30-06 elk load?

[30-40]

What is a good bullet and powder charge to use for elk? I wanted to hunt with a 30-40 Krag but it seem most feel it is not a good choice, so i going to use a 30-06 and looking for a good bullet and powder. Anybody hunt unit 24 in Colorado?

[NE Hunter]

30-40, I've never hunted Elk but I would sugest a premium bullet ( like nosler partition) that your gun shoots well in 180 grains. Good luck on the hunt.

[Gundigest]

I have a load for my 30-06 with a 180gr Barnes XLC at 2900fps that touches holes at 100 yards. I don't have the load data with me though. Nosler has a 2758fps load with the 180gr partition and 55gr of IMR 4350. I use a lot of IMR 4350.

[longrifle1000]

I took my 30-40 Krag elk hunting in 1997. It worked quite well. One shot kill at 150 yards. I loaded a 180 gr. Speer grand slam bullet behind 47 gr. of imr 4831 for 2162 fps. This was in a Ruger #3 carbine. You might have to try and see if they will shoot well out of a military gun, if that is what you have. If you have a military gun and they don't shoot well, try the 200 gr spitzer soft point. As far as the 30-06 i would use the 160 gr grand slam or 180 gr grand slam. Just use your reloading manual and work up the best load.

[tomr1962]

I have killed many elk with Nosler Partitions. The 180 grain Partition will be about 120 grains when retrieved near the off shoulder of the bull. All of the energy of the bullet will be left where it belongs, in the elk. Resulting of course in a dead bull. Penetration is never a problem.

[handloader1]

I would use a Barnes XBT or XFB 180 gr. depending on what shoots better for you. I use RL- 19 and it groups under .75". Two years ago I loaded up some Barnes XFB 200 gr. traveling at 2600 f/s using RL-19 (right at .75" group) for ambushing elk at a tank at about 100 yds., but did not see a legal bull. For other methods of elk hunting I use a 340 Wby. Mag. Good luck.

[Realwood1]

I too am a strong Barnes advocate. Here are two excellent, accurate 30-06 elk loads that would suit you well.

1) Barnes 168 gr. Triple Shock, 52 grains of Varget, Overall length 3.265, Winchester WLR primer. Shoots three shot groups of .77" at 100yds with a chronographed muzzle velocity of 3000 fps - from a 22" barrel in a Browning stainless stalker - This is my new favorite.

2) Running a close second - Barnes 168 gr. XLC, 59 grains of RL-19, OAL 3.265, WLR. Interestingly it shoots the same size groups as #1 but at a muzzle velocity of 2945 avg.

Both of these loads have maintained sub MOA out to 300 yards. As always, watch for signs of pressure. Both of these have been fine in my rifle.

I too hunt Colorado but have been in Units 3, 66, and 76 over the last few years.

Good luck.