7MM-08, max range for deer/elk?

[17remhunter]

A 7mm-08 will kill an elk a heck of a lot further than most people should be shooting at them.

Funny, I was on the Forum LRH. Those guys are real touchy about any comment against shooting a animal at 1000 yards. I got ghosted because I made this comment “ If you only hit a 8” target at 700 yards two times out of five shots should you be shooting at 700 yards”. Seems like on this sight there are a lot more guys with common sense

 

[17remhunter]

H4350

 

[17remhunter]

The question isn’t how far a 7-08 will kill an elk the real question should be is how far can you hit a 8x8 inch target? Shooting off a bench doesn’t count. Out in the field when a solid rest might not be available. If 350 yards is your effective accurate range, that means all shots in the 8” target, then thats your maximum shooting distance. Velocity and energy are irrelevant

 

[USAF Ret]

The question isn’t how far a 7-08 will kill an elk the real question should be is how far can you hit a 8x8 inch target? Shooting off a bench doesn’t count. Out in the field when a solid rest might not be available. If 350 yards is your effective accurate range, that means all shots in the 8” target, then thats your maximum shooting distance. Velocity and energy are irrelevant

I think it also has to do with velocity at range and KE. If those are extremely low, you may not get proper penetration.

 

[17remhunter]

I think it also has to do with velocity at range and KE. If those are extremely low, you may not get proper penetration.

Absolutely!! You can do a ballistic calculation that will tell you that. 1500 lbs of energy for elk, assuming a good bullet and 1000 for deer, those are the guidelines It all works when you have appropriate bullet placement Without that velocity and K energy dont matter

 

[17remhunter]

Depends on the bullet. What would you use?

130 Scirooco 2

 

[2rocky]

Maintaining enough velocity at distance is going to be the limiting factor. According to a quick search 2000 fps is the cutoff for adequate expansion.
Since I shoot copper from Hornady, 400 yards is where the speed drops to 2076 with the 139 grain CX from their factory 7mm-08 Superformance offering.

A partition would be OK down to 1800 fps.

LRX bullets set that minimum to 1600 fps. (but i think the maximum is lowered as well..)