Bullets for Elk

[Scott Taylor]

I have a 300WSM and have tested 200gn Accubonds for my up coming elk hunt. Any advise on the use of Bergers? I have heard mixed stories..What about the Barnes triple X as well, any info is appreciated.

 

[trueblue]

190gr or 210gr Bergers would also be a great choice.
But there is certainly nothing wrong with the AB

 

[Team Roper]

I give the Bergers 2 thumbs up.

 

[Michael Eichele]

Grain for grain, the ACCUBOND is about as reliable a hunting bullet you can get. Great terminal performance and decent BC's to boot. I never could argue with the excellent accuracy they have delivered. IMHO, they are a premium elk bullet due to the stout nature of elk. A stout bullet for a stout beast. If they are shooting well for you, concider not fixing what is not broke.

 

[trueblue]

I agree with Michael on this. Tinkeritise can bite you in the but.
If the AC is shooting well for you, dont change a thing. If however they are not, my next choice would be Berger.

 

[sniperjwt]

I give the Bergers 2 thumbs up.

I give the Bergers 3 thumbs up (holding up the wifes thumb as well)

 

[bigngreen]

I would shoot the bullet that is the most accurate at the range your hunting, but between the three bullets you mentioned I would shoot the most accurate in the ranges you hunting and only choose between the Accubond or Berger!
Out of my 270 WSM the Berger is really awesome, we call the Accubond the Accubomb cause it hits so hard you can hear the difference on game, it does blood shot worse than any other bullet I have shot but will clean there clock.

 

[wbygunner]

Scott,

I was going through the same thing as you with my 300 WSM. What's the best bullet? As others have already said, what bullet shoots the best?

I don't reload, so I sent my WSM off to a buddy who does, for some load developement. The 185 gr Berger VLD is where he started. He called me the other day and said he already has a copuple of different loads thats pounding 'em in there on top of one another. Initial velocities are 2,940-2,950 fps.

I cannot speak from experience, as I have never shot at or taken game with a Berger, but I will not hesitate taking the final load with the 185 VLD's out for an elk hunt. Good luck and let us know what you end up with.

Wbygunner

 

[Outlaw6.0]

Well guys I guess I'll have to be the first on this thread to put my money on the Barnes, not to take anything from the other two; as stated previously in this thread, if it ain't broke don't fix it. I started with the 180 MRX out of my 7.82 Patriot at 3100fps, shoots bug hole groups an puts SERIOUS hurt on every animal i've taken with it.... opens quicker than a Partition, retains more weight than a Fail Safe. I actually have a box of 210 VLD's I was going to experiment with but I can't honestly find the time to do it; i've got a great load that shoots straight & hits hard, so the VLD's are kinda on the "if I get bored someday" list... but I do have them

 

[RockyMtnMT]

What ranges are you planning to shoot? What is the twist rate of your barrel?

Steve

 

[theodore]

Barne is good too, just range limited compared to VLD and accubond.

Accubonds are more consistent in passthrough than VLD. VLD sends more energy into an animal. Both are very good elk round, depends on what the hunter wants for performance. Both of 'em should easily break a bull shoulder.

If both (200 grain accubond & heavy VLD) are accurate, I would flip a coin. LOL

Another thing is VLD won't expand (delayed expansion) for a few inches upon impact. About 3", after that it does massive damage.

 

[lewellan2]

can't beat Nosler's Partitions in any weight. I shoot the Barnes TSX 180 in my .308 and it is really accurate and provides excellent expansion and weight retention.
Dano

 

[MontanaRifleman]

Just about any hunting bullet out of a 300 WSM should work fine as long as you dont exceed its limitations.

I would choose the 180 E-Tip before the TSX because it has a higher BC and it's a tougher bullet. It also shoots at higher velocities from my 300 WSM.

Accuracy would be my first discriminator. Other than accuracy my choices in order would be...

180 E-Tip
200 AB
180 AB
210 Berger
208 Amax
180 TTSX

If you had a 1:10 twist a GS HV 177 might work. If it did it would be at the top of the list, but it's spendy.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

Just about any hunting bullet out of a 300 WSM should work fine as long as you dont exceed its limitations.

I would choose the 180 E-Tip before the TSX because it has a higher BC and it's a tougher bullet. It also shoots at higher velocities from my 300 WSM.

Accuracy would be my first discriminator. Other than accuracy my choices in order would be...

180 E-Tip
200 AB
180 AB
210 Berger
208 Amax
180 TTSX

If you had a 1:10 twist a GS HV 177 might work. If it did it would be at the top of the list, but it's spendy.

That's why I asked about his range and twist. 9.5 twist is better for the 177 GS. I'm running them out of 1-10, but at 3660fps. They will run fine out a 10 twist for work beyond 500yrds. Inside 500 they may tumble on impact.

If the OP's out side range is 600 -700 yrds, the GS 160 hv will be tough to beat for terminal performance and trajectory.

Steve