Bullet selection for plains game

[Nosler guy]

I hear you about the velocity thing. One thing is she's shooting TSX, not TTSX.

I would be very cautious about shooting TSX ' s at reduced velocities. We played that game with them in a couple of different calibres (including 30-06 - 165 gr - considerably higher velocities than you have mentioned) and we just didn't get any expansion out of them. Long follow ups, and pencil sized exits. That was on North American game - from what I saw, wouldn't ever consider a TSX at any reduced velocity for tuff African game.

Possibly the TTSX is a better option - don't know never tried any. In my opinion, there are a couple of other options out there for monometal bullets that we think are superior to the TSX

 

[dchum]

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

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.

When you say “their” who are you referring to?

Barnes doesn’t not make a “bore rider”

 

[dchum]

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

I have no idea what a bore rider is.

I’m talking about a factory BARNES LRX loaded ammunition from Barnes.

 

[ElevenBravo]

When you say “their” who are you referring to?

Barnes doesn’t not make a “bore rider”

0.308" 30 CAL LRX 212 GR BT Bore Rider

Pioneering the world's most effective all-copper hunting bullet. For over 30 years, we've been engineering the most advanced hunting bullets, trusted by the world's best hunters and shooters.

barnesbullets.com

 

[dchum]

0.308" 30 CAL LRX 212 GR BT Bore Rider

Pioneering the world's most effective all-copper hunting bullet. For over 30 years, we've been engineering the most advanced hunting bullets, trusted by the world's best hunters and shooters.

barnesbullets.com

Stand corrected. Never heard of that.

Thanks!

 

[lkydvl]

For two safaris with mostly plains game I have used a 30-06 and 165 gr. Barnes TTSX. It has killed everything I have shot with it in extraordinary fashion. One shot kills are the norm up to Wildebeest.

 

[coreydb]

I've had success with ELD-X, Woodleigh, Swift, and Nosler. Just with your PH for his approval prior to your hunt. What he says goes.

 

[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. 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.

Just finished loads for the wife's -06. was able to stack a couple of shots on top of each other. Using a Barnes 150gr TSX. Chrono is putting it a shade under 2900fps. Her scope is till zeroed for her 180gr load but that's easily fixed.

 

[Philip Glass]

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?

The .300PRC is very powerful and you will likely do ok with that bullet. It is not in the same conversation for PG as Barnes, Swift etc however. Readily available yes but not a great choice. The smaller animals will be, well let's say messy. Maybe use the '06 on smaller stuff.
The '06 is perfect with the Barnes.

 

[ElevenBravo]

The .300PRC is very powerful and you will likely do ok with that bullet. It is not in the same conversation for PG as Barnes, Swift etc however. Readily available yes but not a great choice. The smaller animals will be, well let's say messy. Maybe use the '06 on smaller stuff.
The '06 is perfect with the Barnes.

Sable and warthog are on the menu. Not sure what you mean by messy, dead is dead.

 

[Delloro]

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?

My friend used a 7PRC with the 170 Terminal Ascent bullets in Namibia, it was great. I used a 300WM with 200 gr Terminal Ascents, worked great too. Other friend used an -06 with 168 TTSX and it worked great as well, all of us up to Wildebeest and Zebra. Two from the 168 TTSX was found on the far side under the hide on the wildebeest and the zebra.

That -06 load also worked well on a couple of elk.

 

[Philip Glass]

Sable and warthog are on the menu. Not sure what you mean by messy, dead is dead.

I mean shoot a Duiker, or Sprinkbuck, or other small PG on the shoulder with a .300PRC with Hornady ammo and then let's talk.

 

[ElevenBravo]

I mean shoot a Duiker, or Sprinkbuck, or other small PG on the shoulder with a .300PRC with Hornady ammo and then let's talk.

Why even mention these when I've already said what game I'm going after?

 

[Philip Glass]

Why even mention these when I've already said what game I'm going after?

I'm glad you have your list firmly set and Africa will not tempt you in any way once you are on the ground
I'm just trying to share my personal experience and what to expect. No need to get chippy.

 

[Wiley64]

Get her a suppressor

 

[deaner20]

I was set up to use 180 grain ttsx then my buddy said try these he been using for mule deer 200 grain Nosler accubond they flew just a a tad better out of my 300wm so I took both ammo don’t know anything about the prc and only been over once but 200 grain Nosler accubond hammered all 5 of my plains game
Could not been happier with them

 

[Mark458]

I'm glad you have your list firmly set and Africa will not tempt you in any way once you are on the ground
I'm just trying to share my personal experience and what to expect. No need to get chippy.

I know what you mean. My first rifle hunting trip was 20 + years ago and I shot a beautiful Steenbok with my 338 Win Mag with Nosler Partitions and left a sizable exit hole. Since that trip I usually take a handful of solids for that same 338 for shooting the small critters you don't want to blow big chunks out of.