Next fall I'll be going on a cow elk cull hunt. My shots will be 200yds or less, 150 average. I'll take two rifles.I have a 7x57 and 280. I shoot 150gn Partitions in both @ 2700fps and 2900fps respectively. I'm considering loading 160gn Partitions or 164gn Hornady Interlocks. Would you change or go with the 150s? Captdavid

I'd stick with the 150 Partitions. No cow nor big bull will know the difference.

I've killed elk with my .280 Rem., Remington Model 725, using the 160 grains Partition. Been loading those for many years. If I'd started with 150 grains Partition, I'm sure they'd have worked as well.

My neighbor kills elk with his 7x57mm using the 140 grains Nosler Partition. He pus them right down on the ground.

Accurate shooting will work with any of those you mentioned.

Good luck on your hunt.

L.W.

I used a 150 gr. Remington core lokt out of a 7x57 on a quartering away shot on a bull at about 150yds. Worked very well. A 150 partition should be more then capable out of either gun.

You'll be fine with 150s. I've killed nilgai cows and bulls with 140s from both the 7x57 and the 280.

150 Ballisitc Tip worked well out of my 7-08 on a particularly nice, older 6pt bull... I would think anything you've mentioned would work well. 150 NP for the 7x57 and 160 NP for the 280 would be my first choices.

Although I used 160's in my 7mm rM for 20+ years, I've been shooting 140's for the last several years. LAst elk I shot with the 7mm RM was at 400 yards with a 140g. It exited on a broadside.

When I take my .280 out, it gets 140's as well. You should be fine with 150's.

All the elk I've killed - and its not a bunch compared to some here on the fire, but they have all dropped dead from a well placed 140 grain lowly Core-Lokt out of my KS .280. It shoots them well and for me they work just fine!!

You have a good recipe, I wouldn't change a thing.

I would not change a thing.

If you and your rifle shoot the 150 gr partitions well, why change? That is more than enough.

donsm70

I'd stay right where you are.

I had a 7X57 years ago and I used 160 gr Nosler Partitions.
It was all you could ask for.

It aint broke so don't fix it.

capt
I have a lot of the Hornady's if you want to buy some. I switched to the AB. Much better performance on game. Nothing beats a PT,

Capt,

I find it very interesting that you are seeking information on 220 grain bullets for deer in your 30-06 and comparing 150/160 grain .284 caliber bullets for elk.

I asked a simple question. I'm glad you're interested in my posts. If you would care to read all my posts and not pay attention to all the extemporaneous b.s. I think you will understand that I'm trying to find a 220gn bullet that is not tough and will open on lighter game. I don't see why people find that so hard to understand. Captdavid

I've killed a crap load of them with my 280 and 140 gr TTSX and even the old X bullets. has never ever been a problem. I've killed them anywhere from 25 yards to just over 400. I carry my .280 for cow elk far more than I do my .300 wby or .338 mag and have never wished I'd had one of the bigger guns. Honestly I should probably sell everything I own other than my .280 but the wife would just spend it on shoes.

""It's not how hard you hit 'em, it's where you hit 'em." The 30-06 will, with the right bullet, successfully take any game animal in North America up to 300yds.

If you are a hunter, and farther than that, get closer!"

Your sig line above is equally true for the .280 and 7x57.

That said, it is not always possible to get closer. My last two elk were taken at a lasered 487 and 411 yards respectfully. There was no opportunity to get closer, just a chance to make a decision of taking the shot that was offered or going home to tag soup.

I would not hesitate to use either one. My grandson took a big cow elk last November at a little over 300 yards with his Mom's 7mm-08 and a 120 BT: one shot, pass-through.

The one and only bull elk I've ever killed was with a 150 gr Partition at 320 yds with a 7mm wsm. Performance could not have been better. It'll work great in either cartridge you're looking to use, especially at the ranges you are expecting.

I don't think a better combination exists than a 280 & 150 Partition.

Yep!

I find it very interesting why you find it so hard to understand...

Doubt that the outcome would change due to any of those bullets or those two calibers..

Whatever shot the best, accuracy-wise, could make a measurable difference...

If the Partitions are accurate loads, I would use them without a second thought.

I would focus on what to do after you shoot. Big cooler, portable deep freeze, sawzall, etc.

I hope the 150's Partition in a 7x57 will do the job cause that's what the wife will be shooting this fall in Montana.

If you have any mental doubts about 150NP penetration , I would load the .280 with 175NP.

Like almost everyone else, I'd suggest you stick with your tried and true recipe. Nothing wrong with NP 150's. But if you think extra bullet weight will be an advantage ( with the same bullet construction and you did mention distances under 200 yds) I'd go to 175 gr. bullets. At moderate range on Elk, heavier bullets are a little bit better in my opinion. Doubt if you'd notice any difference between 150's and 160's though.

Use the 150's and go kill a cow elk.

CD

My wife killed her first and only elk with a 7X57 and 160 partition approx 200 yds. Ran about 15'. She also killed a large black bear with the same load at 30 YDS or so. 1 shot.

Lefty C

Federal has been loading the 280 with the 150 NP for years... i gotta believe it has been used by 280 shooters on a lot of elk...

150gr Bullets from .280 will probably bounce off an elks hide ..

lol

No need to change anything.

That's very true. That is why I use the Nosler 160 grains Partition in my .280 Remington to kill elk.

L.W.

😀
I sold my 340Wby some ago and a 300 Wby just recently. While I really liked those two and particularly the 340 for elk, my next elk hunt
Will be with my 284 which puts those 140 TTSX's in less than a MOA at 400 yds with R17.