What bullet for Elk ?7mmMag. weight/type etc??
Howdy. I may be taking my 7mm magnum elk hunting next fall and was wondering What would be a good bullet to use???? I am currently using 160 grain N.partitions (federal premium) for whitetails out to 300 yards and they have impressed me. What do ya'all think???? Also, I was checking some ballistic charts last night and noticed the federal BTSP bullets gained 300 footpounds of energy at 300 yards. Is it worth switching to them if the partitions fly well in my 700????(for deer) Lets hear some Elk Loads thanks Red
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The BTSP in the federal premium line is a Sierra bullet. It is a good grouping round as well as an efficient harvester. However, for Elk, I think you already have the correct bullet for that caliber. Good choice in rifles too I am not in an area where I can shoot elk, but the partition bullet is a good bullet for heavy animals, that's what it is designed for, hence the partiton.
A great rifle with a junk scope,....is junk.0 -
Stay with the loads you're using. The nosler 160 partition provides the best you can get in the 7 mag. They will punch through 3' of elk if needed and will hold together on a close range shoulder shot on a big bull. They also open quick enough to ensure quick kills on broadside through the ribs shots.
Mobuck0 -
STAY WITH THE NOSLER.... 0 -
I believe the question is answered, but Is the NOSLER also the best bullet for average (northern) whitetail deer, I mean, Is this as good a bullet for deer as it is elk or is their supposedly a better performing bullet for 200 pound critters??? thanks to all 0 -
If you have unlimited funds, then go partition. The nosler Balistic tip puts them in a pile for me at 300+ yds in that caliber (whitetail). They are 10$ cheaper per box and work very well on whitetail, elk is a weeeeee bit bigger. The balitic tips group better for me at long range, but that's just my rifle, yours could like the Partitions beter, and I am a fan of using the most accurate bullet, so go with accuracy on them. The BT is a MD whitetails nightmare.
A great rifle with a junk scope,....is junk.
Edited by - JustC on 10/02/2002 22:59:400 -
Either one will work fine for elk. The nosler could make for some tracking, due to the effect that they have. They will blow right through an elk and leave a small exit hole. Some times I have had them run quite aways with this bullet (150-200 yards). The good side to this is that if you happen to hit one in the sholder the bullet will hold together better if you hit bone, but will still break apart... I have reloaded both but always go with the 160 sierras. Most of the shots that I take are at long range and I want the extra umph down range, and flatter shooting. When you hit a bull with them it will drop like a rock where it was standing. Noslers usually won't do this but will kill them just the same...
Don't get me wrong, both have their advantages, and are very well constructed. The nosler will retain more of its weight, for what ever thats worth... I would rather have a bullet enter the animal, expand and NOT exit but lodge just under the hide on the opposite side (160 seirras). Thus loosing ALL of its energy on the animal. I have taken about 18-19 bull elk with this load. All most all of them were in the 300 yard range and they piled up on the spot. Some were hit in the sholder too...
Real world experience is better than some sales pitch trying to sell you a bullet that will retain 90% of its weight... but only about 50-60% after going through a sholder bone. Most people haven't killed more than 5 elk in their life, and will tell you that the noslers are the best and only bullet to use on elk... I say bs
Ivan
Death by projectile0 -
Thanks Clarkivan, Interesting stuff. I have to agree with you on loosing the bullets energy in the animal rather than blowing through. I am appreciating the comments. thanks to all and keep em coming 0 -
I am just starting to work up a load for my 7mm mag.
Sounds like the 160 gr bullet is the way to go.
Any suggestions what powder you found to work the best0 -
I have found that the best load for my 7mm is 62gr of IMR 4831 behind 160 seirra. I get about 3000 fps with this load. It is very accurate. This is a max load, I strongly recomend that you drop down 10% and go up from there.
Here is a couple of links for all kinds of pet loads for various calibers.
http://www.loadyourown.com/loaddata/sdata.asp
http://recipes.alliantpowder.com/rg.taf?_function=centerfire&step=1
Again these could be max loads so use them with caution...
BS
Death by projectile0 -
While I agree with JustC on almost everything, my 7 mag does not like ballistic tips and will not group them well. I use partitions. The best plan, though surely not the cheapest, is to buy a variety of suitable bullets and see which your rifle groups best. Then, use those. Most of my rifles prefer Federal Ammo, but some do best with Hornady Lt. Magnums. I shoot partitions when ever I can.
I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it.
-- Thomas Jefferson0
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