Broz
WKR
I don't know what the deal has been with the 168 classic hunters out of my 7 mag this year! I shot or watched 5 sitka blacktails shot with them, one cow elk and one mule deer buck this year. All had very similar results. The bullets seemed to just zip right through everything leaving a good sized exit and every animal traveled a long distance and almost all took follow up shots. I can understand the elk as it was a low hit the first shot. But the damn sitka bucks were traveling 100+ yards and taking 2 shots a piece. My mule deer took the first shot quartering to at 250, went in behind the shoulder and exited out the hind quarter Leaving a huge exit, hunched up and limped 50 yards closer, I smoked him nearly face on with a slight angle through the shoulder on shot #2, and the third one was complete broadside when he finally tipped over.
Now I know there's all this debate on here about 7mm as a long range elk cartridge, but a 168 grain bullet going 2950 should crumple any deer with those angles. I think Im to try the VLD or ELDM next to see how a little more of an explosive round does.
Well I will get hate for this, but the truth is the truth. This is why there is not one single 7mm left in my safe. I have no explanation at all, they just don't kill like a 30, especially on elk. And those of you that know me know I have taken dozens of elk with each. It just does not make sense. I spent an entire day calling trusted friends in the industry with the question, "Why do we have to shoot elk more than once with the 7's with any bullet" when the 300 win does it faster with one shot? The common answer was " We can't explain it either, but we see the same thing."
And not to further upset the 7 fans, but personally I will add this. A 7mm with a 168 gr bullet, Barnes or Berger are the worst, slowest killing rifles I have ever owned.
FWIW, just one hunters opinion / experience shared by some others.
Jeff