Looking for a new hunting bullet... Which one!??!

[dciron]

Check out the New Zealand outfit: Terminal Ballistics Research. Their knowledge base has information on almost every bullet out there. I have never had a bullet failure with Barnes bullets, but switched to Berger 7mm 168 gr. VLD's because they're more accurate in my gun. I've never had an animal go more than a few feet with the Bergers. I've shot everything from javelina to elk (340 yards). I'm shooting a 7mm WSM at 2850 fps. Even the

Love hearing from other 7mm WSM users

 

[Priley]

So I have a 300 WSM I love but last few animals I have shot I am not seeing the results I want on animals and I actually lost a buck in Colorado this weekend. So I am looking to try and switch things up. Currently shooting the 190 ABLR. Recently scored some 200 grain ELDX before this all happened just to try them out. I just hear good and bad about every kind of bullet so looking for some insight. A buddy of mine says for smaller game like deer or antelope I need a softer bullet or possibly the speed of the gun and bullets are too much. I forgot to add... Seams like the closer the shot the less I see great results but the further shots seam to do better. 200 yards and in are not great but 300 out seam much better and my AR10 stones most things so I am trying to figure out how to solve the situation. Thoughts??

I have had great luck with Berger 190 gr VLD's in my 300 win mag and also the 200 gr ELD-X. Both have produced great results. Mono's are not your friend.

 

[JAYgs8163]

I run the 180 out of a 300 wsm 1/10 and also a 308 1/10. Both perform excellent

 

[Montucky Roamer]

I run the 180 out of a 300 wsm 1/10 and also a 308 1/10. Both perform excellent

Which 180? There's lots of them.

 

[JAYgs8163]

Which 180? There's lots of them.

I was replying to @dciron from the previous page. His quote/question didn't copy over on my reply. To answer your question, the 180 Swift Scirocco II.

 

[Montucky Roamer]

I was replying to @dciron from the previous page. His quote/question didn't copy over on my reply. To answer your question, the 180 Swift Scirocco II.

Oh, gotcha thanks!

 

[Bull_Mtn]

I agree with the Federal Terminal Ascent (formerly Fed Edge TLR). I have killed 3 elk with these bullets. The terminal performance is outstanding. Ranges from 200 to 550 yds. Unfortunately, the bullets and factory loads are hard to find. I switched to the Hammer Hunter 180 gr. No luck getting an elk this season. These two would be my choice in a .300 WSM. The Hammers are super accurate!!

 

[Shawn Carverelli]

Man I can't get in this I used to shoot the eld m on game and thought they were ok. After recovering a lot of them and shooting a lot of game I decided to make the switch to hammers. This experience is out of a 6.5 creed. Bullet worked ok and it was accurate but when getting into some of the bigger game it just wasn't what I wanted in a hunting bullet. Seen worse but better bullets are out especially for his ranges.

eld-m is NOT a hunting bullet. It will kill game on perfect conditions, but a hunting bullet will work much better unless YOU miss the mark

 

[JAYgs8163]

eld-m is NOT a hunting bullet. It will kill game on perfect conditions, but a hunting bullet will work much better unless YOU miss the mark

The same opinion came across originally about the AMax bullet. But repeatedly this bullet has proven to be very successful for big game hunting and NOT always in ideal or "perfect conditions". The ELD-m is the direct replacement for the Amax but with a improved tip over the Amax. I've personally used the Amax numerous times and they've never failed me!

 

[snox801]

I understand it is not but with the research I did led me to see it was actually a thicker jacket and less explosive than the eld x which has also been my experience in real world. I was needing something a bit tougher so I went that route. We learn from experience and sometimes things made to do one thing excel at others. I'm lucky and get to experiment with stuff like this because I'm fortunate to take a lot of game every year.
I was well aware of what the bullet was made for but I can say they do perform far better than some "hunting" bullets I've tried
Would I take them over hammers nope but would I use them again if hammers were not around yep. Nothing wrong with them game went down just didn't do as well as the hammers imo

 

[OCHO505]

You don't mention what caliber you are shootig. 190 gr bullets are those that one might consider for large elk, moose, bison or bear of any size or ilk. If you are using them on deer and thinking that the deer should drop on contact think again. 190s might not expand on deer size animals since there is not enough skin and bone to start expansion. Do not ever use bullets that are that heavy unless the game requires it. If you do you will always be disappointed in bullet performance.

I'm learning that the hard way. Unfortunately!! I am a bow hunter by nature and heavy arrows do best for all but clearly this is not a bow and arrows deal. I felt like the same thing The bullet weight and speed was to much. However the oryx i shot with @ 230 did minimal damage. I have a some 200 grain eldx may have to put for trade for lighter weight. I am diffing the Federal Terminal ascent I'm torn. Got a lot of ABLR and ELDX but this thing will push me to pursuit the ultimate set up. Live and learn and why I'm asking for more insight and knowledge from long time gun people! Thanks again

 

[Teri Anne]

I'm learning that the hard way. Unfortunately!! I am a bow hunter by nature and heavy arrows do best for all but clearly this is not a bow and arrows deal. I felt like the same thing The bullet weight and speed was to much. However the oryx i shot with @ 230 did minimal damage. I have a some 200 grain eldx may have to put for trade for lighter weight. I am diffing the Federal Terminal ascent I'm torn. Got a lot of ABLR and ELDX but this thing will push me to pursuit the ultimate set up. Live and learn and why I'm asking for more insight and knowledge from long time gun people! Thanks again

Do not succumb to the, "bigger is better syndrome," which seems to be popular here. The bullet needs to be sized to the intended prey. Using an Elephant cartridge on a deer does not work to your best advantage. If you hit it, it will blow the deer apart. Conversely a properly place deer cartridge can drop an elephant in it's tracks. Many times it's not the caliber of the cartridge, it's in the ability of the shooter to place the proper bullet in the exact place where it will do the most damage.

 

[OCHO505]

Anyone have any feedback on the Norma Bondstrike? Fact it hasn't been mentioned maybe all I need to know but worth asking!

 

[lee31]

I'm not blaming the bullet you didn't read it very well. I am not getting the performance out of 190 grain bullet even when I'm killing animals with perfect shots.

Can I ask what you're not liking about the performance? Not expanding, blowing up, not getting enough penetration? Nosler makes very good hunting bullets in my opinion.