sierra bullets on elk?

[duckmen1]

I love the accuracy i get out of my 300wsm with 165 grain gamekings but have been told they won't work well on elk because if you hit a bone they will explode at close ranges. Will these bullets work fine on elk? also thought about trying the pro hunter bullets, would those be a good choice for elk? i just don't want to hit a elk shoulder and not get enough penetration to bring one down
love to here past experiences
thanks for any advice

[Bob33]

I grew up hunting with Pro Hunters out of mild 3006 handloads.  I didnt know they wouldnt kill an elk until I grew up and got educated.  Funny this is, the elk didnt know they weren't supposed to die either.

There are better bullets, and Sierras would not be my first choice today.

[carpsniperg2]

Yeah they will work on elk. Any bullet will work with a good lung shot. That being said there is a lot better choice out there. Just liked bob stated in his post. I would play with some other bullets and see what they do. You could find some that shoot even better then the gamekings.

[duckmen1]

I've played with a few so far and those were the best shooting bullets I've shot. With the Gameking bullets trying different powder charges had a 1/2 inch group and the rest averaged 3/4 inch at 100 yards.

[Bob33]

Remember that unlike smaller animals elk are pretty big targets.  I would favor bullet performance over accuracy.  1.5" or even 2" groups at 100 yards will work just fine at reasonable distances.  The only thing that touches an elk is less than 1/2 ounce of metal.  Make it count.

[duckmen1]

i do agree bob about choosing the right bullet and making it count
it is hard for me to afford the high prices of some of the Noslers and Barnes bullets but i want the right bullet for elk.
My favorites would be the accubonds and partitions. My problem with the accubonds are they shoot like crap out of my gun with different powders and weight bullets, and the partitions are so outragiously priced.
I also thought about trying sciroccos.

[CplRaines]

I have killed a few elk with Speer Grand Slams.

[Curly]

I have killed a few elk with Speer Grand Slams.

Grand Slams are reasonably priced and should do as well or better than the partition.

[Bob33]

If everything but Sierras "shot like crap" I would use them, but I would be very surprised if that is the case.  Dont give up yet.  And remember that once you find a load your gun likes, spending $3 per year on ammo to kill an elk is a bargain.  Plus you still have 19 years of ammo left.

[duckmen1]

i don't buy factory loads i reload. i do a lot of shooting and this is a newer gun so its just getting warmed up. Berger vld hunting bullets shot great out of the gun also with the best load shooting between 1/2 to 3/4 inch groups. I have played with target competition bullets shooting good also. i haven't . given up, for i have just begun.
that is as far as i have got with this gun.

[CplRaines]

I have reloaded several different grains - .30 cal and .338 cal of Speer grand slams
I have also loaded their Spitzer boattails.
I prefer the grand slams for knockdown.
If I was only shooting at paper, I would stick with the Spitzers.

[bobcat]

Since you are a reloader, I would get some 168 grain Barnes and give them a try. I bet the accuracy will be more than good enough for elk.

[duckmen1]

if i was to try the barnes bullets i would go with the triple shock hollow points. have always liked those bullets

[CplRaines]

Since you are a reloader, I would get some 168 grain Barnes and give them a try. I bet the accuracy will be more than good enough for elk.

I have been eyeballing those. I like what they say they do.
But I am reluctant to change from something that hasn't failed me. 

[high country]

Here is a pair of elk scapulas laying together after having a little 142sierra mk shoved through them at an impact velo around 2k. The elk never took a step. Skinned it weighed 450ish pounds, so it was a full sized critter.


 

Shoot straight and hold into the wind.