Hoppsing55
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 11, 2015
- Messages
- 137
As I hit enter and let this thread go, I'm simultaneously taking cover under my desk the way they taught us in grade school in case we got nuked by the Russians!
Seriously, I've used the search function and found tons of helpful info but new technology and bullet offerings drop nearly every week and I'm wanting the most recent opinion of those here who shoot elk on the regular.
I was very fortunate to draw what for me will be a bucket list elk tag in NM this year and I'm likely over thinking this for that reason, but here goes...
Ill be using my customized 300WM M700 w/Bartlein 10t bbl. I was told to expect shots from 50 to 500yds, with 150 to 250 being the most common and elevation ranging from 6500' to 11000'. The rifle shoots the 215 Berger amazingly well with regular fist sized groups @ 1000yds. Will the Berger be a liability under 200yds? I've also started load development with the 181 Sledge Hammers getting sub-moa results on the first outing but worry about its performance if I need to get close to my self imposed max range of 500yds.
I've killed one cow elk about 10 years ago and used a 7RM with 160 Accubonds and a perfect boiler room shot sent her running up the mountain with my only follow up being a texas heart shot stopping her immediately on impact (go figure).
I guess what I'm asking is for the people who hunt/shoot elk the way I do deer, if you get the same opportunity, what bullet are you shooting and why?
Last year I harvested a cow elk at 436yds, with an Accubond 160 gr, out of a 7mm rem mag, at 3000fps MV. DRT. And would be comfortable doing the same on any Elk, bull or cow, out to 600-700 yds. After that my 1500 ft lbs energy threshold for Elk sized game, start to apply.
A 300 win mag shooting an Abond 165, has similar 7mm Rem mag ballistics. And an Abond 200gr out of a 300 WM at 2850 fps will carry enough energy out to 1000yds.
The Abonds are a well proven, reliable game getter at 50 yds or 1000yds+. If your gun will shoot them?