250 Savage Cow Elk Bullet

[SDHNTR]

I mean no offense, but you’ve got the cart out in front of the horse. Do you know which one shoots most accurately in your gun? That’s the one you should use!

I find hunting bullet debates pretty pointless. They all work just fine. Pick the most accurate one, go hunting and put it where it belongs. Then go find something else to worry about.

 

[Reddish]

I think any of those would work fine.

 

[AZ_Hunter]

I mean no offense, but you’ve got the cart out in front of the horse. Do you know which one shoots most accurately in your gun? That’s the one you should use!

I find hunting bullet debates pretty pointless. They all work just fine. Pick the most accurate one, go hunting and put it where it belongs. Then go find something else to worry about.

I don’t get offended.

Out of the 100’s the Pro Hunter is most accurate as I mentioned in post 1. Also mentioned in post 1, is all the 100’s listed in that post shoot with acceptable accuracy (under 1.7 moa at 100, 5 shot groups).

The most accurate loads to date are with a 75gr Vmax and 85gr BT, neither of which I think is suitable for larger animals based on my experience shooting them into animals.

Because different bullets exhibit different characteristics in tissue, I think the discussion absolutely has merit. Not asking if it can kill, that answer is obvious. I am asking for any experience with these type of bullets in this velocity window and the wound channels created.

 

[TaperPin]

Did you recover the elk? I’m curious if you saw a lack of expansion.

I think a 243 with a short barrel or shot at a little distance would be a good analog for evaluating these bullet types.

I forgot I also have some Hornady Interlock 100 gr.

There is also of course the 87gr bullets: Hot Core, Pro Hunter, Varmiter (Hornady) which would be like when the 250 first came out… also the 90gr Blitzking.

The elk was shot off a hay stack surrounded by sagebrush so it was easy to find, but that’s a long way. The bullet hole appeared like it opened up normally and passed through, and it would have killed a mule deer faster, but it just wasn’t a big hole for an adult elk. That little bullet has a great track record on deer and antelope.

One of the old timer elk hunters in my circle has a pile of 6 point elk, including a 378 over the fireplace - all killed with a 257 Roberts and factory Winchester ammo - I think 117 gr is what they’ve traditionally loaded. He waits for a broadside shot and none of his elk have gone far.

I imagine there must be a 100 gr bullet that has worked well for folks.

 

[sierracharlie338]

I’d vote interlock since you have it. I’m a big fan of that projectile. It’s a hammer in every caliber I’ve shot them in.

 

[lyle_destroys]

I think the tried and true partition would be your best bet in this case. Doesn’t need to be fancy, just needs to work and it does!

 

[AZ_Hunter]

I just did some pressure/velocity testing with the 100gr Hornady Interlock. I forgot I had a few boxes of those… and I’m impressed. Using Leverevolution, I hit 2840fps before velocity starting to drop with increased charges, so that’s my max load. Pressures looked fine, which indicates this powder is a little slow, but still. If the accuracy is there, I think this would be it.

 

[The Guide]

Did you end up using this rifle on your elk hunt? Curious on what bullet you ended up using and how it performed.

Jay

 

[6mm Remington]

100 gr. Partition for the win in my opinion. Great bullet that will penetrate and expand nicely.

 

[AZ_Hunter]

Did you end up using this rifle on your elk hunt? Curious on what bullet you ended up using and how it performed.

Jay

No, I ended up using my 16” 6.5 with 130TMK. That worked extremely well.

If my wife gets drawn for cow this year, she will be using the 25x68.

 

[Ringbill27]

If my wife gets drawn for cow this year, she will be using the 25x68.

What’s 25x68?

 

[The Guide]

What’s 25x68?

6.8 SPC necked down to 257

Jay

 

[Ringbill27]

6.8 SPC necked down to 257

Jay

Ooooo. I was like 6.8 western but figured that couldn’t be right. Although that could be a pretty spicy wildcat.

What type of speeds is the 25x68 getting?

 

[AZ_Hunter]

Ooooo. I was like 6.8 western but figured that couldn’t be right. Although that could be a pretty spicy wildcat.

What type of speeds is the 25x68 getting?

Out of an 18” suppressed barrel, some developed loads are:
67gr Shock Hammer 3250
75gr Vmax at 3150
80gr TTSX 3100
85gr BT 3000
100gr Interlock 2800

I am still experimenting but it has some kills on it.

It’s 7.5lbs as pictured, very accurate and no recoil. Replicates 250 Savage ballistics.

 

[The Guide]

Ooooo. I was like 6.8 western but figured that couldn’t be right. Although that could be a pretty spicy wildcat.

What type of speeds is the 25x68 getting?

There is a guy on here that is working with the 6.8 Western necked down to 257 calling it the 257 Marksman or 25 Western.

Jay

The .257 Marksman (25 western)

As some of you guys know I've been putting together a wildcat, well it's here. Purpose is a cartridge that fits good in a SA magnum launching the 130 class .257 projectiles at 3000 fps plus with a 20 inch or less suppressed rifle. Barrel life be damned 😁 It's not anything too crazy, simply a...

rokslide.com

 

[Ringbill27]

Out of an 18” suppressed barrel, some developed loads are:
67gr Shock Hammer 3250
75gr Vmax at 3150
80gr TTSX 3100
85gr BT 3000
100gr Interlock 2800

I am still experimenting but it has some kills on it.

It’s 7.5lbs as pictured, very accurate and no recoil. Replicates 250 Savage ballistics.

Impressive. Nice rifle!