Bullet selection for plains game

[ElevenBravo]

Planning on sticking to antelope, no buffalo or other dangerous game although the Mrs. has expressed interest in crocodiles.

I'm planning on bringing my 300PRC with 212gr ELD-X handloads doing 2944fps in warm weather. Wife wants to use her -06 using 180gr Barnes handloads going at about 2460fps (I may need to re-chrono these). Any issue with calibers/bullet selection/velocity?

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Both of those will work fine. I’m more of a Barnes fan…

 

[ElevenBravo]

Both of those will work fine. I’m more of a Barnes fan…

I like Barnes too but I can't get them in my preferred weight for my PRC

 

[AckleyHunter]

Whatever one has the highest cold bore, 1st shot hit rate.

 

[Skshyk]

Barnes and call it day.

 

[UpNorthMI]

I assume you are talking Barnes TTSX 180 grain in .30-06? I assume you are loading these a little slower to reduce recoil for your wife? In my experience a typical 30-06 180 grain deer load runs at about 2,700 fps.

Barnes TTSX work great with a good velocity, many people drop to the next available bullet weight and shoot the TTSX slightly faster to get reliable expansion.

Personally I would drop to a Barnes TTSX in 150 grain in the 30-06 and run it a little faster than the 2.460 fps that you have mentioned. Factory 150 grain typically run just over 2,900 fps. I'd try to get it to at least 2,700 fps for a reduced load using the Barnes 150 grain TTSX.

Your 300PRC load should perform very well.

 

[ElevenBravo]

I assume you are talking Barnes TTSX 180 grain in .30-06? I assume you are loading these a little slower to reduce recoil for your wife? In my experience a typical 30-06 180 grain deer load runs at about 2,700 fps.

Barnes TTSX work great with a good velocity, many people drop to the next available bullet weight and shoot the TTSX slightly faster to get reliable expansion.

Personally I would drop to a Barnes TTSX in 150 grain in the 30-06 and run it a little faster than the 2.460 fps that you have mentioned.

Your 300PRC load should perform very well.

It's a tradeoff between what she can shoot accurately and what the rifle has told me that it likes.

 

[Ryan]

I used the 168 grain Barnes TTSX out of my 30-06 for two hunts in Namibia with stellar results. If the 180s are shooting well stick with them with confidence. With a recommended speed of at least 1800-2000 fps for proper expansion I'd keep shots under 225 yards I'm guessing with that muzzle velocity. But most PG is shot in that range anyway.

 

[UpNorthMI]

It's a tradeoff between what she can shoot accurately and what the rifle has told me that it likes.

Personally, I would not use Barnes at 2,460 fps, I would opt for a softer bullet like Nosler ballistic tip on antelope. I appreciate that you are trying to get both accuracy, reduced load (less recoil), I would still drop down to 150 grain in a Nosler BT or similar quality bullet that will expand well at less than normal velocity.

I have shot a lot of Barnes TTSX in many calibers, they need at least normal velocity but perform better at higher velocity.

Good luck in finding a load that works well, and good luck with your hunt. You are lucky to have the wife want to come along and hunt.

 

[ElevenBravo]

Personally, I would not use Barnes at 2,460 fps, I would opt for a softer bullet like Nosler ballistic tip on antelope. I appreciate that you are trying to get both accuracy, reduced load (less recoil), I would still drop down to 150 grain in a Nosler BT or similar quality bullet that will expand well at less than normal velocity.

I have shot a lot of Barnes TTSX in many calibers, they need at least normal velocity but perform better at higher velocity.

Good luck in finding a load that works well, and good luck with your hunt. You are lucky to have the wife want to come along and hunt.

I hear you about the velocity thing. One thing is she's shooting TSX, not TTSX. I'm going to root around my reloading bench for Barnes 165gr and see if I can get an accurate load at an acceptable velocity

She can shoot my PRC she's too stubborn to stop after it starts leaving bruises. Last time she did, the instructor had to tell her to knock it off.

