Hand loads for elk- what do you use?

[J.B.]

Originally Posted by Beeman3

I load 215 Bergers in a 300 WM. haven't killed elk with one yet; but are devestating on deer. I agree with the Berger not being the bullet for a exit wound. When shooting a Berger always go as heavy for caliber as possible. I believe they make a 170 Gr for the 270. Not sure what twist barrel is needed for that bullet though.

Took an elk and a black bear with the .277 170gr bergers this year. Neither went very far. Shooting them at 3100 fps in 1:8 twist bbl. So far impressed with them, very efficient bullet that carries energy well if you are shooting at extended ranges....

[fordtruckin]

I did the same thing to an elk this year, factory corelokt 130's in 270wsm. I did need 2 shots due unfortunately to operator error, however the elk went less than 30' before I took the second shot. I purchased a bunch of 130 ballistic tips because they were on sale, but eventually plan to load 140 accubonds for my all around loads.

[Huntnut]

Originally Posted by kostianych

I am starting my 7mm RM jorney for elk chasing. What bullet/bullet weight would you recommend, guys? 400 - 500m range

145 LRX with a healthy dose of RL22 pushing it.

[leo]

I've shot and seen elk shot with the following.

25-06 with 120 Hornady HP
270WSM with 140 accubond
270 Weatherby with 130 TTSX
280 Remington with 140 Ballistic silvertips
280 AI with 140 TTSX
7mmRem mag with 160 Nosler Partition
308 Winchester with 150 Remington corelokt
308 Norma Mag with 180 Nosler Partition
300 Weatherby with with 180 Nosler Partition
300 Weatherby with 180 original Barnes X
300 Weatherby with 180 TTSX
340 Weatherby with 225 TSX

They all died. The end.

[ishootbambi]

Originally Posted by Pekan

Thanks for the good info everyone.
Personally, I'm not hell bent on an exit wound. It was just when you're used to seeing exit wounds on deer, it seemed like not seeing one on my elk made me wonder if I was using too little a bullet. Made me wonder if i just got lucky.

Nothing makes me happier than when the animal drops dead where they were standing. So from what I've heard from a friend about bergers, there's a hydrostatic shock that takes place when the bullet hits. And they're done.

So I guess knock down power beats big holes, if I had to choose.

Does your friend believe in the Easter bunny and Santa too? Energy does not kill, disruption to vital organs does. Berger bullets can do that under perfect circumstances. There are better choices that cover circumstances less than perfect.

As for the question, I've been using 130 grain Interbonds from a 270WSM. I'm running low though so not sure what I'll go with next. Word is Hornady will have them available again soon, but if not I'll have to try to track down Accubond or Scirocco in 130 if I can find those.

[bcpappy]

I put 2 handloaded 140 grain accubonds from my 270 win into the lungs of a medium sized 6x6 elk this season. I have cronied them at an average of 2940 fps. The second shot was not needed but the bull never moved on the first shot, after the second shot he wobbled about 10 yards and tipped on his side. One of the shots was a complete pass thru, the other was the typical accubond mushroom stuck in the offside hide. The bull died quickly with very easy tracking. I normally load up my 338 win with 210 ttsx moving at an average of 2890 fps and have only recovered 1 bullet from a 300 yard shot, the rest of the Barnes over the years have never been recovered. Once I get low on the ttsx I think I will try switching to 225 accubonds for the 338.

[bighorn1]

my pet load has always been hornady interbond in 130 however they have became extremely hard to find, i have since been using accubonds and the performance is close to the same but the cost is not.

[bigbaddad]

I load 180 interbonds over a healthy dose of Rl-22 in my 300 wm. With the aid of a fine gentleman on this forum, I have a more than adequate stock of both... Right Ken?

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

[58thecat]

Originally Posted by petew

Nothing beats a partition from point blank to way out there.

Yup or Barnes or hi end quality bullets.

[elkhunter11]

I have killed elk using:

257wby-100gr Partition
7mm stw- 140gr Partition, 140gr TSX, 140gr MRX, 140gr TTSX
300RUM- 180gr Ballistic Tip, 180gr TSX
8mmremmag-200gr Partition

[Pioneer2]

[Hun-Ter]

Originally Posted by FCLightning

Broadside lung shot on a bull elk this year at 350 yards with a 190 gr. LRAB from a 300 WSM travelling 2950 fps - no exit wound. Bullet was on far side under the hide and weighed 110 gr. The elk fell dead within 10 yards of impact.

