Monolithic bullets

[Hunter&Huntress]

Hey guys,

After reading a couple threads on this site I have decided I would like to try a monolithic bullet this year. I would like to get your guys opinion who makes the best bullet. I will be shooting a .270 and will not be shooting more the 500 yards. The game I will be hunting is Elk, Deer and antelope. I would like to shoot 130-140 gr bullet.

 

[mtmuley]

PM sent. mtmuley

 

[jryoung]

Nosler, Barnes, Hornady, they all are good, get an assortment and figure out which one your rifles says is best.

 

[marksjeep]

One other consideration with monolithic bullets, load "light for caliber" with respect to bullet weight. They all rely on velocity for expansion, so lighter weights/higher mv's are your friend.

I'm running a 145 Barnes LRX out of a .280AI with great results.

 

[sbhooper]

Nosler, Barnes, Hornady, they all are good, get an assortment and figure out which one your rifles says is best.

This.

 

[HighDesertSage]

Nosler, Barnes, Hornady, they all are good, get an assortment and figure out which one your rifles says is best.

x 2

 

[Power54]

I'd start with 130 grain Barnes TTSX and go on from there if needed.

 

[greentimber]

I'd load the 129 LRX from Barnes. Gives you a bit better BC and slightly lower expansion threshold than a TTSX.

 

[NoWiser]

I've been very happy with the Barnes 130 TTSX in my 270 WSM. I've also killed a few animals with the 140 grain TSX with very good results, but the 130s shoot a bit better out of my gun.

 

[Hunter&Huntress]

Do you all think that 130 grain would be the best route even with elk?

 

[MinnesotaHunter]

Do you all think that 130 grain would be the best route even with elk?

Roughly speaking, a 130grn mono should perform similarly to a 150grn lead core bullet. If you can get a 140grn to shoot well from your rifle, it wouldn't hurt, but I wouldn't sacrifice any accuracy just to shoot a 140.

 

[El Jason]

Do you all think that 130 grain would be the best route even with elk?

When you take into consideration the fact that your bullet will likely retain 95-100% of its initial weight, I sure wouldn't worry much about a 130 grain bullet. Put it in the boiler room and all other factors become a moot point.

 

[Flatland Crusoe]

The thing to remember with copper is that its density is 78% of lead so the same size bullets end up lighter. Since most traditional bullets are about 25% copper and 75% lead it comes down to where a copper solid weighs about 85% of a bimetal bullet of the same shape and length. For a copper solid to weigh the same as a bimetal bullet its generally going to end up a lot longer which translates into a round that needs a faster twist rate and is generally going to be harder to load. Copper really gains a lot back since weight retention as mentioned is nearly 100% whereas a good bimetal bullet is going to be more in the range of 75%.