Doc
Member
I am taking my Savage 110 elk hunting.
What commercial cartridges can you recommend from previous experience?
What commercial cartridges can you recommend from previous experience?
30-06 elk cartridge
- Thread starter Doc
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I have taken one elk with an '06. I used a Winchester Supreme 180 grain. It uses some premium bullet, but I can't remember which one for sure, but I am about 90% sure it is a Nosler Partition. I fired two rounds. The elk was at a dead run at about 75 yards. I shot, but it kept going but was obviously hurt. It came to a little hill and couldn't make it; it was trying to claw it's way up. I didn't want to see it suffer, so I shot it through the back of the neck, right through the spine. I didn't recover either bullet but both penetrated through and through and appeared to have expanded as advertised. I was really proud of myself. Both shots were from a pretty much text book kneeling position. The first shot hit it behind the front shoulder, but slightly farther back that I would have wanted, the second shot was right on the money. I can't see how you could expect any more from a big game bullet.
Doc
Member
perfect! thanks!
i figured 180 gn. I am befuddled by the plethora of bullets
available on production cartridges in the stores
-- too many choices -- bummer
i would rather hear from THR folks, whose opinions I favor
over the gun store employees
(whose recommendations can sometimes be
kind of like getting "health advice" at the health food store
rather than the doctor...)
i figured 180 gn. I am befuddled by the plethora of bullets
available on production cartridges in the stores
-- too many choices -- bummer
i would rather hear from THR folks, whose opinions I favor
over the gun store employees
(whose recommendations can sometimes be
kind of like getting "health advice" at the health food store
rather than the doctor...)
Doc
Member
black hills, good suggestion
thanks
Doc
thanks
Doc
If I was buying off the shelf?
Federal Premium 165gr game king (thats a sierra spitzer boat tail bullet) gives you almost 168match grade ballistics, and a better punch at 300 yards than the 180 (If you have to shoot that far)
I use Remington 180 gr Bronze points for years, but after having a BP fail on an antelope I decided to go back to a traditional lead and copper bullet.
Barnes x bullets are fantastic, but they can be pricey.
Federal Premium 165gr game king (thats a sierra spitzer boat tail bullet) gives you almost 168match grade ballistics, and a better punch at 300 yards than the 180 (If you have to shoot that far)
I use Remington 180 gr Bronze points for years, but after having a BP fail on an antelope I decided to go back to a traditional lead and copper bullet.
Barnes x bullets are fantastic, but they can be pricey.
stevelyn
Member
I use the Federal Premium High Energy load w/ 180gr Nosler Partition. It pushes the .30-06 into magnum territory and you can't go wrong with the Partition. They whack critters hard. I shot a moose with it last year that dropped in his tracks.
Going after another one in oh say.......27 days and counting.
Going after another one in oh say.......27 days and counting.
Hemicuda
member
What 444 said... I have used Winchester Supremes in the 180 grain loading
with great success on Colorado Elk... (5 trips, 5 dead aminals), and I shoot a Savage 110E in 30-06 - it works well for me!
with great success on Colorado Elk... (5 trips, 5 dead aminals), and I shoot a Savage 110E in 30-06 - it works well for me!
nextjoe
Member
I haven't hunted elk yet, but I would choose either a Nosler Partition, Barnes X, or Winchester Fail Safe, based on their reputations for toughness and deep penetration.
Best,
Joe
Best,
Joe
I took a cow elk last fall, my first, with .30-06 Federal Premium High Energy 165 grain. Next time, however, I will use cheap Remington Core-Bond 165 gr. rounds, just because they are cheaper and just as accurate (.75 MOA three-round groups), not because there is anything wrong with the Federal ammo.
Man, I really love the old '06. It surely must be God's gift to hunters.
DAL
Man, I really love the old '06. It surely must be God's gift to hunters.
DAL
Gunsmokehigh
Member
Doc: I have hunted whitetails with my .30-06 for 29 years and I have to agree with the recommendation Dr. Rob gave you.
