300 WinMag Elk Loads
Got an elk hunt coming up next winter. Fixing to start working up some loads. I prefer high BC Bergers in my 6.5's, and have had great luck on whitetail with the Berger 140 gr VLD Hunt bullets.
Kinda thinking I'm gonna want something a little heavier built for elk, so thought I'd
ask here.
Kinda thinking I'm gonna want something a little heavier built for elk, so thought I'd
ask here.
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quote:Originally posted by randomnut
Got an elk hunt coming up next winter. Fixing to start working up some loads. I prefer high BC Bergers in my 6.5's, and have had great luck on whitetail with the Berger 140 gr VLD Hunt bullets.
Kinda thinking I'm gonna want something a little heavier built for elk, so thought I'd
ask here.
26" barrel and 7-1/2 twist, so I should be able to stabilize any bullet.0 -
I use 150 grain bullets in my 300 win Mag for everything from mule deer to elk with great success... Some people think that's a little light(they think you need a 180 grain bullet for elk). but I've seen a few Elk taken down with a .243... it's all about shot placement.
If you suck behind the trigger, then go with a heavier grain bullet0 -
I think you're going to be good with anything from 150 to 200 gr. but I prefer the 180 gr. I also prefer not to use soft points for elk, because their bones are so dense. Go with silver or ballistic tips if you can.
That caliber is probably the perfect elk caliber.0 -
Berger?s will get the job done. 0 -
Hornady Superperformance 0 -
180gr Bullet and you want to push it between 2850 and 3100 fps. You will find a sweet spot in there where its fast and most important accurate.
My top 5 bullest in 180gr I would try are:
- Barns TTSX
-Swift Sciricco II
-Nosler Accubond
-Federal Trophy Bonded tip
-Good old Nosler Partition
All those are High BC bullets (except the Nosler Part) and are proven performers in holding together at high velocity against heavy targets.
And if I had to just pick 2 it would be the:
The Barns TTSX and the Federal TBT both hold their weight well, expand even at longer ranges, penetrate well and have a high BC.
Good luck on your hunt.
BTW what powder will you use?
H1000 is working really well in my Long Range 300 mag with 190 SMK's0 -
Not sure on powder yet. I've got some various powders, H1000 included. I will also be using this for a long range gun, so it will have a 20 MOA base with probably a 6-24?50. I have looked at the Barnes and Swift. 0 -
Nosler 180 grain Partitions have never failed me but other common bullets did. 0 -
I like both the 165 and 180 barnes TSX or TTSX in my 300. As for powder try some of the new RL26 if you can find some, it looks promising. If you want to try some 180's first I bought a box of these at my local Sportsman's Warehouse for $40. A cheap way to see if they shoot good.
https://www.natchezss.com/remington-htp-copper-rifle-ammunition-300-win-mag-180-gr-tsx-20-rd.html0 -
Which kind of hunter are you. Pick your shot - shot placement - pass on the shot if not perfect,
Or,
I want my elk! ?0 -
quote:Originally posted by bustedknee
Which kind of hunter are you. Pick your shot - shot placement - pass on the shot if not perfect,
Or,
I want my elk! ?
Who knows, probably just some randomnut....[:D]0 -
Okay, you got a few answers. Now it's time to roll what you decide you want to use, and take and run a few of them through your firearm to see how your firearm likes them. Every firearms different, and will like different ammunition. 0 -
Just about any good commercial load is gonna work. The key is picking your shot and then placing it where you want it. Learn your gun and learn your abilities.
I've killed a bunch of elk with my .270 Win, it's all about shot placement.0 -
quote:Originally posted by bustedknee
Which kind of hunter are you. Pick your shot - shot placement - pass on the shot if not perfect,
Or,
I want my elk! ?
Elmer Keith made good sense when he said, "If you will only get one chance to collect your winter's supply of meat and then, you will most likely jump your elk in thick brush, running away from you and you will have to shoot him through the hind quarters....you will need a big heavy bullet out of a .338 magnum".
My advice is, don't handicap yourself with anything less than 190/200 grain 300 magnum. And practice, practice, practice.0 -
Corrected my typo.
My advice is, don't handicap yourself with anything less than 180/200 grain 300 magnum. And practice, practice, practice.0 -
I'm a 338 Win Mag fan with Barnes 225 grain factory loads for Elk.
If I'm using a 30-06 out west, I prefer the 180 grain Barnes factory loads.
