7mm-08 120 gr Ballistic Tip on Elk?

[jazz3ring]

I’m taking my daughter elk hunting. The 7mm-08 (18” & suppressed) she will be using is currently set up with 120 BT’s for deer.

Does anyone have any experience (positive or negative) with 120 BT’s on elk?

I am considering a heavier bullet (140 VLD, 140 AB, 150 ELD-X). Thoughts on these compared to the 120 BT?

I shoot factory ammo only.

 

[mlob1one]

If she can shoot it well, under good conditions, it could work.
With my kids, I opted for the heavier 140gr accubond Nosler trophy grade (before reloading).

With the 7mm-08, we set up hard limits on range so that we could maximize our opportunities with clean shots. I think I've recovered 3 or 4 bullets on the inside of the far hide on cows and one young bull.

Hope that helps.

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[jtevanMT]

All three of my kids started with a youth 7mm-08 for elk before moving to a 30 caliber. IMO- 120 gr is too light for elk. Even with a 140 gr and decent shot placement, several elk needed follow-up shots after tracking. Use the 140 gr and limit the range to 250-300 yards. Some people will tell you it’s all about shot placement and practice, but a 12 yo shooting her first elk with a 120 gr bullet is not a good idea. I like the 140 AB or 150 ELD-X based on which load shoots best.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

check out the 7mm08 success on big game thread. There are a few people that use that load. 1 for sure on elk.

I think @Oregonmuley used that on a bull, he may chime in

 

[JPeters218]

It’ll be just fine. I shot my first elk with a .243 and a 100gr soft point. Piled up in 40 yards just like every other elk I’ve seen shot with .270’s and 30-.06’s. Put it in the lungs and it’s gonna die. I’ll be taking my 6 creed with a 108 eldm this year for elk.

 

[beerbucksducks]

My wife killed a rag horn last season with the 120 NBT out of her 7-08. MV is 3000. She shot him at 80 yards slightly quartered to. The bullet broke the leg just below the shoulder blade, hit top of the heart and both lungs, then stopped on the off side rib cage. The bull stumbled 20-30 yards and tipped over.


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[stevevan]

My wife killed a rag horn last season with the 120 NBT out of her 7-08. MV is 3000. She shot him at 80 yards slightly quartered to. The bullet broke the leg just below the shoulder blade, hit top of the heart and both lungs, then stopped on the off side rib cage. The bull stumbled 20-30 yards and tipped over.


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I'd go with the Barnes 120 TTSX. Wonderful bullet in 7-08 with better penetration especially on elk.

 

[freddyG]

Ballistic tips suck on elk. They have thin jackets. They will work at close range, but there are too many better options to use them. Why do you want to possibly set her up for failure?

 

[jazz3ring]

Ballistic tips suck on elk. They have thin jackets. They will work at close range, but there are too many better options to use them. Why do you want to possibly set her up for failure?

I don’t want to set her up for failure. In fact, I want to give her the best chance possible of being successful. That is why I started this thread asking for people to share their experiences and opinions so I can make the most informed decision on bullet selection.

 

[Oregonmuley]

Must of got lucky I guess on this bull. From last November, will admit it took 2 shots

 

[Deerhunter6250]

My daughter and son each killed three elk out to 425 yards which I admit was a stretch) with the 7-08 kimber montana. I started using it and love it. If you shoot straight (hit them in the right spot) its deadly. To me its about bullet placement.

 

[jazz3ring]

My daughter and son each killed three elk out to 425 yards which I admit was a stretch) with the 7-08 kimber montana. I started using it and love it. If you shoot straight (hit them in the right spot) it’s deadly. To me it’s about bullet placement.

What bullet? 120 BT or something else?

 

[Deerhunter6250]

What bullet? 120 BT or something else?

Hornady 139 grain interlock, but I want to switch to solid copper of some type because I am getting away from shooting lead at animals we eat.

