adequate elk bullet

[Brian Carlson]

I have a pre-64 Winchester Model 70 with a Shilen barrel chambered to 7mm Rem Mag. It shoots the Barnes 140 XBT with their blue coating very well (last group was to double check that it was zeroed at 275 yards and I shot a 1.6" group smack in the orange dot and have shot sub-5" groups at 500 yards). I have only taken one game animal with it- a deer in 1998 at 508 yards. Having shot at that range I knew I needed to go up 19 clicks on the scope to rezero for that range and I was able to get prone with my bipod and sling so was quite steady. Anyway the problem is that the gunsmith gave this barrel a very short chamber such that with the Barnes 140 XBT just touching the lands the overall cartridge length is only 3.19". Consequently a large portion of the bullet is in the case, taking up powder space. I have therefore not tried shooting any heavier/ longer bullets and my concern is that perhaps this bullet is on the light side for elk and big black bears (300+ pounds). With it shooting so well I am leery to have the throat lengthened. So my question is have any of you much experience taking elk with 7mm/140 grain bullets and if so how have they performed? The velocity out of the 27" barrel is 3330 fps. Thanks, Brian Carlson.

 

[Scott Evans]

I have not had the opportunity yet with big game; however, I did shoot a 145lbs white-tail this year with my 7mm mag. It was a 240 yard shot and the wound was massive. The animal went hooves up immediately. My angle was from the right of the animal and slightly behind (aprox 10%). I was also shooting from a kneeling position so the round was also slightly rising. The round impacted squarely on one of the ribs just behind the right shoulder (almost in the arm pit), traveled through the chest cavity, ripping off the top of the heart and exited through the shoulder bone on the left side. The exit wound was as large as my fist and severe enough that none of the meat on the left shoulder was salvageable. Others more qualified may disagree. However,I would feel confident with this round on big game out to 400 yards. Very impressive! (too much for white tail I think.)

I was using Remington “Premier Ballistic tip” 150 gr. Which, according to the manufacture has a velocity of 2367fps and energy of 1867 ft. lbs at 400yards.

I am fast becoming 7mm magie fan … nope … too late I love it.