If you are looking for dependable exit wound on elk from a 270 bullet I think you may be chasing shadows.

Was this a factory load from Nosler? I'm looking for a load data for the 190 gr ABLR in 300 wsm.
Thanks!

[7mmremmag]

I shot my cow with a 7mm rem mag & 168gr LRAB at 220yds. Not too sure what I expected but performance was terrible. I am pushing them at 3060fps and they made an absolute mess. Penetration was approx 8-10" on both shots and the bullets fragmented bad.
At the end of the day I guess I bought into the long range hype, I dont know why I did? Ive only ever shot one animal over 400yds.
Anyway, I have pulled all my 168 LRAB's and just ordered 4 boxes of 160gr Partitions. Should have just kept it simple to begin with

[FCLightning]

Originally Posted by Hun-Ter

Was this a factory load from Nosler? I'm looking for a load data for the 190 gr ABLR in 300 wsm.
Thanks!

No, they are handloads over Hybrid 100V and Magnum primers. I got very similar velocities and accuracy from IMR 4350 as well, but I went with the 100V powder because I had 2 lbs of it and only 1/2 lb of the 4350.

I loaded both to 1/2 grain under where I had pressure signs - so my powder charge would be of little use to someone else in their gun - I would say start with 62/63 grains in each powder and work up.

I also chronied some 150 Partitions in Federal factory ammo and they were clocking 3200 fps.

[oldgutpile]

Shot more elk with the .338 than any others. 210 grain partition pretty much dropped them all in their tracks. All shots were broadside or slightly quartering. Nothing fancy or running shots.
My first few elk were taken with an old browning remake of the Winchester model 71 in .348. The factory silver-tip bullets were absolutely terrible.
All of my successful elk hunts have been in heavy timber with shots under 100 yards.

[Kdoublej]

I like the 200gr accubonds, great BC and accuracy.

[FCLightning]

Originally Posted by Hun-Ter

Was this a factory load from Nosler? I'm looking for a load data for the 190 gr ABLR in 300 wsm.
Thanks!

I used these two sites for starting info
http://load-data.nosler.com/load-dat...rt-magnum-wsm/
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle

[elkdump]

Why do people think there has to be an exit wound in order to be satisfied with the particular bullet that killed the big fame animal ??

[fish_e_o]

Originally Posted by elkdump

Why do people think there has to be an exit wound in order to be satisfied with the particular bullet that killed the big fame animal ??

it's way cooler when you get your bullet back imo

[manitou210]

Originally Posted by kostianych

I am starting my 7mm RM jorney for elk chasing. What bullet/bullet weight would you recommend, guys? 400 - 500m range

140 gr accubonds at lots of IMR 4350 3100 + fps it works

[travisanderson]

I use 165 sierra game kings for 7mm rem mag

[saintsix]

ive used 168gr Nosler LRAB with my Savage 7mm rem mag. I dropped a elk at 656yards lung shot. didn't go more the 15ft. And dropped a black bear this spring with it at 10yd. we both thought the other was farther away when he crested a hill. Found the bullet entry was frontal above collarbone and found the bullet in the back strap. weighed it at 75grs recovered.

This fall I bought a new tikka and started working on loads for a 140ttsx. Any questions feel free to PM

[stob]

Originally Posted by Pioneer2

wow... pls tell the story i have never had that happen with the 286 interlocks on deer / moose / bison???

[Salavee]

Originally Posted by stob

wow... pls tell the story i have never had that happen with the 286 interlocks on deer / moose / bison???

Up close with some heavy bone involved would be my guess. I can't imagine any thing less with a 286 Interlock. Wow.

