What 300WM bullet for elk?

[crittrgittr]

I am heading to Co. next year for my first elk hunt. I am currently using 180gr ballistic tip for my muley load when going out west. I was hoping some of you can give your advice based on experience for a good elk bullet. I know it's going to be a lot of preference difference but I''m hoping there will be a common conclusion. If this is a repeat thread please refer me to an original. Thank you in advance for any/all input you can give me. I am thinking of the partition, but look forward to your opinions.

 

[Broz]

Look at the results I have in this thread with the 215 Berger in my 300 win and see if the terminal performance I got with them on elk is what you seek. Keep reading there are 19 big game kills with this bullet, lota of terminal performance pics with internal dameag shown. Many kills at different distances on bulls and cows.

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/comparing-berger-210-vld-215-hybrid-88657/

Jeff

 

[Young-Gun]

215 or 230 berger seems to work real well

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/comparing-berger-210-vld-215-hybrid-88657/index18.html

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/berger-230-300-otm-hybrid-terminal-results-80283/

here is some good material to read through

 

[crittrgittr]

Thanx guys. Looks like you are Berger fans. I have only used Nosler to this point but am open to all brands. Jusr want to find best bullet for elk.

 

[dmj]

As you can tell by my number of posts, I'm new on here and I'll probably get shot down. I like the nosler 180 accubond. If I remember correct they are the same BC as the ballistic tip you're currently shooting.

 

[sbhooper]

I would go with the Partition, Accubond, Hornady Interbond or one of the Barnes options. I think elk deserve premium bullets. I am not a fan of Bergers, SST, or Ballistic Tips on elk, but some people like them also. Just put them in the right place.

 

[Broz]

Any,.... again I say any bullets performance will differ with impact velocity that will be dictated by distance from the muzzle. The farther out you go the less the harder bullets will expand. Any bullet will kill an elk if placed properly for its construction. Some will expand more some will expand less and penetrate deeper. As with any bullet the fragmenting (softer jacketed) bullets expand less as distance increases so they penetrate deeper as you go out, but I feel they have the best expansion at longer distances, yet still kill good for me at the closer distances. We shoot or are along side shooters with our rifles while taking 15 to 25 elk each season. Many of these shots are over 500 yards as shown in the links above. This is why I shoot the bullets I do. I hate tracking elk and I knock on wood that I have not tracked one elk over 150 yards since I started using what I use.

Here is what I will offer you if you want to kill anything especially elk. Find what is most accurate in your rifle. Not at 100 yards but at the farthest distance you would take a shot on your elk. Then know if the bullet will expand or not at that distance or slowed impact velocity. Or also where you would need to place it to aid in expansion. Bottom line, know how your bullet works and use it to your best advantage. A perfect scenario for me is to enter the crease behind the front shoulder and exit far shoulder. This will take out vital organs and drop the elk. He will now last long after a shot like this from my 300 win even at 800 or 1000 yards.

There are many good bullet to choose from if you apply how they work best for your type of hunting and use it to your advantage. But above all you need to place it well. For that you need accuracy at the longest distance you plan to shoot. To get proper placement at distance you may also encounter wind. It will be easier to place a higher BC bullet that will be less effected by wind so consider that too.

Hit them right and hit them hard with a big enough bullet to do the job as fast as it can.

Jeff

 

[sbhooper]

Well-said.

 

[crittrgittr]

Thanx again guys. All great advice. My longest shot to date "out west" was on a Miley at 586. That was a little past were I sighted in (500) before I went out there. So I would have to say I don't plan to shoot past 500 because I don't have a range where I can do so. As far as knowing what the bullet will do at that range, I guess I'm not sure how to figure that out. I guess if any if you could help with a bullet and weight that you or clients have used at this range with success that would be great. Thanx again.

 

[Broz]

In our 300 wins for elk, the 210 Berger HVLD, the 215 Hybrid and the 230 OTM Hybrid have all worked well for us from 100 yards to 1000. With the majority of our kills being in the 500 to 600 yard range. Out of those 3 I favor the 215 Hybrid and that is what I am still shooting today in my 300 win. It is 21 and 0 for one shot kills on elk deer and antelope at this time.

Jeff

 

[bigngreen]

One bullet I would NOT shoot elk with from a magnum is the 180 Ballistic tip! The bullet that is the go to bullet in the 300 Mag is the 215 Berger IMO, you get penetration into the chest cavity with the good sectional density and the delayed opening of the Berger design but you get a very good permanent wound channel in the core of the animal when that bullet opens that thrashes arteries and all the stuff that sustains life in an elk.
Elk do very poorly if you put a big wound channel though anything behind the ribs but can move out if you put a small wound channel through them if you don't hit bone. Big permanent wound channels cover your butt not exit holes!!

 

[mtnwrunner]

One bullet I would NOT shoot elk with from a magnum is the 180 Ballistic tip! The bullet that is the go to bullet in the 300 Mag is the 215 Berger IMO, you get penetration into the chest cavity with the good sectional density and the delayed opening of the Berger design but you get a very good permanent wound channel in the core of the animal when that bullet opens that thrashes arteries and all the stuff that sustains life in an elk.
Elk do very poorly if you put a big wound channel though anything behind the ribs but can move out if you put a small wound channel through them if you don't hit bone. Big permanent wound channels cover your butt not exit holes!!

Yeah, what he said. Again, elk are a way different animal than a mule deer and shot placement is everything. I've used Sierra game kings, accubonds, partitions and barnes. The berger 215 is simply devastating and it is now my "go to" bullet for elk and deer (Actually everything else also) out of a 300 winny.


Randy

 

[newmexkid]

I used the Swift A-frame on many an elk out of my 300 Win mag. Never had one get away. Not trying to hijack but...Never having used the Bergers, how do they do if they hit a heavy bone?

 

[Broz]

Never having used the Bergers, how do they do if they hit a heavy bone?

Here is a report and some great pics from a couple elk at just under 300 yards with the 230's from a RUM

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f28/230-bergers-300-rum-86425/index14.html




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