What Size For Elk With 7mm Magnum

[Big Nasty]

I use 150gr Federal Ballistic tip when hunting whitetail, any idea if I should stick with this for a bull elk or go bigger?

Thanks

[aceoky]

I use 150gr Federal Ballistic tip when hunting whitetail, any idea if I should stick with this for a bull elk or go bigger?

Thanks

150 grains is "big enough" in 7mm for Elk, but I'd use a better constructed bullet for them, e.g. Barnes(if they shoot well), Swift A-Frame , bonded bullets (Accubond, Interbond etc.) again IF they shoot well, Elk are much bigger and MUCH tougher than deer, bigger harder bones as well, IOW a "tougher bullet" is often required (not just a "good idea") for them.....

Since you're already "sighted in" with the BT, I'd probably try the accubond first since it's POI should be very close to the same though IMHO the Nosler Partition which was built for big tough animals would be my first choice, knowing I'd get an exit.....fwiw (the accubonds seem to ......as "net" rumors have it anyway,.... expand a bit too much and therefore don't always exit), the NP WILL exit! fwiw

I'd rather use a bullet made for big tough animals on a "once in a lifetime hunt" than use a "deer bullet" and possilby regret that decision for many years to come, IF it were me.....:)

[Big Nasty]

Thanks Aceoky. I will heed your advise. Definitely a once in a lifetime hunt and I want to do it right.

[aceoky]

I'm not saying that under "ideal" situations they wouldn't work, just *I* would want something better to hedge against ole Murphy and his "law"..... for this type hunt after all bullets are NOT that $$$ and could mean the difference in a smile or something "else"...... I honestly don't think you'll regret picking the best bullet for the job, especially on a once in a lifetime hunt such as this...... Please let us know how it goes, (pics and story required LOL) :D

[trust me]

If you can't find any factory loads with the Nosler Partition, Cabelas has a good selection. Cost a few bucks more, but this is once in a lifetime and a couple boxes of shells will be a very small part of the hunt's total cost.

[moreammoplz]

I went elk hunting 3 years ago and two of the guys I went with and myself were using...

Federal Premium - 165 Grain Sierra Gameking BTSP

Muzzle velocity 2950

Muzzle Energy 3,190 ft lbs.

Site in at 100 yards and it should only drop 3 inches at 200.


One of the guys dropped one around the 300 yard range so this set up with placement works.

This round grouped very well for me, but never got the chance to blast at an elk. I had to wait a year later with a muzzleloader. :)


If your 150 gr groups well then you should be fine, bullet placement is the key. GOOD LUCK........

[C.L.Button]

I have taken an Elk at roughly 200 yds with a 165 grain Nosler chambered in 7MMag :D

Elk still walked 100 yds up hill with his heart blown in half. I just can't shoot them in the shoulder. It would kill me to waste all that good meat. :D

[wademup]

I dropped a 6x5 in his tracks with a shoulder hit from a federal 160gr trophy bond in 7 mag. I agree that you should probably go with a bullet designed for bigger game as the trophy bond is.

Wademup

[Multidigits]

You can shoot up to 175 grains in a Nosler if you handload. They will work fine and would be my choice in Ky. where your shots will be close normally.

[kytrapper]

I highly recommend Nosler Partitions also. Very good bullet.

[Big Nasty]

Based on what I'm hearing, Nosler Partition or similar seems the route to go. A number off people also mentioning 160-165gr, do you think it's worth my while to bump up from the 150gr i'm currently sighted in for? If I get an opportunity on a bull I want to make sure he goes down as quick as possible, and don't have a problem re-sighting if you guys think there's a significant advantage.

Thanks for all your excellent advise.

[trust me]

No matter what grain you choose, you will want to shoot a least a few of the new to make sure where it is hitting. A 150 gr. of a different manufacturer will possibly have a different point of impact. Always check on paper. And practice, practice, practice.

I won't speak on the 150 vs. 165 issue because I've never shot anything bigger than a whitetail.

[Big Nasty]

Most definitely Trust-Me.

[aceoky]

Based on what I'm hearing, Nosler Partition or similar seems the route to go. A number off people also mentioning 160-165gr, do you think it's worth my while to bump up from the 150gr i'm currently sighted in for? If I get an opportunity on a bull I want to make sure he goes down as quick as possible, and don't have a problem re-sighting if you guys think there's a significant advantage.

Thanks for all your excellent advise.

A heavier bullet will always penetrate more all things being equal, though a Nosler Partition's rear core will usually penetrate plenty anyway.....(which is why they'd by my #1 choice in this situation) :)

To be more "clear" a 150 7mm is SD wise pretty much "equal" to a 165- 180 grain .308 so with the proper bullets, it is probably enough (again though I'd not use a "deer bullet" designed to expand very rapidly when IMHO there are too many better bullets available.....

Another advantage (though one you'll likely not need for Ky Elk) is the heavier bullets carry more energy downrage at longer distances..... that might or might not mean anything to you....

The one major factor imho (after shot placement, the best bullets in the wrong places mean little):) IS bullet construction, when talking Elk , they ARE tough, don't usually go right down (though sometimes they do) they're large animals, and deserve to be treated like they are imho...

With the Nosler Partition, the front half is "soft" lead (for rapid damage and expansion) it will usually shed, leaving the hard rear core to penetrate and exit leaving a great blood trail(though not much bigger than 7mm in this case)...sort of the "best of both worlds" or as close as you'll likely get for the intended purpose...

