30-06 130 TTSX Enough for Cow Elk?

[RevJim]

I know it will kill an elk, that's a given. Hw dtink it would do fora hard angling shot Say, up to 350?Or, if you make a good, tight behind the shoulder shot, and she (I'm a cow hunter)starts running for a godawful hole, can you break her down? I have a great load with Big Game, got it going a solid 3300fps! I have a fraction more accurate 150 TTSX/3005fps load too. Any advantage? Do you think the extra speed of the 130 (under 350yds remember?) would have any advantage? I'm just curious and bored....

 

[Camdu7]

I think either would kill an Elk just fine out past 350. My thoughts on copper is the faster the better.

 

[nrpate05]

You won't notice any difference in killing power under 350. Or over 350 for that matter. Whichever one is more accurate is the ticket. I got a cow this year with a .25-06 and 100 grain TTSX. Complete pass through. Given, she was broadside at like 120 yards, but I would've been comfortable with that load much further away.

 

[Forkyfinder]

I know it will kill an elk, that's a given. Hw dtink it would do fora hard angling shot Say, up to 350?Or, if you make a good, tight behind the shoulder shot, and she (I'm a cow hunter)starts running for a godawful hole, can you break her down? I have a great load with Big Game, got it going a sold 3300fps! I have a fraction more accurate 150 TTSX/3005fps load too. Any advantage? Do you think the extra speed of the 130 (under 350yds remember?) would have any advantage? I'm just curious and bored....

How To Pick The Best Hunting Bullet For You

Barnes TSX vs. TTSX vs. LRX Bullets

barnesbullets.com

Looks like 1800 - 2000 fps is what barnes reccomends - youd have that at 450 at least (depending on elevation) with either load. I doubt honestly youd see much difference in performance.

I wouldnt worry about using it on an elk.

 

[JMG]

I've harvested a number of elk with a 30-06 (cows and bulls). I prefer 180 grain bullets; brand doesn't really matter. Pick one grain and brand; just shoot them without thought to 130, 165, 180 grain or TSX, TTSX, LRX ... Don't over think it.

 

[rjthehunter]

Where's the guy that "Shoots them all the time with a BB gun and has never felt the need for anything more" who always shows up when a thread like this pops up?

 

[Darkside]

Load them both, take them to the Range.
Shoot at least 10 of each.
The one that puts a smile on your face. Wins. Hope this helps.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Where's the guy that "Shoots them all the time with a BB gun and has never felt the need for anything more" who always shows up when a thread like this pops up?

Like a 223?

 

[belshawelk]

I shot a cow with 120 or 125 gr 30-06. When I say I shot her I mean I really shot her. Put two one inch apart hitting heart and lungs. she never flinched, clear pass through and never even flinched and kept eating. I hit her in the shoulder and she barley moved. Finally after the 4th shot in the neck she dropped. After opening her up, little itty bitty hole in the heart and took out one lung. no dramatic damage. Using lead bullets too not copper.

I made me switch to heavy for caliber rounds. Never looked back. Light bullets moving really fast on elk are not for me. Heavy bullets moving fast get me excited.

 

[Darkside]

I like R.U.M.
With minimum of 180AB.
That puts a Smile on my Face.

 

[noharleyyet]

My last season NM cow ran 200 yards uphill with a 30RUM 181g HHunter induced fist sized hole in her neck...awesome elkburger tacos for dinner this evening. Long shot/sufficient energy...

Good tool for the job but I'd use what the OP asked....with good optics.

 

[RevJim]

Thanks guys. I normally load up a Nosler 200 PT *N560/2650fps. for penetration, but have used it only on big hogs so far. Primo results. I was just amazed at the accuracy/speed I was able to get both the 130/150 from a 22" barrel.

 

[elkfanatic]

Either one will do just fine in a cow elks vitals.
Either one will break down a cow just fine.
Me personally, given the two options would go with the 150 if it's more accurate.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

Both will work fine under 350.

 

[hank4elk]

Been using 165's in my 06 for 30+ years. Never not brought any elk or deer.

 

[cgasner1]

Probably just bounce off would be my guess

 

[Jnasa]

Consider how many elk have been taken with 130 grain bullets from a 270. I wouldn't hesitate if 130 is what shot well. I’d lean towards heavier in 30-06 but it is certainly up for the job.

 

[more_cowbell]

I shot a cow with 120 or 125 gr 30-06. When I say I shot her I mean I really shot her. Put two one inch apart hitting heart and lungs. she never flinched, clear pass through and never even flinched and kept eating. I hit her in the shoulder and she barley moved. Finally after the 4th shot in the neck she dropped. After opening her up, little itty bitty hole in the heart and took out one lung. no dramatic damage. Using lead bullets too not copper.

I made me switch to heavy for caliber rounds. Never looked back. Light bullets moving really fast on elk are not for me. Heavy bullets moving fast get me excited.

That happened once n the mid 90s, but I was using .308 win 180 gr CorLokts. 3 shots behind the shoulder -- first two at ~150 yds, no reaction thought I'd missed. Third one at under 100 to tag.

 

[RevJim]

One of my old hunting partners out here uses only a BLR/308. He uses 150 corlokt on everything. He didn't feel like, the one time he tried on elk, the 180 PTD corlokt opened up well. Slow killer.

 

[YZF-88]

I know it will kill an elk, that's a given. Hw dtink it would do fora hard angling shot Say, up to 350?Or, if you make a good, tight behind the shoulder shot, and she (I'm a cow hunter)starts running for a godawful hole, can you break her down? I have a great load with Big Game, got it going a solid 3300fps! I have a fraction more accurate 150 TTSX/3005fps load too. Any advantage? Do you think the extra speed of the 130 (under 350yds remember?) would have any advantage? I'm just curious and bored....

I have one load made for my 30-06 and use 168 TTSX. I just keep it simple. NEVER failed to bring down 4 bulls, two deer and an antelope. Fun stuff.