Post by: duckmen1 on February 26, 2012, 08:41:26 PM
love to here past experiences
thanks for any advice
Post by: Bob33 on February 26, 2012, 08:47:31 PM
There are better bullets, and Sierras would not be my first choice today.
Post by: carpsniperg2 on February 26, 2012, 08:50:19 PM
Post by: duckmen1 on February 26, 2012, 08:55:35 PM
Post by: Bob33 on February 26, 2012, 09:03:49 PM
Post by: duckmen1 on February 26, 2012, 09:09:29 PM
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.
Post by: CplRaines on February 26, 2012, 09:11:20 PM
Post by: Curly on February 26, 2012, 09:14:31 PM
I have killed a few elk with Speer Grand Slams.:yeah:
Grand Slams are reasonably priced and should do as well or better than the partition. :twocents:
Post by: Bob33 on February 26, 2012, 09:21:27 PM
Post by: duckmen1 on February 26, 2012, 09:29:07 PM
that is as far as i have got with this gun.
Post by: CplRaines on February 26, 2012, 09:36:54 PM
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.
Post by: bobcat on February 26, 2012, 09:37:09 PM
Post by: duckmen1 on February 26, 2012, 09:40:08 PM
Post by: CplRaines on February 26, 2012, 09:41:03 PM
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.
Post by: high country on February 26, 2012, 10:14:00 PM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi193.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fz16%2Fgyonemura%2FIMAG0004.jpg&hash=2a629d911c0441339baa1ba0dc28e714ac4f74bd)
Shoot straight and hold into the wind.
Post by: hillbilli on February 27, 2012, 07:10:42 AM
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on February 27, 2012, 07:14:45 AM
Post by: Bigshooter on February 27, 2012, 07:26:20 AM
Post by: bobcat on February 27, 2012, 07:38:04 AM
You DON'T have to shoot a premium bullets to kill an elk. More elk have been killed by soft lead core bullets than barnes unleaded bullets.
No, of course you don't, but why limit yourself to only taking perfect broadside shots?
Post by: spookgus on February 27, 2012, 08:04:49 AM
Post by: Bigshooter on February 27, 2012, 08:15:55 AM
You DON'T have to shoot a premium bullets to kill an elk. More elk have been killed by soft lead core bullets than barnes unleaded bullets.
No, of course you don't, but why limit yourself to only taking perfect broadside shots?
You don't need to wait for a broadside shot. I have seen plenty of soft lead bullets go through the shoulders of elk. Companies like barnes just want you to believe that lead won't go through and elks shoulder so they can get people to over pay for there bullets.
Post by: bobcat on February 27, 2012, 08:35:39 AM
You DON'T have to shoot a premium bullets to kill an elk. More elk have been killed by soft lead core bullets than barnes unleaded bullets.
No, of course you don't, but why limit yourself to only taking perfect broadside shots?
You don't need to wait for a broadside shot. I have seen plenty of soft lead bullets go through the shoulders of elk. Companies like barnes just want you to believe that lead won't go through and elks shoulder so they can get people to over pay for there bullets.
I like to know that I can take a "Texas heart shot" if I have to, and I would only try that with a Barnes, or similar, bullet. Also it's nice to have a bullet that doesn't leave lead shrapnel all through the meat, if you do hit it in the shoulder.
Post by: coachcw on February 27, 2012, 09:10:44 AM
Post by: high country on February 27, 2012, 09:17:34 AM
Post by: Bigshooter on February 27, 2012, 09:20:25 AM
You DON'T have to shoot a premium bullets to kill an elk. More elk have been killed by soft lead core bullets than barnes unleaded bullets.
No, of course you don't, but why limit yourself to only taking perfect broadside shots?
You don't need to wait for a broadside shot. I have seen plenty of soft lead bullets go through the shoulders of elk. Companies like barnes just want you to believe that lead won't go through and elks shoulder so they can get people to over pay for there bullets.
