Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting 7mm08 bullet selection

Yep, no super bullet, cartridge, scope, or rifle can make up for poor shot placement.

Paul, below is a 7.5 yo, fully mature bull I took 3 years ago with one shot from my 7-08 and a 150 NBT at 2,700. I crept to within 40 yards of where he was feeding with another 6pt. He was angled away from me so I held for the offside leg, which meant the bullet started well back in liver country. The Ballistic Tip angled forward, through liver and lungs, and came to rest under the offside scapula. I estimated the bullet had travelled through 32”+ of elk. He ran 20 yards and was stone dead when I got to him. Fastest expiration I’ve ever had on any elk.

I had wanted to use a 150 Partition, but the rifle preferred the 150 NBT. I tend to think the Partition would have busted through the offside scapula, but the Ballistic Tip (which is a stout bullet), was more than adequate. The outcome would have been no different.

I’d be content with your 7x57 / 150 Partition on anything in NA... guys overthink elk killing. They’re just flesh, bone and blood.

just got back from the range....

I think I managed to pickup about 100FPS by switching from 150 BT's + IMR 4350 to 150 ELDX + Ramshot Big Game + mag primers, but my 5 shot group opened up from 0.5" to 1.2".

I'm pretty sure either of these will work just fine.

Based on the elk I've seen Brad kill, I'd stick with the 150 BT's.

He's been known to take some nice one's.

The 120 gr ttsx really works well for elk at 3000fps. I never recovered a single bullet after multiple dead elk and they did die quickly. I am going to try the 120's in my 6.5 creedmoor.

this + 1

My wife killed a cow this year at 249 yards with a 120ttsx in a load less than 3000fps. Clipped the rear portion of shoulder and took out both lungs. (Slight quartering towards) Elk ran about 50ft. That is 3 cows for three years with that same gun. Lots of good bullet suggestions that will handle an elk. Pick one that shoots and practice, I wouldn't second guess the bullet if it is exceptionally accurate.

150 BT. Haven't put one in an elk yet, but load them for my 280. Done a hell of a job on the deer I've shot with them and they shoot really well out of my rifle.

Soooo many good bullets in .284, I imagine you'd have to try pretty hard to find one that wouldn't work on elk out of a 7-08 case.

So if finding a good load with the 140 Trophy bonded tipped going 2,850 out of a 7mm08, I’m pretty good out to 400 yards. That seem about right for a velocity and energy level adequate for elk?

Based on my single data point, the 140 AB is one of many that has and will work.

Using the same criteria, so does the 120 BT. One-shot kill, complete pass through.

Plenty.






P

are you guys trying to tell me that I'm over gunned with my 7mm mashburn and 150s at 3180? Would I honestly be doing better with a lighter rifle?

If you can shoot it accurately and put the bullet where it needs to go, why would you be "over gunned"? Dead is dead.

I run 175's at 3050 in my Mashburn or the 154 Interbonds at 3245 and either one of those doesn't ever feel like more than I need.

What do you all think of Norma 156 grain Oryx for an elk round in the 7mm 08?

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2...156-grain-oryx-protected-point-box-of-20

Ladymulerider - from what I've read, I'd say definitely yes!

From John Barsness: "The Oryx is revered because it's a bonded bullet, unlike the Mag-Tip, which is essentially a heavier jacketed Speer Hot-Cor. That's not a bad thing, but the Oryx is the closest approximation I've found of the original bonded bullet, the Bitterroot. It expands widely but retains enough weight (usually around 90%) to penetrate deeply. I've used it quite a bit from the 7x57 both here and in Africa, and it works very well, and is usually very accurate too. In fact in my custom Serengeti 7x57 it may be the most accurate bullet I've tried."

From akjeff: "I loaded the 156gr Oryx to a sedate 2400fps in my wife's 7mm-08. Makes for a nice mild recoiling load. We shared the rifle and killed 2 oryx, 2 springbok, a warthog, common reedbuck, and nyala. No recovered bullets(all pass throughs), and no lost critters. Great accuracy. Also drives nails in my 7x65R drilling, and will now be the go to bullet in that gun."

Please note that akjeff loaded the Oryx to 2400fps in his wife's rifle - the factory load has a velocity of 2725fps, which to me is just more of a good thing!

I've read this entire thread twice now and it looks like basically any bullet that you can stuff in a 7mm-08 hull will work, if you can point it in the right direction.
I'm currently working up loads for 3 bullets and trying to decide for a cow elk / antelope hunt this fall.

Option 1 is a 120 TTSX that I'm loading with Big Game to 3150 fps. It shoots right at 1" and I've used it for several seasons on whitetails. I have no hesitation with this bullet, except that it kinda runs out of gas at about 400 yds and I'm confident shooting it to 500.

Option 2 is a 140 Accubond. I have not yet found a load that suits me accuracy wise and I'm pretty frustrated, but I'm going to keep trying cause I have a bunch of the bullets.

Option 3 is a 150 ELDX. I have shot some promising groups, but am not happy yet due to inconsistencies. Really just started load development, so I think it will get there with some work. Even if I never hunt with this one, I want to work up the load for long range plinking.

Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? Recommendations?

Here's an interesting one. Haven't tried it. Have 160's to try in my 7RM.

www.midwayusa.com/product/844892/fe...grain-polymer-tipped-boat-tail-box-of-50

DF