24hourcampfire.com
24hourcampfire.com
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Hop To
Page 1 of 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 43
Campfire Greenhorn
OP Offline
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 43
After much research and deliberation, I'm taking my Ruger American Ranch 300 blk elk hunting later this month in CO for 2nd rifle OTC bull. This is strictly a timber hunt: sitting in ambush first/last shooting light and tracking in between. My previouse two bull encounters were at 25 yards and visibility is only 100 yards.

Wanted to bring the shortest rifle possible for carrying and quick handling since I backpack hunt in the snow at 10,000'. Will share results when I get back next month. Curious to know if anyone else has experience hunting elk at close range with the 300 blk.

BP-B2

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,368
G
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
G
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,368
Really?


You only live once, but...if you do it right, once is enough.
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 8,777
M
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
M
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 8,777
Spend all that money for a tag and haul a 300 blk for the job? JFC HOLY FUG..MB


" Cheapest velocity in the world comes from a long barrel and I sure do like them. MB "
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,390
T
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
T
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,390
I presumed this was a thread about loading that bullet in a 308 or 30-06

Good chance you'll be taking a quartering away shot on a surprised animal...I'd maybe go for a cartridge that holds 45-58 grains of powder instead of 28 grains. I've blasted lots of deer and pigs with 300 BLK and 6.8 and they work well but the wound channel is not like the wounding you get from a faster moving bullets.

Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 214
E
Campfire Member
Offline
Campfire Member
E
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 214
I’d use a 12 gr cork in a 300 whisper if forced to do so. That way there’d be no wounded animal. Seriously 125 gun bullet at 2k FPS? Guessing here, I used to own one. Not saying it wouldn’t work in some situations but the animal deserves better. Seems a stunt at best. I do know I hunted many years with handguns and they can kill above their energy. I hit a whitetail in the ribs at 25 yards with a 7mm T/CU. It was a decent buck and a 125 gr Balistic Tip at 2k FPS. Lost that animal after a loooong track. Best guess it blew up on a rib and only got one lung. Was out of a TC 14” Contender

Shawn

IC B2

Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,636
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,636
Originally Posted by TracksWapiti
Curious to know if anyone else has experience hunting elk at close range with the 300 blk.



Doubtful anyone here does.

It’s less powerful than a 30-30.

I’d rather hunt with a 243 than a 300 BLK.


Originally Posted by shrapnel
I probably hit more elk with a pickup than you have with a rifle.


Originally Posted by JohnBurns
I have yet to see anyone claim Leupold has never had to fix an optic. I know I have sent a few back. 2 MK 6s, a VX-6, and 3 VX-111s.
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 10,847
M
Campfire Outfitter
Online Content
Campfire Outfitter
M
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 10,847
Not much to say that hasn’t already been said! 🫢 memtb


You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel

“I’d like to be a good rifleman…..but, I prefer to be a good hunter”! memtb 2024
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 3,028
Z
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
Z
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 3,028
Man, I love the 300 Blackout and the TAC-TX bullets through them, but that's really pushing the envelope for game that large. 😬 I've squeezed 2250-2300fps with the 110s from a 16" barrel, but in both the rifles I've had they shoot better at the more sedate 1950-2000fps range.

You're basically talking 25-35/25 Rem level ballistics. As with those cartridges, it can and has been done, but there are a lot better tools for the job out there.

Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,791
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,791
Will a 120 grain bullet from a 300 Blk kill an elk? Yes, but only if everything goes right.

Would I hunt elk with that rifle and bullet? NO!! I have too much respect for an elk.


SAVE 200 ELK, KILL A WOLF

NRA Endowment Life Member

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 9,468
B
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
B
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 9,468
Stupid idea.

IC B3

Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 1,954
T
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
T
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 1,954
Originally Posted by BWalker
Stupid idea.
I agree. Years ago I did it as an youngster with the 300 Whisper. Stupid practice. Very stupid and I should've had my head examined.

Otherwise I've used 30-30 up close and the old 30-40 in the woods but these are a good step up but I should've never taken 300 Whisper after elk. Today I'm older and my light tackle is 270win and 308win.

Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,636
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,636
Originally Posted by BWalker
Stupid idea.


To the point. I like your style.


