300wsm and 190vld for elk question

Before I start pulling some bullets and reloading for more velocity, I'm curious what you guys think about this load for elk...especially those of you with berger experience. My 300wsm shoots a 190vld in the current load at around 2600 fps and 1/2 MOA. I doubt I'd shoot past 600 yds at a bull even under perfect conditions. At 600 yds, according to my calculations, this combo should still be moving 1915 fps and have 1547 ft/lbs of energy. At close ranges I'd be fine with this combo even on a quartering to angle but that those ranges I'd hesitate on anything but perfectly broadside. I'm curious what you guys think about this choice of bullet out to 600 yards? This would also be my backup rifle most likely as my 28 Nosler shooting 160ABs at 3230fps will be my most likely primary rifle.

Shouldn't be a problem at all out to 600!
Just curious what powder are you loading? That seems pretty slow for a 190gr in a WSM. I'd say 7828, Mag Pro, H1000 would be a good start.

I know it's low. When I built it I didn't have much time and wanted a slower load because I was needing it for Africa. Didn't think I'd need long shots and wanted it to hold together a little better. I actually just pulled and reloaded a few to near max based on the Berger book. Should get me 2800ish. We'll have to see how it likes them. So far this rifle hasn't shot any bergers worse than MOA. Oh and it's H4831.

Berger VLD is not an elk bullet, period.

^^^say what?^^^

LAST EDITED ON Sep-01-17 AT 05:45PM (MST)[p]I shot 7mm 168 vld hunting (target and hunting shoot identical out of my gun and not sure what difference is) and have killed 3 cow and 1 spike elk. Closest was 30 yards and farthest 426.

At high velocity they dump there energy fast so advoid bone up close. The 30 yards on the cow went in and did not exit. Vitals were shredded. The 426 was a pass through with a 1/2 dollar sized exit.

If you put it where you want it will do the job.

That's out of a 7mm wsm at 2930 fps (slow load to extend life of expensive fire formed brass).

>Berger VLD is not an elk
>bullet, period.


Hmm, the 6 pt bull,and the two cows i shot last year would probably disagree. The 168 in my 7 mag just shredded the lungs,and everything else!! But maybe Idaho elk aren't that tough LOL!!

Like elktaker I shoot 168 VLD's out of a 7 mag. My load is 66 gr H4831SC with the bullets just touching the lands. Never chronoed it so I don't know what the speed is but it's an accurate load out of my custom rifle.

I've killed elk with both the target and hunting versions with no discernible differences in results. Both turn the internals into mush. Of all the animals I've killed using Berger bullets I've only had 3 pass thrus. I've killed elk from 40 yards to 560 yards. The elk killed at 560 yards both bullets passed thru leaving silver dollar sized exit wounds. I killed a mature bull at 40 yards. The bullet penetrated thru both shoulder blades and lodged under the skin on the off side.
There's usually not much left of the bullet to recover.

This is typical of whats left of the bullet. The above bullet was recovered from a large buck I killed at 319 yards. It hit the shoulder blade just above the joint of the leg bone, shattered the leg bone down to the elbow, broke 3 ribs, turned the heart lungs into soup, broke 3 ribs on the off side , with a piece penetrating thru the off side shoulder blade and lodging under the skin. The other pieces were found in separate areas of the body.
Only two animals didn't drop where they were shot, an antelope that took two steps and an bull elk that went about 10 yards.
Wes

I shoot this exact setup out of my Sako with great results. Your velocity could use a bump as Im getting 3000fps out of mine. 2 bulls dropped within 10 yards after a 300 yd shot. 1" groups out to 200 yds. Let me know if you want to try my reload formula.