Most years I kill at least 3 deer; sometimes 4 (the limit) sometimes 2.
I have tested Winchester, Hornady, S&B, Remington and Federal in various bullets and weights.
In my gun the best grouping cartridge is
Federal Premium 165 grain Sierra GameKing boat-tail bullets.
The .30-06 is a great hunting round. I have never failed to recover a deer shot with this gun. I did shoot some of the deer more than once--but better take'm down while you can than to not recover your deer and wonder where that first shot hit for the rest of your life.
This is especially true of ELK. Nine times out of ten, that 2nd shot will be unnecessary; but ELK are tough and can run a loooooooooong way, even when fatally hit---so if he is still standing---shoot him again. You will never be sorry to find an elk with 2 holes in him. You might be very sorry to not find an elk with one hole in him.
Last year the 165 grain GameKing went right through an 8-point and demolished his heart and lungs. Broke a doe's neck--completely--severed the whole spinal column and actually disconnected and rearranged it like she had been hit with a running chainsaw.
I would have every confidence that the GameKing is sturdy enough for elk. But you will need to test it in your gun to see how it shoots from a first-shot cold barrel and how it shoots in a fouled barrel.
I am fortunate that my point of impact for a cold barrel is almost the same as the fouled barrel. Rifles do vary in this regard. Shoot and see.
Most years I kill at least 3 deer; sometimes 4 (the limit) sometimes 2.
I have tested Winchester, Hornady, S&B, Remington and Federal in various bullets and weights.
In my gun the best grouping cartridge is
Federal Premium 165 grain Sierra GameKing boat-tail bullets.
The .30-06 is a great hunting round. I have never failed to recover a deer shot with this gun. I did shoot some of the deer more than once--but better take'm down while you can than to not recover your deer and wonder where that first shot hit for the rest of your life.
This is especially true of ELK. Nine times out of ten, that 2nd shot will be unnecessary; but ELK are tough and can run a loooooooooong way, even when fatally hit---so if he is still standing---shoot him again. You will never be sorry to find an elk with 2 holes in him. You might be very sorry to not find an elk with one hole in him.
Last year the 165 grain GameKing went right through an 8-point and demolished his heart and lungs. Broke a doe's neck--completely--severed the whole spinal column and actually disconnected and rearranged it like she had been hit with a running chainsaw.
I would have every confidence that the GameKing is sturdy enough for elk. But you will need to test it in your gun to see how it shoots from a first-shot cold barrel and how it shoots in a fouled barrel.
I am fortunate that my point of impact for a cold barrel is almost the same as the fouled barrel. Rifles do vary in this regard. Shoot and see.
Doc
Member
Gunsmoke:
Yep! Hunting isn't golf. If they are standing, SHOOT 'EM AGAIN!
You get more hunting for you dollar and less walking/stallking
Doc
Yep! Hunting isn't golf. If they are standing, SHOOT 'EM AGAIN!
You get more hunting for you dollar and less walking/stallking
Doc
Gunsmokehigh
Member
Doc: I forgot to mention that Federal also loads those Premium Sierra GameKings in 180 grain for .30-06. If your gun likes the heavier bullets, that is even better for elk.
Although for the best of both trajectory and retained energy--the 165 grain is hard to beat; and certainly sufficient for elk.
It depends on:
1. What does your gun like best.
2. How far a shot are you willing to take.
If you are not going to be shooting over 250 yards, either bullet is fine if you sight it in about 2" high at 100 yds. Of course you will want to shoot a few targets at 200 and 250 to see what your drop really is so that you will know exactly what you can and can't get away with at that range.
Wish I could go with ya', I applied for an elk permit in Arkansas, but only a few lucky folks got them.
Although for the best of both trajectory and retained energy--the 165 grain is hard to beat; and certainly sufficient for elk.
