Overthinking Bullet construction on Elk

[roymunson]

Been reloading my 300 WSM and I can get a number of rounds within 1.5 MOA, however the most accurate has been the 178 ELD-X. Those were well under 1 MOA.

You can read anything online and some people will crap on it, but in terms of accuracy they go like this:

TIER 1 (under 1 MOA)
178 ELD-X

Tier 2 (1-1.5 MOA)
Partition 165s
Sierra 165 Gamechanger
Barnes TTSX 180 (This is what worked for my moose)

If the ELD-X are marginally better, is that the bullet to go with? I see some negative things online about their terminal performance. Or should I play with the Tier 2 bullets to try to get down around that 1 MOA range.
Odds are I'm 500-600 yards and in.

I know I'm over thinking it, but I don't know how well some of you guys are getting your hunting bullets to shoot.

 

[Pharmseller]

We use the eldx in 7mm Rem Mags and 7mm-08s. Great accuracy, fantastic performance. I load the 178 for my brother’s 30-06 but he hasn’t killed anything with it yet.




P

 

[Jr4]

You might give Nosler AB 180 a try, my 300 loved them and worked great on game

 

[roymunson]

You might give Nosler AB 180 a try, my 300 loved them and worked great on game

I did. Those didn’t even get on a tier

 

[IDHUNTER]

There was a study done, which I don't know where to find right off hand, that shows that the difference in a hit at long range between a .5 MOA and 1 MOA gun is only a few percentage points. It doesn't look like you're even that far apart between tier 1 and tier 2. I doubt you'd notice a difference at long range. I'd go for the better constructed bullet if that's what you have more confidence in. Say hi to Big Ern for me.

 

[t_carlson]

I think it really depends on your hunt.

In more timbered or broken terrain, or in country that is notoriously windy, you may not have many chances to take a longer shot. I'd rather have a bullet that will give guaranteed penetration for a quartering shot in those circumstances.

OTOH, you might have several opportunities at a distance where the higher BC and better accuracy will be useful.

I would decide based on probabilities instead of your maximum potential shot distance, if that makes sense.

 

[roymunson]

There was a study done, which I don't know where to find right off hand, that shows that the difference in a hit at long range between a .5 MOA and 1 MOA gun is only a few percentage points. It doesn't look like you're even that far apart between tier 1 and tier 2. I doubt you'd notice a difference at long range. I'd go for the better constructed bullet if that's what you have more confidence in. Say hi to Big Ern for me.

I love when people Get the reference.

I tend to agree but don’t know if I’m settling when I shouldn’t be.

I’m he partitions or copper would be my preference for a bullet, but didn’t know if I’m settling too soon.

 

[northernalpine]

If you haven’t tried it yet, I’d consider the 200gr ELD-X or 208gr ELD-M. Both are easy to find, easy to load, have a higher BC than the 178gr, and are proven rounds on anything in NA.

I’ve taken ~20 animals with the 200gr and 11 with the 208gr in the last three years, no issues.

Be wary of internet stooges crying wolf that “bang-flop” is the expected standard and any bullet that doesn’t exit or cause instantaneous death is questionable.

 

[Matt5266]

My 300 WSM loves 185 grain Berger Classic Hunters. It's a Winchester model 70 with a 1:10 twist. It shoots 1 ragged hole at 100. Never had any issues with that round. I've also killed a pile with eldx.

 

[Taudisio]

I’ve taken a handful of elk with the 143 eldx.
I no longer use that setup for my own reasons. Never had any issues with the bullet.

That being said, I just helped a buddy with loading the 190gr speer impacts in his wsm. It is shooting very well. They are bonded. I made him shoot one into water gallon jugs at 150yards to see what they do. Went through 5 of them and we found it in the dirt after bouncing off number 6. I was satisfied they will work.

 

[Fireflyfishing]

Been reloading my 300 WSM and I can get a number of rounds within 1.5 MOA, however the most accurate has been the 178 ELD-X. Those were well under 1 MOA.

You can read anything online and some people will crap on it, but in terms of accuracy they go like this:

TIER 1 (under 1 MOA)
178 ELD-X

Tier 2 (1-1.5 MOA)
Partition 165s
Sierra 165 Gamechanger
Barnes TTSX 180 (This is what worked for my moose)

If the ELD-X are marginally better, is that the bullet to go with? I see some negative things online about their terminal performance. Or should I play with the Tier 2 bullets to try to get down around that 1 MOA range.
Odds are I'm 500-600 yards and in.

I know I'm over thinking it, but I don't know how well some of you guys are getting your hunting bullets to shoot.

Ok, how many round groups are you talking?

 

[Wrench]

Given the max range you're planning on, the bc disadvantage of the partition will more than make up for it in on game performance, mag box durability and availability.

Lot's of guys want the slickest high bc bullet made.....but then never take advantage of where they shine, in the 600+ ranges.

 

[roymunson]

Ok, how many round groups are you talking?

5 shot groups, and admittedly, I struggle with letting the barrel cool down like I should.
I know I'm over thinking things, my buddy is going with us and wants to kill one with a 130 gr copper out of his 270. If that gets it done, I'm sure my 178s will too.

 

[Fujicon]

I did. Those didn’t even get on a tier

Which kind of AccuBond did you test? There are significant ballistic and terminal performance differences between the regular and long range AccuBonds.

 

[roymunson]

standards

 

[TheHammer]

My wsm loves the 175lrx. Great results on paper at 600 and does well in game as well.

 

[Article 4]

Been reloading my 300 WSM and I can get a number of rounds within 1.5 MOA, however the most accurate has been the 178 ELD-X. Those were well under 1 MOA.

You can read anything online and some people will crap on it, but in terms of accuracy they go like this:

TIER 1 (under 1 MOA)
178 ELD-X

Tier 2 (1-1.5 MOA)
Partition 165s
Sierra 165 Gamechanger
Barnes TTSX 180 (This is what worked for my moose)

If the ELD-X are marginally better, is that the bullet to go with? I see some negative things online about their terminal performance. Or should I play with the Tier 2 bullets to try to get down around that 1 MOA range.
Odds are I'm 500-600 yards and in.

I know I'm over thinking it, but I don't know how well some of you guys are getting your hunting bullets to shoot.

My experience with 175 ELDX on elk - with sub 1/2 MOA accuracy. Slightly above me and quartering away at 385 yards. Mzl Velocity in 7mm was 3129 and was able to dig these two out of the off shoulder having penetrated all the way through both lungs and the very top of the heart.
65-70% weight retention...elk walked 30 yards and piled up

 

[wind gypsy]

200 eldx would be preferable in a wsm to me just to have a little lower impact velocities and more sectional density but I'd not hesitate to hunt with the 178 either.

 

[Ryan Avery]

I would look at the ELD-Ms the Berger 200x20 or the 185 Juggernaut. I’ve seen all of them knock down elk. The 185 Juggernaut is nasty out of a 300 WSM.

The guy I sold my short barreled 300 WSM to last year. Shot this bull at 642 yards with the 200x20.

 

[Andouille]

That being said, I just helped a buddy with loading the 190gr speer impacts in his wsm. It is shooting very well.

190 Impacts also shoot well out of my Tikka WSM with H4835SC and have a great BC (according to Speer). My latest 5-round group was one big hole (still finalizing my loading procedures). Your friend's test and other reports I have read indicate that the expansion and weight retention looks to be as good as it gets for a bonded bullet from 0-500+ yds. I have some 172gr that I may also try in the WSM.