7mm R.Em mag on Elk

[PAshooter20BR]

I am doing some load work for a 7mm Rem mag on for a friends elk hunt. I was going to load 150 grain Barnes TTSX bullets. Is this an adequate choice for 350 yards and under?
Thanks

 

[nakneker]

Great choice. Deadly. My experience with Barnes have been positive, my wife uses them in her 25-06 and has 7 bulls to her credit. I've used them in several rifles myself. Some rifles shoot Barnes really well and I've seen some that never would shoot them, I would load a small batch and see what your dealing with before loading very many.

 

[nmkid]

Another very good choice would be the Swift A-Frame

 

[JBT47]

Excellent choice for elk at the distance you specified. That bullet will penetrate both shoulders and exit.

 

[bigngreen]

You couldn't pay me to shoot that combination, make sure someone is backing you up with a real bullet. I've dispatched more elk shot in the shoulder with a 7 mag and Barnes!

 

[JBT47]

Swift Scirocco II is another good bullet for elk

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I tried some Barnes copper bullets when they first came out.. Gave up as accuracy was not there.. I hunt and kill elk just about every year using a Nosler 140 partition in a 7 RUM. Mostly though I use a 270 and a partition..

 

[ttfreestyle]

You couldn't pay me to shoot that combination, make sure someone is backing you up with a real bullet. I've dispatched more elk shot in the shoulder with a 7 mag and Barnes!

Is it the Barnes bullets or the 7 mag that is insufficient for elk?

 

[jimbires]

ttfreestyle , it's the barnes bullet I don't like . I get much better results with my 7 rem mag using 160gr accubond , or partition .

 

[JBT47]

7 Rem Mag is plenty for elk. Some folks don't like Barnes bullets

 

[Mulligan]

Partition, Accubond or similar

Chased plenty of elk hit solid with triple shock bullets, not sure I know exactly why.
I can say this, they do most of what is advertised..
1.) at right velocity range they open with 4 petals
2.) plenty accurate at the ranges most are hunting at
3.) razor sharp knife edge on petals


They just don't appear to deliver enough shock as compared to a partition or Accubond.
I'm sure folks will take exception to what I've written, well this is my experience and I'll be loading Nosler.
CW

 

[bigngreen]

The problem is not the 7 mag in it's entirety, the issues is some what the usual twist rate so guys end up shooting 150 gr bullets at elk but they suck frankly, personally I want to be shooting 180+ gr bullets in a 7 mag! The issue is if you have a shot go forward on the shoulder or back you have no margin to just knock one down with that bullet, I've shot a lot of elk with a 168 Barnes cooking out of a 300 WBY and I would not believe I could not shoot through an elk shoulder till we shot them on fields where they don't disappear into timber and man the percentage of shots that would not penetration but just break and elk shoulder was appalling. I'm not a huge bonded bullet fan either as they suffer from the same thing many times with a big frontal mushroom and not enough mass behind it.
Elk are easy to kill if you do it like you mean it and leave the deer bullets at home!!!

 

[Brians356]

I strongly suggest you read this, in particular the section "Hand Loading":

http://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/7mm+Remington+Magnum.html
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[284winner]

Thousands upon thousands of guys have killed elk with a 270 Win and 140 grain bullets in various configurations without nightmare tracking jobs or losing am animal. I have a buddy that ONLY shoots a 270 for all large game and has never regretted it. I think the proper 150 grain bullet will do very well out TOO 350 yards on elk. Personally I prefer a partition but the 150 ttsx is adequate. Remember tho that every bullet has a limitation. Out to 350 is what you asked of that 150 TTSX.

 

[AckleymanII]

Elk are NOT hard to kill, they do have different anatomy than deer. Many people do not realize just where the heart/lungs are on an elk.

If you want to shoot elk through the shoulders, shoot a cannon. I do not know about triple shocks, but I have this gut feeling that they would be running.

I killed a lot of cows with a 243 Winchester shooting a 95/100g Partition, no failures, shots were not long.

In a 7 Mag, a 160g Partition at 3000-3100(Retumbo+ 215) is wicked ugly on elk. If you feel some added insurance, then the 175g Partition with either Retumbo(fed 215) or R#25(win mag primer) is very accurate and fast.

Most people can't shoot worth a dam, 350 yards...LMAO!!!

PA shooter, I hope you load your friend 100 rounds and have him shoot at the rifle range on many occasions between now and then.

Good luck!

 

[JBT47]

160gr Sierra GameKing is another bullet I would consider.

 

[Brians356]

Thousands upon thousands of guys have killed elk with a 270 Win and 140 grain bullets in various configurations

You probably meant 150 grain, which have been popular for elk since the 270 Win was born over 90 years ago.
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[284winner]

You probably meant 150 grain, which have been popular for elk since the 270 Win was born over 90 years ago.
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He's used the 130-140 grain variety but now uses the 150s that are best.

 

[Terry Altom]

He's used the 130-140 grain variety but now uses the 150s that are best.

I think 270WSM has elk written all over it.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I think 270WSM has elk written all over it.

I never met a short mag I liked... I had a few and they didn't last long. That's just my preference..