It depends on:
1. What does your gun like best.
2. How far a shot are you willing to take.
If you are not going to be shooting over 250 yards, either bullet is fine if you sight it in about 2" high at 100 yds. Of course you will want to shoot a few targets at 200 and 250 to see what your drop really is so that you will know exactly what you can and can't get away with at that range.
Wish I could go with ya', I applied for an elk permit in Arkansas, but only a few lucky folks got them.
Doc
Member
thx to everyone
got some winchester, black hills & federal premium all in 180gn
i already had some 180 cor-lokt non-turbo,
just need a couple hundred yards to see what my savage likes best
now, anyone out in THR land have such a piece they might loan me
for a couple hours?
Doc
got some winchester, black hills & federal premium all in 180gn
i already had some 180 cor-lokt non-turbo,
just need a couple hundred yards to see what my savage likes best
now, anyone out in THR land have such a piece they might loan me
for a couple hours?
Doc
nextjoe
Member
Doc,
I see you're just across the river from me. I'm in Riverview and work in Trenton. As you know, we have a serious lack of ranges in the area, but I've been told the new state range at Island Lake (?) is a very nice facility. I've been meaning to check it out.
Best,
Joe
I see you're just across the river from me. I'm in Riverview and work in Trenton. As you know, we have a serious lack of ranges in the area, but I've been told the new state range at Island Lake (?) is a very nice facility. I've been meaning to check it out.
Best,
Joe
Doc
Member
is island lake in Brighton?
there was a new range in Kensington, but they are taking
A LOT of flack from the yuppie locals. I doubt the DNR will
be able to stand up to the pressure.
There is a new indoor range opening on Racho Road,
just North of Pennsylvania Road, but handguns only.
I understand there is a gun club in Monroe, but have
been unable to get anyone to answer the phone
(if that was the correct number i was given).
You know I am VERY tempted to shoot clays off the end of the dock
into the trenton channel! I spoke with the GIPD who told
me I would be unmollested, unless there was significant boat traffic.
I would love to meet a sympathetic gun owner/hunter/farmer/landowner
with suitable acreage anywhere between you and me, and Toledo (or
Jackson for that matter!)
there was a new range in Kensington, but they are taking
A LOT of flack from the yuppie locals. I doubt the DNR will
be able to stand up to the pressure.
There is a new indoor range opening on Racho Road,
just North of Pennsylvania Road, but handguns only.
I understand there is a gun club in Monroe, but have
been unable to get anyone to answer the phone
(if that was the correct number i was given).
You know I am VERY tempted to shoot clays off the end of the dock
into the trenton channel! I spoke with the GIPD who told
me I would be unmollested, unless there was significant boat traffic.
I would love to meet a sympathetic gun owner/hunter/farmer/landowner
with suitable acreage anywhere between you and me, and Toledo (or
Jackson for that matter!)
nextjoe
Member
I'm not sure where Island Lake is, it was mentioned to me on another forum. I guess the DNR website might have some info.
Thanks for the info about the new range opening on Racho Road, I didn't know about that. I normally shoot handguns at Wolverine on Dix/Toledo just off of 75.
There are, I think, two gun clubs in Monroe; one's mostly shotgunners and the other has better rifle facilities. Last I checked, there were waitlists for both of them.
My aunt lives on Grosse Ile, and I'm there at least once a week. I can't imagine NOT catching a lot of flack from those yuppies for shooting from the island.
BTW, did you know Bud Asher? He was my FFL and lived on the island. Died earlier this year. Good guy.
Best,
Joe
Thanks for the info about the new range opening on Racho Road, I didn't know about that. I normally shoot handguns at Wolverine on Dix/Toledo just off of 75.
There are, I think, two gun clubs in Monroe; one's mostly shotgunners and the other has better rifle facilities. Last I checked, there were waitlists for both of them.
My aunt lives on Grosse Ile, and I'm there at least once a week. I can't imagine NOT catching a lot of flack from those yuppies for shooting from the island.
BTW, did you know Bud Asher? He was my FFL and lived on the island. Died earlier this year. Good guy.
Best,
Joe
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