 

[jtevanMT]

It’ll be just fine. I shot my first elk with a .243 and a 100gr soft point. Piled up in 40 yards just like every other elk I’ve seen shot with .270’s and 30-.06’s. Put it in the lungs and it’s gonna die. I’ll be taking my 6 creed with a 108 eldm this year for elk.

Yes, a smaller caliber or grain bullet will work for elk, with perfect shot placement. But nobody is perfect, especially kids with limited experience shooting at steep angles, wind, elk fever, and various shooting positions. For a 12 yo first experience elk hunting, go with 140-150 gr bullets. This will increase the damage and penetration if the shot is not perfect.

 

[JPeters218]

Yes, a smaller caliber or grain bullet will work for elk, with perfect shot placement. But nobody is perfect, especially kids with limited experience shooting at steep angles, wind, elk fever, and various shooting positions. For a 12 yo first experience elk hunting, go with 140-150 gr bullets. This will increase the damage and penetration if the shot is not perfect.

So why increase recoil by upping bullet weight? Everyone shoots lower recoiling rifles better. Theres been some really good threads about kids rifles and calibers on here

Kids rifle manifesto

I've chimed in on so many different "what rifle for my age XX kid?" threads that I thought I'd try to consolidate my thoughts here. My oldest son is 14 now, started shooting centerfire rifles at 9. My younger kids started shooting centerfire rifles at between 5-7 yrs old. 5 kids shooting now...

rokslide.com

that have really good information if you can have an open mind and not be stuck on the idea that elk are armor plated.

Some more here specifically on the 120 nbt

Help me decide next steps for my 13 year old

Ok, long advice post so be forewarned. @Formidilosus I would especially like your input on this. My 13, almost 14 year old son has a somewhat cobbled together setup, a 7mm-08 Ruger American compact with a SFP 2-10x Minox ZX5. I handload 120 Ballistic Tips for it. He shoots it well enough, but...

rokslide.com

 

[KenLee]

Ballistic tips suck on elk. They have thin jackets. They will work at close range, but there are too many better options to use them. Why do you want to possibly set her up for failure?

120 gr 7mm NBT actually have fairly thick jackets for bullet weight. They are different from other NBT bullets.

 

[Koda_]

I haven't used those bullets but whatever bullet you pick keep the impact velocity above 2000fps and you will be fine. FWIW Ive killed 4 bulls with a 117gn quarterbore, they are not hard to kill. 7-08 is a great cartridge and up to the task...

 

[jazz3ring]

Yes, a smaller caliber or grain bullet will work for elk, with perfect shot placement. But nobody is perfect, especially kids with limited experience shooting at steep angles, wind, elk fever, and various shooting positions. For a 12 yo first experience elk hunting, go with 140-150 gr bullets. This will increase the damage and penetration if the shot is not perfect.

My daughter is 16 yo and will be 17 yo when elk hunting. She has a fair amount of hunting experience with success harvesting deer, turkey, and bear. I am fairly confident in her shooting ability, however, this will be her first elk experience. There will be a self imposed range limit of 250-300 yards.

She has experience shooting .243, 7mm-08, .308 Win, and 20 gauge (TSS & Slugs).

I’m still trying to decide if there is a potential advantage to a heavier (140 or 150) bullet with elk. I am leaning towards trying a 140 or 150 at the range to see how both my daughter and the gun shoot it.

My daughter and the gun do shoot the 120’s really well.

 

[SloppyJ]

Ballistic tips suck on elk. They have thin jackets. They will work at close range, but there are too many better options to use them. Why do you want to possibly set her up for failure?

Wouldn't the thin jacket work better at longer ranges with your scenario?

 

[elkliver]

i'd step up to at least the 139 grain ... A heavier bullet will still have good velocity if you keep the range down. Yes a smaller bullet will kill elk just fine and a 7mm 08 is good starter for kids... but a little more oomph is needed with elk