The Barnes ,180 grain 30-06 has dropped a lot of animals (some pretty damn big critters too!) for me in Montana, Wisconsin, and Africa.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Sam06
180gr Bullet and you want to push it between 2850 and 3100 fps. You will find a sweet spot in there where its fast and most important accurate.
My top 5 bullest in 180gr I would try are:
- Barns TTSX
-Swift Sciricco II
-Nosler Accubond
-Federal Trophy Bonded tip
-Good old Nosler Partition
All those are High BC bullets (except the Nosler Part) and are proven performers in holding together at high velocity against heavy targets.
And if I had to just pick 2 it would be the:
The Barns TTSX and the Federal TBT both hold their weight well, expand even at longer ranges, penetrate well and have a high BC.
Good luck on your hunt.
BTW what powder will you use?
H1000 is working really well in my Long Range 300 mag with 190 SMK's
The 300 mag was made for 180 gr bullets. I am using 180BT Sierras with max loads of I4831. I have managed groups under one inch at 200 yards.0 -
Might as well get a new rifle to go with all them new bullets.
I got to handle one of the M-210's in a gun store up in Kalispell a few weeks ago. Very nice!
https://nemoarms.com/rifles?tid=100 -
"Just about any good commercial load is gonna work. The key is picking your shot and then placing it where you want it. Learn your gun and learn your abilities.
I've killed a bunch of elk with my .270 Win, it's all about shot placement."
Noble words BUT considering the difficulty and expense of elk hunts these days, I'm not handicapping myself with such nobility. If I have to fill my elk tag by taking an out of position shot, I want to be sure my equipment will do the job.
When I hunted bulls in rough(er) terrain, I toted a gun capable of anchoring an elk at any range under 500 yards and/or with a bad angle hit.0 -
I've decided to start with the 210 Bergers, using RL25 and H1000. I've also ordered some Barnes to try.
As to the type of shooter/hunter I am, it depends. I've hunted with my 6.5x47 Lapua at over 700 yards this year, and with my peep sighted Marlin 30-30 up tight.
I shoot long range frequently, out 1300 yards, but not with a 300.0 -
quote:Originally posted by randomnut
I've decided to start with the 210 Bergers, using RL25 and H1000. I've also ordered some Barnes to try.
As to the type of shooter/hunter I am, it depends. I've hunted with my 6.5x47 Lapua at over 700 yards this year, and with my peep sighted Marlin 30-30 up tight.
I shoot long range frequently, out 1300 yards, but not with a 300.
I harvested bull elk at 931 yards with 190 VLD out of my .300 WM. I skipped the 210 (I have 3 boxes) loaded the 215s and 230s n my .300 WSM, .300 WM, and .30 LARA instead.
The .300 WM remains my go to chambering for antelope to elk size game up to 1K yards.
Since you shoot long range any way, you might want to consider it too.
Good luck!0 -
Those Bergers are accurate but this turned me off:
The VLD design incorporates a sharp nose that allows the bullet to penetrate 2" to 3" before it starts to expand. After the initial expansion, the bullet will shed between 40% and 85% of its weight as shrapnel into the surrounding tissue (internal organs). The combination between the shrapnel and the hydrostatic shock produces a massive wound cavity within the vital area that will be 13" - 15" long.
I want bullets to hold together, mushroom and exit. If I was shooting people this would be go to bullet but not for hunting. YMMV
Good Luck0 -
quote:Originally posted by Sam06
Those Bergers are accurate but this turned me off:
The VLD design incorporates a sharp nose that allows the bullet to penetrate 2" to 3" before it starts to expand. After the initial expansion, the bullet will shed between 40% and 85% of its weight as shrapnel into the surrounding tissue (internal organs). The combination between the shrapnel and the hydrostatic shock produces a massive wound cavity within the vital area that will be 13" - 15" long.
I want bullets to hold together, mushroom and exit. If I was shooting people this would be go to bullet but not for hunting. YMMV
Good Luck
That is what has me slightly skeptical. I've used the Bergers on whitetail, and they are absolute murder. The deer only go down when hit in the vitals. But I've never seen if this bullet will penetrate a shoulder, so that's my worry. Berger says the jacket is heavier, and designed to penetrate bone, unlike most hollow points, and not to worry. I'm going to be doing some tests on hogs before I decide for sure. If nothing else, it gives me a starting point.0 -
I got that off Midway. There are a few negative reviews of that bullets performance on Elk but then there are positive ones too. 0
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