100 gn barnes ttsx or nosler 129 ablr for deer?

[MNgrendel]

I'm tossed up on what to get for deer hunting this year. The only options I can find right now are the 100 gn ttsx and nosler 129 gn ablr. Mostly 100 yards on in shots with 18" barrel.

[grendelnubi]

I have shot two deer with the 129 ABLR and both were DRT. I don't believe you can go wrong with either.

[VASCAR2]

Many reports indicate the 100 grain Barnes TTSX needs 2,000 FPS to expand. The Nosler 129 grain ABLR expands down to 1300 FPS. I think either will work fine at 100 yards but if you get a shot passed 300 yards you might get better expansion with the ABLR.

[MNgrendel]

Thanks, that's good to hear. I just ordered some ablr. I will keep my shots 100 yes or less. With 18 inch barrel I will have even slower velocities.

[CJW]

[Huckleberry75]

Thanks, that's good to hear. I just ordered some ablr. I will keep my shots 100 yes or less. With 18 inch barrel I will have even slower velocities.

My 18" is sending 129ABLR @ 2420fps with H4895. This leaves 854#kE & 1727fps at 500yds. You should be fine if you can drive it to the right spot.

[ported45]

Just know that there is not much left of the 129 ABLR after a close-range hit (<40 yards). Only thing recovered from my daughter's first deer was the intact boattail and some peeled-back jacket. Penetration was straight midline of the body while the doe was facing us and the bullet remains were found in the abdominal wall muscle. It was every bit of 24" of penetration.

The ABLR works, but I would probably opt for the Barnes if ALL shots will be 100 yards and closer.

[ricsmall]

[BluteEhre]

Replying to Huckleberry..
Noslers book max of 26.5gr of H4895 only gets 2406fps out of a 24" barrel.. You must be loading crazy hot or way overestimating with this speed out of an 18".
My 20" gets 2300fps with 26gr for comparision.

[LRRPF52]

Just know that there is not much left of the 129 ABLR after a close-range hit (<40 yards). Only thing recovered from my daughter's first deer was the intact boattail and some peeled-back jacket. Penetration was straight midline of the body while the doe was facing us and the bullet remains were found in the abdominal wall muscle. It was every bit of 24" of penetration.

The ABLR works, but I would probably opt for the Barnes if ALL shots will be 100 yards and closer.

What barrel length/velocity?

[LRRPF52]

Replying to Huckleberry..
Noslers book max of 26.5gr of H4895 only gets 2406fps out of a 24" barrel.. You must be loading crazy hot or way overestimating with this speed out of an 18".
My 20" gets 2300fps with 26gr for comparision.

[BluteEhre]

The Hornady data corresponds closely to what Ive witnessed

Huckleberry said he was using H4895, and the provided data doesnt support his velocity claim, so I feared he may be way over posted data. Unless of course he was able to load very long and therefore cram more powder in. That was my rebuttle. Lol

[bmash]

[LRRPF52]

The Hornady data corresponds closely to what Ive witnessed

Huckleberry said he was using H4895, and the provided data doesnt support his velocity claim, so I feared he may be way over posted data. Unless of course he was able to load very long and therefore cram more powder in. That was my rebuttle. Lol

Yup. We would need to see his charge weight and COL.

Could also be a tight, short throated chamber.

[ported45]

What barrel length/velocity?

22" Ruger Predator
2408 @ the muzzle