[Pioneer2]

I had these bullets explode on a cow moose a years back,so I thought they would be study enough for say deer.Shot a wolf and a WT with these the same year.....no bones struck ..no problem.Had about 30 rounds loaded with these and sold the gun. Picked up another 9.3x62 and sighted in with the leftover bullets.Accuracy 3/4" at 100 yards 58gr/RE#15/286gr Hornady/Lapau brass.Was 20 feet up a tree with a couple days left in deer season this year and had a agitated doe about 125 yards from me showing obvious signs of distress and body language she was not alone.She then tucks her tail up her butt like a chastity belt[none for you] and takes off like a scalded cat.A dark bodied animal crashing after her ...so fast you could hardly tell it was a buck.The crashed off into the heavily treed distance audible for several hundred yards.Then it dawns on me I have a doe bleat in my pouch ...so out it comes and I call 4 times or and pocket the call to free up my hands and stand to shoot.Then I can hear a deer rapidly approaching from my right.I start to see horns and hair scooting along a ridge .Picking an opening between the poplars about two feet wide in his line of travel I wait.As his brisket touches the crosshairs ,I squeeze off a round and he drops .Hit a little far back but no real meat damage through the spine.Bullet blowup like a Hornady SX with core separation and jacket shards everywhere.Hornady has replaced the bullets from Korth and I sent samples to their lab to be tested if Homeland Security doesn't take them.Hornady did this for me but may not do this for everyone......Harold

[stob]

Originally Posted by Pioneer2

I had these bullets explode on a cow moose a years back,so I thought they would be study enough for say deer.Shot a wolf and a WT with these the same year.....no bones struck ..no problem.Had about 30 rounds loaded with these and sold the gun. Picked up another 9.3x62 and sighted in with the leftover bullets.Accuracy 3/4" at 100 yards 58gr/RE#15/286gr Hornady/Lapau brass.Was 20 feet up a tree with a couple days left in deer season this year and had a agitated doe about 125 yards from me showing obvious signs of distress and body language she was not alone.She then tucks her tail up her butt like a chastity belt[none for you] and takes off like a scalded cat.A dark bodied animal crashing after her ...so fast you could hardly tell it was a buck.The crashed off into the heavily treed distance audible for several hundred yards.Then it dawns on me I have a doe bleat in my pouch ...so out it comes and I call 4 times or and pocket the call to free up my hands and stand to shoot.Then I can hear a deer rapidly approaching from my right.I start to see horns and hair scooting along a ridge .Picking an opening between the poplars about two feet wide in his line of travel I wait.As his brisket touches the crosshairs ,I squeeze off a round and he drops .Hit a little far back but no real meat damage through the spine.Bullet blowup like a Hornady SX with core separation and jacket shards everywhere.Hornady has replaced the bullets from Korth and I sent samples to their lab to be tested if Homeland Security doesn't take them.Hornady did this for me but may not do this for everyone......Harold

thank you... if you get results from Hornady pls PM me if you remember ... cheers


stob

[bighorn1]

Originally Posted by Pioneer2

this would be an interlock not an interbond, big difference in the 2.you would not see an interbond looking like that.

interlock is a cup and core bullet, interbond is bonded similar to and accubond 2 completely different animals

[ishootbambi]

Originally Posted by bighorn1

this would be an interlock not an interbond, big difference in the 2.you would not see an interbond looking like that.

interlock is a cup and core bullet, interbond is bonded similar to and accubond 2 completely different animals

That's correct, but in fairness that's what he originally said. That's what an Interlock is kinda supposed to do though. Interbonds have a polymer tip and no cannelure. Similar name, very different bullet. I dug this out of an elk on Monday. After going through about 36 inches of wapiti, this Interbond starting at 130 finished at 109 grains. It hit a rib on both sides but not a shoulder.

[Pioneer2]

Imagine the adrenaline rush walking in on a black bear bait and being greeted by a sow grizzly with cubs with this load.Hypothetical but not confidence inspiring to say the least.It should have punched a hole through a deer like a 2x2 bone or no bone.......range 75 yards .......unchronied velocity about 2300fps + All remaining bullets from this lot pulled and replaced with same weight Partitions.Will test new lot and try the 250gr GMX they were good enough to send.........your mileage /opinions may vary but these fall short for my use...Harold

[buschy03]

Originally Posted by Ranger CS

I have successfully hunted and killed many elk over my many years hunting, and I can tell you only once was it necessary for me to shoot over 400 yds. In fact the vast majority were shot inside 50 or 100 yds. It concerns me when hunters set out planning on making such long shots as a matter course. The chance of wounding and loosing an animal increases proportionately with distance over 200yds. Develop your hunting skills and it will not be necessary shoot long distances. Furthermore, I personally find it more gratifying and enjoyable the closer it can get before pulling the trigger.

I totally agree with you!, learn to walk before you learn to dance.