Quick day at the range.

[PJGunner]

I finally got a chance to get to the range to double check the sighting on my .35 Whelen and run a set of test loads using the 190 gr. Hornady SPBT in my 30-06 and the 140 gr. Barnes TSX in my .280 Rem. Te .35 is throwing the firt shot a bit high and left which is something it never did before, then the next two shots touching right where they are supposed to be. The 30-06 loads weren't too hot until I reached the max load in the latest Hornady manual and then it was a nice 1" group. It did that twice and if I'd had three more rounds I've tried to see if it would repeat. Rifle is an FN commercial Mauser with a 24" douglas 1in 12" twist barrel in a well bedded McMillan stock. The .280 Rem. was a shocker. No load from the starting to the maximum shot larger than .75". :shock: Guess I must have guessed the propr seating depth for that load. I do get lucking once in a while. Rifle is a 1909 Argentine built by the Harry lawson Co. in Tucson and the stock was done by Sterling Davenport. I'm sorry he's retired and I would have loved to have him do another rifle for me.
The .35 will be going with me on my elk hunt and I'm thinking I'll take the 30-06 as back up. I'm not all that sure that a 140 gr. bullet, even if it is the Barnes TSX is adequate for elk. I was doing some load work with it and the 160 gr. Speer Grand Slam, the older two core version but the gun doen't seem to like them so far. Neither did my 7x57s and so far neither of those like the TSX, 120 or 140 gr. Time to put in more load work when I get back from the hunt.
Paul B.

 

[SJB358]

Paul, I wouldn't be scared of hunting cow elk with a 140 TSX out of the 280, not one bit. That bullet will act like a bigger bullet in penetration and should open up just fine at hunting ranges.

Your 30-06 sounds great. I have heard great things about that 190 Hornady. Can't imagine it would let you down at 30-35 Whelen speeds..

How far outta the group is your Whelen pushing the first shot? Sounds like a good day actually. I need a range day like that.

 

[Guy Miner]

When is your hunt Paul?

.35
The first-bullet-out thing on the .35 Whelen reminds me of a bedding issue I had with another rifle long ago. Bedding it made sure the action didn't shift in the stock, and the point of impact remained constant throughout the string of fire.

.30-06
Not unusual in my experience to have the .30-06 start performing very well when max-level loads are reached.

.280
Re the .280, I wouldn't hesitate to take a 140 gr Barnes TSX for elk or mule deer. The mono-metal bullets like the Barnes and Nosler's E-Tip offer very impressive performance in what we might have previously considered too light a bullet for big game.

FWIW, Guy

 

[shoots_5]

140 is far from too light for elk. Just remember that shot placement is WAY more important than what bullet you're flinging. In fact I would argue that a good majority of hunters would be more successful if they downsized from their super ultra mag flinch magnets and used a rifle of modest caliber that they could shoot extremely well. Of course that doesn't apply to any of the exceptional marksman on this fine forum.

 

[OU812]

A friend on mines son used a 7mm-08 with a 140 TSX on a youth cow elk hunt and the 140 TSX work perfect, 1 shot kill. No reason why it would not work very well in your 280. Some guys don't like the TSX but it's one heck of a bullet and I have found them to be very accurate in everything I've run them in. Good luck on your elk hunt.


Bill

 

[DrMike]

I have carried 140 grain Partitions in my .280. Of course, that works very well for mule deer. I would not hesitate to use it on elk. I haven't, primarily because I am almost always carrying something else when I encounter elk. Loaded with a 140 grain TSX, it would perform just as well. Your 35 Whelen and the 30-06 appear to be delivering the goods for you.

 

[FOTIS]

The 140 TSX will fry just about anything in North America.

Doc: Nice signature

 

[tecumseh]

140 is far from too light for elk. Just remember that shot placement is WAY more important than what bullet you're flinging. In fact I would argue that a good majority of hunters would be more successful if they downsized from their super ultra mag flinch magnets and used a rifle of modest caliber that they could shoot extremely well. Of course that doesn't apply to any of the exceptional marksman on this fine forum.

I have a publication from the Alaska Dept of Fish and Game that says that very Same thing. They'd rather see someone hunting with a 270, 7MM-08 or a 30-06 that they can shoot proficiently than a 300 ultra mag they can't handle the recoil from and not to mention all the noise from the muzzle blast.

 

[JD338]

The 280 Rem with a 140 gr TSX will do a great job on elk, just put it where it needs to be.

JD338

 

[JD338]

Doc: Nice signature

I love it!

JD338

 

[DrMike]

Doc: Nice signature

Thanks, Fotis and Jim. I try to remain somewhat conversant in the ancient languages, polishing the Latin, Greek and Hebrew from time-to-time.

 

[JD338]

Mike

You are doing a fine job.
Too bad so many are being lead right to the wolves.

JD338