A good bullet with a sectional density of at least .260 should be used for Elk and even big Mule deer Bucks. In thirty caliber that would be 180 grain. As far as non Premium bullets go, I would trust the Hornady bullets any day. The Barnes X and swift A-frame, Nostel Partition and Accubond and the Speer Grand-slam should all work well. Federal Premium for one comes factory loaded with Partition bullets. I have not tried the corlokt bonded core but would quess they would be a good bullet. I use tons of corlokt for practice because they are cheap to buy bulk. Never had any trouble hunting deer and antelope with them. In my 30-06 for Elk I would probably load the Speer Grandslam. Same for the 270 WSM. In my 45-70 rifles for Elk I load the 350 grain Speer Hot core or the 350 grain Hornady round noes. I have some new 45-70 Barnes 300 grain spire points that I have not tried yet but hope to this year. Sorry I got off track again.