Ruger M77R 30 06 I bought in "78". 165 gr Nosler Partition handloads. But I have only used it on elk when I don't score with a bow. (two years ago)
What is your go to elk rifle / ammunition combo?
- Thread starter lukew
- Start date
buckbull
Veteran member
- Jun 20, 2011
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My elk gun is a Tikka .300 WM with 180gr nosler partitions.
RICMIC
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Bonecollector
Veteran member
You have to be a member of taghub to read the article. I can't access it either... :-(
I put together a 7-08 several years back. Likes 140 grain accubonds at around 2850fps.
Good elk rig, light, handy, accurate, fun to shoot.
Have shot 16 elk with it.
Good elk rig, light, handy, accurate, fun to shoot.
Have shot 16 elk with it.
Winchester
Veteran member
To go along with my earlier comment of "whichever one you can shoot effectively"...
For elk I like my Dad's old Pre-64 Model 70 Winchester in 30-06 with 165gr Noslers.
It still shoots great and I've been shooting it so long and I'm so familiar with it I shoot it pretty well.
For elk I like my Dad's old Pre-64 Model 70 Winchester in 30-06 with 165gr Noslers.
It still shoots great and I've been shooting it so long and I'm so familiar with it I shoot it pretty well.
Cooper 52 in .300 win mag with 180 grain federal premium tsx ammo
HuskyMusky
Veteran member
.340wby 225-250gr
.300wsm 150-165gr, more of a lighter magnum setup than the .340
thinking a .280ai, or 284 rpm,or 7mm-6.5prc could be a nice lightweight setup, not too lightweight though.
.300wsm 150-165gr, more of a lighter magnum setup than the .340
thinking a .280ai, or 284 rpm,or 7mm-6.5prc could be a nice lightweight setup, not too lightweight though.
Conrad8899
Active Member
trayball20
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- May 30, 2013
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Hilltop
Veteran member
Hi Tray, welcome to the forum. Hate to send a negative response to your first message but hope to save you a wounded elk. Here is a quote directly from Nosler- "ballistic tips are not for elk. They are designed for smaller game. The ballistic tips expand faster and don't penetrate deep enough for elk. " I would recommend taking a look at the Accubond instead as they are designed for better penetration on elk sized game. If you are open to other manufacturers, there are a lot of deep penetrating bullets on the market designed for elk sized game. Hope you stick around- bunch of great guys on here.
Winchester
Veteran member
Hilltop, I'm sure that info on ballistic tips is correct.
I will also say that my old 30-06 shoots 165gr ballistic tips the best and I think bullet placement is critical so I use them.
I've killed a number of elk with them without issue and they all dropped basically in their tracks.
So if bullet placement is correct, the ballistics tips will kill an elk.
Having said that, your advice is very good and I agree an Accubond or something similar is probably better suited for elk provided your rifle will shoot it well.
I will also say that my old 30-06 shoots 165gr ballistic tips the best and I think bullet placement is critical so I use them.
I've killed a number of elk with them without issue and they all dropped basically in their tracks.
So if bullet placement is correct, the ballistics tips will kill an elk.
Having said that, your advice is very good and I agree an Accubond or something similar is probably better suited for elk provided your rifle will shoot it well.
JimP
Administrator
The problem with shooting a elk is that even on a broadside shot you have the chance of hitting that heavy shoulder bone. If you can get right behind it and and manage to miss a rib then the ballistic tips will destroy the lungs, even if you do glance off of a rib it should do the job.
Even a good bullet like the Partition, or Accubond from Nosler will have problems if they hit that big bone, even my favorite bullet the Barnes TTSX has a problem with it. But those bullets have a far greater chance of busting through that shoulder bone and going into the vitals.
But that is the trouble with elk they just do not cooperate with the hunter.
Even a good bullet like the Partition, or Accubond from Nosler will have problems if they hit that big bone, even my favorite bullet the Barnes TTSX has a problem with it. But those bullets have a far greater chance of busting through that shoulder bone and going into the vitals.
But that is the trouble with elk they just do not cooperate with the hunter.
D_Dubya
Active Member
Here is a 180 TTSX that went through both shoulders of a bull I killed at 350 yards. Tough bullet, muzzle velocity a hair over 3000 FPS, bullet was under skin on off side.
Winchester
Veteran member
I agree Jim.
I always slip it in behind the that heavy shoulder bone, fairly low … top of the heart / bottom of the lungs.
That's a great spot to hit 'em.
I always slip it in behind the that heavy shoulder bone, fairly low … top of the heart / bottom of the lungs.
That's a great spot to hit 'em.
trayball20
New Member
- May 30, 2013
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Winchester
Veteran member
dan maule
Veteran member
The very first time I hunted out west, my brother and I were in Montana and came across a couple of guys skinning an Elk. Sounded like they both had put bullets into to it. Anyway as they pulled the hide off the front shoulder there was a bullet that fell out. Th e gentlemen said that he was using a 7mm mag with 140 grain ballistic tips. He said he knew better but his gun was shooting them so well that he thought he would give them a try. It was a real eye opener for me as the bullet never even damaged the shoulder bone. I don't remember how far of a shot it was or if he even told me. I was absolutely shocked at how little damage it did. I've killed lot's of whitetail with 165 grn ballistic tips out of my 300 wby and 200 grain out of my 340 wby but after seeing that guys elk I've gone to accubonds and barnes bullets.