120gr TTSX for mulies

[sageratslayer]

Hey all,

I'm in the process of sorting out my deer/elk/combo rifles for next fall. Right now I have:

Savage 111 in 7mm rem mag
Savage 11 in 308win
Savage 11 Lightweight hunter in 7-08

My plan is to use the 7mm rem mag for elk, with the 308 as my back up, and the 7-08 as my deer rifle with the 308 as my back up. So I've been working on loads for the 7-08 using Barnes 120gr TTSX. I figure that if I can get them up past 2900FPS, then they'd make a dead deer for a mulie/blacktail hunt. Any experiences with these bullets on deer at 7-08 velocities? How has the 7-08 worked for anyone in the past?

--SRS

[tammons]

7mm-08 has roughly the same killing power as 308.

No mule deer but I did shoot a 300+# boar hog at about 350 yards and it dropped him 1st shot with a 162 gr amax over RL17.
Blew a hole out the other side about 2" in diameter.

Not a 120 gr TTSX although I have loaded that bullet, just nothing stepped in front of it.

Barnes are tough penetrating bullets, but I think out west I would move up to a 145 LRX over RL17 loaded long and hot for more BC/SD.

Should be able to get 2800 out of it maxed out.

[dk17hmr]

I don't feel under gunned with my 6.8 spc's shooting 100 or 110gr bullets at 2700-2800fps on mulies out to about 200 yards. Wouldn't feel any different about a 120gr at 2900fps from a 7mm.

[jb6.5]

Look up woodland outdoor ministry's, I load all their bullets for their 7 08's, 120 gr ttsx. They work fine.

[bc160]

The 120's should be just fine. I have shot them quite a bit (noslers). You should have no problem getting 3000fps out them if not a little more. I have since been shooting 140 accubonds with good results. I am able to get 2950 with no signs of pressure with the 140's and Ramshot Big Game powder. I have shot a few barnes bullets since the are right here in my back yard and have had great luck with them.

[bythebook]

Believe me I am for getting another gun when you can, but what is wrong with picking a load that your gun likes and you shoot good with, then using it for all. I think you will gain more by more trigger time with one gun when it is time to make a kill shot. The 7mm RM. would be my choice.

[darkker]

What you need to know about Barnes X bullets are how they are constructed. They start as dead-soft copper, then get heat treated for toughness. This means that compared to any other bullet of the same weight, they will have a higher velocity requirement for proper expansion. From my expirences, call and ask what the bottom velocity requirement is, then add about 150 fps. Personally I have seen several partial openings with them. This is one of the reasons that Barnes began the "Hey we are so cool, you can use a lighter bullet!!" campaign, and more recently tipped bullets. It's to ensure the velocity and opening of them.

[handirifle]

The "typical" min velocity for Barnes bullets are in the 2100 range, but some definitely open at slower speeds, so email them to make sure. I would imagine the 7-08 would easily cross the 400yd mark meeting that speed. Didn't run any ballistics but my gut tells me you'd still be in the 2500 range, or higher.