Match bullet shot placement

[Flymost]

I really like the idea of shooting match bullets and am currently working with 147 Eldms in my 6.5 prc and 225 eldms in my 300. This picture is what makes me hesitant. If I was carrying my 300 with copper bullets I’d aim for the red dot and send it with full confidence, but if I’m carrying my 6.5 and 147 eldms I’d be nervous and aim for the blue dot. If I miss forward I may not punch through the shoulder and if I miss aft I miss the lungs. I’m sure I’m overthinking this, but the last thing I need when an opportunity arises is hesitation or lack of confidence. Other angles don’t seem to bother me, but Murphy is unfortunately a good friend of mine and I know that this is the shot I’m going to be presented with on a moose or elk the first time I take those 147s to the field. So I guess what I need to be convinced of is that at close range that bullet is going to at least destroy that shoulder and give me plenty of follow up opportunities and the long range shot will stick together enough to punch through the shoulder.

 

[fuzzymarindave]

You already stated what you have “full confidence” in so why deviate from that load?

 

[eric1115]

There's multiple pictures in the various small bullet threads of guys sending .22 cal 77 TMK, 88 ELDM, 6mm 108 ELDM, etc through the big bone part of moose and elk shoulders. Send it with confidence.

 

[waspocrew]

Agreed ^^^ just send it. Plenty of evidence in threads showing the ELMs will smash through the shoulder.

 

[24valve]

Thread 'Shot placement with .223'

Sep 3, 2024

So I’m trying to optimise my hunting game, am an interested in specific shot placement that achieves the best results on game (fastest incapacitation). What do you guys with lots of data find is the best placement? Looking at you here @Formidilosus
Is there a favourite location to put the bullet into, or is it just anywhere the lungs. Anecdotally over here guys tend to like the high shoulder shot.
I’m now down to a .223 and 22 CM, not that I think that really makes a difference….

• Toomuchon
• Replies: 26
• Forum: Long Range Hunting

• 

 

[Flymost]

Thanks, but it’s this angle that has me perplexed. At longer range I’d center up and send it just to give myself the best hit odds, but at short to medium ranges do I aim in front of or behind the shoulder? Or am I still overthinking it and just center up and let it go?

 

[The Guide]

You're over thinking it. Send it with confidence.

Jay

 

[Jt13]

These were all 308 168gr ELD-M deer between 100-260 yards.

3 of 4 were high shouldered and tipped right over.

1 was low chest and forward, closer to a heart shot than middle of lungs, and it ran about 60 yards.

All 4 were pass throughs with a ton of damage... almost too much. Planning on scaling down to a 223 with 77gr TMKs and a 243 shooting 95NBTs this season for the wife and I.

 

[24valve]

Thanks, but it’s this angle that has me perplexed. At longer range I’d center up and send it just to give myself the best hit odds, but at short to medium ranges do I aim in front of or behind the shoulder? Or am I still overthinking it and just center up and let it go?

Not ELD-M's, but here is a bull elk shot with 95gr TMK's at varying velocities, two of which entered and exited through the scapulas themselves:

Post in thread '6mm /.243 hunting success on Big Game'

Nov 11, 2024

Bull elk. 6cm, 95gr TMK. Bull was shot after running close to a mile.

First shot, 2,778fps impact. Bull turned sharp quartering away and took a step as the shot broke.

(Left is hind, right is chest). Bullet angled sharp quartering away and created a 10-12” wide wound that was 18+ inches long. The entire dark spot is damaged tissue- not just bloodshot. There are tears, holes, torn tissue, and pulp over the entire section.




Bull then dropped down a draw and reappeared. Second shot impact velocity of 2,256fps impact. Nearly broadside with the bull walking. Bullet...

• Formidilosus

• 

 

[199p]

i have shot a lot of animals with match bullets (amax, eldm) and always aim to break at least one shoulder

 

[nobody]

Center up and let it go dude. An elk “shoulder” bone is about the thickness of a standard shoebox cardboard. There’s a picture in the 223 thread of a skinned off scapula being held up to the sun with someone holding their hand behind it and you can see the hand through the scapula. There’s not a bone on the face of the planet that will stop an ELDM/X/TMK as long as it’s above its minimum velocity threshold.

As long as you hit in front of the diaphragm with an ELDM/X/TMK, it’s dead. Don’t overthink it.