Bullets for Bulls
by Larry Weishuhn
It may not take a magnum to kill an elk but I prefer "magnum" bullets. By that I mean the strong "premium" bullets with controlled expansion. A big bull elk is a tough test for a bullet and if you don’t get a wound channel well into the vital area, a wounded elk is often the result.

Penetration is the issue. Controlled expansion bullets better harness the power of standard cartridges for good penetration and with the faster magnum cartridges, they prevent premature bullet blow-up.

Sectional density (SD) is the relationship of the bullet’s weight to its length. "Long-for-their-weight" bullets penetrate better and that’s critical on a big, tough animal such as an elk. I like a SD of at least .250 for elk and other large game.

Bullet makers tend to make their heavier bullets in a given caliber a bit tougher in the expectation that they will be used on bigger animals. Lighter bullets may have more velocity but you sacrifice both SD and bullet strength.

Realtree X-tra
The Official Camouflage of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

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