Originally Posted by shrapnel
I probably hit more elk with a pickup than you have with a rifle.


Originally Posted by JohnBurns
I have yet to see anyone claim Leupold has never had to fix an optic. I know I have sent a few back. 2 MK 6s, a VX-6, and 3 VX-111s.
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 43
Campfire Greenhorn
OP Offline
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 43
Thanks for the feedback, fellas. Sounds like more opinions than experience in this case. The only reason I'm going down this road is because 300 blk with modern solid copper 120gr bullets retain 100% of their weight and penetrate the same as 30-30 Win with 170gr CoreLokt (which has killed a pile of elk in the timber).

I'm hunting with a suppressor that is 8.4" long, so barrel length is the main concern here. My 300 blk has a 16" barrel and my 308 has an 18" barrel. Plus 308 seems overkill at 25 yards, considering I've killed elk at 500 yards with similar cartridge.

How is 300 blk any different than elk guides who carry a 243 Win and 100gr Partitions that only have 60% weight retention? The 120gr TAC-TX gets 20-25" penetration in gel at ranges that I will be shooting at.

Not to mention this 300 blk load meets the CPW regs just like the 243 Win ("you must use a rifle that fires expanding bullets with a minimum caliber of .24 cal. or 6mm, a minimum weight of 85 grains that delivers at least 1,000 ft. lbs. of energy at 100 yards")

Last edited by TracksWapiti; 10/07/22.
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 10,847
M
Campfire Outfitter
Online Content
Campfire Outfitter
M
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 10,847
Originally Posted by TracksWapiti
Thanks for the feedback, fellas. Sounds like more opinions than experience in this case. The only reason I'm going down this road is because 300 blk with modern solid copper 120gr bullets retain 100% of their weight and penetrate the same as 30-30 Win with 170gr CoreLokt (which has killed a pile of elk in the timber).

I'm hunting with a suppressor that is 8.4" long, so barrel length is the main concern here. My 300 blk has a 16" barrel and my 308 has an 18" barrel. Plus 308 seems overkill at 25 yards, considering I've killed elk at 500 yards with similar cartridge.

How is 300 blk any different than elk guides who carry a 243 Win and 100gr Partitions that only have 60% weight retention? The 120gr TAC-TX gets 20-25" penetration in gel at ranges that I will be shooting at.

Not to mention this 300 blk load meets the CPW regs just like the 243 Win ("you must use a rifle that fires expanding bullets with a minimum caliber of .24 cal. or 6mm, a minimum weight of 85 grains that delivers at least 1,000 ft. lbs. of energy at 100 yards")

And…..exactly how familiar are you with hunting/killing elk?

If you have the slightest of a moral compass, you attempt to take game animals as cleanly and humanly as possible…..not fuel an ego trip! memtb


You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel

“I’d like to be a good rifleman…..but, I prefer to be a good hunter”! memtb 2024
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 214
E
Campfire Member
Offline
Campfire Member
E
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 214
The closest experience I have was a 7mm T/cu with a 120 gr NBT at 30 yards on a large whitetail buck broadside. I had good lung blood for a while then it dwindled to small spots. I believe I hit a rib and didn't get penetration to both lungs. Never recovered the buck. This was from a 14" Contender with a scope and is very accurate with that load. We tracked the deer for a very long way before we lost all blood. If you know you can do it' why ask an internet forum for others experience? You had to know the answers you would get. The mono bullet will help if you get the expansion you need. I would still feel better with the 30-30 170 gr but I have no elk experience with that either. I did kill a bull with a 230 gn 54 cal round ball at 110 yards.

Shawn

Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 15,457
N
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
N
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 15,457
I haven’t looked but is it legal to hunt there with a suppressor?

Personally, I wouldn’t even think about it.


NRA Life,Endowment,Patron or Benefactor since '72.
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,102
U
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
U
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,102
1. The question was totally stupid to begin with. There are any number of rifles better suited for Elk that weigh less than a Ruger American in 300 B/O.

2. Anyone who can hunt with a suppressor and does not is crazy as a pet coon.

Just another pot stirring post with no redemptive value.


Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you're always afraid
Step out of line, the man come and take you away
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,390
T
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
T
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,390
Originally Posted by TracksWapiti
Thanks for the feedback, fellas. Sounds like more opinions than experience in this case. The only reason I'm going down this road is because 300 blk with modern solid copper 120gr bullets retain 100% of their weight and penetrate the same as 30-30 Win with 170gr CoreLokt (which has killed a pile of elk in the timber).

I'm hunting with a suppressor that is 8.4" long, so barrel length is the main concern here. My 300 blk has a 16" barrel and my 308 has an 18" barrel. Plus 308 seems overkill at 25 yards, considering I've killed elk at 500 yards with similar cartridge.

How is 300 blk any different than elk guides who carry a 243 Win and 100gr Partitions that only have 60% weight retention? The 120gr TAC-TX gets 20-25" penetration in gel at ranges that I will be shooting at.

Not to mention this 300 blk load meets the CPW regs just like the 243 Win ("you must use a rifle that fires expanding bullets with a minimum caliber of .24 cal. or 6mm, a minimum weight of 85 grains that delivers at least 1,000 ft. lbs. of energy at 100 yards")


The reason very few people have experience shooting elk with 300 BLK is fairly obvious. Even on deer and pigs it's an acceptable, but marginal cartridge, especially out of an 8" barrel. My 9" AAC barely gets 2100 fps with a 110 TTSX. Wounding is narrow. The 110 gr V-max is a much better killer, though it usually won't exit. Between myself and my hunting crew down here we've dropped 100+ does and pigs with that caliber (though if you want split hairs, none with the 120 TTSX, only the 110gr version) and most of us drifted back into larger calibers.

I've run 30 cal 180 grain bonded bullets into elk at 2100 fps (600+ yards). The bullet barely made it through the near side shoulder. If you think there's a magic difference between a 120 TTSX and a 180gr bonded nosler at the same speed, you're going to be disappointed.

A 243 partition of any weight blows a huge frag cloud ahead of it *as long as it's going fast enough*. All bullets are dependent on speed for disproportionate to caliber wounding, but mono bullets are really dependent.

Both are poor choices for your intended purpose.

Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 18,942
M
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
M
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 18,942
A well-placed shot at under 100 yards should do the trick.....eventually.

But, before the elk expires, he will have too much time to run down into some god-forsaken hell hole you will have to find him in, and get him out of.

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 44,707
M
Campfire 'Bwana
Online Content
Campfire 'Bwana
M
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 44,707
Originally Posted by Elkbelch
The closest experience I have was a 7mm T/cu with a 120 gr NBT at 30 yards on a large whitetail buck broadside. I had good lung blood for a while then it dwindled to small spots. I believe I hit a rib and didn't get penetration to both lungs. Never recovered the buck. This was from a 14" Contender with a scope and is very accurate with that load. We tracked the deer for a very long way before we lost all blood. If you know you can do it' why ask an internet forum for others experience? You had to know the answers you would get. The mono bullet will help if you get the expansion you need. I would still feel better with the 30-30 170 gr but I have no elk experience with that either. I did kill a bull with a 230 gn 54 cal round ball at 110 yards.

Shawn

That may not be the case. The 120 grain 7mm Ballistic Tip is actually a pretty stiff bullet. Given the small cartridge and relatively short barrel the impact velocity may have been short of what it takes to dramatically upset that bullet on a pure lung shot.

Page 1 of 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Moderated by  RickBin 

Link Copied to Clipboard
YB23

Who's Online Now
757 members (007FJ, 10gaugemag, 1beaver_shooter, 10ring1, 160user, 10gaugeman, 85 invisible), 2,942 guests, and 1,241 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums81
Topics1,187,704
Posts18,400,075
Members73,820
Most Online11,491
Jul 7th, 2023


 







Fish & Game Departments | Solunar Tables | Mission Statement | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA
Hunting | Fishing | Camping | Backpacking | Reloading | Campfire Forums | Gear Shop
Copyright © 2000-2024 24hourcampfire.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5
(Release build 20201027)
Responsive Width:

PHP: 7.3.33 Page Time: 0.198s Queries: 15 (0.003s) Memory: 0.9080 MB (Peak: 1.0577 MB) Data Comp: Zlib Server Time: 2024-03-29 00:49:32 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS