Ive loaded the SPEER grand slams with a 215 fed primers over a stiff load of 60 grains (work up your rifle might not like that much)
H-4831sc
http://www.speer-bullets.com/ballistics ... aspx?id=57
for the one guy that used a 7MM rem mag, in our group, hes had excellent results, Id use the same load if I used a 7mm rem mag.
don,t worry about getting the highest potential velocity , just get a good accurate load and sight in at about 3.5" high at 100 then just remember your good holding center chest out to 330 plus yards,if the elks 330yards to 400 yards just place the horizontal cross hair on the shoulder top edge
laminate the chart and tape it to your stock then PRACTICE and get a sling and bi-pod
btw I got an email asking why I prefer the 200 grain speer in a 30/06 to the 175 grain 7mm mag for elk , well consider the two charts and keep in mind that while the 30/06 is a bit slower in velocity (about 2580fps with 200 grains vs 2760fps for the 7mm mag with a 175 grain) Id say 98% of the shots Ive ever seen made on elk were made at less than 300 yards, so check out the charts, in my opinion theres no huge advantage to using the 7mm rem mag , but hey if you feel like its better grab the rem mag Ive seen both used and I doubt any elk will really know the difference, but like I said theres several guys with 30/06 rem 7600 and BARs, BLRs in my group but only one guy uses a 7 mm rem mag, not that it matters because both cartridge and loads work fine in skilled hands
7mm rem mag
30/06 chart
http://www.speer-bullets.com/ballistics ... spx?id=103
now lets compare that to a 35 whelen 250 grain pushed at only 2500fps, 5 of the 9 guys in my elk camp own whelens and I load the same 250 grain speers for everyone, (keep in mind that 300 yard max use)and youll see why I prefer the whelen
I have zero doubt that theres guys with rifles that can throw a 175 grain bullet, or a 200 grain or a 250 grain in those calibers faster than what that charts says, Im just posting what my chronograph says the normal hand-loads we have used for years show, now it really doesn't make a great deal of difference because any extra velocity will slightly flatten the trajectory and make the bullet expand a bit faster but I doubt it will kill any better, especially when judged at ranges at or under 300 yards on elk and in 40 plus years I can only think of two elk and a few mule deer our groups killed at greater range , trust me a bit here! a 175 grain bullet from a 7mm mag won,t bounce off any elk in my experience at those listed velocities, even if your hand loads boost velocity 150fps I doubt any elk will notice
H-4831sc
http://www.speer-bullets.com/ballistics ... aspx?id=57
for the one guy that used a 7MM rem mag, in our group, hes had excellent results, Id use the same load if I used a 7mm rem mag.
don,t worry about getting the highest potential velocity , just get a good accurate load and sight in at about 3.5" high at 100 then just remember your good holding center chest out to 330 plus yards,if the elks 330yards to 400 yards just place the horizontal cross hair on the shoulder top edge
laminate the chart and tape it to your stock then PRACTICE and get a sling and bi-pod
btw I got an email asking why I prefer the 200 grain speer in a 30/06 to the 175 grain 7mm mag for elk , well consider the two charts and keep in mind that while the 30/06 is a bit slower in velocity (about 2580fps with 200 grains vs 2760fps for the 7mm mag with a 175 grain) Id say 98% of the shots Ive ever seen made on elk were made at less than 300 yards, so check out the charts, in my opinion theres no huge advantage to using the 7mm rem mag , but hey if you feel like its better grab the rem mag Ive seen both used and I doubt any elk will really know the difference, but like I said theres several guys with 30/06 rem 7600 and BARs, BLRs in my group but only one guy uses a 7 mm rem mag, not that it matters because both cartridge and loads work fine in skilled hands
7mm rem mag
30/06 chart
http://www.speer-bullets.com/ballistics ... spx?id=103
now lets compare that to a 35 whelen 250 grain pushed at only 2500fps, 5 of the 9 guys in my elk camp own whelens and I load the same 250 grain speers for everyone, (keep in mind that 300 yard max use)and youll see why I prefer the whelen
I have zero doubt that theres guys with rifles that can throw a 175 grain bullet, or a 200 grain or a 250 grain in those calibers faster than what that charts says, Im just posting what my chronograph says the normal hand-loads we have used for years show, now it really doesn't make a great deal of difference because any extra velocity will slightly flatten the trajectory and make the bullet expand a bit faster but I doubt it will kill any better, especially when judged at ranges at or under 300 yards on elk and in 40 plus years I can only think of two elk and a few mule deer our groups killed at greater range , trust me a bit here! a 175 grain bullet from a 7mm mag won,t bounce off any elk in my experience at those listed velocities, even if your hand loads boost velocity 150fps I doubt any elk will notice