Which bullet for mule deer

Not to be indecicive, but it just don't matter. I would use the 130, but there is no real scientific or ballistic reason to do so. The 130 has better coefficient that is probably offset by the increase in velocity of the 110. The 110 will kick a little less, but you will probably not notice. One thing I would beware of is downrange performance. I experimented alot with 120 grn bullets in the 7MM Rem mag and found that while they performed well at 100 yards, they did not maintain consistency out at further ranges. Do some experimenting before settling on the 110.--------SS

The 130 would be the choice for me. I'm not a big fan of light for caliber bullets. I use the 150 TTSX in a 7 Rem mag with absolute fantastic performance on deer/antelope.

I'd go with the 130's. I think those would do the job.I have the same caliber and my rifle seems to like shooting the 130's and 140 grain TSX and TTSX.

Any of the bullet weights would work. It's all about bullet placement. I've shot my 270wsm with 130grn ballistic tip and 130grn Hornady Interlocks. Both provided good accuracy. I'm switching it up a little bit this year to 140grn Nosler Accubonds. My shooting is going to be a little farther this hunting season out of state, and I need to adjust a little bit for bigger deer and some expected windy conditions.

I would use the heavier bullet. This not only helps out beyond 100 yards for accuracy if you have any winds but will also aid in better penetration on heavier skinned animals. the lighter bullets work great for varmints and such or at closer ranges but why take the chance if you have to shoot at 250yrds? I would even move to the 140 if you had a round that you can get accuracy with your gun set up. JMHO

"spoofman" wrote:I would use the heavier bullet. This not only helps out beyond 100 yards for accuracy if you have any winds but will also aid in better penetration on heavier skinned animals. the lighter bullets work great for varmints and such or at closer ranges but why take the chance if you have to shoot at 250yrds? I would even move to the 140 if you had a round that you can get accuracy with your gun set up. JMHO

I would have to go with what ^^ he said. The heavier the bullet...the better IMO

I like hearvier bullets also. The 130's would be my choice. If you intend on stretching the legs on that 270 the higher BC will yeild you a tighter envelope as you get further out there. I love the TSX.

"donut slayer" wrote:Out of a 270 WSM, 110 barnes Tipped TSX or a 130 Tipped TSX?? If both shot the same groups, which do you prefer? The velocity, by the book, is 3550 for the 110 and 3230 for the 130.

Are you dead set on these lighter offerings for your WSM? I picked up a .270 Win a couple of years back for a late season cow elk hunt, and quizzed some folks I know in Wyoming that shoot .270's about loads they use in the wind and at the extended open ranges. They recommended a 150 gr. Berger VLD (similar to your Barnes). My Remmington 700 loves the 150 with the correct C.O.A.L. and shoots flat as a table top out to about 300 yards. (0 to minimal holdover). Velocities are similar to your Short at 3100 - 3300 f.p.s. I killed a 28" 3X3 (management buck) last fall on the Henry's. I spotted (and ranged) him at about 550 yards. I had to verify that he didn't have any cheaters, so I put the sneak on him and got up to 100 yards. Long story short, I had to back up to 250 yards (close to my zero sight). It was still too close, the bullet didn't expand at all, which I was warned about. The bullet needed to be traveling somewhere around 2500 f.p.s. to do it's job. It still knocked him off his feet, and he didn't get back up, so I would recommend the heavier weight, especially with the short mag. JMO. I've hunted and killed many bucks with a .243 and 95 gr. bullets, so the lighter bullet will kill a deer. That shouldn't be the concern. It all depends on your rifle, and what it likes. (Action, twist, length, bedding, etc.)

"Shags1" wrote: I picked up a .270 Win a couple of years back .... recommended a 150 gr. Berger VLD (similar to your Barnes). ...Velocities are similar to your Short at 3100 - 3300 f.p.s..

new guy here

sorry for dragging one up from the doldrums

I have been doing a lot of lurking to find data


but I gotta ask..... are you SERIOUSLY getting 3300fps with a 150gr Berger from a 270Win??

that load has to be running near 80KPSI, no?

130
bucks wind better at longer distance

130
bucks wind better at longer distance

I've killed a Whitetail buck and an Antelope buck with 130 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips. The Whitetail was shot at 40 yards so there's not much to say about the bullet's performance at that range. The antelope I hit at 200 yards. He ran about 50-75 yards before he dropped. When we field dressed him we found the bullet completely intact. The ballistic tip had exploded and all that was left was the bullet itself; no expansion. I chose this round originally because it was accuracte, but I'm second guessing it now... That being said I prefer the 130 grains out of a .270.

