jerinco
Member
have any of you used federals fusion 165gr bullets in a 30-06 on elk? my sons rifle seems to like these rounds and was looking for a little more info.
elk bullet question
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lefteyedom
Member
When I hunted with a 30-06, the 165grn bullet weight was the perfect balance for it. Placed correctly it will cleanly kill any North American game animal.
As for the Fusion itself, I must confess I have no first hand knowledge.
As for the Fusion itself, I must confess I have no first hand knowledge.
jerinco
Member
i agree. shot placement is the key to it all.
i used a 100gr fusion out of my 243 and it hit a 150lb doe hard. very good penatration. just wondering how it would preform on larger game.
i used a 100gr fusion out of my 243 and it hit a 150lb doe hard. very good penatration. just wondering how it would preform on larger game.
Captcurt
Member
Should Work Great!
I have not used the Fusion but Accubonds are very simular and they work well. I like bonded bullets.
I have not used the Fusion but Accubonds are very simular and they work well. I like bonded bullets.
wankerjake
Member
That will do the trick. Put it where it needs to go
watergun
Member
Fusion
The Fusion is a bonded bullet so it should be fine for elk.
The Fusion is a bonded bullet so it should be fine for elk.
I would opt for a 180gr bullet. Either AccuBond, partition, TSX or other thick/hard based bullet. I am unfamiliar with the Federal fusion. If it is a bonded core then good, but use 180g or heavier for elk. 165 is fine for deer. You don't always get a nice broadside shot where a 165gr bullet might be enough but a hit in the shoulders might stop the bullet cold without penetrating through the humerus bone. It has happened to me on a nice buck using 165gr Ballistic Tip. I now use 180gr Accubonds. A lot of elk have been taken with 200 & 220gr bullets too. Trajectory wise, the 165 & 180 are nearly identical. You want some "punch" for a big, thick elk. You might get a quartering away shot and have to go through a little paunch to get to the boiler room so penetration is a must.
Captcurt
Member
Amen!
jerinco
Member
thanks a lot guys. i you helped out a lot.
gamestalker
member
Never used that particular bullet, but I loaded a 165 gr PSP for a friend who took an elk with a lung shot no problem. It went about 50 yds. and then fell over. Shot placement is everything. I had a guide friend who had physical restrictions regarding high recoil, and he has killed numerous elk and black bear with a .243.
The 3 most important aspects of taking big game, shot placement, shot placement, and shot placement.
GS
The 3 most important aspects of taking big game, shot placement, shot placement, and shot placement.
GS
Lloyd Smale
Member
Ill give that post a big amen! Been just a few elk sent to heaven with cup and core bullets. Dont tell them they were shamed because a premium bullet wasnt used.
The "Fusion Technology" is nothing more than a chunk of lead that is plated and then pretty much swaged into the final shape. It isn't a "bonded" bullet like the Accubond or the Interbond. Federal considers the Fusion to be a "deer sized" class bullet. Not saying it isn't going to kill an elk, it just isn't a true bonded bullet.
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What is shot placement? You can kill an elk with just about anything if he's at a proper range and standing perfectly broadside. Unfortunately we don't generally hunt elk from a stand over bait so that shot presentation isn't always available.
And that is where a quality deep straight line penetrating bullet comes into it's own. When you don't have the option of a perfect broadside shot. Sometimes a bullet has to travel a bit to get to the good stuff for a clean kill.
Fortunately the 06 has a muzzle velocity that allows for a softer bullet. Where you really run into issues with a cup and core is when you push them to fast. The Federal Fusion in 165 GR in an 06 would not be my first choice for elk. However there are worse choices out there.
My preference for elk with an 06 is a 180 gr Barnes TSX I've had super good terminal performance with them. The last elk I killed with that combo I hit at 232 yards at a steep uphill shot angle and she was just quartering away. The bullet took her low behind the on shoulder gave me full width penetration blew the heart in two, broke the head of the off humorous and exited the off shoulder through the thickest and most muscular part of the shoulder.
That is impressive performance on a big cow elk with an .30-06!
Here she is, she took three steps and flipped over backwards dead. You can see the exit wound just between my sling strap and the forend of the rifle.
And that is where a quality deep straight line penetrating bullet comes into it's own. When you don't have the option of a perfect broadside shot. Sometimes a bullet has to travel a bit to get to the good stuff for a clean kill.
Fortunately the 06 has a muzzle velocity that allows for a softer bullet. Where you really run into issues with a cup and core is when you push them to fast. The Federal Fusion in 165 GR in an 06 would not be my first choice for elk. However there are worse choices out there.
My preference for elk with an 06 is a 180 gr Barnes TSX I've had super good terminal performance with them. The last elk I killed with that combo I hit at 232 yards at a steep uphill shot angle and she was just quartering away. The bullet took her low behind the on shoulder gave me full width penetration blew the heart in two, broke the head of the off humorous and exited the off shoulder through the thickest and most muscular part of the shoulder.
That is impressive performance on a big cow elk with an .30-06!
Here she is, she took three steps and flipped over backwards dead. You can see the exit wound just between my sling strap and the forend of the rifle.
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