I like to know that I can take a "Texas heart shot" if I have to, and I would only try that with a Barnes, or similar, bullet. Also it's nice to have a bullet that doesn't leave lead shrapnel all through the meat, if you do hit it in the shoulder.
Why would you take a texas heart shot with only a barnes bullet? There are plenty of lead bullets that you can do that with. And as far a lead "shrapnel all through the meat". Don't eat the wound channel.
Post by: Bigshooter on February 27, 2012, 09:21:28 AM
the best thing the internet did for us was make all the old standbys obsolete. I wish I could count the critters that I have eaten that died from a single speer hot cor launched from my non magnum wearing a simple 3-9 scope
That's crazy talk. Speer hot cors have a lead cor. They can't kill anything. They won't break bone. And unless you make a perfect shot between the ribs they won't exit an elk.
Post by: Bob33 on February 27, 2012, 09:24:35 AM
I never used to pay much attention to that until I butchered an elk shot with a Nosler Partition two years ago. There was lead shrapnel in more places than you would imagine. I don't think it's a health risk, but it sort of made me a believer in monolithic bullets. To be honest, I think bullets that shed weight may kill a bit quicker, but I still prefer very high weight retaining bullets.You DON'T have to shoot a premium bullets to kill an elk. More elk have been killed by soft lead core bullets than barnes unleaded bullets.
No, of course you don't, but why limit yourself to only taking perfect broadside shots?
You don't need to wait for a broadside shot. I have seen plenty of soft lead bullets go through the shoulders of elk. Companies like barnes just want you to believe that lead won't go through and elks shoulder so they can get people to over pay for there bullets.
I like to know that I can take a "Texas heart shot" if I have to, and I would only try that with a Barnes, or similar, bullet. Also it's nice to have a bullet that doesn't leave lead shrapnel all through the meat, if you do hit it in the shoulder.
Post by: Bigshooter on February 27, 2012, 09:27:44 AM
I never used to pay much attention to that until I butchered an elk shot with a Nosler Partition two years ago. There was lead shrapnel in more places than you would imagine. I don't think it's a health risk, but it sort of made me a believer in monolithic bullets. To be honest, I think bullets that shed weight may kill a bit quicker, but I still prefer very high weight retaining bullets.You DON'T have to shoot a premium bullets to kill an elk. More elk have been killed by soft lead core bullets than barnes unleaded bullets.
No, of course you don't, but why limit yourself to only taking perfect broadside shots?
You don't need to wait for a broadside shot. I have seen plenty of soft lead bullets go through the shoulders of elk. Companies like barnes just want you to believe that lead won't go through and elks shoulder so they can get people to over pay for there bullets.
I like to know that I can take a "Texas heart shot" if I have to, and I would only try that with a Barnes, or similar, bullet. Also it's nice to have a bullet that doesn't leave lead shrapnel all through the meat, if you do hit it in the shoulder.
And that's your preference. And I'm fine with that. But to say that with lead bullets you have to make "perfect" shots is laughable at best. (and i'm not saying that you said that bob)
Post by: bobcat on February 27, 2012, 09:37:40 AM
And that's your preference. And I'm fine with that. But to say that with lead bullets you have to make "perfect" shots is laughable at best. (and i'm not saying that you said that bob)
Well hey, use what you like. I just like the extra "insurance" of a premium bullet. (I'm not sure what the downside might be, other than cost?)
This thread is in reference to a 300 WSM. If we were talking more in the range of a 30-30 to a 308 Winchester, then a tough bullet wouldn't be so critical. It's when you get into the higher velocity cartridges that it matters more.