 

[dchum]

I would not recommend starting the 180gr TSX at 2400, Will be slow killing.

Where are you planning on hunting?

If you want a reduced load in her 06 shoot softer lead nose - Or a 130TTSX .30 cal option

 

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[NIGHTHAWK]

I like Barnes too but I can't get them in my preferred weight for my PRC

Did you look at Barnes LRX?

 

[mdwest]

I like Barnes too but I can't get them in my preferred weight for my PRC

Have you tried the 208gr Barnes LRX?

They have a higher BC than the ELD-X despite being 4gr lighter.. they have almost exactly the same POI as the ELD-X in my 300 PRC… but produce slightly better groups… and down range performance is significantly better as well…

And they’re about $5 a box cheaper at my local gun shop too (added bonus)…

I now load my own 300 prc (using the 208gr LRX bullet)… but when building up my brass supply I shot a lot of factory ELD-X, LRX, and the hornady outfitter load as well (CX bullet) just to get an idea what the rifle liked, etc..

Mine definitely preferred LRX.. and I always choose Barnes over Hornady for Africa (although admittedly a 212gr ELD-X out of a 300 PRC will do just fine on any plains game you point it at..

 

[ElevenBravo]

Did you look at Barnes LRX?

I did when they came out. ELD-X is still easier to get despite Barnes being down the highway from me.

EDIT: want to be specific and say that I looked at their 212gr "Bore Rider" round that came of not too long ago. I think there may be some seating issues with it and don't want to spend $50 to find out that the driving band is too far back. But if someone had some second or remnants from a box, I'd give it a try.

 

[dchum]

I did when they came out. ELD-X is still easier to get despite Barnes being down the highway from me.

Try ordering online, the factory 208 LRX is in stock on lots of major retailers.

Ammo shipped to your door is very nice.

 

[ElevenBravo]

Have you tried the 208gr Barnes LRX?

They have a higher BC than the ELD-X despite being 4gr lighter.. they have almost exactly the same POI as the ELD-X in my 300 PRC… but produce slightly better groups… and down range performance is significantly better as well…

And they’re about $5 a box cheaper at my local gun shop too (added bonus)…

I now load my own 300 prc (using the 208gr LRX bullet)… but when building up my brass supply I shot a lot of factory ELD-X, LRX, and the hornady outfitter load as well (CX bullet) just to get an idea what the rifle liked, etc..

Mine definitely preferred LRX.. and I always choose Barnes over Hornady for Africa (although admittedly a 212gr ELD-X out of a 300 PRC will do just fine on any plains game you point it at..

Haven't tried the 208. My PRC is the last rifle I have that was not built by me, but the builder guaranteed that it would shoot factory ammo at sub-moa. Turns out that was Hornady Outfitter ammo with the 212gr ELD-X. So for about a year, I said "ok, I won't do handloads" but eventually got that itch and start doing load development based around the same bullet and generous amounts of H-1000. Got *really* good results with it, literally 2 clicks off my factory zero, and said that is that. I can shoot handloads or factory with just a small adjustment in my scope. Everything I've shot with it has just died, but none of it has been African game.

But that's why I posted this question as I have a year to figure this stuff out. Previous poster upthread made a good point about the wife's -06 velocity so I'll be looking to do up a new load for her. I'll likely have to order 208s from Barnes directly- the Sportsman's Warehouse here is awful for reloading supplies and the mom-and-pop shop just refuses to carry Barnes at all.

 

[ElevenBravo]

Try ordering online, the factory 208 LRX is in stock on lots of major retailers.

Ammo shipped to your door is very nice.

I'm looking at the 208s but not the Bore Riders.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

I’m having some match ammo made and tested in my .300 RUM.

As well as some for my .375 H&H

 

[ElevenBravo]

I’m having some match ammo made and tested in my .300 RUM.

View attachment 767990

I had to dig up my rifle's documentation to see what the twist is on the barrel. It's a 1:8 so those should be OK. Really I just need a couple of days where I don't have to sit in meetings and the wind stops blowing so I can get some trigger therapy.