What bullet for Elk

[memo43]

As the title says I am trying to decide what bullet to use for elk. The rifle is a Rugger M77 in 270 so far I have narrowed it down to 150 grain projectiles. Options are the nosler partition spitser with a BC of .465 vice the Sierra 150 game king with a BC of . 483

I have tried other projectiles but wasn't to satisfied with the performance and group size. Any one have experience with either they would like to share.
I have also heard the bigger is better and bigger caliber but this is what I am sticking with.
Thanks for any help or suggestions.

memo

 

[FeMan]

Of the two choices, I would stick with the Partition. They perform great and the 150 is a good choice weight-wise. Not that regular bullets won't work, but I personally want a bonded or solid copper bullets for elk.

 

[memo43]

Thanks for the response FeMan I guess this is the beauty of reloading options are endless as long as the components are either readily available or on hand.

 

[ShootDots]

I want to be up front with you and say that I have never shot an Elk. Having said that, I have killed TONS of deer, hogs and several Texas Exotics. I have shot them with "CUP" style bullets, such as the Sierra line of "GameKings" etc.. I have shot many Nosler Partitions and several "bonded-core" bullets. Here is a quick synopsis of their performance, as I have experienced them.

1.) CUP style bullets (GameKings, ProHunter etc..) will not always penetrate thru large bones, I.E. Shoulder Knuckles. Even on our "small"ish" Texas whitetail I have rarely seen a "pass-thru" from a shoulder shot. If this is any indication of performance on larger game, I would be very leery of them.

2.) Bonded Core bullets, such as Accubonds, Sciroccos and Interbonds. These will blow thru anything and everything I have shot at, including 300+ pound hogs. They also are pretty accurate.

3.) Triple Shocks are simply "more of the same" as the Bonded-Core with even MORE bone-crushing ability. I have never seen one fail to pass thru anything>>period.

So, from my experience, there are MUCH better bullets than Sierra 'style" bullets for the larger species of Big Game. The "outsider" if you will, is the Nosler Partition. It is a "Sierra Style" i.e. a cup bullet with a WALL in the middle of the bullet that WILL smash bones and penetrate to the vitals. Because the front is much like a CUP bullet, it often shears off, leaving the partition intact but with a definite loss of bullet weight. But it WILL get the job done on an Elk!

 

[rcol317]

I have shot elk, and a couple with the wonderful 270 Win. If they shoot accurately take the advise and stick with the partition. There are many great bullets available but John Nosler designed a great hunting bullet in the partition. Enjoy your hunt!!

 

[TheOtherZilla]

270 shooter here. Both my wife and I have killed a butt-load of elk, using a 130 grain Nosler partition.

 

[5spd]

140g sierra JSP does the trick every time. Elk shot last week through the shoulders was a complete pass through, 2 steps and dropped.

 

[memo43]

Thanks all for the responses although the rifle is not no competition rifle, it will shoot 3/4-1" at 100 and produces nice 3.5 " groups out 400 on my steal gong, I just don't want to hit em with the wrong bullet an wound.
So still practice practice but the best part is camaraderie and shooting with good friends

Memo

 

[CJ6]

The Nosler will hold up better against bone , With that being said...whichever shoots better in your rifle..

 

[sstkmkrr]

memo43

You're getting a little short for time here deciding on a bullet to shoot this year my friend. There are alot of quality bullets as described as above. But for the investment (Time and Money) we all put into making that one split second shot that makes the difference if we go home empty handed or not. If you're a reloader, I would put my confidence in one bullet. That bullet would be a Barnes 140 gr. or 150 gr. TSX. If time or you're not a reloader, I would purchase the Barnes Vortex Rifle ammo TSX ready to go!

Let me expand on the Barnes TSX Bullet just a little. It was the first ever, to my knowledge designed solid copper bullet for the public to be purchased. Randy Barnes has field tested as well as other shooters and has changed the material make up to hold together against the largest bones and still retain around 85% of its weight. It separates on impact into 4 equal petals on it's nose, each cutting as they pass thru muscle mass and bone. There are others that have followed pursuit in manufacturing like bullets.

