Your Elk and BULLET PERFORMANCE?

Elkslayer

Elkslayer

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Just curiouse how well your bullet performed on Elk? I will go first:

Gun and Bullet: 300 WBY Magnum with 180 Gr. Trophy Bonded Bear Claw.

Shot: 275 Yards broadside through the vitals. 1" entrance hole, broke a rib going in and 2" entrance hole out also breaking a rib.

Bullet Performance: Did a great job. We have yet to recover a TBBC bullet from any of our elk. Always getting full penetration. If we do not hit bone, then the holes a very small with little blood trails.

Conclusion: Bullet performed as advertised, but most of our shots are broadside through the vitals. Thinking of going to 180 Gr. Nosler Balistic Tips for better performance in the vital area's and keeping more of the kinetic energy in the elk. Am worried about miss shots on shoulders, etc.

Alan
 
I use to shoot the Nosler balistic tips 150 gr for deer 270 cal.
and they do some damage. I shot a deer when I was 15 and hit it right through the front shoulders. When I skinned it out we found that I had hit right through both front shoulder bones right at the base of the blade and the bullet just kept on going.
If it's penetration your looking for they will surely do the job.
Happy Hunting

}}-SLIVER-->
 
My new 300 WSM does not like them that well. I am going to try some of the new Federal Barnes Triple X Bullets.
What bad experiences have you had with Ballistic Tips and elk?
 
those ballistic tips won't penetrate an elks shoulder. they blow up on impact when hitting heavy bone like that of an elk.
 
LAST EDITED ON Mar-13-05 AT 08:56PM (MST)[p]300 H&H 180 grain partition. 350 yards broadside thru the vitals. No exit. According to the crooked butcher in Mackay, Id., it ruined all but 90 pounds of meat and 2/3's of the backstraps.
 
Raghorn bull hit in the neck at about 40 yards with my 7mm mag spitting out factory 175 grain core lokts. dropped in his tracks. First animal with the 7mm so was anxious to see how it would perform at a distance, sited her dead on at 250 yards, oh well, definately not going to complain about the opportunity. Thats cool to see someone else is shooting the .300 H&H. Thats the only gun my grandpa used for his last 30 years.
 
6x6 broadside 250 yrds.... 7mm mag 160 grain barnes X complete pass through Elk took about 3 steps and laid down and died.
 
I was a Barnes X guy until I met Barnes Triple X, then I met Barnes Triple XLC. Awesome performance in all three. I was a nosler guy. Now I've got some extras that I don't want. Safari Arms in NY will get you some great custom loads in the XLC. 512-826-7516. Great Ballistic Coefficient and awesome overall ballistics.
 
Have always relied on Nosler Partitions in my 7mm Rem mag. Am going to look at Accubonds this summer. I'm going to work up some loads and see how they do. Will have to be really special to make me give up Partitions.

Phantom Hunter
 
A friend of mine took his buffalo on the Henry's with a 270 Nosler partition.... one well placed shot and the Buffalo went 50 yards and was down!
 
"those ballistic tips won't penetrate an elks shoulder. they blow up on impact when hitting heavy bone like that of an elk."

Killed 7 elk with those ballistic tips. Only one that it didn't penetrate the sholder, shot it in the neck. Broke at least one sholder on the rest, broke 2 sholders on 2 of them also. My wife shot a bull last year quartering away at just over 300 yds. Found lead on off side just under hide after it had broke off sholder, retained almost 50% weight. All leads are either 7mm or 30 cal, 150-160 grains.
 
taxidermynut,
What ballistic tip bullet are you shooting? ( Nosler, Hornady SST or Winchester Silver Tip? )
Thanks!
 
i prefer bullets to stop under the skin on the offside. when you shoot through an animal there is energy wasted that could be used better inside the animal. don't know for sure how much, but simple physics will tell ya there is at least some. i had a guy tell me once that with partitions and solid copper bullets you get 2 blood trails. that's true maybe, but they both go to the same place. i've been using hornady btsp's in my .270 (140 gr) and .300 (165's) for over 25 years with great success. never had a bullet "fail". if there was ever a backup shot needed it was because of poor marksmanship on my part, not because of the bullet. just shooting a triple platinum bonded laser pointed hammerhead mojo magnum doesn't make ya a good shot. use a good bullet and practice a lot. any well constructed bullet that doesn't have a plastic tip or a big nasty hollowpoint, shot out of a cartidge with enough nuts to get'r done, should work well, if you can guide it into an elk's lungs. but i see now that hornady makes a plastic tipped, controlled expansion bullet that is supposed to be neat. too 'spensive for me tho, i'll stick with the cheap ones that i know work well.
 
I shoot a 280 with 150gr Nosler partitions in Fed Premium ammo. 1 6x6 bull at 50 yards; 2 shots behind the shoulder, went 20 yards, recovered on with a perfect mushroom. 2 cow elk at 250+ yards, 1 went 10 yards, 1 dropped in its tracks.

