30-06 165 grn TTSX fast enough

[dchum]

I think you and Stig might be referring to different posts. #27 (for Stig), and #36.

Yep - thank you. I stand corrected

Long thread

 

[Andrew62]

I’m loading some 165 grain TTSX ,for my wife’s 30-06 for our upcoming trip. They are shooting great! They are running at about 2700fps @ muzzle. Is this fast enough?
Plains game up to Kudu.

I doubt you'll find a kudu to argue they're not fast enough!

 

[Shifty05]

Straight line penetration.

Barnes and similar have gone through stomach and guts of big antelopes for me and reached the chest cavity.

While still expanding and causing great trauma for a good kill.

I've pulled many accubonds that look like pancakes. Partions… broken and smushed into pieces.

Broadside shots I can’t deny those two kill “better” and work very well.

Shooting a 30 cal at a big antelope running away from me? Only the Barnes will go the length of the animal

Your experience may vary

I doubt the OP’s wife will be making running Texas heart shots on her trip but hey u never know!

 

[prdhuntrs]

I doubt the OP’s wife will be making running Texas heart shots on her trip but hey u never know!

I certainly hope she isn’t! However the ability to get penetration out of a lighter bullet is why I’m going with the TTSX. If I can get flatter trajectory while getting just as good penetration as compared to the 180 accubonds or such I see it as a win. I had never used either bullet so the experiences of others ( at least on game animals) is what I have to rely on. Both seem to work equally so I went with what I can get to shoot the flattest. I am hoping to find out for myself in about 28 days!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I bought a box of 168 Barnes TSX back in 2019 in prep for my second trip to Africa but could not get them to group. May have been an issue with my barrel. And yes, I did seat the bullets the prescribed jump to lands. The Springfield's two land late WWII barrel had a corroded stretch about two thirds towards muzzle. It had a history of odd flyer. Figured it was time for a change. Nobody was making barrels during the pandemic but I was able to pick up a very nice 4-land military barrel on ebay in time for the 2021 safari. I still have part of the box of TSX so should see if they will work in this barrel. For that trip I stayed with 165 Partitions left over from first safari with usual good results. Grouped well enough and good killers but they can be messy close range. I shot this buck last fall with 165 gr Partition in Federal factory ammo at just over 200 yards. I declined to shoot him looking at me. As he turned to take off I hit him broadside just behind the left front shoulder. Bullet deflected and lodged under skin of right ham without breaking bones. It was a quick shot and bullet hit exactly where I expected. Did not expect it to jump sideways. As usual, front half down to partition was gone.

 

[prdhuntrs]

I bought a box of 168 Barnes TSX back in 2019 in prep for my second trip to Africa but could not get them to group. May have been an issue with my barrel. And yes, I did seat the bullets the prescribed jump to lands. The Springfield's two land late WWII barrel had a corroded stretch about two thirds towards muzzle. It had a history of odd flyer. Figured it was time for a change. Nobody was making barrels during the pandemic but I was able to pick up a very nice 4-land military barrel on ebay in time for the 2021 safari. I still have part of the box of TSX so should see if they will work in this barrel. For that trip I stayed with 165 Partitions left over from first safari with usual good results. Grouped well enough and good killers but they can be messy close range. I shot this buck last fall with 165 gr Partition in Federal factory ammo at just over 200 yards. I declined to shoot him looking at me. As he turned to take off I hit him broadside just behind the left front shoulder. Bullet deflected and lodged under skin of right ham without breaking bones. It was a quick shot and bullet hit exactly where I expected. Did not expect it to jump sideways. As usual, front half down to partition was gone.
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I’m still playing with her 30-06 and my 300 wsm (180 grn). So far I’m not having any trouble get good groups. I have a load for each I’m very comfortable with but never know when the nest load might be even better .
I shot an elk with 165 grn partitions years ago. While many people have moved on to “newer and better” things they are still very good bullets and suitable for just about anything.

 

[FlyGuy]

I’m still playing with her 30-06 and my 300 wsm (180 grn). So far I’m not having any trouble get good groups. I have a load for each I’m very comfortable with but never know when the nest load might be even better .
I shot an elk with 165 grn partitions years ago. While many people have moved on to “newer and better” things they are still very good bullets and suitable for just about anything.

At around 2750-2800fps, the 165gr Partition is an exceptional game bullet.
If your 30-06 likes them, plains game won’t.

 

[Spongebob]

I’ve recently shifted from a 180gn TTSX down to a 165gn TTSX with VV N540. Getting around 2890 fps.

Harvested a BWB no problem on the shoulder.

Below group is 3 rounds at 100 meters.

 

[steve71]

I shoot 168gr TTSX over either imr4064 or H4350. The Barnes people say the longer 168gr is made for 30-06. The shorter 165s are for 308 shorter action. worked great in Africa on everything from Impala to zebra and wildebeest