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Mr. Hill · September 14, 2017, 10:02 AM

It likes 165 grain rounds, but I just can't find any suitable for elk around here, and when I look at ballistics, the difference between 165 and 180 is negligible, at least as far as my shooting ability is concerned. The rifle seems to shoot 180 grain rounds as well as the 165's. It doesn't like 150 grain rounds.

The bonded lesson involved using a very accurate cup and core non-bonded deer round on a bull elk. It keyholed on the exit, leaving on a narrow slit in the far side of the hide. Had that round hit a rib on entry or exit, I don't think it would have penetrated much, if at all. Elk are tough. Penetration trumps accuracy. Somebody here tried to explain that to me before I went on the hunt, but I didn't listen, and I'm lucky to have hit the running bull with a follow up shot before he reached the timber he was sprinting toward.

September 14, 2017, 10:02 AM	#7
Mr. Hill Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2015 Posts: 384	It likes 165 grain rounds, but I just can't find any suitable for elk around here, and when I look at ballistics, the difference between 165 and 180 is negligible, at least as far as my shooting ability is concerned. The rifle seems to shoot 180 grain rounds as well as the 165's. It doesn't like 150 grain rounds. The bonded lesson involved using a very accurate cup and core non-bonded deer round on a bull elk. It keyholed on the exit, leaving on a narrow slit in the far side of the hide. Had that round hit a rib on entry or exit, I don't think it would have penetrated much, if at all. Elk are tough. Penetration trumps accuracy. Somebody here tried to explain that to me before I went on the hunt, but I didn't listen, and I'm lucky to have hit the running bull with a follow up shot before he reached the timber he was sprinting toward. Last edited by Mr. Hill; September 14, 2017 at 10:09 AM.