TTSX in .300WM for both deer and bear?

[wombat13]

Back in February I posted a question about using a 180gr. Nosler BT in a .300WM for black bear (thread now closed). I thought I might see a black bear on a new property I would be hunting in November. Well as it happens, I didn't see a black bear, but both my FIL and BIL did.

I am rethinking my bullet choice now that I know the odds of having a shot opportunity on a bear are good. Everything I read suggests the TTSX will be more than tough enough for black bear, but will it open up on a boiler room shot on a whitetail?

 

[Kachok]

YES TTSX bullets open very fast, but with no lead core you are not going to get that remote damage from fragmentation like you get with other tipped bullets, many question if you really need that, I prefer that shotgun like effect through the vitals but I am sure a .30 cal at 300 win mag speeds is more then enough for a quick kill on any deer. Heck I think my 30-06 is simply too much gun for deer with full house loads, yesterday it knocked a fist sized hole through a deer with SGKs.

 

[wombat13]

Yes, the .300WM has more than enough steam for whitetail. I've taken 6 deer with it in the three years I've had it; 2 with factory Federal Fusion 180 gr and four with my 180 gr Ballistic Tips/76.5 grains RL22 handloads. The two deer shot through the heart ran about 20 feet while spraying blood everywhere. The four shot through both lungs were bang/flops.

I'm worried the ballistic tip would explode without penetrating if it hit a bear's shoulder at short range. That argues in favor of a tougher bullet, but I'll still be more likely to shoot a deer, hence the question about TTSXs.

I know I could use a more reasonable chambering, but .300WM is what I have. I want to develop one load/one rifle that will allow me to hunt nearly all the big game I'll ever have the opportunity to hunt.

 

[Kachok]

180gr BTs have a heavier construction then their 125,150, and 165gr counterparts, they have a reputation for penatration and I for one would not hesetate to shoot a black bear with one. My advise is if your BTs are working for you try them on bear, I think you will be supprised.

 

[T Bran]

While I havent used the heavy 30 cal TTSX,s I can say that the 110 gr TTSX bullets open up very quickly on both deer and hogs.
I load them for a .308 Win that has taken a pile of deer and hogs both large and small.
The 110's are moving pretty quickly and still have time to open up fully so I dont doubt the heavier bullets will do the same.

As for penetration we had to shoot a big hog legnthways to finally catch one of these lite bullets. The bullet went through the skull and traveled about 2' down the spine before stopping.
T

 

[Craigman]

I read suggests the TTSX will be more than tough enough for black bear, but will it open up on a boiler room shot on a whitetail?

To answer original question. YES. the TTSX's will open up even on soft boiler room broadside shots on deer. We shot 3 this season 30-06/150gn/2950fps. They have always inpressed me on their "shock" its not a huge hole but the innards are jello. The shock seems to happen almost instantly after penetration. One shot at 150yds this year went in one side and out the shoulder. The offside shoulder only lost about a golf ball size chunk of meat surrounding the exit hole with no bloodshot gooey stuff.

BT's will work great too but bloodshot is guaranteed. I lost half a deer last year shot through both front shoulders 270wby/130gnBT/3300fps. both front shoulders gone on a running deer