Cow elk hunt ammo question.

[Planetcat]

My son got drawn for a junior cow elk hunt at Grizzly Island in August. Because it's a DFG hunt, it's copper bullets only. I'm lending him my .308, and got some Sellier & Belloit 180 grain Exergy non-lead and CA-approved ammo. Assuming that it sights in adequately, has anyone shot this ammo and have any feedback? Normally, I would just shoot Federal trophy copper, Barnes, or Hornady GMX, but I'm not thrilled with the accuracy of them in 165 gr. and would prefer a heavier bullet for an elk. My Browning likes 180 gr. lead, and I know that the non-lead bullets will be larger in size for the same grains as lead. Just wondering what the collective thinks about having him use this S&B ammo. The few reviews out on the interweb about it were positive.

 

[JaegerMeister]

Hi Planetcat,

I was wondering the same thing. Wife shoots a 30/06, traditionally shooting 150gr for deer. But for the elk hunt, I ended up ordering her 3 boxes of Barnes Copper 180gr. I figured that would do the trick. Haven't had an opportunity to sight in at the range yet, but I'll post our results when that happens. Best of luck to you and your son! Getting close!

Chris

 

[RoosterKiller]

I see about an inch difference between my lead and copper at 100yards. I'm shooting a 30-06 180 gr. I have not shoot it past 100 yards.

 

[slowpoke]

Hopefully they shoot well, but if they don't I wouldn't hesitate dropping down to 150 grn all copper and seeing how they shoot. I've shot 2 bull elk (rocky mountain) with the 165 grn 30 caliber TTSX with great results

 

[Calif_Mike]

They can be fickle as some guns don't seem to like them but tinker until you find what works. As Slowpoke said, don't be afraid to step down in weight. Since you don't shed weight, even using a 130 gr copper, you would be ahead of a 180 gr lead bullet in terms of retained weight.

 

[Horseshoer25]

For a tule elk cow use anything copper you would for deer they aren't that big.

 

[Mr. Luckypants]

180grn in 308 doesn't equate to more energy. It is velocity and weight of the bullet yielding maximum energy. For copper, I wouldn't go more than 150grns.

 

[ltdann]

I've killed Tule elk with 30-06 150 grn E-tips, no problems with that bullet weight.