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