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.

 

[Forsyth21]

Listen to the founders of Rokslide podcast(shoot2hunt) with the guest Form on that discusses what actually kills an animal. He’s shot thousands of large animals and done wound channel analysis on each one. He’d say 7mm Mag is way too much gun.

 

[Balderdash]

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

I've shot 175's out of OEM tikka 7mm RM's with good success. But, there isn't much practical difference between them and the 162's, which work well in all atmospheres..

 

[Balderdash]

Listen to the founders of Rokslide podcast(shoot2hunt) with the guest Form on that discusses what actually kills an animal. He’s shot thousands of large animals and done wound channel analysis on each one. He’d say 7mm Mag is way too much gun.

Maybe so in many scenarios; however, like a lot of other folks on this thread and otherwise, many of us have successfully taken piles and piles of big game with .284 mags. High BC .284 bullets started at 2800-3000 fps are absolutely fantastic in flight and on game if one is proficient at placing them where they need to go.

 

[Balderdash]

Yes out of an 08. It was slightly quartering too and I put it through the shoulder and found the bullet in the opposing rear quarter. The damage was too much for an antelope but would have been deadly on am elk. I'm curious to see if how similar the X and the M shoot out if the same gun.

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IME wirh Barnes X, the impact velocity needs to be 2k or better for reliable upset. More is better. As great as they generally shoot for me, I don't care to use them unless mandated, and if I have to use them I put them in something that starts them pretty fast if longer range opportunities might be likely.

 

[grfox92]

IME wirh Barnes X, the impact velocity needs to be 2k or better for reliable upset. More is better. As great as they generally shoot for me, I don't care to use them unless mandated, and if I have to use them I put them in something that starts them pretty fast if longer range opportunities might be likely.

I was referring to ELD-X.

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[Quandary]

So one of my blown opportunities this year I was shooting at a spike distance was 195 to 205 depending on where he was when I hit him with my range finder. With a bipod laying down, I had a solid rest. What's the rule on shooting at a steep uphill and downhill angle.

If its steeply uphill I find shooting seated with a tripod to be much easier.

 

[farmermail]

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..

@KID: If you have lost confidence in the gun, sell it. Doesn't matter why, if you don't like the gun, it will never perform for you. Confidence in your weapon is critical to achieve success. All it will become is a safe queen. As a million folks have said, there are a ton of great calibers for elk, pick one, get yourself a fresh start and have some fun.

 

[Balderdash]

I was referring to ELD-X.

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Makes sense. My apologies for the tangent.

 

[KenLee]

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.

Typical "no man's land" shot. I've done it at least 3 times over the years. My Daddy drilled it into us to stay on the animal to watch for them getting up. Also preached practicing shots at moving game to me. When they got up, they got whacked quick. The 3 I can recall over the last 40 years were 2 with 30-06 165 gr Hornady Custom btsp, and a 300wsm 150gr NBT.

 

[KenLee]

@KID: If you have lost confidence in the gun, sell it. Doesn't matter why, if you don't like the gun, it will never perform for you. Confidence in your weapon is critical to achieve success. All it will become is a safe queen. As a million folks have said, there are a ton of great calibers for elk, pick one, get yourself a fresh start and have some fun.

Amen! This is great advice. If you doubt a gun, dump it.

 

[Tmac]

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.

Not a bullet problem. It was a bullet placement problem. You just muffed the shot. Sad, but it happens.