im going to maine in nov for deer and also bear if i can find one of descent size. were all the way up and close to the canaidian border . i was wondering if anyone has used tsx on deer and bear? im shooting a 300wm as its all i gotin bolt gun.
took federal tbbc ammo to africa in 04 but think its a little to tough for deer unless i want to ruin a shoulder . my other option is remmington corelocks and they shoot 1/2 in groups at 100 yds and the bullets are proven on all animals thanks for your input. brian

Why fix what ain't broke?? Load you up some 180gr core lokt's and have at it.

I'd rather use a good bullet and lose some meat than risk using a poor bullet. Used my last Remington corelokt on an antelope, broadside just behind the front right shoulder at about 110 yards. The bullet hit right where it was aimed but blew up. Blew up the ribs and exited the left ham after destroying everthing in between. Never again will I use the Remington. By the way, the corelokts shoot one inch hole groups out of my Rem. 700 in 280.

The TSX is a tougher bullet than the TBBC.

I have used the TBBC to take elk and mule deer and it performed exceptionally well on both animals. No need to mess up a shoulder. It expeands well just going through the ribs and does a tremendous amount of damage going through and out the other side. It is a exceptional do all bullet for all game animals.

A .300wm may be all you have for a bolt gun, but it's beyond overkill for hunting in New England. Way beyond anything you need or want to be carrying. You're just as likely to punch a neat unexpanded hole and have a wounded animal to follow up on.
The Rem Corelocks will do the job, as will Sierras or any decent hunting bullet. Neither deer nor bear put much demand on a bullet at short ranges. If you handload, I would keep the velocities as low as you possibly can and use 150's or 165's.
The reality of hunting in this part of the country is that if you get a shot beyond 50yds, it will be the exception rather than the rule. A short bolt action in .243 or .308 or a light lever action in .30-30 or .35Rem with open or peep sights would serve you much better and handle much quicker in the heavy brush where you're going to be hunting.
I don't mean this as a personal putdown, but in all honesty, when people show up around here toting cannons wearing astronomical telescopes for deer and bear hunting, we chuckle to ourselves, shake our heads, and then make sure we hunt as far from them as we can - a mountain or two away if at all possible.

The corelokts will work just fine for you.

Go 180 grain in the magnum.

No 30 cal Corelokt will blow up on a deer, shoot them if they shoot well.

Brian

I used a 180gr TBBC in 30-06 with the Federal high energy load to kill a white tail doe with two seasons ago. The rifle was sighted in with this Alaska load so i just went hunting with it.

I snap shot a medium sized doe and i hit a little farther back than ideal but still a good shot, the deer was probably 30-35yds away. When i got to the spot i shot her there was no blood, but i could follow the trail in the leaf litter. After about 15-20yds i picked up bright red blood but not a lot, after another 20yds the blood was profuse and she lay there dead, running from 50-60yds. The TBBC did its job, entrance and exit were neat but the deer went down quickly with just a lung shot. She did not drop right there but that seems to be an uncommon occurance with the deer i have shot.

thanks guysill probably stick to remmington corelocks as the shoot 1/2 min out of gun. am using 180 grn also
versifier i never go hunting in the us without my 30/30 and handloads or remm factory loads both shoot same place at 100 yds. i know 300 is overkill up in thae section of maine as to really no long shots .
where i hunt in pa i sometimes get 300 yd shots . brian

My 300WM likes either the 180gr. Accubonds or TSX under 1/2''. The rifle did not group very good with the TBBC for me or my hunting buddy who has the same rifle. Before the Accubonds my rifle shot factory Partition Golds at 1/2".

But since your rifle shoots the core-loks good, stick with them. If you want to experiment before, try the Accubonds or TSX.

Good luck on your hunt!

Excellent Brian! I'd be willing to bet you'll be carrying your .30-30 every day and won't bother to uncase the big one unless you get a nice stand setup overlooking a big clearcut. Bring a portable stand if you have one - not many use them for rifle hunting and the deer are kinda stupid about them. Hipboots aren't a bad idea if you're into the boggy stuff - even if you're not, it's definitely not the kind of terrain for the camo sneakers.

Thanks for the PM. Sounds to me like it's going to be a fun trip. I know it gets cold and snows in PA, but up "The County" way is many climatic zones colder than you are used to. Keep in mind that a nice November day can be up in the 70's and drop to below zero at night if it's clear and still, or dump 3 or 4 feet of snow with little or no warning (what the weathermen call "pahtly cloudy" ).
As I tell my Hunter Ed students, make sure your survival kit includes a space blanket, high energy food, and some dry tinder along with the other essentials. Hypothermia is a much bigger danger than any kind of accident, and it's better to carry an extra pound or two and not need it than to get caught out and not have it. Cell phones are pretty much useless up there, and while a GPS is nice, the batteries never die in a good compass.

I have used 168gr TSX on coues deer and will not hesitate to use the same for Blk bear in my 300 wby. That is, if I can ever come across one during the season here in AZ. Our shots on deer are usually 250 yds+ and that could be true for bear too.

My loads are very accurate - my rifle loves them - work up a load and try it at the range - see if you rifle likes them. It can't hurt - you have a backup in the remingtons.