Post by: Bob33 on February 27, 2012, 09:38:30 AM
Agreed on all counts. Bullets and calibers make for endless discussion, but it really they're both very small parts of success. I always get a laugh out of the posts that say "This blah blah blah caliber killed my elk "DRT" but if you use that other caliber they run off, every time!!!!" When that happens, those without manners do the right thing and reply accordingly: :liar:
Post by: yajsab on February 27, 2012, 06:12:11 PM
Post by: SI Eagle on February 27, 2012, 07:45:33 PM
Post by: crnbndr on February 27, 2012, 08:04:06 PM
Post by: C-Money on February 28, 2012, 03:43:31 PM
Post by: Curly on February 28, 2012, 05:55:17 PM
Wow! All this conversation about Sierra's not being a good bullet makes me laugh. I have been using them for years and they are very accurate and very deadly. The bullets do come apart and cause damage, thus killing game efficiently. I don't use anything else and have taken an elk at 620 yards in the mountains of Idaho w/ a Sierra Gameking out of my 300 win mag. First shot hit it a little high in front shoulders and it penetrated and dropped him like a rock. Spend all the money that you like but the Sierra is a fine, fine product and I certainly wouldn't be afraid to use it on the elk or on moose for that matter.
That is just the kind of bullet you'd want for shooting game at 620 yards. :tup:
Post by: Swatson on February 29, 2012, 11:16:58 AM
Post by: CplRaines on February 29, 2012, 01:13:18 PM
"Texas Heart Shot" Really? If the shot isn't there don't take it! Don't be an idiot and shoot an elk in the ass and hope you kill it!
Anyone at my camp that took that shot would no longer be a member.
I passed up that shot 2 yrs in a row now on bulls that would have been my biggest yet.
Post by: Bolt Action on February 29, 2012, 03:41:10 PM
Post by: coachcw on February 29, 2012, 04:29:50 PM
Post by: duckmen1 on March 03, 2012, 11:40:08 AM
i also bought 3 boxes of partition 165 at a good deal so we will see how they shoot.
Post by: bobcat on March 03, 2012, 05:25:56 PM
"Texas Heart Shot" Really? If the shot isn't there don't take it! Don't be an idiot and shoot an elk in the ass and hope you kill it!
Anyone at my camp that took that shot would no longer be a member.
I passed up that shot 2 yrs in a row now on bulls that would have been my biggest yet.
That's your choice and your loss. If you do it right, you can drop an elk on the spot and not ruin an ounce of meat. I used to think the same way but sometimes you gotta take what you can get. I wouldn't recommend it to new hunters, but if you know how to shoot and you know where to aim, it's just as good a shot as anything else.
Post by: Kowsrule30 on March 03, 2012, 06:36:30 PM
"Texas Heart Shot" Really? If the shot isn't there don't take it! Don't be an idiot and shoot an elk in the ass and hope you kill it!
Anyone at my camp that took that shot would no longer be a member.
I passed up that shot 2 yrs in a row now on bulls that would have been my biggest yet.
That's your choice and your loss. If you do it right, you can drop an elk on the spot and not ruin an ounce of meat. I used to think the same way but sometimes you gotta take what you can get. I wouldn't recommend it to new hunters, but if you know how to shoot and you know where to aim, it's just as good a shot as anything else.
If you have the right gun AND know how to shoot it imo.... I've dropped 3 deer this way.... Only one elk..... All with one shot.... Really just don't like the mess it makes for cleaning purposes... I've been in some archery camps where guys and one gal got scolded like a child stealing from a frontal shot on deer and elk.... I told them it was a better shot then some of their quartering away where somehow they hit a little far back and one elk was never found.... :twocents:
Post by: martin1 on March 03, 2012, 09:30:22 PM
Post by: Swatson on March 04, 2012, 10:05:40 AM
"Texas Heart Shot" Really? If the shot isn't there don't take it! Don't be an idiot and shoot an elk in the ass and hope you kill it!
Anyone at my camp that took that shot would no longer be a member.
I passed up that shot 2 yrs in a row now on bulls that would have been my biggest yet.
That's your choice and your loss. If you do it right, you can drop an elk on the spot and not ruin an ounce of meat. I used to think the same way but sometimes you gotta take what you can get. I wouldn't recommend it to new hunters, but if you know how to shoot and you know where to aim, it's just as good a shot as anything else.
