Suffering from information overload-looking for elk bullet advice. 7MM08 and 30-06

[SteveinMN]

So I've been searching, sifting, and reading for a few days now and damn if trying to pick a bullet isn't harder than picking out tires for the truck!

Here's my situation. I'm bringing both of my boys (14 & 16) to CO for first rifle this year. Both have hunted whitetail in MN but this will be their first trip for elk. I won't be hunting, basically just guiding and advising them. Based on the shooting they've been doing shots are going to be limited to 200 yards. One kid is shooting a 7mm08, the other a 30-06.

I've only bow hunted for elk so am a little lost with bullet selection, and with ammo shortages this year I'm not convinced I can even get ahold of the 'best' bullet. Most of what I've found around here is marketed as 'whitetail' ammo. Will this get the job done, or are these bullets simply too soft/frangible for elk?

 

[wannakillabigbull]

There are lots of good elk bullets available for the 30-06 on federal's website right now; a couple different weights for Nosler Partitions, some Barnes TSX. Also some E-tips on Nosler's website. If you're willing to try any of those you shouldn't have to worry about performance on an elk.

 

[neil.hansford]

People spend way too much time worrying and fretting over this. The simple answer is whichever bullet they shoot the best. At 200 yards, anything will do. Some bullets like copper ones are made for extreme penetration, some like Bergers are made to fragment. They all work, and elk are killed every year with bullets from across the spectrum.

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[sndmn11]

For what is available right now

Buy Nosler Partition 30-06 SPRG Ammo 180 | P3006F

Shopping for the Nosler Partition - Learn more about the latest Nosler Partition and other hunting or shooting gear at Federal Ammunition.

www.federalpremium.com

All Products | Lax Ammunition

Lax Ammunition

www.laxammo.com

There also seemed to be a lot of Remington Corelokt in both calibers on ammo seek.

 

[hunting1]

For me it would be 140-gr NP and 165/180 NP and be done. They have a proven record and I have personally killed with both.

 

[coldboremiracle]

Agree with Neil above. Elk are not that hard to kill, if you are going to limit yourselves to 200 yd shots, then literally almost anything will work. In the 7-08 I would preferably shoot something 140 or bigger, but obviously whatever he and the guns shoots most accurately is the best choice. Same goes for the 30-06.

 

[gilby]

@SteveinMN take a look at Scheels in EP. They've had 30-06 eld-x ammo in stock 2/3 times I went there this summer. Two of my hunting partners will be shooting that on our Colorado elk hunt this fall.

 

[KRH]

Ditto what others have said. Whatever is most accurate for the particular shooter/rifle. That said, all else being equal I'd shoot 140s with the 7mm-08

 

[Packin_packout]

7mm-08 140 grain accubond or partition
30-06 165 or 180 of the same

 

[11boo]

I’ve dropped a lot of elk with the -06. Never saw a difference in them dropping with premium ammo vs the budget ammo. possibly with a marginal shot, the cheap stuff could fail, but I’ve not tested that.

Buy enough of whatever you choose so the boys can burn some on the range and get fully dialed in out to 300.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Brother has been testing a ton of different ammo in his new Savage Storm in -06. Hornady Precision Hunters, Federal TBT, Federal Partition, Federal Accubond, etc... The round that shoots the best out of his rifle is an oldy but a goody... Remington 180 grain Cor-Lokt. <1" at 100 yards.

 

[RCB]

If you’re still stuck, flip a coin and go spend time on something more important.

 

[SteveinMN]

Thanks for all the replies. Sounds like I was just overthinking it. Gonna go drop a few Benjamins on ammo and hit the range with the boys!

Most everything I’ve picked up for the 7/08 is 139-144 grains so should be good there. The -06 stuff I have is a mix or random stuff so I’ll need to get going on shopping there.


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[JakeSCH]

Agree with everyone else. Range time is very important right now. Tailor your shots based on bullets you have.

My personal favorite is a shoulder shot with a copper bullet, but with a regular bullet go behind the shoulder and it will kill them just as well.

 

[DEGdog]

30-06 SPRG, 150GR, ELITE COPPER HUNTING

Precision centerfire hunting cartridges. ADULT SIGNATURE REQUIRED

www.sigsauer.com

Buy Trophy Copper for USD 60.99 | Federal Ammunition

Shopping for the Trophy Copper - Learn more about the latest Trophy Copper and other hunting or shooting gear at Federal Ammunition.

www.federalpremium.com

These two are very accurate in my 30-06 and 7mm-08 and are available and should be good elk medicine

 

[Mule3006Elk]

I wouldn't pick just whatever shoots the best. However, with shortages this may be the truth.
I favor high retention bullets like Barnes, Hammer Hunter, and Federal Terminal Ascent.
Not a fan of high fragmenting bullets, they will absolutely kill game effectively, however I'm a meat hunter primarily. I favor bullets that minimize meat damage.

 

[BigNate]

You're good. Whatever you can get more than a box of will probably be fine unless they're wildly inaccurate or varmint bullets.
Winchester PowerPoint and Rem corelock have killed so many elk, all the other ammo combined might still be behind.
Practice shooting other than from a bench, and get in shape!

 

[id450]

Hunt Backcountry Podcast 070 | Building A Backcountry Rifle — Bullet Selection

We all strive to end our hunts with a clean, one-shot kill. And when it comes to hunting with a rifle, the bullet is what impacts the animal to create the desired outcome. But a bullet is much more than a chunk of lead or copper. There are many types of bullets, each with their own strengths and...

exomtngear.com

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