What bullet for elk in 300 win mag?

[tlsmith22]

I currently am shooting a berger 168 vld and its a .5 moa gun to 500 but the wind blows it pretty bad. Which bullet adn powder seem to be the most popular for elk? 180, 200, 210 vld? Im shooting a rem 700 alaskan rifle and want a load to at least 800 yds

 

[MTBULLET]

180 sierra SBT and rl-22 works well for me fed. 215's
1.12" 5 shot group @ 300 yd's today.

 

[jpd676]

I am sold on the 208 Amax for elk. I use Re-22 and it works great for me. Shot one elk last year at 725 and one at 60 and both dropped on the spot.

 

[RTK]

My gun and I prefer Barnes and have had very good luck with them over the last few years.
H4831 or imr7828 shoot well at the 3000fps+ range with the 180g ttx or tsx.

 

[Edd]

I know several people that hunt with 300 mags and all of them use 180 gr Barnes bullets.

 

[winmag]

Any 180 with a decent BC launched at about 3100 fps + should getcha there depending on MV, altitude, & BC. But a 200 gr launched at 2900 fps + will definitely get you there & then some.
I shoot 180 Accubonds in my custom long action 300WSM, as do most of my friends & family, in thier 300Wby's, 300Win's, & 300WSM's, but the BC of the 200 Accubond is hard to argue with. I'm thinking of working up a load for them in my WSM (I did have it throated for them after all) for some increased range & performance.
Run the #'s on JBM. It's an eye opener.

RL-22 is a go to powder in the 300Win Mag.

 

[fmajor]

Any 180 with a decent BC launched at about 3100 fps + should getcha there depending on MV, altitude, & BC. But a 200 gr launched at 2900 fps + will definitely get you there & then some.
I shoot 180 Accubonds in my custom long action 300WSM, as do most of my friends & family, in thier 300Wby's, 300Win's, & 300WSM's, but the BC of the 200 Accubond is hard to argue with. I'm thinking of working up a load for them in my WSM (I did have it throated for them after all) for some increased range & performance.
Run the #'s on JBM. It's an eye opener.

RL-22 is a go to powder in the 300Win Mag.

When i had my reloading gear i used RL22 with great success, but never got to use it in hunting/field conditions. I've read that RL22 isn't as stable in the different temp extremes (from cold to hot).

Would you/Could you share a little info about your experience with RL22 in different temps?

THanks!

 

[winmag]

When i had my reloading gear i used RL22 with great success, but never got to use it in hunting/field conditions. I've read that RL22 isn't as stable in the different temp extremes (from cold to hot).

Would you/Could you share a little info about your experience with RL22 in different temps?

THanks!

No, not really.
I tested it in 300 Wby with 180's with good results group wise, but IMR-4831 proved a tic faster for the same group size.

I load for two 300 Win mags. 165's over RL-19, & 180's over RL-22. One is my cousins, & one is for my " cousin-in-law". They hunt to gather, & like 165's for deer, & 180's for elk. Neither shoot past 3-400 yds. Neither would be able to tell the difference if it was temp stable or not. Honestly speaking here, not very many folks could tell, cause most don't ever shoot far enough in both conditions to see any difference whatsoever.

I load 140's over RL-19 in my 270WSM, & hunt in August in Hells Canyon for bear, & up to 8500+ ft above sea level in snow for elk. Im well outside of that rifles effective range (for me, thats 6-650 yds or less)before any slight difference in muzzle velocity would begin to show up noticeably enough to adjust for.

I load 180's over RL-17 in my 300WSM & of all the powders I've ever used, RL-17 would be the one to be concerned about if ever there was any truth to the Alliant powder stability rumors.

IMO, unless you shoot ELR, or Benchrest there are Very few folks who'd actually be able to shoot far enough, accurately enough, to need to correct for any slight loss in Muzzle Velocity in cold temps with extreme powder than they would with RL-"?". The percentage difference is minimal.