The most important equation, is a well placed shot!

Either way, just getting out there and sharing in the great outdoors with friends and family can't be beat. I wish you, and all with you the best yet to come my friend.

Be sure to send us ol folks some pictures of you're success!

Best Regards

Steve Murphy

 

[memo43]

Thanks for the advice Steve, I guess this is where being a competitive shooter and reloading fanatic goes against me. My hunting buddies and I go shooting every Sunday to get everything dialed in and confirmed.
I guess I am always looking for the last bit of accuracy out of everything we touch.

Memo

 

[savagedasher]

The bullet of choice would be one that would have good accuracy good expansion and matain 90 percent of its bullet weight if it hits bone. La

 

[bigngreen]

We take a lot of elk, by that I mean my rifle and set up will see 20+ kills a year just on elk sometimes more. We use a number of 270's and you don't need or want a solid copper bullet or super bonded because it won't make a difference if you hit a shoulder odds are you'll have issues getting through the heavy bone and they are way more prone to deflect on an elk shoulder and if you do get through the wound channel will be pitiful. You need good performance with a behind the shoulder shot, good expansion and all it need do is make it to the of side. Inside 500 yards the 140/150 Berger is very hard to beat but if you can stabilize them the 165 Matrix is the absolute KING of 270 elk bullets. Of the two your choosing from I'd shoot the game king.

 

[sstkmkrr]

memo43

There's nothing wrong in squeezing the most out of your bullet. That's why we're all here on this site. We all wish to get the most accuracy from our shot. Being Varminting, Hunting or Target shooting. We all bring some bit of experience to the table to share with others. Glean from the path that others have traveled, and see what works best for you!

Best Regards

Steve Murphy

 

[Alex Wheeler]

We take a lot of elk, by that I mean my rifle and set up will see 20+ kills a year just on elk sometimes more. We use a number of 270's and you don't need or want a solid copper bullet or super bonded because it won't make a difference if you hit a shoulder odds are you'll have issues getting through the heavy bone and they are way more prone to deflect on an elk shoulder and if you do get through the wound channel will be pitiful. You need good performance with a behind the shoulder shot, good expansion and all it need do is make it to the of side. Inside 500 yards the 140/150 Berger is very hard to beat but if you can stabilize them the 165 Matrix is the absolute KING of 270 elk bullets. Of the two your choosing from I'd shoot the game king.

Listen to Rhyan, he's the real deal on this subject.

 

[nmkid]

I used the Partition for many years when I lived in Big Piney, WY. To me it was a very good bullet. It seems it would always shed most of the front portion,(as it's supposed too) and create a good wound channel. The back end would continue pushing on. Way to much bullet for deer!

 

[d.id]

We have used the gameking on elk out to 425 yards with great effect threw the boiler room.....accuracy and shot placement matters most on elk....same as any other target.

 

[hogdogger]

3.) Triple Shocks are simply "more of the same" as the Bonded-Core with even MORE bone-crushing ability. I have never seen one fail to pass thru anything>>period.

Seen them fail to pass through giraffe out of a 338 Lapua and 338-378 Weatherby Mag both body and some neck and head shots. Just sayin'

 

[fourpower]

I just got back from Africa. I told my guide I would be using berger bullets and he had a fit when he saw they were hollow points! he warned me that any game shot and not found was still a kill and he also made sure he had a tracker and a dog so they could try and find animals. boy was he surprised! I shot 6 large animals (2 kudu-1 very large wildebeest-1 gemsbuck-1 zebra-and 1 eland). the eland was almost 1600lbs. I was shooting 300 rum with 210 bergers at just under 3000fps. had no pass throughs which is what I like as any animal that takes over 3000 foot lbs and the bullet stops in or on far side is not long for this world! tracker and dog were not needed! all were shot under 400 yds as bush was very thick and all animals were DIT(dead in tracks). guide will be coming to US and I will be ordering bergers for him. PS I just got back from a elk hunt and used same gun and got my bull at a lazered 904 yds. 1 shot 1 kill. elk never moved!!

 

[Changeling]

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