If you take this kinda shot your a flat out idiot! Thats a good way to lose an animal and isnt worth the risk, sure it can kill and probably will but its a good way to lose an animal and not ever find it! Are you that trigger happy you can't wait for a better shot or maybe have to let it walk away? "I wouldn't recommend it to new hunters." What because you think you've hunted for a lot of years your some expert marksman? Has nothing to do with marksmanship, thats a bad shot period! Yes it is my choice and its this mentality that I dont rifle hunt anymore because of retards like this running around in the woods looking to throw some lead! People like you give the hunting community a bad name! Way to go :tup:
Post by: coachcw on March 04, 2012, 10:23:53 AM
Post by: bobcat on March 04, 2012, 11:12:07 AM
"Texas Heart Shot" Really? If the shot isn't there don't take it! Don't be an idiot and shoot an elk in the ass and hope you kill it!
Anyone at my camp that took that shot would no longer be a member.
I passed up that shot 2 yrs in a row now on bulls that would have been my biggest yet.
That's your choice and your loss. If you do it right, you can drop an elk on the spot and not ruin an ounce of meat. I used to think the same way but sometimes you gotta take what you can get. I wouldn't recommend it to new hunters, but if you know how to shoot and you know where to aim, it's just as good a shot as anything else.
If you take this kinda shot your a flat out idiot! Thats a good way to lose an animal and isnt worth the risk, sure it can kill and probably will but its a good way to lose an animal and not ever find it! Are you that trigger happy you can't wait for a better shot or maybe have to let it walk away? "I wouldn't recommend it to new hunters." What because you think you've hunted for a lot of years your some expert marksman? Has nothing to do with marksmanship, thats a bad shot period! Yes it is my choice and its this mentality that I dont rifle hunt anymore because of retards like this running around in the woods looking to throw some lead! People like you give the hunting community a bad name! Way to go :tup:
Like I said, if you don't agree with it, don't do it. I don't agree with shooting past 400 yards but a lot of people do. And if they practice enough and are 100% certain they can make the shot, then what's the problem? Giving the hunting community a bad name? I don't think so. Just the fact that we kill cute, innocent animals, is enough to give us all a bad name with a lot of people. These people really don't care where we shoot our animals.
Go ahead and think it's a bad shot to take. All I said is it will work. The only time I have ever done it is when I was taking a 2nd shot at an elk that I thought had been hit with the first shot, just before it went out of sight in the timber. Turns out the first shot was a clean miss. But the Texas heart shot did the job.
Post by: Swatson on March 04, 2012, 02:39:41 PM
Post by: bobcat on March 04, 2012, 04:12:53 PM
Its a bad shot and not a high probability shot. Its one thing if its a 2nd shot after thinking you've already hit with your first shot. Sorry if you got your feelings hurt but I have no better way to get my point across. Flat out, hands down, a stupid shot! Again if the shots not there, live to hunt another day. Don't force a shot because you got so excited!
All just your opinion, and you're welcome to it. Funny things is, I don't necessarily disagree. I don't make a habit out of shooting animals in the ass, but like I said, with the right bullet, it's an option. It's no more difficult to make a Texas heart shot than it is a head shot, and lots of people go for head shots. So I guess all I can say is if you've never tried it, then don't try to tell others that it won't work and that it's irresponsible.
Post by: buckhorn2 on March 04, 2012, 05:24:12 PM
Post by: grundy53 on March 04, 2012, 05:45:31 PM
"Texas Heart Shot" Really? If the shot isn't there don't take it! Don't be an idiot and shoot an elk in the ass and hope you kill it!
Anyone at my camp that took that shot would no longer be a member.
I passed up that shot 2 yrs in a row now on bulls that would have been my biggest yet.
That's your choice and your loss. If you do it right, you can drop an elk on the spot and not ruin an ounce of meat. I used to think the same way but sometimes you gotta take what you can get. I wouldn't recommend it to new hunters, but if you know how to shoot and you know where to aim, it's just as good a shot as anything else.
I totally agree.