I still have a pound of unused "H-4350 Extreme" that I haven't had reason to open yet, due to RL powders producing the velocity AND accuracy I need.

While I know that there is Some truth to " brand X newest latest greatest super powder" being "less temp sensitive", I think the margin is slim enough that for most people using a hunting rifle, from hunting field positions, shooting at game, it's virtually nill. A.K.A. an Elk hunter with a 300WinMag doesn't give a hoot as long as he knows what the MV is durring Elk season is.
Bench, Comp, & ELR guys are a whole different story. Those guys are Severely Anal Retentive! But it's for a reason, & they do shoot far enough, accurately enough, often enough to tell the difference. So ya, they're grumpy about everything for a reason. I prefer to be happy. If I wanted to shoot Elk far enough away to make a Huge deal about temp "sensitivie" powder I'd probably be shooting a big 338. Either way, I'd know my load, & equipment intimately enough to know exactly how much difference there was ( if there was any) & what corrections to make in the average temps & conditions I planned to hunt in.

Do a search, & you'll find about the same # of REPUTABLE shooters here on LRH that have done Actual Testing of the Alliant powders simply agree to dissagree on the actual amount (IF ANY) between an extreme powder & Alliant RL powder in most cases. For example if they took their most accurate extreme powder loads & put them in the freezer overnight, left the rifle in the woodshed to freeze overnight then shot thru the chronny the velocity loss would be minimal if any. Repeat the test with RL whatever, & while it may or may not loose "X" amount of velocity more, the difference percentage wise between the two (IF ANY) would be so slim that the same or Very Simmilar correction would be needed for either to correct for POI at extended, or long range. ELR MAY differ slightly. But heck, if your that anal you are probably looking at an altimeter more than looking for Elk cause the correction for altitude has about as big of an effect.

IMO, for 6-800 yds with a 300WinMag with 180's or 200's who cares! AS LONG AS YOU KNOW YOUR AVG MUZZLE VELOCITY FOR THOSE AVG TEMPS AHEAD OF TIME & have a Proven drop chart based on them. You can always have another chart for summer if needed.

This is why I work do load development in the heat of summer, & "prove" my drop chart in winter conditions. No surprise pressure spikes due to winter load work up, & minimal if any tweaking of drops in the dead of winter hunting season.
I do this with All powders, & cartridges I hunt with.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

My brother killed 4 elk last year with 6 30 cal 165 barnes tsx(not sure if tipped or not) from his 300 win pushed by rl22 and lit by a 215. All were pass through.

 

[MTBULLET]

My brother killed 4 elk last year with 6 30 cal 165 barnes tsx(not sure if tipped or not) from his 300 win pushed by rl22 and lit by a 215. All were pass through.

4 elk in one year? lucky man. but, i'd prefer my bullets NOT "pass thru", i want 'em to expand and dump all energy in the animal.

 

[Edd]

but, i'd prefer my bullets NOT "pass thru", i want 'em to expand and dump all energy in the animal.

Not me, I want them to go in one side and tear up some important stuff on the way out the other side.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

Not me, I want them to go in one side and tear up some important stuff on the way out the other side.

good clean dumps from what he said.

 

[fmajor]

No, not really.
I tested it in 300 Wby with 180's with good results group wise, but IMR-4831 proved a tic faster for the same group size.

I load for two 300 Win mags. 165's over RL-19, & 180's over RL-22. One is my cousins, & one is for my " cousin-in-law". They hunt to gather, & like 165's for deer, & 180's for elk. Neither shoot past 3-400 yds. Neither would be able to tell the difference if it was temp stable or not. Honestly speaking here, not very many folks could tell, cause most don't ever shoot far enough in both conditions to see any difference whatsoever.

I load 140's over RL-19 in my 270WSM, & hunt in August in Hells Canyon for bear, & up to 8500+ ft above sea level in snow for elk. Im well outside of that rifles effective range (for me, thats 6-650 yds or less)before any slight difference in muzzle velocity would begin to show up noticeably enough to adjust for.

