Bullet choice suggestion for antelope

gitrdun

gitrdun

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I may draw an antelope, will find out this August. This will be my first antelope hunt, but based on my frequent travels through their territory, I would estimate that shots could range from 100 to 300 yards which I am comfortable with as I consistently hit the 350 yard gong with that rifle. Remember these are thin skinned, small animals, I do want to bring home the meat. ;) I'm currently shooting Hornady 140 gr. Interlocks and 130 gr. Interbonds out of this rifle. If there is something much better, I'm willing to try it, but gonna have to hit the reloading bench and range pretty quick. I imagine something with quick expansion but holds together well at the higher velocities?

So what bullet choice at what velocity?

Thanks in advance.
 
If they shoot well out of your gun, either will do the job just fine. Antelope are amazingly resiliant when hit poorly and will run for miles, even when hit with the biggest uber magnum. Pick your shot carefully and either of the aforementioned bullets will work just fine. I killed my last one with a 150 grain Trophy Bonded Bearclaw and he died just fine!

TJAntelope07.jpg
 
gitrdun said:
I may draw an antelope, will find out this August. This will be my first antelope hunt, but based on my frequent travels through their territory, I would estimate that shots could range from 100 to 300 yards which I am comfortable with as I consistently hit the 350 yard gong with that rifle. Remember these are thin skinned, small animals, I do want to bring home the meat. ;) I'm currently shooting Hornady 140 gr. Interlocks and 130 gr. Interbonds out of this rifle. If there is something much better, I'm willing to try it, but gonna have to hit the reloading bench and range pretty quick. I imagine something with quick expansion but holds together well at the higher velocities?

So what bullet choice at what velocity?

Thanks in advance.
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Are you talking about a 7mm RM or a .270? Either way, I'd go with the interlocks and don't worry about it.;)
 
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either bullet will work great I am sure. If it was me I would probably try the new Nosler .277" 110 gr Accubond if I could get my hands on some
 
gitrdun said:
I'm currently shooting Hornady 140 gr. Interlocks and 130 gr. Interbonds out of this rifle. So what bullet choice at what velocity?

Thanks in advance.
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Have your tried the Hornady sst's at all ? basically an interlock with better B.C. .....It would be interesting to compare them to regular interlocks for accuracy at 300+ yards.

I can tell you they have been shooting marvelously for us so far. (6.5 and .270)

either way I cant imagine either of your choosings being an issue for thin skinned game, just not sure I would want an interlock hitting anything I would want to eat at 3000 fps.

What kind of velocities are we talking about here ?
 
My one and only antelope so far fell to a 180 gr Accubond from my .30-06 at a lasered 241 yards. It reared up and then fell down in its tracks. Shoot what you are comfortable with and just hunt.
 
Silly me, I forgot to mention that it's a .270WSM. Somebody mentioned the SST's. Those I haven't tried. According to the Hornady manual, they seem the choice for rapid expansion on thin skin game.
 
gitrdun said:
Silly me, I forgot to mention that it's a .270WSM. Somebody mentioned the SST's. Those I haven't tried. According to the Hornady manual, they seem the choice for rapid expansion on thin skin game.
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Yep, Id give em a try, more practice with your actual hunting bullet since they are cheap like borsht. If you think you may be hitting them inside 100 yards you may want to think accubond / interbond / partition etc.......
 
I like the SST's, used the 130's at 3100fps out of my old .270WCF and shot a few deer with it. Did a great job and they were quite accurate.
If the Interbonds and such are working, just shoot them. Spent the time loading up practice rounds and shooting from field positions out to 400yds. 1.5 MOA is great accuracy out to that range.
 
sheephunter said:
TJAntelope07.jpg
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That is one neat looking buck. Congrats.

On the topic of the bullet. The one that you deliver to the vitals of an antelope from your .270 WSM will kill the animal. I have never hunted pronghorns, but read many stories. All of the shots seem to be 150+ yards. Your bullet should be well below 3000 FPS by the time it gets out there and I would hope the Interbonds and Interlocks can handle that Waldo.
 
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Thanks.....definitely not my highest scoring buck to date but it is truly unique. His tip to tip spread is 21". Last year was a phenominal year for antelope and I actually saw one that would have scored higher than this big boy (likely B&C) but I just couldn't pass this wide guy up. Looks like this will be another great year!
 
sheephunter said:
If they shoot well out of your gun, either will do the job just fine. Antelope are amazingly resiliant when hit poorly and will run for miles, even when hit with the biggest uber magnum. Pick your shot carefully and either of the aforementioned bullets will work just fine. I killed my last one with a 150 grain Trophy Bonded Bearclaw and he died just fine!

TJAntelope07.jpg
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Wow! that is a nice antelope. I've shot one a few years back, it was a decent one but nothing like yours. Congratulation.
 
I punched a hole through-and-through a speed goat with a Barnes X bullet in a .300 Win Mag. Very sad feeling to have wounded but not killed such a marvelous game animal. So, any bullet you choose ought to be one that will expand quickly. Lighter bullets are a good idea if you place your shot well.

Their bodies are really quite small. Not much bigger than a full size domestic dog.
 
maple_leaf_eh said:
I punched a hole through-and-through a speed goat with a Barnes X bullet in a .300 Win Mag. Very sad feeling to have wounded but not killed such a marvelous game animal. So, any bullet you choose ought to be one that will expand quickly. Lighter bullets are a good idea if you place your shot well.

Their bodies are really quite small. Not much bigger than a full size domestic dog.
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You lost the animal, like never recovered??? :eek:
 
sheephunter said:
Thanks.....definitely not my highest scoring buck to date but it is truly unique. His tip to tip spread is 21". Last year was a phenominal year for antelope and I actually saw one that would have scored higher than this big boy (likely B&C) but I just couldn't pass this wide guy up. Looks like this will be another great year!
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You take me antelope hunting, I'll buy gas for the hunt and beer for after.
 
I haven't taken an antelope in many years, but I used a 243 with Hornady 100gr BTSPs and never had any problems. I think in a 270 you might want either the Hornady SST or a plain Nosler Ballistic tip, tougher bullets will probably just punch right through. Pick the one thats most accurate in your rifle and go with that.
 
A word about the SST bullet. A few years back, I sighted in a fellows .300 Winchester for him as he didn't have the time. I was shooting the 165's out of my .300 then as well. He drew an antelope tag and found one opening morning. At the shot, he almost blew the poor thing right in half! :eek: Maybe not the best choice, but certainly no tracking involved. :)
 
This year i want to try the new Nosler E-tip in 150 gr. for the 7 and 130 gr. for my 270, which I use for backup when going out west.

Has anyone had any range time with either of these. It looks alot like the Ballistic Tip.
 
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