At odds with elk rifle calibers

[hereinaz]

I lost a huge bull elk with that bullet in my 7 rem mag. High shoulder hit. Bullet never penetrated the shoulder at all. 200 yards broadside hit and the bull dropped but got right back up and ran off without a limp. I'll never use the 154 sst superformance ever again. I've had great luck with the 160 accunond.

Sounds like a very high hit that shocked the spinal cord, that is the only real shot that can “drop” a bull that then gets right up. Without a limp.

I can’t believe that a 7 rem mag bullet didn’t penetrate at 200.

There is no explanation that makes any sense to me somehow all that lead and copper just stopped without penetrating. I have captured multiple chunks of copper on the far side of an elk with highly “explosive” bullets.

The far more likely explanation is a shot that went high and shocked the CNS.

 

[KID]

@KID have you landed on a cartridge decision?

Probably going to try some Accubonds out of my 7 mag and compare to what I've been using. But definitely not buying a different gun..

 

[Pharmseller]

Probably going to try some Accubonds out of my 7 mag and compare to what I've been using. But definitely not buying a different gun..

Good on you. Reloder 26 works well for me with 160 AB.




P

 

[KID]

Good on you. Reloder 26 works well for me with 160 AB.




P

 

[FredH]

Probably going to try some Accubonds out of my 7 mag and compare to what I've been using. But definitely not buying a different gun..

Accubonds are fine bullets. I have had good luck with 160 gr. Partitions, 160 gr. Speer Hotcor's, 175 gr. Hornady SP Interloks and 150 gr. Ballistic Tips. I was loading my own ammo for years before I got my first 7MM RM and was a big fan of the 7x57 years before that. With those bullets I never had any penetration issues. I have 162 gr, ELDX's loaded up for my next elk hunt. Hope they do as well as the others have. You could get a lighter kicking rifle similar to the 7 mag you own and practice with it. Something with better barrel life. I am a big fan of the 30-06 also. It did very well with 180, 200 gr. Partitions and 180 gr. Speer Hotcors. I make every effort not to slam shoulders but am not above a neck shot right in front of the shoulder. It's a meat thing.

 

[Pharmseller]

I use 162 ELDX now, they perform very well and they’re easy to find.




P

 

[Scoutfan]

Probably going to try some Accubonds out of my 7 mag and compare to what I've been using. But definitely not buying a different gun..

Accubonds are my go to choice for the majority of my hunting.

 

[bonepoint]

In the last 5-6 years me, my family, and close friends have killed 28 big game animals with my battle scarred 7 rem mag. 150 scenars at 3150-3200 FPS are bone crushers. 50 yards out to 623. Mule Deer, Elk, Moose, Bears, Antelope, and 1 wolf….

(Tikka Superlite bedded in a McMillan, with a Zeiss 4-16x50)

Here’s just a few of the critters it’s killed…

Have you shot the 180 at game, too? Just wondering how the two compared.

 

[270quest]

Have you shot the 180 at game, too? Just wondering how the two compared.

I have not, my tikka is not quite twisted for that bullet.