Post by: grundy53 on March 04, 2012, 05:54:02 PM
Its a bad shot and not a high probability shot. Its one thing if its a 2nd shot after thinking you've already hit with your first shot. Sorry if you got your feelings hurt but I have no better way to get my point across. Flat out, hands down, a stupid shot! Again if the shots not there, live to hunt another day. Don't force a shot because you got so excited!
Not a high probabilty shot? have you ever studied the anatomy of an elk? a Texas heart shot presents you with the spine and several major arteries, not to mention the fact that you still have the heart, lungs, and liver. As far as a high probability of losing the animal. I would wager you have a higher chance of losing an animal that you miss your mark and hit in the guts. If you miss your mark on a Texas heart shot you are either going to bust it's femur (the bull isn't going anywhere) or maybe hit muscle. In which case the bull will probably live, unlike the gut shot one... Just my :twocents:.
Post by: buckhorn2 on March 04, 2012, 07:56:05 PM
Post by: Swatson on March 05, 2012, 08:52:52 AM
Since everyone is intitled to an opinion mine is to go along with texas heart shot if thats all you have to shoot at and I don;t think any elk is going to run away with that shot a lot better than hitting one amid ship when you were trying a moving shoulder shot. As for sierra game kings not working on elk I can show you over 40 branched antlered ones that it did work on shot placement or not. Do they work at long distance I would also in my opinion say yes really well out of my 338-378 using ii7 grains of powder and 250 sierra game kings my bullet of choice is nosler accubonds but have not lost any animals because sierras were poor bullets. I also have a 22 inch 9x7 whitetail that died this year from a texas heart shot don;t remember if I lost much meat but the horns sure look nice in my opinion.
Again, if the shots not there don't take it! That means at animals on the run too! I guess I have a different mentality than some of you! I'd rather not risk shooting and losing an animal than hoping to get lucky on a poor shot opportunity. With people that want to take a head shot at least with that shot if they connect it's going to put the animal down and if they miss its a clean miss. A little different with a big ole elk butt where you miss and you hit it in the hind quarter and it runs off and dies somewhere and you don't recover it. I'm so sick of finding dead critters in the woods that have been shot and lost. Yea you can sit here and talk about how "it can be done." I had a buddy that made a bad shot on a cow last year with his bow as he was trying to slip an arrow in behind the last rib as she was severely quartering away. Missed his mark and hit her in the hind quarter. he was so pissed at himself for trying to make that difficult shot. Fortunately it hit an artery and she didn't go but about 30 yards. Doesn't mean that's a good shot! If you have an elk thats facing away from you, why not wait for it to turn braod side. If the shot presents itself take it, if the elk blows up and you never get a shot, keep on hunting!
Post by: bobcat on March 05, 2012, 09:00:59 AM
With people that want to take a head shot at least with that shot if they connect it's going to put the animal down and if they miss its a clean miss.
Not true.
Post by: Swatson on March 05, 2012, 09:08:41 AM
Post by: bobcat on March 05, 2012, 09:17:14 AM
Furthermore, I'd guess you haven't been around long if you have never seen, or at least heard of, a deer or elk running around without its lower jaw, having been blown off by someone attempting a head shot.
Post by: grundy53 on March 05, 2012, 09:37:58 AM
Maybe what you're not realizing, is that a shot into the rear end of an animal is actually a heart/lung shot. The bullet just has further to go to get there.
Furthermore, I'd guess you haven't been around long if you have never seen, or at least heard of, a deer or elk running around without its lower jaw, having been blown off by someone attempting a head shot.
:yeah: and a magnum( or most larger caliber quality) bullet is different then an arrow...
Post by: Swatson on March 05, 2012, 10:50:42 AM
Post by: Worldhunter on March 05, 2012, 02:40:08 PM
Post by: SI Eagle on March 05, 2012, 06:46:31 PM
Post by: sakoshooter on March 07, 2012, 02:36:31 AM
My favorites are Swift Scirroco, Trophy Bonded Bear Claw and Barnes Tipped Triple Shock bullets.