.243 90 gr. E-Tip vs. Barnes 80 gr. tipped TSX

[joegun53@msn.com]

My grandson and I both shoot 95 Gr. BT in our .243's for late doe season in Iowa. Thinking about switching to a bullet that will have better weight retention. I love the way the Barnes mushroom out in my muzzeloader, but I generally have better accuracy with the Nosler brand. I don't know if the 80 gr. is big enough for whitetails. Any advise would be appreciated.
Joegun

 

[JD338]

I would think the 6mm 95 gr E-Tip would give you plenty of penetration on a WT deer.

JD338

 

[Songdog]

My grandson and I both shoot 95 Gr. BT in our .243's for late doe season in Iowa.

If it ain't broke... don't fix it....

 

[Guy Miner]

My son and I have taken mule deer with that 95 gr Ballistic Tip - it's our favorite deer bullet from the 6mm Rem. Accurate, lethal, and generally punches completely through, out the other side. Like any rapid-expanding, high velocity bullet, it can cause some meat loss. I consider losing a little meat better than losing a deer. From our experience, the 95 grain Ballistic Tip is one heck of a deer bullet.

But... if a guy wants to go to a monolithic bullet, then I guess I'd try the e-tip first, and the Barnes second. I have taken a couple of mule deer with the 100 gr TSX from a .25-06, and it worked fine. Not sure one opened up or not - didn't appear to, but the deer fell at the shot and died anyway. The other one opened up for sure, and both of them penetrated very well, right through bone & tissue. I haven't tried the E-Tip yet. Someday I'll get to it.

FWIW, Guy

 

[desertcj]

To answer your question, I feel the 80grn barnes TTSX would be plenty for a deer. I don't have any of those, but I'm working on some loads with the 90grn E-tip and the 95grn Ballistic tip. I think it boils down to shot placement between the two. With the Ballistic tip, I'm aiming just behind the front shoulder. With the E-tip or the barnes, I would rather hit the shoulder blade. A little more resistance to help "open it up" :mrgreen:

 

[6mm Remington]

Joe I shoot the 100 gr. Partition in my 6mm and it works every time! My son's 6mm is loaded with the 90 gr. E-tip and he's taken deer, antelope, and a nice cow elk with it this year! It worked great. No-one mentions the 95 gr. Partition, but since you are shooting the 95gr. BT already, maybe try that one???
David

 

[Gm weatherby man]

Have not loaded the e-tip yet, but my daughter has knocked down two canadain deer down with the 80 ttsx at 200+ yards like bricks, on of them a decent Muley buck. The plan is to load up something heavier for this years moose hunt of hers. :mrgreen: :lol: