Is a 220 grain .30-06 bullet to much for bull elk?

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Originally Posted by In God We Trust

I have hunted elk a long time and I would say 220 is way overkill.

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There is no such thing as overkill.

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Originally Posted by NDHunter

Shoot an elk broadside through both lungs with anything bigger than a .243 and it is going to kill it. Shoot an elk through the guts with a .300 and you are going to have a tough time getting it.

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You're not always going to get that perfect broadside shot; which is why I'm now using a 338 Ultra. Even in an extreme quartering away shot, I can punch an elk through the guts and that 250 gr. NAB will still have enough steam to destroy the vitals.

I would not ever shoot an animal through the guts and hope for a kill!

220 will limit more than help.. Kind of like hooking a cow trailer up to a 'vette. It's all about energy and velocity has a lot to do with that equation.

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Originally Posted by In God We Trust

I would not ever shoot an animal through the guts and hope for a kill!

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You don't have to hope when you know what you're equipment is capable of.

I load nothing but the Nosler 165 gr. Accubond or Partition in my 30-06 and they are both great bullets that I feel would work just fine for your elk hunt. I would chose a good 165 or 180 and then shoot which bullet shoots the best in my particular rifle. Good luck on your hunt!
David

My .338 Mag is shooting 185gr Hornady's at 3,000+ FPS so I think 220 out of an 06 is a bit much.

I shoot 150 gr. barnesXBT's in my model 70 30.06....it loves them, my model 700 won't group
with them. It likes heavier bullets. I loaded-up some 200 gr. accubonds for it..it likes those and 180's.
I agree with Mike Eastman, use what you're familiar with. Those 220's aren't those round nose corelokts
are they? I never liked the performance of the early corelokt's, they come apart. I guess with the modern
high performance bullets we have to choose from nowadays...we're spoiled.

Yeah, the 220 grains are round-nosed because more weight has to be added without making the bullet longer because it would screw up the caliber. The 150's are the most pointed, 165's very pointed, 180's are still very pointed, and the 220's are pretty round which doesn't help them at all balistically. I think 180's or 165's are the right choice.

220 gr. is fine, but you won't have the range...180 gr. is the best choice for Elk.....