If you are not shooting long ranges (beyond say 250 yds), either 165 or 180 grain loads will do just fine on elk. You do NOT need premium bullets. Assuming they shoot well in your gun, plain old "green box" corelocks will do just fine.

Practicing with one load, at distances up to the ranges that you will shoot in the field, is a far better use of your time than testing different brands of premium ammo.

28" barrel?? Really?? Isnt that a bit long?

Most t/c pro hunters come with a 28 inch barrel at the same length as say a remington 700 with a 26 inch barrel because you dont have the space above the magazine to account for. They still handle really smooth. I like the nosler partitions and accubonds and it shouldnt be hard to find a factory load with either of those.

165 gr. Partition or Accubond.

Have used 308 Win. for white tail, feral hogs and mule deer for about 40 years or so. I would say from my experience any good hunting grade bullet 150 gr. -165 gr. would be fine. Just need to find the "load" that groups the best out of your rifle.

I would use Sako ammunition with a 200 grain Hammerhead bullet