rem.core lokt for elk
 

I have a 30.06. Would a 180 grain core lokt be a good bullet for elk? I also see the core lokt ultra bonded is new this year. Would that be better?

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

Either one would be perfectly suited for elk out of a 30-06. If you were useing a 300 mag I would opt for the core lokt ultra to hold together better at higher velocity.

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

rochelle----i've taken a number of elk with the 180 grain "Core-lokt" out of my 30/06 without a problem. They work fine. I've only found 1 bullet in the off shoulder, just under the hide. It "mushroomed" just like the photo's in the Remington ads.

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

IMHO,
Q1: No
Q2: Yes

Weeks off work, thousand(s) in expense, hundreds/thousands of miles of travel, hard work, harsh conditions and cheap cartridges/bullets for use at "showtime"? Hey, it's up to you. Personally I use a quality bullet for elk, a nosler partition or better. Good choice on the 180 grainers though. Don't know much about Ultras, hopefully an improvement over the plain jane CoreLokts.

Good Luck and Good Hunting,
EKM

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

I tend to agree here with ElkKamp here. The core-lokt bullet is designed for deer and other smaller sized thin skinned animals. There is no doubt that people have killed elk with this bullet and that is will continue to kill elk. However, you have to figure in the worst case senario when elk hunting. A core-lokt is going to "blow-up" from time to time particularly on a direct shoulder shot, into a rib, on a quartering toward type shot, at 300 yards.

My understanding is the core-lokt ultra is a bonded bullet that won't "blow-up." When hunting elk, particularly as a non-resident, why wouldn't you spend an extra $10 on a premium bullet, when already spending at a minimum $1500 and usually more like $4000?

Just my 2 cents

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

All the critiques I have read on the Remington Ultra Corelokt have been positive on heavy big boned animals, but I don't know first hand. Good luck.

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

I have taken a cow elk with a std. cor-loct and it was a one shot kill.But that was only by luck! The bullet hit the shoulder and ricocheted into the neck. If the bullet had not gone into the neck killing the animal.....It would have been a long day.
I have no experience with the ultras.But I would practice with the Cor-Locts and hunt with a premium bullet (Partition,Accubond,Failsafe,etc)

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

Ive shot two deer with the core lokt ultras with my 270. They both mushroomed perfectly and held together perfect. I didnt measure them but there was alot of weight
retention. They held together better than some of the noslers ive recovered.

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

Its more than just a deer bullet. It works well on elk and does it job just perfect. I'm not into that fail safe class of bullet user that want very little expansion. The core lokt opens up and retains it weight and thats what makes it a good bullet. Believe it or not the all hailed nolser partition has blown up on me. It all boils down to situation how the bullet struck. If I was to go back to buying factory ammo core lokt's would be my first choice of bullets. I seen alot of bullets pulled out from elk to deer and for a consistant bullet it one of the best.

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

I read an artical by Jim Zumbo. Init he says the corlokt is one of his favorite bullets for Elk. I have never used them for that purpose because I like the old WW silver tips best.

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

I personally like the Core Lokt bullets. shot an Oryx in the top of the back. It went all the way to his hip, and still retained 70% of its weight. I do have a question though, and Im not trying to be a smart a$$. If the Core Lokt is not a good bullet. Then why is Remington going with it insted of the NP? I dont think its becouse of the cost. Hell if I owned the major market for hunting. I dont think I would really care about a few extra dollars it would cost for the Nos. Bullets. Would you?

Just my thoughts
Leroy

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

I used to use core lokts, but two seasons ago I shot a whitetail buck in the shoulder at 50 yards with a 7 mag using core lokt ammo (I forget the grain) and the bullet exploded. There was very little penatration and the deer ran a couple of hundred yards before falling. The bullet had fragmented so much that when I was cleaning the deer a friend came walking up and thought I had gut shot the deer because the innards had been ruptured and that nasty smell was in the air. I had never had any complaints about core lokts up until that point. I decided to give Remington Premium Sciroccos a try and am very happy with their performance. I do not plan to use core lokts again, because if the deer I shot had been at 300 yards and the bullet exploded I doubt I would have found him.