I load 180's over RL-17 in my 300WSM & of all the powders I've ever used, RL-17 would be the one to be concerned about if ever there was any truth to the Alliant powder stability rumors.

IMO, unless you shoot ELR, or Benchrest there are Very few folks who'd actually be able to shoot far enough, accurately enough, to need to correct for any slight loss in Muzzle Velocity in cold temps with extreme powder than they would with RL-"?". The percentage difference is minimal.

I still have a pound of unused "H-4350 Extreme" that I haven't had reason to open yet, due to RL powders producing the velocity AND accuracy I need.

While I know that there is Some truth to " brand X newest latest greatest super powder" being "less temp sensitive", I think the margin is slim enough that for most people using a hunting rifle, from hunting field positions, shooting at game, it's virtually nill. A.K.A. an Elk hunter with a 300WinMag doesn't give a hoot as long as he knows what the MV is durring Elk season is.
Bench, Comp, & ELR guys are a whole different story. Those guys are Severely Anal Retentive! But it's for a reason, & they do shoot far enough, accurately enough, often enough to tell the difference. So ya, they're grumpy about everything for a reason. I prefer to be happy. If I wanted to shoot Elk far enough away to make a Huge deal about temp "sensitivie" powder I'd probably be shooting a big 338. Either way, I'd know my load, & equipment intimately enough to know exactly how much difference there was ( if there was any) & what corrections to make in the average temps & conditions I planned to hunt in.

Do a search, & you'll find about the same # of REPUTABLE shooters here on LRH that have done Actual Testing of the Alliant powders simply agree to dissagree on the actual amount (IF ANY) between an extreme powder & Alliant RL powder in most cases. For example if they took their most accurate extreme powder loads & put them in the freezer overnight, left the rifle in the woodshed to freeze overnight then shot thru the chronny the velocity loss would be minimal if any. Repeat the test with RL whatever, & while it may or may not loose "X" amount of velocity more, the difference percentage wise between the two (IF ANY) would be so slim that the same or Very Simmilar correction would be needed for either to correct for POI at extended, or long range. ELR MAY differ slightly. But heck, if your that anal you are probably looking at an altimeter more than looking for Elk cause the correction for altitude has about as big of an effect.

IMO, for 6-800 yds with a 300WinMag with 180's or 200's who cares! AS LONG AS YOU KNOW YOUR AVG MUZZLE VELOCITY FOR THOSE AVG TEMPS AHEAD OF TIME & have a Proven drop chart based on them. You can always have another chart for summer if needed.

This is why I work do load development in the heat of summer, & "prove" my drop chart in winter conditions. No surprise pressure spikes due to winter load work up, & minimal if any tweaking of drops in the dead of winter hunting season.
I do this with All powders, & cartridges I hunt with.

OK - thanks. I didn't realize this was a "Hot" topic here. I usually check in around the Elk hunting forum and haven't noticed alot of discussion - it may well be there just i haven't noticed it.

I'm one of (rather *used to be*) those OCD folks when it comes to loading. However, i'm not pedantic/legalistic either and know what one barrel likes another may not. Once i get settled into living in the States again and can put together another 'bench (and a rifle to load for!!!), i'll confidently be able to look into whatever powder generates the right accuracy/velocity meeting a not worry about temp variations.

BTW, i used 72grns of RL22 under a 190gr SMK and shot it into .10's @100 so was quite pleased with RL22 in that particular rifle.

 

[bigngreen]

My brother killed 4 elk last year with 6 30 cal 165 barnes tsx(not sure if tipped or not) from his 300 win pushed by rl22 and lit by a 215. All were pass through.

The Barnes 168 is on the marginal side in a 300 at range on elk, up close it's not that big a deal but I've had three fail to penetrate into the chest cavity in the 400-500 yard range on elk shot through the shoulder at mid line, hard sell as a long range bullet!!