I think you should keep the load you have. I believe you made a bad shot on he elk and you have confidence in the ttsx except for this one instance.

If you're still interested in a larger calibur. I would look at the 338. The 300's offer a little more than your 7 mag but not a lot.

On another forum where people kill a lot more animals , they are fond of the 180 gr scenars out of the 7mag

Tikka T7 Lite

Nice Aoudad Rob, what did he measure? I hunted with Mike last year in the same area, which ranch did you hunt?

BTW, I also shoot a 7mm Rem Mag Tikka and used 160 Barnes TSX and took my Aoudad at 370 yds and DRT. That said, same load and rifle 2 years ago with Taylor (I believe you have hunted with him as well) and took my small bull elk also at 370 yds. Elk was bedded down facing away from me and my first shot entered just left of spine behind lungs/diaphragm and he showed no sign of a hit and we thought I'd missed. He stood up and my 2nd shot was also low hitting him in the left leg, he kicked but did not run. My 3rd shot broke his spine just above the shoulders and he went down. This long story to illustrate what I think Chad is saying about the hydrostatic shock that the first shot just drilled a small hole through him. In fact, even when retrieving the elk, we thought I did miss the 1st shot and it was not until Taylor and Rick were skinning him that we noted the wounds and no blood on entry or exit.

I am switching to Nosler Accubonds as a result.

I think you're barking up the wrong tree, personally. 7-Mag is plenty for elk. I hunt elk with .25-06, .257 Roy, and an old .308 M70. The trick with the first two is to SLOW DOWN to warm but not hot speeds. They hit like a freight train and with deadly accuracy. I've never hunted elk with a 7mm Mag but have shot a few and can't help but think the same may apply. There is no trick with the third, the .308. If you can get a 180g bullet into a pie-pan at 200 yards you have yourself a dead elk. They're tough, but not bullet proof.

Your 7mm mag should be plenty adequate for elk with a heavy for caliber bullet. A high sectional density is key for good penetration. TSX bullets are good, if you want lead, there are plenty of great choices. The tried and true Nosler Partition isn't out of style and it's probably stacked more elk than most bullets. Elk are tough critters but if I planned on quartering shots or anything other than a broadside I'd go for the .338 win mag with 250 grain bullets....provided you are comfortable shooting a gun with that kind of recoil. Or another good choice would be a 35 Whelen. Plenty of bullet and power @ reasonable distance and shouldn't beat you up too bad.

One of my favorite rounds for big critters inside 300 yards is the 350 Remington Magnum with 225gr Nosler Partitions

I am shooting the 162 gr amax out of my 7mm. I would shoot an elk in a second with it.

I'd use a 325 WSM, but that's just me.

Just short of 29 official dry. We hunted both the ranches east side of highway. Not sure actual ranch name. This gun and bullet has taken 3 Aoudad and Axis with Mike and 2 Mule Deer with Taylor.

I really like my 300 RUM. By the way how did the drop tine turn out after getting it mounted?

That's right, you have a 300 RUM. I haven't picked up from Taylor yet, but he sent me finished pics and looks great.

Are you headed down there any time soon?

I got mine with a tikka t3 .300 wsm. I love it it's very light weight pegged mine from 340 yards. Also shot 2 pigs with one shot with it.

No plans to go down. I will either fly real quick or just have Taylor ship. Possible if they find my Elk I would drive to Sanderson and then over.

I'll be in Mason or brady opening weekend. Taylor has my javi euro. I might be able to make him meet me half way and pick yours up for you also

Cool, whoever can meet with him first we'll help the other out. Thanks.

No problem

I would stay 7 rem mag if thinking about going 300 win mag or wsm, as its not to much energy between the two espically when you shoot heavy bullets in the 7 mag. If you wanted another rifel i would do Rum or better yet 338 win mag if you just wanted a larger gap between rifles, but recoil will be Getting on the stout side with the 338.

Keep what you have.

I've never been mad enough at an elk to use anything but a 30-06 with a 180 gr bullet. If I do my job, the cartridge does it's job.