planning an elk hunt

KEN K · June 13, 2007, 12:28 PM

I've decided to elk hunt at least once while I can still walk. I've killed plenty of deer but was wondering about bullet choice for elk since they are 4 times larger. I plan to hunt with my jap 7.7 174 gr, bullet that I hand load. I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on soft point vs. hollow point, the hollow pt. is a boat tail and should give me better trajectory and speed at 300 yds. , but how well will it penetrate say in the shoulder at that range. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Scorch · June 13, 2007, 02:40 PM

I would say use the soft point. A quality 174 gr bullet at about 2,300 fps should penetrate fine and give you a clean kill within 200 yds, 300 may be a stretch. I doubt that the cartridge with that heavy of a bullet would be unsuitable.

Wayfaring_Stranger · June 13, 2007, 03:35 PM

I dunno the ballistics on your rifle but the generall rule for elk is 1500 ft/lbs KE on target. Sounds to me like 300 yards might be a bit long for that rifle. Also the toughest bullet is the best, HP's are probably not a good idea.

cdrt · June 13, 2007, 07:34 PM

You really need to use a soft point bullet and not a HP boattail. The HP will shed it's jacket and not give you the impact you're looking for.

I gave a lift one time to a hunter who got lost, who just happened to write articles for Handloader magazine. He used the Nosler partition bullet as his benchmark whenever he was comparing bullets/loads/etc. and since we were both elk hunting at the time, what he said made sense as far as bullet type.

crowbeaner · June 13, 2007, 09:49 PM

Stick with the softpoint, as it will expand and reasonably stay together. The HP may separate at close range without giving the utmost in penetration, something of great importance on a 900 lb. bull. Always use more than enough gun.

Jack O'Conner · June 18, 2007, 05:14 PM

Majestic World Lodge in the Allegheny Mts. of Pennsylvania offers good elk hunts for less than $3,000.00. It's a high fence operation but the animals are not tame. They even offer a discounted hunt for "promo bulls" which are an un-intentional cross between European red stag and North American elk.

The Lodge is very comfortable, food and beds most excellent. The hunting is not high exertion but I recommend hunting with an open-sighted lever action carbine or big revolver to make it more challenging. Archers are welcome, too.

Contrast this to a drafty tent and older cot. Snow squalls in the Bighorn Mts. of Wyoming just add to the misery. Plan to spend a whole lot for a 6 day pack-in wilderness hunt and return home feeling exhausted.

I've not hunted at this Lodge but spent an enjoyable weekend relaxing with my wife. We stalked a herd of elk (un-armed). Their fallow deer are equally fun to stalk and photograph.

Jack

June 13, 2007, 12:28 PM	#1
KEN K Senior Member Join Date: October 7, 2006 Location: mid west Georgia Posts: 102	planning an elk hunt I've decided to elk hunt at least once while I can still walk. I've killed plenty of deer but was wondering about bullet choice for elk since they are 4 times larger. I plan to hunt with my jap 7.7 174 gr, bullet that I hand load. I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on soft point vs. hollow point, the hollow pt. is a boat tail and should give me better trajectory and speed at 300 yds. , but how well will it penetrate say in the shoulder at that range. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Last edited by KEN K; June 13, 2007 at 12:32 PM. Reason: spelling

June 13, 2007, 02:40 PM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	I would say use the soft point. A quality 174 gr bullet at about 2,300 fps should penetrate fine and give you a clean kill within 200 yds, 300 may be a stretch. I doubt that the cartridge with that heavy of a bullet would be unsuitable. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

June 13, 2007, 07:34 PM	#4
cdrt Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2007 Location: The Lone Star State Posts: 255	You really need to use a soft point bullet and not a HP boattail. The HP will shed it's jacket and not give you the impact you're looking for. I gave a lift one time to a hunter who got lost, who just happened to write articles for Handloader magazine. He used the Nosler partition bullet as his benchmark whenever he was comparing bullets/loads/etc. and since we were both elk hunting at the time, what he said made sense as far as bullet type. __________________ Navy Vet, SWIFT Boat OIC, Distinguished Pistol Shot #1399 USS JOHN S. MCCAIN (DDG-36)

June 18, 2007, 05:14 PM	#6
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	Majestic World Lodge in the Allegheny Mts. of Pennsylvania offers good elk hunts for less than $3,000.00. It's a high fence operation but the animals are not tame. They even offer a discounted hunt for "promo bulls" which are an un-intentional cross between European red stag and North American elk. The Lodge is very comfortable, food and beds most excellent. The hunting is not high exertion but I recommend hunting with an open-sighted lever action carbine or big revolver to make it more challenging. Archers are welcome, too. Contrast this to a drafty tent and older cot. Snow squalls in the Bighorn Mts. of Wyoming just add to the misery. Plan to spend a whole lot for a 6 day pack-in wilderness hunt and return home feeling exhausted. I've not hunted at this Lodge but spent an enjoyable weekend relaxing with my wife. We stalked a herd of elk (un-armed). Their fallow deer are equally fun to stalk and photograph. Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

June 13, 2007, 03:35 PM	#3
Wayfaring_Stranger Member Join Date: May 29, 2007 Location: North Idaho Posts: 64	I dunno the ballistics on your rifle but the generall rule for elk is 1500 ft/lbs KE on target. Sounds to me like 300 yards might be a bit long for that rifle. Also the toughest bullet is the best, HP's are probably not a good idea.

June 13, 2007, 09:49 PM	#5
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	Stick with the softpoint, as it will expand and reasonably stay together. The HP may separate at close range without giving the utmost in penetration, something of great importance on a 900 lb. bull. Always use more than enough gun.