I shot a muzzleloader 6x6 last year which went 30 yards. 90 yard shot with 100gr BP and 348 AreoTip Powerbelts. Good mushrooming and performance.

I love the old 160gr Winchester Silver Tips, not the new ballistic tips mind you. They would explode inside an elk like a bomb. 2 6x6s, 2 raghorns, 3 spikes, and a cow. None went more than 100 yards. Most behind the shoulder or broke the shoulder. I recoverd a couple that had about 30-50% retention (guess). A lot of energy transferred to the elk. Shots ranged from 70 yards to 350+. Anyone got a few older (10 years) silver tips in 280 they want to get rid of??
 
One spike, 75 yards with 180 grain Scirocco out of a 300 Win. Mag.
High in the shoulder, down and out.

Pappabull
 
Elkslayer,
I hit the wrong key it was supposed to be 150,180 grain ballistic tips. I used Noslers until about 2 years ago and then switched to the Combined Technologies. Have always had great success, but got better groups out the Combineds. Thinking about going to the Accubonds though. Wish they would come out with them in the combineds or add the molly to them, the molly (Lubalox) seems to help the groups.
 
Thanks for the help. I am going to try some Federal 300 WSM Barnes Triple Shock 180's and some Federal 300 WSM Nosler Accubond 1809's this weekend. Will let you know what I find out. Sure hope I find a good load soon, this is getting expensive. Looking for around MOA or just under. Alan
 
hornady btsp's, 180 grn in 'o6. dont remember the last one that went more than 20 yards. mostly double lung broadside shots(exits on all, large exit, good damage path) through the shoulders i've had 2, had an exit on a spike, and 2 broken shoulders with no exit on a big cow. both shoulder shots were fairly close range(100-150 with my hazy memory) others range out to 400 or so.
 
taxidermynut, CT does have an Accubond out. Black with a red tip. They look cool. From what I gather about Lubalox, it is purely cosmetic. mtmuley
 
I was under the impression that it reduced the friction between the bullet and the barrel a little causing less pressure. What ever it does, I get better groups with it.

I have seen them offer the CT Accubonds in there factor loaded ammo, but haven't been able to find just the leads anywhere.
 
I don't believe the CT Accubonds are available as a component. Maybe with a little tweaking the non-coated Accubond would shoot as well. mtmuley
 
I used the Failsafe "handloaded" for my 7mmSTW. They preformed so poorly at close range, I thought I was shooting my bull with a .22cal. In fact, I had to put several bullets in my bull to put him down for good. The 3300 fps is too fast for the failsafes to preform at close range (150 yards or less). Here are a couple pic of the end results. I feel lucky to have finish the job. I will not be using the failsafe ever again. I have done a lot of research, and I belive I will be using the Accubonds next year. Happy Hunting.
Snowman
RobsAnthroBull2.jpg

RobsAnthroBull1.jpg
 
Generally on elk, my experience has shown that Nosler Partitions, especially at distances under 200 yards (maybe even 300), pass thru elk and don't leave near enough energy in the elk. In 1999, I shot a small 6x6 bull four times at about 80 yards using my .280 until he finally fell over. And he was calmly eating and didn't know I was there when I started shooting. Bullets were 150 grain Federals and all passed thru with small holes for both entry and exit.

In 2003, I took a 5x5 bull at 350+ yards with one 180gr Nosler Ballistic Tip using hand-loads out of a 300 WM. The bullet broke the near shoulder, took out the top of the heart, and about 20-30% (guess) of the base of the bullet was lodged against the inside of the skin on the opposite side. The bull ran 8 yards.

So you can guess what I shoot now.
 
My first shot from my 300 Win Mag with 180g Nosler Partitions at 391 yds punched both lungs and lodged between the outer skin wall and hide. The second shot snapped his neck and he dropped in his tracks with the slug ending up in the same place. Weight retention was good and the bullet was intact.

I'll keep using them, but want to try the Accubonds on deer.

Ed
 
6x7 380 yds 300 ultra mag. 180grn Trophy Bonded Bear Claw. Uphill shot and the bullet took out both shoulders and half of the heart. I loved the penetration, but not much blood to track. Helps when they anchor at 10 yds.
STXBUX
 
while i've never been impressed with the failsafe, by the looks of that first photo, shot plaement was a bigger issue. the 2 i can see look like one in the ass, 1 through the boiler room. i'm gonna assume the one behind the shoulder put him down. from reading the caliber recommendation threads around here, the .300 rem ultra seems to be bare minimum for ass shots ;) nice bull.
 
