Which is the better Elk round?

Silveroddo · 10-09-2005, 05:29 PM

Hey,
I'm shooting a 300wsm and heading out west to go elk hunting. I've been shooting federal fusion 180grains and am looking at the federal premiums in 180grains. The premium uses a Nosler solidbase bullet. The balistics are about the same. What I was wondering is which would be the better elk round? I'm planning on using the premium but was wondering if I should be looking at anything else? My main concern is ther bullet and which will hold up better or if they would both be adequate. Any tips or info on these or other rounds would be helpful.
Thanks

Roskoe · 10-09-2005, 07:11 PM

I assuming the Federal Premium "solid base" is the Nosler Ballistic Tip bullet - since Nosler hasn't made the old Solid Base for about 10 years now. These tend to be a little soft for elk. Great deer bullet. Will work for elk on broad side rib shots,but will almost certainly blow up in the shoulder or run out of gas early on any sort of quartering shot.

Although the Fusion bullets are pretty new, preliminary reports suggest they will likely penetrate and hold together well.

Can you come up with any Nosler Partition or Nosler Accubond bullets in that weight? Both of these are proven elk bullets.

Scott Gags · 10-09-2005, 07:48 PM

Nosler just brought back the solid base bullet and it is used in some of the federal loads I am not sure if the 300 WSM offers it. If that is the bullet you are talking about Siveroddo it is ok for elk but if the accubond or partition shoots equally well as the solid base I would pick those first.

Scott Gags · 10-09-2005, 07:50 PM

Just wanted to mention the Barnes TSX is also available from federal and that is probably the best for elk it has a better BC and higher weight retention than any of the other bullets.

biggunz.45-70 · 10-09-2005, 08:13 PM

Both of those bullets are designed for deer size game. Look for accubonds, partitions, or any of the barnes bullets in federal premium loads. They're built to put down elk.

bigbulls · 10-09-2005, 09:36 PM

If the Federal fusion shoots well for you then I would use it. For that matter the solid base will work well also but it is of "standard" construction much like a corelokt or power point but they will certainly put down any elk that walks.

The fusion is a bonded bullet just like the accubonds, interbonds etc... The difference is that the fusion is mollecularly bonded rather than chemically bonded. It should hold together every bit as well as the accubonds and interbonds. The fusion should be a great "do all" bullet to be used on all of the deer species.

Like I said, if the fusions shoot well for you then there is no reason what so ever that you should not use them.

handloader1 · 10-09-2005, 10:36 PM

I would go with loads which have been absolutly proven like Barnes X, Swift A-Frame, Nosler Partition, TBBC, Winchester Fail-Safe. Good luck.