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]

Don’t get too obsessed over velocity, do get obsessed over shot placement.

[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]

100 yds or closer would be the Barnes for me. Hands down. I’ve probably killed 10-12 deer, and upwards of 60 wild hogs with it at ranges from 40-225 yds. The Barnes is like it’s slogan, unfailing.

[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.

We tested 129gr ABLR on top of CFE223 and it does 2410fps from an 18” while still remaining well within SAAMI MAP, using a mid-range life spec SAAMI reamer for the chamber.

Hornady’s data for the 129/130gr class of bullets shows H4895 maxed at 26.6gr with 2300fps from an 18”.

Different powders will generate different velocities based on energy density and burn rate.

We have found that the fastest speeds for 129-130gr come from some of the slower-burning mid-range ball propellants like CFE223 and LEVERevolution.

[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]

I get 2266 fps with 129 ablr with 18” Lilja, AR, 26.3 gr of H4895. I haven’t shot a deer with these bullets in a Grendel yet, but i like the ABLR a lot more than a Barnes in my 260 Remington. More drt results and better blood trail when needed. I do have opportunities for long shots (long being up to 600 on a pipeline - which I don’t plan to do…) so I really like the ablr BC…
I plan to try CFE223. I just have to figure out the temperature sensitivity aspect. I plan to develop a load before spring and then check it on a really cold day, and run through my kestrel to check difference in impact.(MS/LA so temperature range (for me at least) during deer season is 25 to 80 F. I bet I’m overthinking this, huh?
I did have great results with the 105 MKZ inthe grendel this year.

[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

[gldprimr]

I am 3 for 3 on deer this year with 129 gr. ABLR in 6.5 Grendel. These were taken from 40 - 100 yards. Two chest cavity shots with ~ 30 yard death dash, 1 neck shot DRT. I like the performance a lot and will definitely continue to use this as my deer load. I had exits on all 3. Not sure what more anyone could want for bullet performance.

[Huckleberry75]

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

Could also be a tight, short throated chamber.

Aaaaaaand, I am a doofus. Ran it over the Magneto Speed today. Got an average of 2279 for 9 shots with 26.4gn of H4895, Hornady brass, CCI-450 from an 18" Monster bbl with suppressor. Sounds much more in line with book charges etc. Sorry for the confusion.

[Huckleberry75]

Aaaaaaand, I am a doofus. I ran it over the MagnetoSpeed today. Got an average of 2279fps for 9 shots. Load is 26.4gn of H4895, Hornady brass, CCI-450, 129ABLR, seated to fit a Duramag (don't have length in front of me). These were rounds 93-102 on an 18" Monster group buy barrel with suppressor.