Bullets for 16" barrel

[Dr.Lee]

The question of expansion threshold seems to be a little confusing to me. Some say Barnes 100gr. TTXX is the greatest bullet on the planet while others say it needs 2000 fps for reliable expansion. Similar stories about the 115 gr. Barnes. Some say Nosler 100 gr. ballistic tips explode and destroy a lot of meat. While I am sure most of this is true, I don't know which way I am going with bullet choices. I have a small supply of all these bullets, and I feel none may be a good choice out of a 16" barrel.

I also have some 120 gr.Nosler's as well. I was thinking of staying in the 100 gr. zone being that I have a 16" barrel that somewhat limits me due to a lower initial velocity. I see the boutique bullet makers offer bullets with lower expansion threshold. That will be more money spent; I've already a bunch of money on the bullets I have. I am looking to make the right choice this time and don't what to waste more money. I will be hunting deer and pigs BTW. Help! Thanks!

Dr.

P.S. I have been a member for a long while. I had to register due to a password problem. So it seems like I am staring from scratch. Just thought I'd mention that.
P.P.S. I have been reading the list of LFP's Just thought I'd ask. Great work from Rick on compiling the list.

[grayfox]

Any of the three would be fine for a 16".
When I had a 16-er I shot the 100 ttsx at ~2625-50, and the Nos 100 at about the same.
Stories on the ttsx will vary, the gist of it is Barnes does testing with a water tank, which does not replicate animal flesh/bone as good as gel. They list 1800 as the minimum opening, gel tests usually show around 2000, so what I've decided is to keep it 150-200 fps above "minimum" to ensure good opening in the deer.
Using 2150 as a minimum, 2625 gives about 225, maybe 250 yds of effective range. 225 is also just a tad under the 1000 ft-lb ke, so if you have shots inside of 225, then the ttsx should be fine.

The 100 Nosler opens down to 1900 according to the mfr, and their BC is about the same as the ttsx, so 225 again (ke 988) would be what I would limit a shot to.
The 115 Tac-tx is advertised as opening down to 1600 but on a thread on here there's gel tests again... and maybe 1800 would be my limit on that one. I have not shot that in a 16-er but in my 20" howa, so I would estimate maybe 2480 ish in a 16. 2480 gives you 2045 fps and 1045 ke at 225 yds.
There are other choices, some use the 123 sst or eldm. I've gotten around 2415-30 with those 123's. Didn't particularly like them out of my 16 (I later sold it, or maybe that barrel is just laid up in my shop... don't remember lol!) Some shoot the 129 Ablr (nosler) which opens up down to 1300 fps.
So that 120 gr Nosler might be looking at around 2415 or so in a 16", again, a good bullet at grendel velocities just don't go making a 400 yd shot (maybe out to 250?).

A better question, or project, is to find out which bullet your barrel likes. Only your barrel can tell us that.
... the quest begins. Welcome back!

[Dr.Lee]

Thanks for the welcome back and thanks for the info. Yes, I have work to do !

Dr.

[Pootyng]

[Harpoon1]