Well, I would have to say I would go with the 130 just because I like shooting a little extra weight. Maybe it's a head thing but I think a little extra helps specially if if the shot is a little less than perfect.

i used a calculator for the above bullets using published average velocities or the OP's numbers. so the comparison is a bit skewed but I think shows a trend.
I assume a 1"/100yd accuracy, and include the error in the calculations. also assumed a 10mph direct crosswind.
110TTSXBT@3550 gives a 340yd MPBR with 2639fps 1700fpe remaining MRT 4"@180yds windage 8.3
130TTSXBT@3230 gives a 310yd MPBR with 2477fps 1770fpe remaining MRT 4"@160yds windage 7.3
150TSXFB @3136 gives a 310yd MPBR with 2387fps 1898fpe remaining MRT 4"@160yds windage 7.7


just to try to give a theoretical comparison for the 110, I looked at the Vel/Energy of the 257Roberts 115gr NosPart.@ 2777 published speed. At 340yds, Bob has 2028fps and 1050fpe remaining. Now I'm not sure about you guys, but no one I know would balk at taking a 340yd shot at a deer with the Bob if they were sighted in appropriately and knew the drop.
The 110TTSX has it beat by 600fps and 650fpe


if you think going even lower is better
85grTSXFB @3900 gives a 340yd MPBR with 2474fps 1155fpe remaining MRT 4"@180-200yds windage 12.1
95grTTSXBT@3700 gives a 340yd MPBR with 2538fps 1359fpe remaining MRT 4"@180yds windage 10.3

time of flight for all the barnes to their MPBR is very close, 0.329 to 0.345... not enough to worry about here either.


so, using the published numbers, there appears to be a bit of an advantage ballistics wise going with the 110TTSXBT over the others.

when I start working on my 270Win, I'm certainly going to try the 110TTSXBT.

"Shags1" wrote: I picked up a .270 Win a couple of years back .... recommended a 150 gr. Berger VLD (similar to your Barnes). ...Velocities are similar to your Short at 3100 - 3300 f.p.s..

Now, if I could get the load data from Shags1, my Ruger with a 26" barrel should be able to match it! a 150gr at 3300 is very impressive.

150grBVLD@3300 gives a 330yd MPBR with 2711fps 2448fpe remaining MRT 4"@180yds windage 5.5 TOF 0.331
hmmm... the only advantage here is the winddrift advantage of 3
I have to wonder if the increased Recoil would offset that 3" windage advantage...

I'm still liking the 110TTSX

why do you want a varmint rifle?
to burn up your barrel?

you are hunting Mule deer, get closer to them (with in 200yrds) and shoot a 130 or 150 gr bullet

As for the brand, if you are reloading you have lots of choices and work ahead

if buying shelf items, see what your rifle likes the best, the one that shoots best from your barrel

Or you buy into the HYPE, and be a member of the bullet of the month club.

I have been shooting the same load though my 30-06 since 1979 from New Mexico to Alaska it has NEVER FAILED

Don't worry about bullet speed, it is not like the deer will string jump a bullet

"M.Bird" wrote:why do you want a varmint rifle?
to burn up your barrel?

you are hunting Mule deer, get closer to them (with in 200yrds) and shoot a 130 or 150 gr bullet

As for the brand, if you are reloading you have lots of choices and work ahead

if buying shelf items, see what your rifle likes the best, the one that shoots best from your barrel

Or you buy into the HYPE, and be a member of the bullet of the month club.

I have been shooting the same load though my 30-06 since 1979 from New Mexico to Alaska it has NEVER FAILED

Don't worry about bullet speed, it is not like the deer will string jump a bullet

Exactly, while ballistics are an interesting concept and fun to calculate, sometimes we can all get a little crazy with choosing the right ammo. I think, for the most part, we're splitting hairs here. I've seen a lot of people worry about a 200 fps difference in velocity when in all reality, the deer isn't going to dodge the bullet. Now I can see if it's someone's life goal to take a mule deer at 800 yards, then they might need to do some figuring, but I personally wouldn't attempt taking most game at that distance; especially mule deer. My dad killed his at under 100 yards with a plain-Jane Remington Core Lokt ammo, nothing special. I'm not excluding myself either; I too have been victim of over analyzing ballistics only to realize that I'm kind of wasting my time worrying about minute differences with no real difference in hunting performance. Good Post M.Bird

Heavier bullets all the way

150 TTSX 7mm Rem mag. Ill post the monster I harvest come the first week of Nov. Confidence and patience is going to get me the job done.

I just got a spike muley in unit 8 AZ. Used a 175grain 7mm. It put a hole in buddy the size of a half dollar. I would recommend what I used as it is a devastating caliber.