Best Elk Bullet...

As I hit enter and let this thread go, I'm simultaneously taking cover under my desk the way they taught us in grade school in case we got nuked by the Russians!

Seriously, I've used the search function and found tons of helpful info but new technology and bullet offerings drop nearly every week and I'm wanting the most recent opinion of those here who shoot elk on the regular.

I was very fortunate to draw what for me will be a bucket list elk tag in NM this year and I'm likely over thinking this for that reason, but here goes...

Ill be using my customized 300WM M700 w/Bartlein 10t bbl. I was told to expect shots from 50 to 500yds, with 150 to 250 being the most common and elevation ranging from 6500' to 11000'. The rifle shoots the 215 Berger amazingly well with regular fist sized groups @ 1000yds. Will the Berger be a liability under 200yds? I've also started load development with the 181 Sledge Hammers getting sub-moa results on the first outing but worry about its performance if I need to get close to my self imposed max range of 500yds.
I've killed one cow elk about 10 years ago and used a 7RM with 160 Accubonds and a perfect boiler room shot sent her running up the mountain with my only follow up being a texas heart shot stopping her immediately on impact (go figure).

I guess what I'm asking is for the people who hunt/shoot elk the way I do deer, if you get the same opportunity, what bullet are you shooting and why?

215 Hybrids have worked great for me. If there's anything better I haven't found it yet. I also use 180 hybrids in my 7 RM and they are almost as awesome as the 215s on elk .

Without diminishing the 215's capability, especially as you seem to have it dialed in. I'd go with the Hammer's, I like the hollow point better.

Yes, very subjective. You have the ballistics angle, the toughness angle and the lead exposure angle, among others. I love the accuracy and terminal effect of Bergers but they are elk grenades. I took my cow last year with a shoulder shot. The expansion was incredible and it blew up the lungs. Some folks just try to avoid the lead exposure. If I were to pick 2 top contenders, I'd go with Barnes TTSX as unleaded and Booger VLDH as leaded.

With the 210 VLDs, I shot a cow elk at about 60 yards. The the internal damage was unreal, I couldn't tell any difference between it and others shot at much further distances.

I use 230s now for everything from muleys to eland.

The most impressive elk killer I have ever owned was a 300winmag loaded with 180 Nosler Partitions.

Thanks for the always appreciated info! I'm going to keep tweaking the Hammer's because they have shown to be VERY easy to tune and probably take both and make a game time decision once I get there.
We can shoot a lot of deer each season here in TN and when I return from NM, I plan on running the Hammers through several management doe this season for "research" and groceries!

My .300 win mag has killed a bunch of elk with a 180 accubond. Shots from 25-404 yards average distance on 10 elk is like 250 yards.

That being said my .300 now uses hammers.

Elkeater said:

My .300 win mag has killed a bunch of elk with a 180 accubond. Shots from 25-404 yards average distance on 10 elk is like 250 yards.

That being said my .300 now uses hammers.

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Why did you go with the Hammers since I am looking at these also.

Rick Richard said:

Why did you go with the Hammers since I am looking at these also.

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I have kids so lead exposure was my reasoning. Honestly now my reasoning is that the hammers are the most accurate bullet I've ever shot.

Elkeater said:

I have kids so lead exposure was my reasoning. Honestly now my reasoning is that the hammers are the most accurate bullet I've ever shot.

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What was your experience with seating depth? Did you find them sensitive or not?

I wouldn't change any rifle from a 215 Berger unless forced to, there simply is no bullet out there more lethal from a 300 Win! I shoot a lot of Hammers and like them better than any other mono but I wouldn't change my 30 cal over to them from a 215, my 28 Nosler, ya I shoot both but the 215 is one of my top 5 hunting bullets.

Rick Richard said:

What was your experience with seating depth? Did you find them sensitive or not?

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Nope basically loaded to mag length and shot sub .75 MOA. Then started seating deeper in .015" increments until I tightened it up to about .3-.4 MOA.

Don't get me wrong, the Berger, with a properly placed shot, will kill an Elk from 0-500 yards but if you're limiting yourself to 500 yards you don't need a Berger and their great BC. If the copper bullet shoots to your liking out to 500 yards then stick with the sturdier bullet. The last Elk I killed was with a Nosler 180gr Accubond from a 300 WSM leaving the gun at 3000 fps. The shot was about 390 yards and the bullet did not exit and basically disappeared. The shot was right in the pocket and the Elk only when in circles a few times and died. So even with a well built bullet at a reasonable range it did not exit. Maybe a 180gr TTSX might have exited. The issue is if the elk would have been in thick stuff and left the scene there would have been very little blood to follow.