At odds with elk rifle calibers

[mxgsfmdpx]

Hornady precision ELDX, shooting 500 yds and in. I really don't believe the average Elmer fud like myself should be shooting beyond 500 lol. I've just had a couple goofy situations as of late hitting Elk and not getting a good reaction from the animal, if that makes sense. I have been packing my 30/06 occasionally. Although not a distance king when you hit something you know it. I think it's just me and a lack of confidence with the gun. I plan on getting out and doing a lot more shooting, live animal stuff like coyotes. Get a little more comfortable. I put a new scope on it this year Leupold vx5, just need to shoot more..

Practicing is the best thing you can do for sure!

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

LoL!
I think I just need to work on my shooting.

If you’re serious about learning to improve your shooting, setting up a .223 identical to your 7 mag is a great way to train and build good mechanics/fundamentals.

I’d also encourage you to completely ignore the posts encouraging folks to disregard the sound advice from experienced shooters and killers here on Rokslide. They are giving advice because they’ve been there and done that and like to see folks be successful. It’s a great forum here with a lot of great and experienced guys and gals.

 

[Jethro]

Could also decrease perceived effective range.

 

[KID]

Well it's human nature to look for something better after a season of missed shots and blown opportunities. I've killed my fair share of Elk and Deer over the years with various calibers. This year the hunting gods made sure my tags were not filled I really had an off year. Thanks all for the words of affirmation, I will keep what I got and get back out there!

 

[Balderdash]

As others have posted, I doubt any elk is going to react differently to a 300 WSM vs a 7 RM, all else being equal. I've killed elk with both and other 30 and 338 cal magnums. I've also taken elk with non magnums. They all do the job if a properly constructed bullet lands where it should. I wouldn't change caliber to something so similar unless you also want something different than your current rifle.

You stated that you feel it's let you down - are you talking cartridge only, or other aspects of your current rifle?

 

[KID]

As others have posted, I doubt any elk is going to react differently to a 300 WSM vs a 7 RM, all else being equal. I've killed elk with both and other 30 and 338 cal magnums. I've also taken elk with non magnums. They all do the job if a properly constructed bullet lands where it should. I wouldn't change caliber to something so similar unless you also want something different than your current rifle.

You stated that you feel it's let you down - are you talking cartridge only, or other aspects of your current rifl

I've had some confidence issues with my particular gun. Thought I might change things up and go clean slate with something different. I've had some kills where the 7mm seemed to punch holes with no animal reaction. Maybe it's just bad luck, not hitting bone or like everyone suggests bad shot placement. Neck shots have always worked out well though lol!

 

[Pharmseller]

7mm Rem Mag
162 ELDX
A little hotter than factory but not much
200 yards maybe




He died in less time than it took you to count the points on the bull.




P

 

[jtevanMT]

My kids and I have harvested many elk (>25) with both 7mm and 30 cal over the past 15 years. Both are highly effective with good shot placement. I have a LOT of confidence in my 300 WM with 180 gr accubond. I always know when the animal has been hit and usually watch it drop within 50 yards. Ammunition is readily available for the 30 WM and lots of good hand-load information. I enjoy reloading and hunting with different rifles so I recently purchased a 7 PRC and plan to try 175 ELDX this spring for bears. Shot placement, practice, and confidence is #1 the priority, but putting 175-200 gr high quality bullet down range at 3000 ft/sec is a close second in my book. Not all shots are perfect so a like to have enough kinetic energy down range to do its job even if the shot was not perfect.

 

[Tmac]

If you know where each elk was hit, distance or approx. impact velocity, that would be useful info in terms of offering input. Your 7mm is plenty of gun. My guess is your bullet placement was less than ideal for a quick dispatch. But sometimes a critter just won’t go down fast, even with excellent placement.

 

[Wrench]

Picture 6 pieces of paper stacked up. The height of the stack is also the difference in bullet diameter between the 7 and 300.

It aint a pinch of shit.

I'd buy 20 boxes of shells and figure out how to make that rifle hit exactly where you want it to.....and you'll win.

 

[IDVortex]

Could also decrease perceived effective range.

This was something I've had to learn and loose my pride over this spring.

 

[grfox92]

You 7mag is arguably overkill for Elk with modern bullets. Go look at the 7mm08 kill thread and look at the results burning half the powder.

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

 

[Ringbill27]

Hornady precision ELDX, shooting 500 yds and in. I really don't believe the average Elmer fud like myself should be shooting beyond 500 lol. I've just had a couple goofy situations as of late hitting Elk and not getting a good reaction from the animal, if that makes sense.

Would these goofy situations happen to be closer range shots?

 

[Soj51hopeful]

OP for what it’s worth I’ve seen elk hit perfectly in the lungs with a .300 and no reaction to it. Each animal is different, some tougher than others. This season my buddies kid shot a spike perfectly in vitals and it looked like he missed. No reaction from the elk at all so he shot again. Get over to the carcass and there’s two big fat holes in the entry side rib cage.

 

[06 SB]

How often are you practicing at 500 yards? A lot of folks way overestimate their ability to hit that far out. I regularly shoot steel out to 900 yards. The further out the target is from 200 yards, things get exponentially harder especially with wind! In the times when the rifle disappointed you, how far were those shots? Elk are not hard to kill when hit properly BUT will run for a long, long time if wounded. This how they earned their reputation as being tough. Your rifle is not the problem unless there is a mechanical issue with it. It could be the ammo or most likely it is you.

 

[Wrench]

OP for what it’s worth I’ve seen elk hit perfectly in the lungs with a .300 and no reaction to it. Each animal is different, some tougher than others. This season my buddies kid shot a spike perfectly in vitals and it looked like he missed. No reaction from the elk at all so he shot again. Get over to the carcass and there’s two big fat holes in the entry side rib cage.

I just killed an elk a couple weeks ago and it didn't act hit. I thought I missed....this with a 300wsm / 200.20x at 100yds.

I have had bang flops at way long range with smaller calibers and had elk walk off with a 375 in them and vice versa. They are strong willed beasts. Easy to kill....but don't always want to act dead right away.

 

[jpmulk]

Just looking for some input on Elk Rifle Calibers, the market is flooded with so many options it makes the head spin. I currently have a 7mm rem mag. It has been an alright gun but it has let me down almost as much as it has impressed me. I have killed a handful of elk with it over the last few years but I'm sure not impressed with it's knockdown. I hunt with a savage rifle , Hornady precision hunter ammo, I do not reload... My step brother hunts with a 300 WSM and I've watched him drop 3 elk with it, every time it's a no question hit, it sure packs a lot more punch. The only thing that sucks about it is the spendy ammo and lack there of in factory ammo options, so it's appeal is somewhat diminished. What's everyone hunting with and if you had to buy a new rifle what would it be? Elk calibers...

I shoot 7rem mag with eldx as well. Have only ever been impressed with it. Have probably killed between 10 and 15 elk, deer, antelope with it. No animal has ever left my sight after being shot with that combo and it wasn’t always because I made a perfect shot.

 

[Yoder]

A 7 Mag is just a necked down 300 win mag anyway.

 

[Balderdash]

A 7 Mag is just a necked down 300 win mag anyway.

Not exactly. 7 RM is actually a necked down .338 WM.

 

[Balderdash]

You 7mag is arguably overkill for Elk with modern bullets. Go look at the 7mm08 kill thread and look at the results burning half the powder.

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

I've said for years and years that a 7mm-08 is everything a 6.5 CM hoped to be and more. 162 ELD-X is fantastic in a 7mm-08. Might be the most for the least.