Looking for ammo advice

[wyododge]

Hey guys, Just came over from DTR.

Just bought myself a savage model 110 in 7mm mag. I do not reload, although I am working towards that, so I am wondering if you guys have any suggestions for a good factory load for elk. I was able to get a box of remington 175gr core lock. I don't have much of a choice in this little town, but will be in billings this weekend at the new Cabellas. I figure they should have just about anything you guys suggest.

Thanks for your suggestions and info!!!

Jeff

[Fronty Owner]

cant help you much, I bought one box of 150 gr core lokt and thought "Dang, $20!" so I started reloading.

I usually load Sierra Gameking in 150 gr for local white tail. Elk, your on the right line by going as heavy as you can. I would go with something the rifle shoots consistantly and avoid anything with a ballistic tip for now. I find the ballistic tip to have a bit too much expansion and too little penetration. Good varmint round tho.

btw, if you bought the savage package, the scope is ok, but not the greatest. mine tends to walk around if it rides in the back of the truck too mcuh...

[wyododge]

cant help you much, I bought one box of 150 gr core lokt and thought "Dang, $20!" so I started reloading.

I usually load Sierra Gameking in 150 gr for local white tail. Elk, your on the right line by going as heavy as you can. I would go with something the rifle shoots consistantly and avoid anything with a ballistic tip for now. I find the ballistic tip to have a bit too much expansion and too little penetration. Good varmint round tho.

btw, if you bought the savage package, the scope is ok, but not the greatest. mine tends to walk around if it rides in the back of the truck too mcuh...

Thanks Front,

I REALLLY want to start reloading. Looks like it is pretty technical which is the ind of thing that I love to do. Kind of surprising about the ballistic tip, I would have thought that would have increased the penetration. I gues I had the wrong thinking on that one. The core locks I have have a lead tip, still okay???? or should I get something else.

I don't want to seem paranoid, it's just the place I have my tag in is a very difficult location to hunt and I don't expect a lot of opportunity and the ones I get I don't want to muck up!!!!

[Fronty Owner]

the ballistic tip seems to act as a wedge that expands the bullet faster than a hallow point would expand. Lead tip will give you good pentration and pass thru unless you hit both shoulders or the spine.
I would go with the core lokt or preferably the Federal Accubond, Hornady Partition tip, or if you really want to get spendy, the Nosler Custom Spitzer Partitons ($60/box).
The partition tip uses a heavier copper jacket and a two part lead core so as the tip expands, the copper doesn't strip away from the lead.
The accubond uses a polymer tip, but I think its a harder tip than a ballistic tip so it controls expansion.

[wyododge]

Not sure if I will be able to find the Federal round here, but I will keep an eye out for it. Looks like this season I will have to go with the Remington. Once I get to realoading, the Hornady and the Nosler look very good. Lots of guys speak very well of them. A buddy of mine told me that remington brass was really good. And if I am going to buy factory loads, I should stick to it just for the brass. Any truth to that, or is it all pretty close (premium rounds that is).

[Fronty Owner]

If you have time to order, www.midwayusa.com has all the ammo I mentioned above...

[wyododge]

If you have time to order, www.midwayusa.com has all the ammo I mentioned above...

Very cool website Fronty. Spent allot of time there already. I am going next week, but I think I am going to get some ordered just the same.

Oh ya BTW a box of 175 gr core lokt is 32 bucks here!!!!

I have got to find some primers!!!!!

[soulezoo]

32 bucks sounds cheap to me... 300 weatherby at 60-85 for 20...

The 175 core lokt will get the job done on the elk, but is a better mule deer round.

For elk, the rule of thumb is the heaviest bullet in the caliber you can get, with the stoutest bullet you can get... elk bone is quite heavy and will shatter lesser made bullets leaving a wounded animal you can't catch. Also, elk are quite thick, especially with quartering shots, so you need the heavy bullet, that will remain intact, to provide proper penetration.

You have a very good elk caliber, the 175's are a good weight for 7mm, the bullets of choice are the partition and accubond mentioned above along with barnes X, fail-safe and a few others as well. Bullet construction has come a long way in the last 35 years I've been shooting anyway. I've handloaded and used the partition for years with good results in different calibers but it is not as inherently accurate as say the Barnes... the difference is probably not going to matter enough to you in anycase.