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7mm Elk Round |
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dezmick
Optics Apprentice Joined: February/14/2008 Location: Oregon Status: Offline Points: 163 |
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Posted: March/02/2011 at 21:18 |
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i just got a 7mm WSM, that i will be using for elk hunting, can i get some thoughts as to what ammo i should use, 140 grain or 160 grain, and maybe even what bullet would work best on elk, there is not that many choices for factory ammo, but there is a few that i am going to try plus i am going to start reloading once i get the rest of my stuff for the 7mm WSM, so any input would be appreciated.
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SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
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Nosler Accubonds have always been good game rounds, as well as most barnes
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dezmick
Optics Apprentice Joined: February/14/2008 Location: Oregon Status: Offline Points: 163 |
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Should i use 140 or 160 grain in either of those for elk?
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SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
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either will be sufficient really with proper shot placement
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EchoWhiskeyOne
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/13/2010 Location: Manassas, VA Status: Offline Points: 175 |
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I've wasted nearly ALL of my game with "cheap" Remington PSP Core-Lokt ammo. NEVER had an animal run more than 40-50 yards and every time that I have field dressed my animals the heart and/or lungs and/or liver were ALL soup.
Surely many more can say the same thing, but I, for one, have never really leaned towards premium ammo simply because I haven't found any of the "premium" stuff to shoot much (if any) better than the "cheap" stuff and it surely doesn't kill stuff "deader" than any other brand with a well placed shot.
My $.02
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If you find it arbitrarily pleasing to burn our Nation's Flag, do all the rest of us a favor and wrap yourself in it first.
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SamC
Optics Professional Joined: October/01/2007 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 902 |
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Sam
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Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. Winston Churchill |
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300S&W
Optics God Joined: January/27/2008 Location: Burlington,WV Status: Offline Points: 10592 |
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I've got to agree. Since I do all my own game processing I'm particular about how a bullet performs on game. Only time I've had to switch to a premium bullet was when a particular bullet I used was discontinued and no other in that weight satisfied me.
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"I ain't got time to bleed!"
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Stud Duck
Optics Journeyman Joined: May/20/2005 Location: WV Status: Offline Points: 508 |
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TO THE OP: If you're spending the money on a hunting trip, is a couple of boxes of premium ammo that big of an expense?? To me, it's cheap insurance. Edited by Stud Duck - March/03/2011 at 08:39 |
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pyro6999
Optics Retard OT TITAN Joined: December/22/2006 Location: North Dakota Status: Offline Points: 22034 |
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i bet ive killed 90% or more of my big game animals with sierra pro hunters, elk included. so how crazy am i?? |
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They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead" 343 we will never forget God Bless Chris Ledoux "good ride cowboy" |
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EchoWhiskeyOne
Optics Apprentice Joined: March/13/2010 Location: Manassas, VA Status: Offline Points: 175 |
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I've had ALL, but one, of my Core-Lokts pass through cleanly and though SUBSTANTIAL internal damage was done, minimal meat damage resulted.
The one shot that I made that didn't pass through was on a heavy 8pt that was quartering away from me. I hit him with my .270; bullet passed through two ribs, part of the liver, ALL of the lungs, grazed the heart and slammed into his right shoulder socket. It was a 130gr PSP CL. Shot was made at 239yds, according to Dad's range finder.
I guess that after 20+ years of shooting the Core-Lokts with MANY animals downed cleanly, my theory is "If it ain't broke, why fix it?"
I'm glad that your Hornady serve you well. The ones I tried putting through my Stevens 200 shot about 6-8" groups...
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If you find it arbitrarily pleasing to burn our Nation's Flag, do all the rest of us a favor and wrap yourself in it first.
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300S&W
Optics God Joined: January/27/2008 Location: Burlington,WV Status: Offline Points: 10592 |
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Definitely a +1 on your "TO THE OP" post!
I quit using the Core-Lokts when they changed. I to use Nosler (old Solid Base c&c) and Hornady (Interlock). I also use Speer Hot-Cores.
Pyro,I tried the Gamekings and didn't like the game damage I got BUT I wouldn't be afraid to use the Pro Hunter.
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"I ain't got time to bleed!"
