30-06 Ammo Selection

[berdanscout]

Good afternoon folks...

I'm taking my dad on a second season elk hunt. He's decided on using Winchester 180 Grain PHP out of his 30-06.

Winchester Super-X Power Max Bonded Ammo 30-06 Springfield 180 Grain

He prefers to go for the shoulder shot on elk.... Is there any concern with doing that with this type of ammo? (Or any other concerns with using this brand/ make of ammo for an elk hunt) Max range he's comfortable with is 400yds.


thanks in advance.

regards

 

[HARPERC]

Use the search bar in the top right corner of the page, and enter why I don't shoulder shoot elk. There you'll find a good discussion of what your asking.

 

[berdanscout]

I've read that post before. Respectfully, it seems an equal amount of people are on either side of the fence as it pertains to shot placement preference...Some like it some dont. Personally, I prefer double lung/heart shots(aiming for the pocket)...but my dad prefers High shoulder. Given his preference, I'm curious as to the performance of this ammuntion on high shoulder shots.

Thanks for your input


regards

 

[HARPERC]

My input is on the side of not doing it with a .30 caliber 180 grain bullet. I've seen the Nosler 180 partition fail twice on that shot 1x on an old bull elk, the other on a moose. .300 Winchester magnum both times. Both were recovered due to follow up shots. The subject won't be less controversial a second time around. In this scenario bullet mass is your friend, if you're looking for reliability. It can happen, and it can fail.
That aside I wouldn't let it interfere with time in the field with your Dad.

 

[TimeOnTarget]

In all honesty, Id rather use a regular win PP than that new hollow point. If he is wanting to use a cheaper round, even look at a rem core lokt over that one.


I think all of the new rounds out lately at that price point are a gimmick and a game of keeping up with the jones's sort of speak.

 

[Derek M.]

Hunters are using Bergers in the shoulders all the time. For me, I load a 168 Barnes TSX and TTSX with Reloder 19 powder and H4350 (Reloder 19, by the way, is one of the most under utilized powders in the .06 even though it's one of the BEST). And That is what I'd use on an elk and I would always aim for shoulder.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

I have never been elk hunting, but when I do get the chance ,I am not wasting it on a shoulder shot! I have never shot any animal in the shoulder on purpose, as I pride myself on my tracking skills.

When I have made a shoulder shots on accident during drives, it has always been with a 12g inside 50 yards and needless to say, its a big hole!

 

[MTBULLET]

they will work fine on shoulder shot .

 

[berdanscout]

they will work fine on shoulder shot .

Thanks for your help.


regards

 

[Derek M.]

I'm sure you know this but elk are tough. No matter where the bullet hits the animal, if the hunt goes well, just keep shooting when the opportunity allows. Get as many shots in as you can after the first hit if you feel it's necessary.

 

[berdanscout]

I'm sure you know this but elk are tough. No matter where the bullet hits the animal, if the hunt goes well, just keep shooting when the opportunity allows. Get as many shots in as you can after the first hit if you feel it's necessary.

Coincidentally, my dad and i had this same discussion last night. If the hunt goes well, the consensus was to hit'em until he goes down and maybe even once more after that.....

It would kind of suck to be giving congratulations once its down and then have it be gone when we walk up to where it dropped.
lol

 

[Derek M.]

It would kind of suck....

I disagree. It would totally suck mud.

If your dad gets the chance I hope he pounds an elk square in the shoulder and drops it.

 

[berdanscout]

I disagree. It would totally suck mud.QUOTE]


Sounds like the voice of first hand experience.....What happened if you dont mind me asking?


regards

 

[Derek M.]

No experience with it here. You said it would "kind of suck." I was merely adding that it would suck a lot more! I've been very lucky. I've never hit an animal with a bullet that wasn't there or close when I walked up to its last known location at the time of the shot.