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Exit hole Barnes 6.5 120gr TSX
The exit hole on this cow elk ( 2016 season) is typical of the size left by the Barnes 6.5 120gr TSX. It did not strike the neck bone. The range was about 125yds. I get this same result if the bullet was launched at 3000fps from my 260/6.5x55 or 3500fps from my 264mag. I've lost track on how many elk have been taken with this bullet, "120X" or TSX. Never have recovered one. All have passed completely thru even when heavy bone was struck. The bullet does make a difference as long as bullet placement is correct. Gut shots don't work even with heavy bullets from large cal magnums.
I have a couple books by Elmer Keith where he expresses his opinion on big game bullets. Back then bullet technology was struggling to produce a bullet that would stay together on large game. Elmer stressed a bullet heavy for cal at a moderate velocity which made absolute sense at the time. It was this search for a stout bullet that would stay together that made John Nosler develop the Partition which was a great leap forward. Now we have the homogeneous style bullet that leap's forward again.
As "frhunter13" mentioned spending the extra money for a top quality bullet when spending a bundle on a safari hunt makes sense . When you think of the thousands of hunters spending considerable amounts of time & money on a dream elk hunt in the west why use a deer bullet to hunt elk. Many do. What ever cal you select I see the homogeneous copper bullets as a top choice for elk or heavier game. Technology has moved forward again.
A fair summary, I think. There is no 120gr cup & lead core bullet that will absorb its own release of kinetic energy and stay intact on big game bone like the copper premiums do as you describe, Dom.
It needs at least 180gr of lead and copper jacket Hornady Interbond from a .308W or 30-06 or .303 Brit to accomplish that.
I believe in the quality of Hornady bullets but their use needs to be noted if for deer or heavier game like elk. The heavy weight for cal will take elk but I don't see that absolute dependability that the homogeneous bullets deliver even thru heavy bone. Last season the bull elk I shot was under a 150yds or so. I used the Barnes 6.5 120gr TSX. The shot was at an extreme up hill angle & left to right. The bullet caught the extreme right edge of the left shoulder blade. It then penetrated completely thru to the opposite side exiting & striking the right leg just above the knee joint & completely severing the 3" dia. leg bone. Another instance was when I first built my wife's 6.5x308 years ago. Loaded with the Barnes 120gr "X" it completely penetrated both front shoulders of a mature bull elk at a lasered 197 yds dropping the bull where it stood. These homogeneous bullets maintain their weight & penetrate out of all proportion to their size. When it comes to deer C&C bullets are what I use & they work great. When it comes to elk I want to use the most dependable bullet since the main reason I'm hunting elk is for meat in the freezer. Horns are secondary. These homogeneous bullets have never failed me. As always the proper bullet for the job properly placed. Dom
Welcome to the forum, Don! We trust you will find inputs of value here, and thank you for yours.
I agree with you 100% about Hornady bullets - value for money they must have the best bullets anywhere. In the US I only use 175gr Hornady Interlock in my .280 Rem and only because I like flat based bullets.
I have seen the performance of the 150gr Interbond from my elder son's .308W. Through both low shoulders of a blesbok at 220 yards with no meat damage, 2x calibre size exit hole and about 3/4" wide inside wound channel through the top of the heart. The bullet went on to break the rear upper leg of another one out of sight.
The animal displayed the most extraordinary reaction to the bullet. He said that at the shot she jumped up vertically into the air, did a half somersault and landed on her back stone dead.
I think your son's are right. I've been using Hornady C&C bullet's for a lot of years and have never had a problem with them. But, light for caliber bullet's and high velocity don't do well together. The biggest problem with people here is they want fast bullet's and if that mean's light, so be it.