FrogFire7
Well-Known Member
Hi guys, here is my situation.
I'm from PA, and am planning to go west next fall for elk (first time). I have hunted whitetails for 20 years, and dabble in long range target and varmint shooting. I am a good shot under ideal conditions but have very little wind experience so that's a major limiting factor for me right now.
I ended up buying a savage lightweight rifle in 7mm-08, and was planning on using the 139 gmx Superformance factory ammo. I typically reload everything I have, but the Superformance is giving me 2900 fps so I may just stick with that for as little as I will shoot it (few shots for white tail a year).
My thought was that the GMX is supposed to expand reliably down to 2000 fps, and never come apart. My max range would be 500 yards based on impact velocity, but unless I do a lot more practice in the wind this year, my personal limit would probably be more like 300 if conditions weren't ideal.
I also see Hornady is making a 150 gmx now, not sure if the extra mass would offset the velocity difference. I guess seeing some of the recent threads on caliber size and bone penetration have me wondering if my rifle is capable at the ranges mentioned.
So, does anybody have experience with this bullet performance on elk? If possible, it would be nice to know if shots hit bone, what your range/velocity was, was the bullet recovered, etc.
I guess I'm not opposed to a different bullet either for the 7mm-08. I obviously have no elk experience but with the smaller caliber and slower velocity my thoughts are that penetration is paramount more than exploding a bullet in the vitals, school me if I'm wrong though, I'm an elk newb.
Again, personal or first hand experience with this caliber is preferred, but any gmx experience is welcome, as is experience with 7mm-08 on elk, with details.
I'm from PA, and am planning to go west next fall for elk (first time). I have hunted whitetails for 20 years, and dabble in long range target and varmint shooting. I am a good shot under ideal conditions but have very little wind experience so that's a major limiting factor for me right now.
I ended up buying a savage lightweight rifle in 7mm-08, and was planning on using the 139 gmx Superformance factory ammo. I typically reload everything I have, but the Superformance is giving me 2900 fps so I may just stick with that for as little as I will shoot it (few shots for white tail a year).
My thought was that the GMX is supposed to expand reliably down to 2000 fps, and never come apart. My max range would be 500 yards based on impact velocity, but unless I do a lot more practice in the wind this year, my personal limit would probably be more like 300 if conditions weren't ideal.
I also see Hornady is making a 150 gmx now, not sure if the extra mass would offset the velocity difference. I guess seeing some of the recent threads on caliber size and bone penetration have me wondering if my rifle is capable at the ranges mentioned.
So, does anybody have experience with this bullet performance on elk? If possible, it would be nice to know if shots hit bone, what your range/velocity was, was the bullet recovered, etc.
I guess I'm not opposed to a different bullet either for the 7mm-08. I obviously have no elk experience but with the smaller caliber and slower velocity my thoughts are that penetration is paramount more than exploding a bullet in the vitals, school me if I'm wrong though, I'm an elk newb.
Again, personal or first hand experience with this caliber is preferred, but any gmx experience is welcome, as is experience with 7mm-08 on elk, with details.
I guess I'm just looking for reassurance from people who have used this combination (or others, but specifically in this caliber and velocity range) and how they have fared, especially if heavy bone was encountered. I do appreciate the kind words 