Yeah,

There is an ass shot involved, however, there are 5-6 holes in the lung shoulder area. I walked up to this bull and he took off with 2 lungs shots. I couldn't believe this bull was still breathing. I put 3 more in his lung area, still took a couple minutes to kick over. I would have never believed it either, BUT it's the truth. You coundn't give me Failsafes. I have always used Hornady BTSP, however, I couldn't get a tight enough pattern out of my Encore 7mmSTW barrel. By the way, the barrel is custom chambered STW, as so know one can start accusing me of, "they don't make a STW Encore"!!! or "looks like a ass shot to me" !!!
Snowman
 
Snowman,
Thans for being honest in what you experienced with the failsafe bullets. This is exactly what I was looking for in this post. Others may have had different experiences with the failsafes.
I am going to try Federal Barnes Triple Shock 180 grain in my 300 WSM today and Remington Sciroco 130 grain.
I have also experienced what you did when using 180 grain TBBC in my 300 WBY Magnum.
Thanks again for you input and do not worry about a comment from someone here or there.
 
by the way, i meant no offense by my comments, just couldn't let a picture of an ass-shot bull get by in a thread about bullet performance..was just ribbin ya. a friend of mine used to use the failsafes, and we saw similar results.
 
Thanks for clearing that up. I guess seeing the blood in that area would raise questons? So I'm glad I clarified that up.

I have been hearing really good things about the new Accubond (nosler). Anybody use them this year hunting elk? They are making factory ammo for my STW with the accubonds now. I might try some factory stuff, before experimenting with reloading.

I also heard throguh my reloading friends, that the Bearclaws are kick butt.

Later,
snowman
 
LAST EDITED ON Mar-19-05 AT 03:01PM (MST)[p]snowman22250, Accubonds work and work well. If your rifle shoots factory stuff accurately, use it. If not, maybe you could look at handloading. But be careful, handloading becomes an addiction. mtmuley
 
LAST EDITED ON Mar-19-05 AT 06:26PM (MST)[p] Well I have good news. After trying Accubonds, Noslers, Silver Tips, etc, I have finally found factory rounds that shoot sub-MOA out of both guns:

300 WSM Winchester with 180 grain Federal Barnes Triple Shock. These bullets were touching over various rounds and my partner also had the same results with his 300 WSM Ruger. These bullets are ACCURATE!

My 270 Win ( Remington SPS ) will shoot both 130 Gr. Remington Core-Lokt and Remington Sciroco at 1" groups at 100 yards. Will see how the Sciroco does this year on deer and maybe a cow elk. Will use the 300 WSM on the bulls. Can't wait for the November Rut hunt in Montana ( Bull tag, Cow tag and Deer tag ).
 
i know my rifle very well and only shot 180grn nosler par- through it as long as ive owned it (300 win mag)... i shot a bull @ 572 yards last fall and bullet went completely through and he went 5 yards and laid down.. i knew what it could do at that yardage or i wouldnt' have taken the shot.. his lungs were soup..i don't know what the performance of others that well but i think i have the bullet for my 300
 
COMBIND TECH GOLD PARTATIONS 180 GR 300 RUM. Bad Bad Bad news for elk. 1 bull 4 cows from 90-450 yds the front part of the bullet blows-up and destroys the kungs heart area and will still break the off shoulder. 90% pass through's I am one of the guys that like the two holes to track. I love this bullet and will NEVER NEVER change. By the way mine are hot hand loads!




FEAR NOT FOR I AM WITH YOU! Walk soft and carry a 300 RUM,
 
I tried some 150gr Nosler ballistic tips out of my 270. I will never and I mean never use them again. Yes they did the job and I could get great groups with them 1" at 250 yards.

The few deer I shot with them left an exit hole twice the size of my fist.

The one elk I killed with them sure it dropped her, but totally destroyed the front shoulders. Wasted way too much meat.
 
Trophy:5x5 raghorn
Distance: 40 yards
Position: quartering towards
Placement: point of sholder
Bullet performance: no exit, never recovered
Gun: A-bolt .338 WM
Load: Handload w/225 hornady SST (2900 fps, 4200 ft lb)
Result: went 3 feet, straight down!!
conclusion: dead is dead, no tracking required,
Look in his eyes: Priceless (OMGWTF!!)
 
I am a firm believer in the factory Trophy bonded bear claws.
I shoot a .338 with a 225 grain bullet. It punches a hole going in and fisted size going out 0 to 300 yards-the latter is the longest shot I've taken on Bulls. No tracking involved neither.
 
LAST EDITED ON Apr-14-05 AT 00:07AM (MST)[p]>I tried some 150gr Nosler ballistic
>tips out of my 270.
> I will never and
>I mean never use them
>again. Yes they did
>the job and I could
>get great groups with them
>1" at 250 yards.
>
>The few deer I shot with
>them left an exit hole
>twice the size of my
>fist.
>
>The one elk I killed with
>them sure it dropped her,
>but totally destroyed the front
>shoulders. Wasted way too
>much meat.
>
>


Almost the same results for me. Three years ago I used some 180 ballistic STs in my .300WM. The mulie I shot from about 100 yards dropped on the spot, but totally destroyed the off shoulder. Same with a cow that year.

Never had a problem with barnes X or Nosler partition. The advantage that Nosler had over Barnes was that the Barnes had a tendancy to pass through and not expand as much unless they hit something solid. For meat hunting, I wouldn't have a problem using either Barnes or Nosler. Or Speer Grand Slam.
 

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