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

Two things--

First, shooters, hunters and sportsmen are notoriously cheap penny pinchers, so the ammunitions sales market IS very price sensitive -- especially among those who never graduate beyond bambi-popping.

Second, IMHO Remington is run from top to bottom by the "bean counters" --- somewhere they have lost it.

Of course if a hunter (in the midst of a $1,000 to $4,000 hunt) wants to hunt with the "blue light special" ammo, then that is his or her perrogative and a common occurance.

Good Luck and Good Hunting,
EKM

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

Admittedly I've never used core-lokts but the word of mouth around my campfire is that its not a great bullet. We all know that 65% (guessing) of big game hunters out there pull out thier old rifle once a year and maybe go the range or a hillside the day before opener to squeeze off a few rounds. They don't care if they get a deer or not and when they do its almost always some little forkhorn. These guys don't even know grain they should be using more or less what thier bullet does when it impacts an animal. My guess is that Remington hired some "smart" marketing exects that realized the #1 thing on these guys' mind will be costs and they represent the majority of the market. So they put out a cheap bullet thats OK for deer. Not great, just OK but cheap. My partner has shot a few deer with them while I've been around and although he's never lost one he has had lots of meat damage due to the bullet fragmenting once hitting bone. Based on that I'd say they probably wouldn't be my first choice on elk.

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

That may be true about the regular core lokts which i still believe are good bulletts but until youve shot something with the new core lokt ultras you cant say a thing about em till you try em. They worked better than the noslers that ive recoverd. These ultras mushroomed perfectly going through bone. One went through the ham, traveled length through the body went through a shoulder and was stuck in the hide. I will take a pic of two i recoverd and post a pic. I think they have a good bullett in the core lokt ultra. Im not impressed with noslers at all after shooting these. But to each his own, i dont pay 1000 to 4000 to hunt elk so i dont have to worry about that.:D

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

Depends on your earnings rate. I'll hope for you that if you take one or two weeks off for an away from home/remote elk hunt that it is costing you at least $1,000 in lost revenue alone, never mind any cash outflow for tags, game bags, petrol, beans, snicker bars, or any other similar, non-essential items.

I am intrigued by and look forward to the upcoming photos though. I understand the partition golds now use a similar bonding process. Both seem to be taking their cues from the Swift A-Frames and Trophy Bonded Bear Claws.

Good Luck and Good Hunting,
EKM

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

Ill try and get those pics posted tonight, i dont go away to hunt elk from home, i can either go 2 miles or 10 miles from the house and i get paid vacation so alls i pay are tag fees and a little diesel fuel and a little food for lunch. Its nice living close to the elk.

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

I don't know anyone that has used the "ultras", I'd be real interested in seeing your pictures. My second hand knowledge is limited the original core-lokts.

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

lhook. chances are that if the deer you spoke of had been 300 yards then the bullet would not have come apart. I have seen a lot of bullets come apart in Magnum rifles at close range. The early ballistic tips would hit a rib and turn a 90 degree corner at times. If I were shooting any magnum rifle and there was a chance for very close shots, I would only use the X bullet or a heavy bonded core . That same corlokt fired from a 7x57 or 7mm08 most likely have worked perfect.Be it a fast caliber or slow one there is no free lunch and niether will, or can perform all tasks well.

ELKAMPMASTER. you seem to show a lot of distain for deer hunters. (bambi poppers. Thanks)

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

Seems like we have this debate every so often. The "Core-lokt" design has been around for a long time. I've thought it was designed because when the 30/06 came out, the lead bullets of that era were "blowing up" or "fragmenting". I also thought this is where the term "High Velocity" came from that seems to be on the cartridge boxes. The 30/06-- 180 grain bullet is 2700 fps according to Federal's catalog. IMO, we have pushed the envelope again---the magnums will push the same bullet almost 300 fps faster. I think with the 3000 fps, you need the newer "premium" bullets.

