168gn TSX on deer/ medium game?

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

308 win was designed for 168 gr. at 300 yds

@wolfhunter
My sons Howa wasn't. Even with the 168 matchking it wouldn't group less than 2.5" at best no matter the powder, primer and seating depth combination. Might have been ok at 30 yards but no further.
All other weights are fine with the 150gn SST and accubonds giving the best at less than half inch and 180s at less than 1".
With the 130s and 50gn of varget/2208 for 3,000fps they group to the same poi as the 150s and .75" groups.
Unfortunately it just don't like the 165-168 grainers. Can't explain it
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

In my fudd addled brain I have been switching all my rifle calibers to heavey for caliber round nose bullets. In my 308 I found a box of NOS round nose 165 grain bullets. They group into 1.5” at 100 yards from my savage 99 rifle. So far 1shot pass through kills on both deer and pigs.

@MS 9x56
After seeing how the 250gn round nose works I have loaded up some Woodleigh 225gb RNSP to 2,890fps in my Whelen to try in pig and.
deer hopefully this year.
Me thinks they should work well.
Bob

 

[wolfhunter]

a old shooting buddy of mine had a saying maybe that rifle didnt read the book my first target rifle had a 9 twist for heavier bullets the only one it liked was 168 sierra many x at 600yds

 

[steve white]

The TSX will probably open up for sure if you shoot for bone. Should penetrate well on a Sambar.

 

[Desaad]

Use Barnes 168 TSX out of 30-06 on a mule deer few years back, the shot was approximately 180 yards, hit him three times in the shoulder and he was still standing, all three shots hit the same place and exit wound was as big as a fist, had to finish him off with friends 6mm and soft point bullet, dropped like a rock. Ever since then I started using lighted bullets on deer.

 

[wolfhunter]

Use Barnes 168 TSX out of 30-06 on a mule deer few years back, the shot was approximately 180 yards, hit him three times in the shoulder and he was still standing, all three shots hit the same place and exit wound was as big as a fist, had to finish him off with friends 6mm and soft point bullet, dropped like a rock. Ever since then I started using lighted bullets on deer.

the deer was dead in shock after the first shot the 6mm just knocked it over

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

the deer was dead in shock after the first shot the 6mm just knocked it over

@wolfhunter
As good as the Barnes are, for deer I much prefer the Hornady SST
That super shock tip expands well and quickly imparting a lot of initial shock. The base seems to hold together well and drives deep ( I have only ever recovered one). Depending on shot angle they do exit. On broadside shots they tend to destroy a bit to a lot of meat on the way out.
Some people swear by them, others swear at them. I use them almost exclusively in my rifles and my sons 08.
If'n they made one in 250gn for the Whelen I would grab them.
Bob

150 gn 308 SST removed from a pig, retaining 117 grains. Great expansion and shank holds together well.

 

[Edster]

The 4 on the right are 168gr TTSX out of my grandsons 308, from trip to SA in April. Hand loads running at 2740fps. Nothing ran more than 200yds before dropping.