RE: Which bullet for elk ???
 

I seen what surestrike described on several occassions. Mostly good advice 'bout elk bullets here. I'd jus' add thet the 200 would be my choice in a 300 mag. Onliest reason I see to use a mag over an '06 is to push a bigger bullet. The 180 is good in an' '06, the 200 would be my choice fer a 300 mag. I'd also stick with a partition of bear claw or somethin' tuff. You'd be surprised at the percent of elk taken at less than 100 yards. A fragile bullet ain't gonna punch thru like you want.

BJ

RE: Which bullet for elk ???
 

This past January a friend & I were lucky enough to take a bull each in Manitoba. My partner shot his bull at 125 yards. He was shooting a 338 win mag, shooting Winchester 230 gr. - Supreme Fail Safe. The bullet passed through, the bull ran for the better part of 100 yards when he zigged to the left, zagged to the right, then fell over dead. I took my bull at a little more then 250 yards. I was shooting a 300 win mag, shooting Speer Nitrex - 180 gr Grand Slam. He too ran, only about 40 yards before running out of gas. I found the bullet just under the skin on the far side. As far as I am concerned both bullet's preformed perfect. We both shoot the same brand of rifle but found the bullet which groups the best with each rifle.

Tikka Hunter

RE: Which bullet for elk ???
 

Good Point Flattop....they(Nosler) go on and on about the neck being so short(300 win mag) and I guess thats why Federal loads them that way. I use standard partitions and have not been affected in any way shape or form. I once in awhile use the CT uncoated partitions. Any bullet that groups well and is heavy for caliber is the best choice...I am not a big fan of ballistic tips but they seem to do real well in 30 cal and larger calibers on big(Elk+) game especially at launch speeds greater than 3100 fps. I saw a moose in Newfoundland dropped like lightning with a 180 BT in a 30-378. There is a lot of BS out there about certain bullets spread by hearsay and our good ole gun writers.

RE: Which bullet for elk ???
 

I agree that the nonsense about ballistic tips is just that: Nonsense. I've been using them for 4 years out of a 7MM Rem Mag.and have been spoiled by the accuracy. I've never experienced this shredding of the bullet that is often talked about. Good, heavy bonded and a-frames are certainly effective, but if your gun can't consistantly put them tightly on target, what's the use? I'll take a bullet that I can put spot on an elks' ticker at 300 yds. anyday.

RE: Which bullet for elk ???
 

Beans is full of hisself<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>You been usin' 'em fer a whole 4 years. Wow! Now tell me how seein' dozens of elk took ever year fer 20 or so years with ever kind of bullet on the market makes it nonsense? Maybeso you shot 4 elk in those 4 years. Any bulls? An anyhoo, shootin' a ticker at 300 yards on a movin' target with no rest shows yer full of beans. Huntin' ain't bench shootin' son. These fellers are shootin' tough bullets cause thets proved medicine. All's them ballistic doodads have proven to me is they won't make it through shouders an' they're good to git me trackin' (which ain't fun) when I should be guttin'. Sides, them funny colors is kinda girlish, ifn' ya ask me.

BJ

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RE: Which bullet for elk ???
 

mOOsehead-I think you're right on the money with your assessment.Someone is very full of themselves and we know who it is.

RE: Which bullet for elk ???
 

Oh excuse me fer slightin' the highly experienced hunter callin' heavy-made bullets an' other folks experience nonsense. Let me try agin.

Beans:
Contrary to your assessment of ballistic tips, I have found in many years that they don't penetrate tough bull elk like other bullets. They are designed for accuracy, and for deer they are fine. But most elk are taken at less than 100 yards, and fragile bullets won't reliably perform at high velocity. In addition, planning on a heart shot at any range is inadvisable, in my humble opinion. Shoot for the shoulder to incapacitate and lung shoot the bull. Tough bullets are the choice of most seasoned elk hunters because of the need to punch through the animal and eliminate a lengthy, difficult track, regardless of range. I had the misfortune of tracking a BT shot elk just 2 years ago. The bullet over-expanded on thick muscle, and after a lengthy track, another shot was needed (which also blew up on the neck at 15 yards). Other hunters in my camp also have had similar misfortunes as I have, so my opinion is based on many real life occurances under hunting conditions. Another episode 5 years ago with mule deer is also etched in my mind, but I am far too humble to quote my real life experiences when I certainly haven't done all the quality bench rest shooting that most hunters have. I know bench rest shooting is the utmost in preparation for elk hunting, but I have been much too busy to do much of that. I have not carried sand bags in my day pack for years, finding that wind, moving animals, obstructions, winded hunters, and fading light typically confound bench rest hunting. Now that doesn't mean it doesn't work for you. After all, you have been remarkably successful in your four years of hunting elk. So please accept my opinion in the friendliest, non-inflammatory manner as possible. I know its just nonsense, because after all, you said so.

BJ

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RE: Which bullet for elk ???
 

The truth of the matter is that there have been several versions of the ballistic tip over the years.The first ones were very soft but they were toughened up over the years to where according to several bullet tests including the latest by shooting times they penetrate and retain weight as well as the hornady interlocks.Most people remember the results of the early versions but do not realize the current versions are very much a different bullet as far as their performance.Some of the earlier versions are still being used so even recent incidents may not involve the newer bullets.I have used the latest versions on elk and moose and they have not failed.