Back to the 30/06. It's been my rifle for over 20 years hunting elk here in Colorado. My bullet has been 180 grain "Core-lokt" for those 20 years, with the occasional Winchester "PP" or Hornady "Spire Point" and have never had a problem. I don't want to brag or boast but I've killed 16 & the guys in my camp probably another 16 or so elk. We hit them on the shoulder, both high & low, behind the shoulder, quartering away or incoming. All with the plain jane bullets---with never a problem.

Now with that said---If you like "premium bullets" & feel that extra confidence in using them-----then you should. If you shoot a magnum or rifle that pushes that 3000 fps (270 Win) then you should use "premiums".

In all honesty & not trying to be a smart ass. Shot placement plays a BIG role. A 180 grain "Core-lokt" out of a 30/06 in the lungs is better than ANY premium bullet out of any magnum rifle in the paunch.

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

Jimbo60,

Even back when I hunted a lot of deer, I would say "I'm going out 'bambi-popping". Sorry if my terminology offended, perhaps I should have said "deer hunters that have not progressed to a higher level of big game hunting" but it seems a litte wordy, also hope it didn't hit too close to home.

Last I looked, this WAS an elk/bullet performance thread. The distain as you call it, if any, comes from listening to lifetime deer hunters (that haven't graduated beyond the bambi-popping level) take their knowledge of deer/bullet performance (on thin hided, small boned 250 pound critters) and extend it out into the world as being gospel for elk hunting, when in fact they haven't ever put a hit on, or even a shot at an elk.

Deer you can pretty well knock over with a stick which lets deer hunters get pretty "loosy goosy" on both their cartridge choices and their bullet choices. The world is not quite so forgiving in the realm of elk hunting, especially if you move up to the large mature bulls. Sure, they are both ungulates, got 4 legs, split hooves, brown in color, antlers on the males, social, and like to run in groups, etc. but that is about where the similarity ends, IMHO. Compared to deer, even cow elk can soak up way more punishment than deer and still run off and die where you won't find them. In fact, a lot of deer hunters/first time elk hunters think they missed the shot since they didn't see the elk flinch or limp or react to the shot other than to run off.

In the case of the aforementioned "bambi-popper"/elk hunter discussion, it's kinda like a city boy that spent half the summer mowing lawns and then comes out to the countryside and decides to give advise to a rancher on how to put up (harvest) a 500 acres of wild hay -- similar, but not enough so to be a credible source for advice --- especially from the rancher's perspective.

Let's see, elk hunters....... Hartford-poppers? That is about all I could come up with--help welcome on that one. Rudolph-poppers? No, that would be reindeer/caribou. Bullwinkle-poppers? Nope, moose. Simba-poppers? Whoops, wrong continent, but some serious hunting though. Anyhow....

Good Luck and Good Hunting,
EKM

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

Even though I've seen alot of elk taken with the core lokt Elkamp is right. Elk are alot tougher than deer and can absorb alot of bullets at times. I've actually seen an elk absorb (11) 7mm weatherby rounds before the hunter hit it where it was suppose to be in the first place. But in my mind I'm not a bone shooter I go straight for the lungs. But some have the mentality of shooting for shoulders and on elk size animals this can be distrastrous on elk. The only elk we have never recovered was from low shoulder shots. Even if it breaks the bone it can turn the bullet away from the heart and lungs. For the average hunter maybe a tougher bullet is in need. For the hunters that practice and wait for the perfect shots core lokts will preform just fine.

I use speer spizter boattails and these bullets are not bonded or partition style bullet. They are more of a match style bullet but made for big game. Never had one blow up or not go completely through an elk even at long ranges. Shot a trotting bull this year in the shoulders and went through both shoulders. It wasn't what I meant to do but I overlead the bull just a bit. But the bull only made it another 20yds so I guess the bullets I use are adequate.

