Elk Caliber for wife...

[mtmander]

best rifle , shot placement with a good bullet

There are many choices , I use a .270win with Nosler Partition 130 grain bullets

 

[Dan O]

I've been looking the loading tables over regarding the 7-08. It appears bullets in the 140 grain range are a good balance of velocity and energy with a good trajectory. You need a bullet that will hold together and have had some great examples from Barnes and Nosler. Bullet placement is very important with all calibers. With marginal bullets in any caliber and a poor hit you will have failures. If you want to stay with the 7mm try a 280 or a 280 Ackley Improved.
Dan

 

[1_pointer]

I'm surprised at the results you had considering the 162gr HSM ammo is loaded with a Hornady Interlock. Thought maybe it was the Amax, but it's not listed on their site, just the BTSP Interlock.

Go to a tougher bullet, like those suggested, and I bet you won't have any problems. IIRC, Buzz shot a cow at over 700yds last year with his 7-08 and only needed one shot.

 

[Brad]

My 2014 Bull I took with a 7-08... 150 Ballistic Tip. Bullet entered mid-abdomen and traveled 32" of elk, punching through the off-shoulder scapula, and was under the hide. Frankly, I've never been a fan of Hdy Interlock's, and have always felt the new generation of ballistic tips (not the varmint variety) are a fair bit tougher. Having said that, my favorite bullet remains the good old Partition. A high BC means little to nothing inside 500 yards...

 

[VAspeedgoat]

More of the same as everyone else. Try an accubond, partition, or some sort of copper bullet. Buzz would be a good one to ask, thats what his wife took her elk with this year I think. Don't blame you for the frustration but there is too much support for this caliber for it not to be reliable. Good luck.

 

[Duck-Slayer]

my wife use's a .270 w/ 140 SST's going about 3000 fps hand loads, as said before, try some other bullets and find what works for that gun.....
Matt

 

[shoots-straight]

I would say that the 162 grain bullet robbed to much velocity from the load. The bullet IMO is too big for that caliber. Stay lighter and go with a hotter load.

 

[HighDesertSage]

120 TTSX will hammer the elk. I killed a cow this year with one shot from a 130gr TTSX at 379. I would try that before parting with the rifle.

 

[SofaKing]

My wife shoots a .300 wsm with 130 gr Barnes TTSX at just over 3400 fps and has shot an elk the last several years with good results.

 

[shootbrownelk]

Keep the rifle and get better bullets. I have killed elk with the 7mm-08 and 140 partitions and 120 TTSX's. It is my favorite elk caliber and has never failed me.

I'll second that recommendation on using the Barnes TTSX in 120 gr. or a Hornady GMX. You can go light for caliber with a copper/alloy bullet. They retain most of their weight when and if recovered. I go with 150 TTSX in my 30.06. Never had one fail yet, like others have said, it's not the caliber it's the bullet.