Recommended bullet for elk

[Bandhunter]

I will be heading west this fall for my first ever antelope/mule deer and possibly elk hunt in Colorado. The antelope will be blackpowder season. The mule deer will be rifle and if any elk are around I can purchase a tag over the counter for rifle also. I usually use my T/C encore .25-06 for deer and I have a Knight KP1 50 cal. ML for the antelope. I also have a new .308 barrel for the KP1 and was thinking of using it for elk if needed. I think the .25-06 would be too light, but was wondering what anyone would recommend in a bullet for the .308 for elk. Or I might order a new barrel for my Encore for elk.

Thanks, Rick

[bronko22000]

Barnes 180 gr TSX for your 308. Excellent performance on elk. Of course I would prefer a bit more than the 308. A 30-06 would be better, and a 300 WM or WSM even better. The 338 would be perfect.

[n5638b]

Hi Rick, have fun when you come out here! I load my 308 with basic Remington Core-lokts, 180 grain. I've found these shoot very well out of my Browning and the bull elk I shot last year had 0 heart left. It was complete jello when we opened him up. I think shot placement is much more important than all the high tech expensive bullets. Of course I would not be afraid to hunt with your 50 cal either. Put some Hornady Great Plains 320 grain bullets in it and watch it knock down any elk within 200 yards. In front of 90 grains of Pyrodex, I had that Great Plains bullet go completely through a 5 gallon bucket that had 2 inches of wet sand in the bottom, 13 inches of wet, packed newspaper, 3/4" piece of plywood and 2 more inches of wet newspaper on top. The bucket was 100 yards downrange laying on it's side so I could shoot lengthwise into it. By comparison, my 308 (same load that destoyed the heart) made it about two thirds of the way through the bucket. Biggest thing is to be ready to put that bullet where you want it and of course have a blast doing it!

[bush_pig]

sierra 165gn game king

[Big Uncle]

Nosler Partitions are hard to beat, and a 165 is the best bullet weight for both accuracy and terminal effect that I have used in a .308 Win.

[Scott Gags]

In a 308 I would try to load a high BC bullet to extend its effective range. I assume you are reloading since you asked about a bullet and not ammunition. I would look at the 168 grain etip with a .503 BC and the 180 and 200 grain Accubond with .507 and .588 bc. Here is link for ammo that would be worth a try if you dont reload.

http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/cat...roducts_id=206

This load would be effective to around 500 yards which is great for a 308.

[Wolf killer]

Originally Posted by Big Uncle

Nosler Partitions are hard to beat, and a 165 is the best bullet weight for both accuracy and terminal effect that I have used in a .308 Win.

Tough to beat the old Nosler Partition.

[2 Samuel 22:35]

270 or a 30-06 will take care of it for you.

Those are the best big game bullets aroung.

[salukipv1]

.25-06 would be a great antelope/mule deer cartridge and could probably get the job done on an elk using the right bullet on an elk within range and angle. I think a 100gr TSX, or 120gr Nosler Partition would be my ideals.

If you're adding elk to the hunt for sure, something bigger would probably be better for the elk and a tad overkill on the other two but I think I'd rather go bigger on the elk. Something in the .270-.300 range.

any of the 270's
7mm Rem.Mag. might be perfect all around for antelope-mule deer-elk combo hunt.
or
a .270wsm,
or .300wsm w/180gr would be a great mule deer/elk rifle.

good luck!

[Bandhunter]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will not be going until late October so I have plenty of time too see what combo will shoot best.

Thanks again, Rick