I think at the wrong angles or hitting a mass of 2 1/2 inches of solid bone most bullets out there would turn off target.

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

I have hunted about everything but I still enjoy deer hunting as much as anything else. Bambi poppers may mean nothing to you but the anti's love that kind of talk from people who are supposed to be hunters. I don't think we need to give them any more ammo than they already have. Hope all the other hunters become first class hunters and GRADUATE to your level kind sir. I do my best to support all hunters we need all the help we can get. I agree with the use of good bullets. As I said I have had good solid hits and kills from the old WW Silver Tips. Never tried the new ones. I do have all kind of pictures of my Grandad posing with Elk which he killed with his 44-40. The only rifle he ever used. He carried it on his saddle until he got to old to ride. He grew up in western Wyoming.

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

Progress to a higher level or perhaps you meant a heavier load to pack out of the woods?:D I respect all types of hunting for all species but in my opinion it is far easier to kill a big bull 350+ in your average Elk Patch then it is to kill a 20"+ whitetail or a 35" Mule Deer.

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

Now to answer Rochelle's question ..the new ones aren't as tough as the pre bean counter Corelockts that Remington produced. I have not had the opportunity to use the new CoreLock Ultra since their availability in my area seems to be limited. For a 30-06 any of the tons of premium factory loads will do the trick except Ballistic tips or Silvertips and that applies to the magnums as well with exception of the Ultra mags which require even more attention to bullet construction.

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

Jimbo60,

“Don’t give the “anti’s” any more ammo?” Last time I checked this WAS an elk/bullet performance thread. The only way to satisfy the “anti’s” on that one is to not talk about it. Bullet performance? How well does one product rip, tear, expand, hold together, penetrate, leave wound channel, create hemorrhage, leave blood trail and efficiently kill one of God’s creatures versus another product?! As far as the “anti’s” go I doubt if any amount of PC sugar coating/word selection is going to make this kind of discussion acceptable to that bunch.

I’m kind of a “middle of the road” elk hunter myself (not a prodigy with a rifle), but I do set up one heavy duty elk camp, organize my people, get them into the elk woods with the “right stuff” and we put down our fair share of elk, and get the meat cared for and out of there in good shape. IMHO, you’ve got it wrong. One doesn’t graduate to another hunter’s level, one graduates (or not) to the level of the game being hunted and then results speak from there. Some folks stop at prairie dogs, some at coyotes, some at deer, some other move up to bigger stuff, and some leave the contintent in quest of the biggest and baddest they can find.

Back to the elk/bullet performance thread (for just a moment), I’m wagering that the best sources for elk/bullet performance will probably be from those who have actually done it, versus those that haven't.... am I missing something there?

BTW, cool heritage with granddad, make sure you do an archival quality job to preserve those old photos. I hope your kids make it to the elk woods.

Good Luck and Good Hunting,
EKM

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

[quoteI respect all types of hunting for all species but in my opinion it is far easier to kill a big bull 350+ in your average Elk Patch then it is to kill a 20"+ whitetail or a 35" Mule Deer.
][/quote]

I beg to differ my freind,I have killed a 21 inch white-tail,and a 31 1/2 inch mule deer.I have yet to get my 350 class bull,I have just about ran down every hill here in Montana in search of him,from the Madison to the Beaver Head,and up from the Abasokas to down the Cabinets and a little patch of the rockies called the Bob Marshall in between.I have one more place to go down in to the dust bowl of the Missouri Breaks(when I draw my tag),but I will not give up hope,sooner or later we will cross tracks.
When that day comes I will not be shooting Core-Loks
BBJ

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

That may be your case but I am willing to wager that its not the case for most hunters. YOu can buy a 350+ bull just go to an Indian REservation or shoot one in the Missouri Breaks with a bow or draw a rifle tag there(highly unlikely) or limited tag units or states like AZ or NV... Most trophy Mule Deer hunts don't end up with 35" bucks at least not the ones I know about. I have been on hunts where there were opportunities for a 30+" muley but It would have taken more time and money then I had to hunt them. Coincidentally I have seen larger Mulies on Public land vs Private Land. Consider yourself lucky getting a 21" whitetail on your terms that is as tough an animal to hunt as there is.

