Which bullet would work best for elk in my 7mm STW? Im considering the 160 grain Partition or Barnes TSX. I hunt in an area where shots vary from 50 in the timber to 400 in the sagebrush. I want an exit wound to help with tracking. I realize no bullet will exit 100% of the time based on shot placement etc...

A Barnes at close range will exit most of the time as it will shed it's pedals at high velocities... The only experience I've got with the partitions is my hunting partners shot at 75 yards on a good sized elk... 180 grain in a 300 Win Mag and it did not exit... Rib on impact would be the reason for that one...

Ken....

Flip a coin. Be happy with either. I'd opine that the only "edge" the TSX has over the partition is accuracy. That is subjective and has been true for my rifles. However, I've loaded plenty of partitions and had good accuracy as well.

Having shot both, I prefer the TSX. In my experience, it will penetrate deeper after hitting bone. I also prefer it because it was much easier to find an accurate load.

I'd go with the partitions, but the bullet that shoots the most accurately in your rifle should probably get the nod.

tsx if you want it to go all the way through

TSX.......... no contest.

Elkhunter-I would have you consider trying a box of each and seeing which one shot better in your rig.

I've used most of the big 7's for years and have shot quite a lot of elk and other critters with them.

I use a 7 Mashburn Super the most and have shot elk with the 160 NPT and with the TSX line I've now taken them with the 140/150 and 160.

In all honesty I can't tell one diff between all the bullets. The NPT brand will typically shed a bit more weight and will on average retain 65-70%. The TSX brand will retain in the range of 90-100%.

I've yet to find one of any of these 7 bullets in elk, so take your pick.

I would be for betting that both of them will 99% of the time exit.

Good luck to ya.

Mark D

I've never found

Might as well "me too" this. Either bullet works great, depending on your rifle. I've had or have rifles in 7mm running from the 7-30 Waters up to the 7STW. Just find out which is more accurate in your rifle. I've got a Ruger #1 in 7mmRemMag that loves the Nosler, and a Rem 700 lefty in 7STW that loves the TSX.

I have shot the STW for years and have used both bullets and they both work well. I have recovered both from elk and the TSX appears to have a little better penetration. In the last few years I have switched to 175 grain bullets and IMHO they work better than the 160.
Russ

Elkhunter,try em both your rifle will show ya what she likes,they are both awesome, tryed any h-1000 yet? good stuff!!!yes ive played with the partion and the gold partitions 7mm and 30 cal....fantastic again,haven't played with the txs though,still have a good supply of xlc's to load first,never ever had a bad word too say about Barnes peroid... regards jjmp

Thanks to all of you who answered. I pretty much had my mind made up to try both and use whichever shot best. I just wanted to check and see what kind of real world results people were getting.

jjmp

I use H100 all the time in almost eveything I shoot. Works good in my .243 with 105 gr A max (.5" 10 shot groups) and my 300 WM with 180 gr. and everything in between. It's great.

elkhunter ----- I have shot a 7mm STW for years and have taken Mule Deer with it. The one bullet that gets me one hole groups if the 160 grain North Fork. I have shot many Nosler Partitions and Barnes TSX's also and they perform extremely well in both accuracy and toughness, but the North Forks take the day in both. The solid rear shank insures that it will not come apart and I always see that perfect mushroom and the grooves take care of barrel fouling. Try them, most barrels really like them, mine jumps up and down if I try anything else. Good luck and good shooting.

Phurley beat me to it. I have had great luck w/ the 160gr NP in my 7mm Dakota, but the accuracy & performance of the NF is amazing. If the TSX shoots well in your rifle, it will be fine as well.

i would go with the TXS. Excellent bullet.

Well, either one of those would put the hammer down quite nicely on elk. I'd say just shoot the one that groups the best in your rifle.

160 grain Nosler Partition.

I just wish Mike Brady would make 175 HG softs in his North Forks for 7mm..............

Fantastic bullets............