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I wouldn't hesitate, burden of proof being on the naysayer.Last year I bought a Kimber Montana in 6.5 Creedmoor. Yes, another Creedmoor thread. I tried a few different hunting loads for accuracy and the Hornady 120 gr GMX Outfitter loads shot the best at about 1/2 inch at 100 yds so that is the load that I set the rifle up with. I used that setup to take my deer last season but didn't use it for elk. I have other more powerful rifles that I generally use for elk. That being said, the Kimber weighs 7 pounds with sling without ammo. My other rifles suitable for elk are around 9 pounds so the weight savings is noticeable. I do a lot of hiking when I elk hunt so saving same weight is not a bad thing. My question is this, has anybody used the 120 grain GMX load on elk? If so, how did it perform? What was the distance? Most of my elk hunting is for Roosevelt elk so they are generally pretty big bodied. Velocity on that load is 2907 FPS out of my rifle. I will be candid and say that I am on the fence on this. Should I be? My Savage .270 is loaded with Barnes 130 gr TTSX bullets going a little over 3000 FPS and I hauled that around the hills looking for elk and didn't think much of it. Is the .270 that much more powerful that it makes a difference? 10 grains and about 100 FPS more. Most threads I have read seem to indicate the .270 is just fine for elk. Thanks for your thoughts.
That is exactly why I shoot magnums and know terminal ballistic impact distance for my target. Great point!With All copper bullets, you need to just make sure you have enough velocity at the point of impact for it to expand.
If the bullet does not expand, then you may mortally wounding animals that get away.
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I have no burden to prove a thing.I wouldn't hesitate, burden of proof being on the naysayer.
Fair enough.I have no burden to prove a thing.
No I didn’t. I’ve heard great things about Barnes bullets. When I set my rifle up, it ate and love the gmx consistently, so that’s what I stuck with. Accuracy was great too. I could have tried the Barnes and maybe I’ll pick up a box. Honestly thought, I’d be more apt to buy some federal with Nosler partitions and try those. But I like the way u think
Elk don’t worry about foot pounds of energy. There is absolutely zero practical difference between a 120 grain .264 bullet at 2900 and a 130 grain .277 bullet at 3000. Don’t worry about it at all.
I don’t disagree that velocity matters with monos and that you don’t want to push the envelope on range and velocity, but in my experience a mono bullet moving above 2900 is more than enough velocity. I’ve never used the GMX or a 6.5 myself, but I’ve killed several elk with Barnes TTSX that impacted at 2400 or even less. Never had an expansion problem. I watched a friend kill an elk at around 300 yards with the exact same 120 grain 6.5 GMX, and again, we saw good expansion and a quick kill.It depends on the distance and the velocity the projectile is carrying when it hits the animal.
Copper is different than lead in this regard.
You want the bullet to expand well.
A bullet that does not expand well, it of no good to you or the animal.
In the 6.5 using 2900 FPS, 120 gr, .450 BC, 6000ft elevation, 40 degrees temp. You would be looking at around 2400 FPS and 1500 ft/lb of energy at 300 yards, which is a little light.
Considering you want around 1500 ft/lbs of energy, which is a commonly stated minimum velocity for elk.
300 yards would be near your max ethical distance with a copper bullet.
If you look at the picture above the expansion is going to be between the two, which is doable - however anything more may result in an FMJ style of impact.
You may just punch a 6.5 hole through both sides of the lungs, which is a lethal shot - however it may be a while before the animal dies.
With an elk it may run a mile or two and you may never recover it.
I get that any caliber can kill an elk.
However, if you are going to shoot copper (like I do) velocity and energy at distance are key.
Did you try the Nosler E-tip? Another mono. They performed similar to the Barnes TTSX for me.What are peoples thoughts on the GMX bullet? This is the only rifle I am running it in. I really don't know that much about it except Hornady rates it for an elk size animal. I haven't seen a lot of threads about it. In contrast to the Barnes, which I am much more familiar with. I wanted a mono bullet and it shot well so went with it.
Magnums are fun and effective for the right shooter, but not at all needed to take an elk within 400y with a TTSX bullet in the proper weight. My guess is at 350y more animals are "unethically wounded" by missed shots by guys that shouldn't be shooting magnums than by guys who were shooting non-magnums. Studies have shown even good shooter's are effected by recoil, even though folks don't want to acknowledge it.That is exactly why I shoot magnums and know terminal ballistic impact distance for my target. Great point!
With All copper bullets, you need to just make sure you have enough velocity at the point of impact for it to expand.
If the bullet does not expand, then you may mortally wounding animals that get away.
View attachment 138265
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What kind of cover are you hunting in? A lighter rifle will kill them, but if they run a little farther into heavy cover, it might not be the best option.
If you wouldn’t take your heavier rifles on an elk hunt, why have them? Maybe time to sell a few rifles.
Did you try the Nosler E-tip? Another mono. They performed similar to the Barnes TTSX for me.
To the OP, Barnes is a softer compound, copper bullets performance are not comparable to other manufacturers. Barnes TTSX at 1865ish FPS. Found under the skin in the off shoulder, elk went 30 yards. With that said shot placement is what killed it. It took off the top of the heart.
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Magnums are fun and effective for the right shooter, but not at all needed to take an elk within 400y with a TTSX bullet in the proper weight. My guess is at 350y more animals are "unethically wounded" by missed shots by guys that shouldn't be shooting magnums than by guys who were shooting non-magnums. Studies have shown even good shooter's are effected by recoil, even though folks don't want to acknowledge it.
Are you talking about elk or deer; which “animals” are your referring too? I thought this post was about elk application only...You just referr to “animals” in your response....Magnums are fun and effective for the right shooter, but not at all needed to take an elk within 400y with a TTSX bullet in the proper weight. My guess is at 350y more animals are "unethically wounded" by missed shots by guys that shouldn't be shooting magnums than by guys who were shooting non-magnums. Studies have shown even good shooter's are effected by recoil, even though folks don't want to acknowledge it.
Has anyone compared actual field performance of the GMX vs. the Barnes TTSX?