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

Yeah,I do consider my self lucky to bag such great animals,I just can't seem to find a 25" wide whitie.
I have been to Breaks with a bow,I only live and hour and half away,gets to be alot of hunters come September,I'm hoping for a rifle tag sooner or later.:D

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

I would kill for a breaks rifle tag

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

Hi guys. I have used the core locks on deer but I prefer the Barnes X bullet for bigger game. I am looking forward to try the Nosler bonded bullet.

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

Here is a bullet performance chart with almost all the factory bullets compared,
http://www.seahook.com/bestbullet.jpg

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

I could be accused of hunting bigger game by some with a marginal caliber but never accused of hunting those same animals with a marginal bullet! Match your bullet to the game/situation you face and you'll be glad you did. I agree with those who said you can't compare different game results to come up with a conclusion on which bullet to use. Personally I use BT bullets for deer and antelope & the others (elk and Moose) get solid constructed bullets as mentioned. Different application require different tools, IMO a bullet is part of your tool chest...you wouldn't use a hammer when you needed a sledge, albeit it would work it just isn't the most practical choice for the job!

My advice is stick to the bullet that is intended for the hearty elk variety. BTW saw a Ultra Corelokt blow up on a whitetail buck this fall, distance was approx. 100 yards out of a 3006 hit him forward in the sholder and frag'd completely apart, luckily he put a second shot in the bread basket otherwise that buck would have been a statistic. I will say the bullet failure was in part shooter error but I certainly wouldn't want one in the pipe on an elk or moose after seeing that result, simply isn't strong enough IMHO.

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

A good bullet with a sectional density of at least .260 should be used for Elk and even big Mule deer Bucks. In thirty caliber that would be 180 grain. As far as non Premium bullets go, I would trust the Hornady bullets any day. The Barnes X and swift A-frame, Nostel Partition and Accubond and the Speer Grand-slam should all work well. Federal Premium for one comes factory loaded with Partition bullets. I have not tried the corlokt bonded core but would quess they would be a good bullet. I use tons of corlokt for practice because they are cheap to buy bulk. Never had any trouble hunting deer and antelope with them. In my 30-06 for Elk I would probably load the Speer Grandslam. Same for the 270 WSM. In my 45-70 rifles for Elk I load the 350 grain Speer Hot core or the 350 grain Hornady round noes. I have some new 45-70 Barnes 300 grain spire points that I have not tried yet but hope to this year. Sorry I got off track again.

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

i have used core-lokt bullets for years I have killed 8 cow and 1 bull with a 30.06 with 165-180 factory core-lokt. I have changed guns to a 300 RUM and I would not use core-lockt in it, they come apart. I have not yet tried the new ultra core-lokt.

RE: rem.core lokt for elk
 

First you gotta compare apples to apples, if thats possible in this case. A 350 class bull isn't all that uncommon but isn't near the trophy is that a 35" muley is. I would think a 400+ class bull would equal a 35" muley. Second your're right, if you got the money you can buy just about anything. In Utah you're lucky to find a 290 class bull on a general public land hunt more or less a 350 class bull. Incidentally I took a 29 1\2 muley on a general public land a few years ago. Elk are some of the toughest animals to hunt in Utah unless you have private property or a limited entry tag. Then again muleys are even easier than that on private land or a limited entry tag. No sir, I'd say a 400+ class bull is one of the toughest trophies out there. Even 380 is a tough plateau to reach.

If you really know where 350+ bulls grow like dandelions and its an OTC tag, well just go ahead and draw me a map. I'd be much obliged.:D