Experience using Remington Core-Lokt 165 GR PSP in .30-06 for Elk

[cambutton]

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone has used Remington Core-Lokt 165 GR PSP in .30-06 to harvest an Elk. I am new to Elk hunting and on a recommendation from a hunter I sighted in my rifle with Hornady 165 GR interlock. I can buy the Remington for about $5-9 less so I am buying more of the Core-Lockt and I am going to adjust my scope to it. I was wondering if the consensus would be to stick with the Hornady. Thanks Cam

[Todd_ID]

It's been a long time....like 15 years....since I've shot an elk with a rifle.  When I did, it was with the 180 grain PSP from Remington in .30-06.  Never did I have any issues with them not working.  They'll break the heavy part of the shoulder and blow out the lungs, and that's all I could ask them to do if I happened to take a quartering-to shot.  I can't remember ever having an elk go more than a few yards after a shot.

I'm sure somebody on here has some experience with the 165 grain ones, though.

[ing]

I've killed one elk and numerous deer with 165 gr. core-lokts out of my Ruger 30-06.  Thats all I ever shot for years until I started buying more guns and reloading.  Personally I think that 165gr. 30 cal. bullets are the best ones, not too light, not too heavy.  Have you shot the Core-lokts yet? If so, are they grouping well?  I killed a buck last year using 150gr Interlocks out of my 325WSM, they worked great.  See wich ones shoot the best out of your gun and stick with em.

[Fish4Fun]

We have shot somewhere around 30+ elk in our camp in last 40 years. Bulls and cows shot mainly with either a .300 Win Mag or a 30-06, both guns had steady diets of factory 180 grain Remington Core-Lokts. In all of those elk, there was only one we had to blood trail to get, the rest were laying at the spot where they were shot. Same with deer, they were on the ground where they were shot.

If it were me, I would be looking at 180's instead of the 165's.

[halflife65]

I've shot 165 and 180 grain bullets out my Model 70 .30-06 and my gun "liked" the 180s better. I would shoot both to see which one does best for you and go with the heavier bullet if everything is equal.  Heavier bullets usually retain more downrange energy, so even if they drop more at long distances you whack 'em harder.  Of course, I also shot one with a .270 with 130 gr. Sierra bullet, too (somehow grabbed the wrong bullets going out the door at 3am.  Oh well, they worked.)

You can go to the following website to compare ballistics: http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/ballistics/

However, I think that it is best that you just shoot some of each and see which one performs better out of your gun.

[Slider]

I believe the Remington Core-Lokt bullet is a Hornady Interlock. They work very well on thin skinned animals. They are currently coming out with a Core-Lokt with a thicker jacket. It should be a dandy!!!

[GoldTip]

From age 13 to age 24, the only gun I owned was a remington 30-06.  It ate a steady diet of 180gr remington core lokts.  Never had a lost animal, deer, elk or bear with them.

[C-Money]

If your gun shoots the Hornadys well I would stick with 'em. I have killed many deer and one elk with a 150gr interlock handload thre my 30-06. Great preformance. Remington core-loks are fine, shoot what your gun likes!

[cambutton]

Thanks for the input. I was concerned that the Core-Lokt bullet was substandard.  No I have not gone to the range and tried the Remington Rounds yet.  If they group ( need more range time to lean to use an optic and an adjustable trigger ) I will have to look at trying a 180 GR load. Thanks for all the help, Cam

[finnman]

Ask PA Ben how the Core-lokt bullet did on his moose hunt last year!!!

I personally would only shoot them for deer