02-18-2023, 12:12 AM
I know numerus people that their favorite hog bullet for years with their 223 was the 75gr a-Max and say the 75gr ELDM is good also. In my 22-243 I like the Swift 75gr Sirocco for hogs and deer they flat work and I am stepping that out a lot faster than you will with a 223. The more I increase speed the tougher bullet I want for penetration to a point but I still want reliable expansion and penetration
There is something to be said about long high sectional density bullets killing outside their weight class, look at our beloved 6.5 diameter and the reputation the old 6.5X54 MS got with not high BC bullets but long for caliber bullets.
I have only used larger cartridges for elk the smallest being the 6.5-284 and it worked well, the others were 7mmSTW, 257 WBY, 300 WBY, and 350 Remington Magnum.
Seer sized game with over 30 different cartridges from 17 cal 25gr bullet 45, 55, 60, 64, 70 and 75gr .224 cal bullets, 85 to 105gr .244 bullet, 100 to 120gr .257 cal bullets, 100t to 160gr 6.5s, 140 and 140 gr .277 dia, 120 to 175gr 7mms, 110 to 180gr .308s 180gr .338, 125 to 180gr .357s and 200 and 225gr .358s, 200 and 250 gr .375s, 225 to 300gr .429s, 230gr .452, 300 to 500gr .458s plus 45cal lead balls and 50cal maxi balls from muzzle loaders. Something in common with all those shoot them in the heart and lungs and expect a dead animal pretty quickly. (exception being the 17 cal one deer in the head. To say over the years this rifle nut has drawn a few conclusions might be right.
The high sectional density goes back IMO to cup and core bullet days and the longer and heavier for caliber the more effective they tend to be on larger critters, not talking taking apart a gopher but deer size and larger critters. For years general thinking was with say the 30-06 150 is fine for deer but go to elk go at least 180gr more bullet for deeper penetration that lead to John Nosler creating the Partition bullet when it failed on a mud caked bull moose in Alaska.
As I have stated here before If I were a resident and had more than an expensive out of state hunt for my elk hunts I would not hesitate to use my Grendel, however since that is not the case I will always be taking one of my larger rifles for that. I have them might as well use them
There is something to be said about long high sectional density bullets killing outside their weight class, look at our beloved 6.5 diameter and the reputation the old 6.5X54 MS got with not high BC bullets but long for caliber bullets.
I have only used larger cartridges for elk the smallest being the 6.5-284 and it worked well, the others were 7mmSTW, 257 WBY, 300 WBY, and 350 Remington Magnum.
Seer sized game with over 30 different cartridges from 17 cal 25gr bullet 45, 55, 60, 64, 70 and 75gr .224 cal bullets, 85 to 105gr .244 bullet, 100 to 120gr .257 cal bullets, 100t to 160gr 6.5s, 140 and 140 gr .277 dia, 120 to 175gr 7mms, 110 to 180gr .308s 180gr .338, 125 to 180gr .357s and 200 and 225gr .358s, 200 and 250 gr .375s, 225 to 300gr .429s, 230gr .452, 300 to 500gr .458s plus 45cal lead balls and 50cal maxi balls from muzzle loaders. Something in common with all those shoot them in the heart and lungs and expect a dead animal pretty quickly. (exception being the 17 cal one deer in the head. To say over the years this rifle nut has drawn a few conclusions might be right.
The high sectional density goes back IMO to cup and core bullet days and the longer and heavier for caliber the more effective they tend to be on larger critters, not talking taking apart a gopher but deer size and larger critters. For years general thinking was with say the 30-06 150 is fine for deer but go to elk go at least 180gr more bullet for deeper penetration that lead to John Nosler creating the Partition bullet when it failed on a mud caked bull moose in Alaska.
As I have stated here before If I were a resident and had more than an expensive out of state hunt for my elk hunts I would not hesitate to use my Grendel, however since that is not the case I will always be taking one of my larger rifles for that. I have them might as well use them