7mm-08 120 gr Ballistic Tip on Elk?

[Short Track]

, I shot a 54" moose (140yds, downhill) three times with a .300 Win and the 168gr T-TSX. The moose wasn't phased after the first shot, behind the shoulder. It just stood there! The second shot was right on the shoulder, below the spine, and the moose dropped but it quickly got up again. A third shot on the shoulder put it down a second time. When I approached the moose, after about 10 minutes, it got on its feet AGAIN, and I had to hit it again. I could not believe how much damage this moose took, and still kept getting back up! After this experience, I started to question whether the .300 Win Mag was enough for moose.

I had that problem with TTSX too. 4x4 Bull Elk took (4) 168gr TTSX to the boiler room. 180 yards .308, so same bullet as you. My 7mm08 does a better job.

 

[Elktaco]

If my memory serves me right the 7mm 120 BT was specifically engineered for elk hunting. It has a much thicker jacket than even the heavier pills. Hunt with confidence and remember shot placement trumps everything.

 

[OXN939]

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.

You're 90% of the way there with a 7mm-08 and 120s. Ballistic tips aren't stout enough, though... try Barnes TTSX or hammer hunters and you're set

 

[roosiebull]

Years ago, I killed a 53" moose (40ish yds) with a 7-08 loaded with the 120gr TSX. The first shot was a high shoulder shot that broke the spine. A second shot was used to finish things. The second bullet was recovered, after displaying good penetration and a perfect mushroom. I was convinced that moose were not all that hard to kill.

Several years later, I shot a 54" moose (140yds, downhill) three times with a .300 Win and the 168gr T-TSX. The moose wasn't phased after the first shot, behind the shoulder. It just stood there! The second shot was right on the shoulder, below the spine, and the moose dropped but it quickly got up again. A third shot on the shoulder put it down a second time. When I approached the moose, after about 10 minutes, it got on its feet AGAIN, and I had to hit it again. I could not believe how much damage this moose took, and still kept getting back up! After this experience, I started to question whether the .300 Win Mag was enough for moose.

Can a big moose (or elk) be killed with a 7-08 and 120gr bullets? Yes, of course, but I'm not sure I would try it again. I may have just gotten lucky the first time.

That’s a strange conclusion to come to from the data you concluded from