbs

Good luck, shoot straight!
Chris
 
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257 weatherby 250 yards, 3450 muzzle velocity
 
Boomer said:
As a pal of mine used to say, "It won't do em any good!" That said, for moose and elk I would prefer a 140/7mm in the 7-08 and a 160 in the larger case 7mms, the heavier bullets may prove advantageous in the event of a quartering away shot if a classic broadside shot is not available.

The maximum range of any load is described by your ability to shoot at those longer ranges, in the conditions that exist at that moment. I would limit my range to the distance that I could place my shots within 4" of my intended point of impact at that moment. How far can you shoot, and keep your shots within 4" of your intended point of impact with that rifle and load? Does you scope's magnification allow you to see your target clearly at longer ranges. Does the POI change as you adjust the power setting of your scope? How are you at estimating range and do you use a laser range finder? If you use a laser range finder, have you tested it in bright sunshine over snow? Can you dope wind? Will you click for wind and range corrections or will you hold off. If you hold off, does your scope's reticle have usable hold off points?

You can get all sorts of reliable and unreliable, honest and dishonest field reports on a public forum. Its left to you to load some ammo and go out and shoot under a variety of conditions to see if your expectations are realistic. Once you've done that, you are in a much better position to assess your ability to use your rifle and load. Whether you use heavy bullets or light, large bores or small, the math is the same, if at the shot, your target doesn't respond the way you think it should, keep the butt in your shoulder, your sight on the target, run the action as fast and as hard as you can, and continue shooting until you achieve the results you're after. Once you begin butchering your game, you will know if that's a bullet you would choose to use again.
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Thank you for taking the time to write this. Excellent advise to all hunters contemplating how far they can comfortably risk shooting at game. Hopefully all your advice and suggestions will be heeded. Long range shooting at game has become to much the norm it seems and in some cases it feels like a marketing scheme rather than a practiced skill developed with the appropriate training and thought IMHO. Thanks again.
To the original Poster,I shoot that bullet from my 7-08 and trust it for deer sized game but use 140gr tsx or partition for elk or moose. I am sure the 120 gr tsx would do the job in ideal situations but why not give yourself a little more flexibility, especially if you need to take a raking shot or break bone.
I have two clips for my rifle when I am hunting with deer and larger game in season so I can switch to the stouter load if the opportunity arises. Happy hunting with your 7-08.
 
BigUglyMan said:
Interesting. My 7x57 has a long throat so the Scirocco might be just the ticket if they like to jump.
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Is your 7x57 chambered in a modern rifle, safe enough to handle the same pressures as the 7-08?? Scirocco offerings like to be driven fast and that's what they were designed for.

I shoot them through my custom 98 chambered in 7x57. The throat is long enough to seat 140+ grain bullets out so that i have slightly less than one caliber of tension in the neck. I get close to 2900 fps with my load and half moa groups.

The Brazilians had/have a load for their military rifles in 7x57 which safely pushes 140 grain bullets at 2900fps. They used a powder very similar to W760
 
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