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Stud Duck
Optics Journeyman Joined: May/20/2005 Location: WV Status: Offline Points: 508 |
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helo18
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: December/02/2006 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 5620 |
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It is all about shot placement, more than what bullet you use. I use mostly cheap hornady bullets, and they kill them dead fast. Now, as to which weight. I tend to lean towards the heavier bullets. Shoot both to see what your gun likes, but I would personally go with 160 gr bullets.
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To be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.
GEORGE WASHINGTON |
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Tip69
Optics Master Extraordinaire Tip Stick Joined: September/27/2005 Location: Nebraska Status: Offline Points: 4155 |
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use which ever you can accurately shoot out to 300 yds! Both should be fine.
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take em!
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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I also like accubonds for elk. Less so for their tough construction (which is still a plus on big, tough game like elk), but more for their high ballistic coefficient, and excellent accuracy. For those same reasons, I tried Berger VLD hunting bullets for elk this past season with success.
I would say any 7mm bullet of quality construction (including the "premiums" as well as pro-hunters, core-lokts, interlocks, etc.) in 140 grains or 160 grains will do just fine. Just stay away from the really "soft" bullets like Nosler ballistic tips, and bulk cup-and-core bullets. I have personally seen Nosler BTs fail on elk with shockingly shallow penetration. The premium bullets are very consistent performers, in my experience, and do offer a bit of insurance, especially on less-than-perfect shot angles. |
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-Matt
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Johnny
Optics Apprentice Joined: December/23/2010 Location: Colorado Status: Offline Points: 99 |
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I haven't used the Sierras, Hornady or Speer for elk. Two of my fellow hunters used Sierras, Hornady, and ballistic tips on elk. Yes, they killed elk with them, but I wouldn't say the performance was really good. The ballistic tip was fragile and the Sierras etc had separated cores. I used Nosler partitions for years and now I use Barnes. I shoot regular Hornady, Speer for sight in and practice. Shoot some Barnes to see that they are hitting where I want them to. So I spend a few dollars more for premium bullets, so what? I reload and if I spent $20 extra to sight in and hunt with premium bullets, big deal. How much are elk licenses, fuel to get there, rifles, and other gear cost to go elk hunting, much less the time. The premium bullets are really worth the extra insurance that you get with them, making them the cheapest part of your hunt. I go on but one elk hunt per year, so I don't have the chance to try various premium bullets out every year, but I know the Barnes do work and work well.
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Black Bear Road
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tman1965
Optics Master Joined: July/20/2010 Location: South Georgia Status: Offline Points: 1456 |
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pyro6999
Optics Retard OT TITAN Joined: December/22/2006 Location: North Dakota Status: Offline Points: 22034 |
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i will keep shooting my green box jobbies and continue to dump elk with one shot. i cant count how many elk my old man killed with 150gr sierra's in either 30-30 or 30-06 or .300win mag over the last 35yrs, im guessing its about 30-35. i cant argue with a dead elk. i shot a cow elk in 1997 with a 150gr sierra prohunter, the elk was 90yds from me coming into a clearing i dumped her with the first shot, she made it a grand total of 30yrds. i recovered the bullet which took out ribs and lungs it weighed 133.6gr i still have it some where. this is the bull my dad shot a few years ago on "special" draw hunt in southern wyoming, the shot was over 300yds going away from him, took this bull high in the back of the neck/head 180gr sierra pro hunter .300win mag. im not saying your wrong with choosing barnes, cause i know they work very well. im just saying they arent the only choice. i will not use ballistic tips, i shot one mule deer in 1998 and it totally destroyed that deer. |
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They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead" 343 we will never forget God Bless Chris Ledoux "good ride cowboy" |
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hunterwingler
Optics Master Joined: April/03/2009 Location: Idaho Status: Offline Points: 1420 |
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Stay away from ballistic tips anything, I seen doe take one @ 300 odd yards (with 243) threw the heart & lung area walk away with blood pouring out her. she walk another 55yrds then drop out sight walk up there couldn't find her or a blood trail, Next day found few drops here & there leading into the thick brush but never did find her. Go with anything from a barnes to a nosler partition, even a good old soft point would work as for weight thats up to you but try stay with the heavier ones. with 7swm dont really have to worry to much about bullet drop.
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I wasn't upset about the black cat crossing my path this morning but mouthing "your fu@#ed" as he passed was just rude.
If Guns kill people mine are all defective |
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