bullet choice conundrum for elk

tahunua001 · October 31, 2013, 05:44 PM

hello all. with elk season right around the corner my hunting partners just sprang on me that we will be avoiding the uber-long range shots and rough terrain in favor of shot range hunting through clear cuts. so now my weapon of choice has changed from 300 wtby mag to a short 8mm carbine with iron sights. my two bullets of choice are a 210gr soft point of unknown origins and a 205gr hornady spire point.

1. some crude expansion/penetration tests show both with about the same penetration. the 210 grain sheds it's jacket but the lead portion retains a large portion of it's weight although it does not mushroom per say, it just becomes a mass of lead. the 205 grain however has a very thick jacket which has a perfect mushroom profile but most of the lead sloughs away throughout the wound channel.

2. the 210 seems to be most accurate but both are still well within minute of elk at 100 yards. the 205 tends to hit higher than the 210 but that's easily accounted for.

elkman06 · October 31, 2013, 08:04 PM

The elk don't care....ded is ded....

I personally kill em w/ 150 grainers but even w/ a normal bullet like a horn spire point, they don't open when real close. They perform best at about 150-300.

W/ you choices, I would choose the biggest hunk o lead..

elman06

TMW89 · October 31, 2013, 08:31 PM

I'd have to say, whatever bullet you can get on the mark best is the one you want. Its all about placement IMO

chewie146 · October 31, 2013, 09:49 PM

How high is your scope power on the 300? IF it's down at 3 power or lower, take it. IF you're looking for a reason to take the iron sights out, use either bullet. Beauty doesn't matter with a bullet that big. A 175 grain core going through an elk is still a lot of lead going through an elk. They're big, but not bullet proof. I've killed elk with .270s, .308s, and .30-06 with 130 grain, 150 grain, and 180 grain bullets respectively. Most are with the -06. Mushrooms are for pizzas and catalog photos. No cup and core bullet looks like those Remington photos after going through a shoulder.

tahunua001 · October 31, 2013, 10:21 PM

keep in mind that most of those 175 grainers are also travelling about 400-600 FPS faster than these. my 300 is a 4-12x scope and it'll be in thick woods and old clear cuts, target acquisition would be faster with irons. I'm sure either or would make a decent close range elk load but the differences in how each one behaves is what has me vexed... in the end I'll probably end up flipping a coin but I was hoping to get some perspective.

FrankenMauser · October 31, 2013, 11:36 PM

I would prefer the bullet that expands and stays together, over one that sheds its jacket or doesn't expand.

October 31, 2013, 05:44 PM	#1
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,839	bullet choice conundrum for elk hello all. with elk season right around the corner my hunting partners just sprang on me that we will be avoiding the uber-long range shots and rough terrain in favor of shot range hunting through clear cuts. so now my weapon of choice has changed from 300 wtby mag to a short 8mm carbine with iron sights. my two bullets of choice are a 210gr soft point of unknown origins and a 205gr hornady spire point. 1. some crude expansion/penetration tests show both with about the same penetration. the 210 grain sheds it's jacket but the lead portion retains a large portion of it's weight although it does not mushroom per say, it just becomes a mass of lead. the 205 grain however has a very thick jacket which has a perfect mushroom profile but most of the lead sloughs away throughout the wound channel. 2. the 210 seems to be most accurate but both are still well within minute of elk at 100 yards. the 205 tends to hit higher than the 210 but that's easily accounted for. __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin Last edited by tahunua001; November 1, 2013 at 10:33 AM.

October 31, 2013, 08:04 PM	#2
elkman06 Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2006 Location: Wyoming Posts: 885	The elk don't care....ded is ded.... I personally kill em w/ 150 grainers but even w/ a normal bullet like a horn spire point, they don't open when real close. They perform best at about 150-300. W/ you choices, I would choose the biggest hunk o lead.. elman06 __________________ "The right of the citizens to bear arms in the defense of themselves and of the state shall not be denied." Wyoming Constitution Article 1, Sec24 "Better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6"

October 31, 2013, 08:31 PM	#3
TMW89 Senior Member Join Date: March 3, 2013 Location: MI Posts: 185	I'd have to say, whatever bullet you can get on the mark best is the one you want. Its all about placement IMO __________________ Springfield XDM9C Savage Mark II F .22 H&R ultra slug hunter 20 ga 1942 Mosin Nagant "Natalia"

October 31, 2013, 10:21 PM	#5
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,839	keep in mind that most of those 175 grainers are also travelling about 400-600 FPS faster than these. my 300 is a 4-12x scope and it'll be in thick woods and old clear cuts, target acquisition would be faster with irons. I'm sure either or would make a decent close range elk load but the differences in how each one behaves is what has me vexed... in the end I'll probably end up flipping a coin but I was hoping to get some perspective. __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

October 31, 2013, 11:36 PM	#6
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	I would prefer the bullet that expands and stays together, over one that sheds its jacket or doesn't expand. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

October 31, 2013, 09:49 PM	#4
chewie146 Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2010 Location: New Mexico Posts: 853	How high is your scope power on the 300? IF it's down at 3 power or lower, take it. IF you're looking for a reason to take the iron sights out, use either bullet. Beauty doesn't matter with a bullet that big. A 175 grain core going through an elk is still a lot of lead going through an elk. They're big, but not bullet proof. I've killed elk with .270s, .308s, and .30-06 with 130 grain, 150 grain, and 180 grain bullets respectively. Most are with the -06. Mushrooms are for pizzas and catalog photos. No cup and core bullet looks like those Remington photos after going through a shoulder.