Most "seasoned" Elk hunters recommend a shoulder shot, to at the very least (if they don't drop) to slow them down, and limit their travel, and obviously both shoulders damaged would beat only one(which could be the case using a "lesser bullet" such as a deer bullet), I have no doubt that plenty of ELk are killed with deer type bullets, I just don't see them as the "best choice" with what we now have available, especailly on a "once in a lifetime hunt" such as this....

Hope this is at least some help and more than simply confusing....

[6MMX284]

Alot of good advice guys. I've killed 3 bulls and seen 30-40 that were killed by others, so I speak with some experience. 150 gr is plenty of bullet and the nosler is a very good choice. Too soft=no penetration, too hard(barnes)=too little damage. The nosler is a good in between. But as said before bullet placement is virtually everything on an Elk. My first bull was shot in the guts with a 300 weatherby at 450 yrds, then I crossed both his shoulders with a 100 gr. soft point twice(in the front edge of shoulder out the back edge of opposite shoulder) and he still walked 75 yards before he fell. The only way to drop them in their tracks is to break or damage the spine. Or maybe a landmine would work:rolleyes:

Most importantly know your distance, know your drop, and know your limitations.

[Big Nasty]

I picked up 2 boxes of Federal Nosler 160gr yesterday ($35.00/bx at BPS...ouch!) That's a bit bigger than the 150gr I usually shoot but that's all they had in stock and figured it should be good for a bull. I anticipate a fair amount of tinkering with the scope due to change in ammo weight, does anybody have an idea of anticipated drop at 200-250 yards if I sight in an inch high at 100yd? I plan on doing plenty of shooting to find out for myself but just wondering what to expect.

Thanks!

[aceoky]

Short-Range Trajectory
Cartridge Type Bullet 50 100 150 200 250 300
Remington® Express® 140 0.0 0.5 zero -1.6 -4.4 -8.5
Remington® Managed Recoil® 140 0.0 zero -1.5 -4.5 -9.2 -15.7
Premier® Core-Lokt® Ultra 140 0.1 0.5 zero -1.6 -4.3 -8.4
Premier® AccuTip™ 140 -0.1 0.5 zero -1.5 -4.2 -8.0
Premier® AccuTip™ 150 0.0 0.5 zero -1.6 -4.3 -8.2
Premier® Scirocco™ Bonded 150 0.0 0.5 zero -1.6 -4.3 -8.2
Remington® Express® 150 0.0 0.5 zero -1.6 -4.6 -9.0
Premier® Core-Lokt® Ultra 160 0.1 0.6 zero -1.9 -5.2 -10.0
Premier® A-Frame 160 0.2 0.7 zero -2.0 -5.5 -10.7 Remington® Express® 175 0.2 0.7 zero -2.1 -5.6 -10.7


Long-Range Trajectory
Cartridge Type Bullet 100 150 200 250 300 400 500
Remington® Express® 140 2.2 2.6 1.9 zero -3.2 -14.2 -32.0
Remington® Managed Recoil® 140 1.0 zero -2.5 -6.7 -12.8 -31.3 -59.9
Premier® Core-Lokt® Ultra 140 1.3 1.2 zero -2.4 -6.0 -17.7 -36.0
Premier® AccuTip™ 140 2.1 2.5 1.8 zero -3.0 -13.0 -29.0
Premier® AccuTip™ 150 1.3 1.2 zero -2.3 -5.9 -17.0 -34.1
Premier® Scirocco™ Bonded 150 1.3 1.2 zero -2.3 -5.9 -17.0 -34.0
Remington® Express® 150 1.3 1.2 zero -2.5 -6.6 -20.2 -43.4
Premier® Core-Lokt® Ultra 160 1.6 1.4 zero -2.8 -7.1 -20.8 -42.4
Premier® A-Frame 160 1.7 1.5 zero -3.0 -6.9 -19.8 -40.0 Remington® Express® 175 1.7 1.5 zero -3.0 -7.6 -22.1 -

http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/ballistics/results/default.aspx?type=centerfire&cal=20

Obviously these are Remington (not Federal's numbers) and there would be a little difference in the Partition and theirs, but this might be close enough to get you "in busines"..... ( I think I'd go 2" high @ 100, that should with a 7mm mag keep you on the shoulder to about 300???)


I'd think that would be more than "good enough" for Ky Elk?


Hope this helps.....

[aceoky]

Btw, I think you made an excellent choice with the 160 Nosler Partitions, and the great thing is, those "left over" will do fine on deer with the soft front end they'll do plenty of damage, and exit, so they won't be "wasted" (provided you find some deer to shoot at that is) ;)

Enjoy the Elk hunt, and please let us know the details......:)

[Big Nasty]

Thanks Ace, that takes a lot of the guess-work out, I appreciate the help. .T-4 weeks until opening day, I'll give y'all a full report.

[aceoky]

My pleasure, and............looking forward to the report!! :)

[Born to Hunt]

I have a Ruger M77 in 7mm Rem Mag in my safe that is truely factory...no mods whatsoever and I know that a lot of shooters knock the accuracy of Ruger's "pencil sized barrels"...Mine is not the most accurate rifle in the safe, but it is without a doubt, the most versatile. I have only one bullet I've never been able to shoot decently with it. I picked up some 175 grain Hornady bullets once because they were half price and even though I had no use for them, I had to have them. I have shot as low as 120 grainers in this rifle and they all shoot well exceot for the 175's. I like the Nosler Partition too. That bullet is hard to beat on game IMO.