A few loads for elk. Which ones would you choose?

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308, 165 gr. Hornady Interloc bt. velocity right at 2700 15 ft. from the muzzle, 248 lasered yards. What's not to like?
tuffbull.jpg
 
Forget foot pounds, the bullet is everything. Definitely the 180gr Accubond over anything 165gr or any Hornady bullet. Had too many failures with Hornady bullets to use them on an expensive elk hunt. Except maybe the GMX.
 
All are solid choices. For the 30-06 I'd go with the 180 Accubond. The 308 sings them a little slow but I'm pretty sure it's plenty. The 180 Accubond is a great bullet in my experiences.

CraigC I've heard the Interbond is a much better bullet than the Interlock and works as it should. Admittedly have not used them myself but I would take any bonded bullet over any cup and core for elk.
 
That's why I am testing two of the most popular bonded bullets. ;)

I've had nothing but great luck from Hornady bullets. Superior accuracy and excellent terminal performance on deer and hogs from their interlock and FTX lines. I would expect the Interbond's to perform exactly how they are designed.

One thing I'm looking at closely - and I realize ft. lbs. aren't everything - is the impact velocity. I'd like to keep it over 2000 fps. if possible so the bullet will expand properly.
 
I wouldn't shoot an elk with less than a 180 Grain bullet in .30 caliber. But more important than anything is getting a good broadside or near broadside shot on an elk. Bad raking shots on elk are what nightmares are made of unfortunately I have been there.!.
 
Zoer said:
I wouldn't shoot an elk with less than a 180 Grain bullet in .30 caliber. But more important than anything is getting a good broadside or near broadside shot on an elk. Bad raking shots on elk are what nightmares are made of unfortunately I have been there.!.
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I've heard this a lot. But I've also read quite a bit about today's bonded bullets being so good that the need for heavier bullets just isn't as necessary as it once was. Hard to know what to believe for someone who has so little experience shooting elk.
 
Having never shot an elk but seen and shot a few 800-1000lb cows. Id go with either 180 load at your expected ranges.
I tend to prefer cup N core bullets of heavier weight, tho i do shoot and have shot with people that shoot monos and bondeds. Im also of the opinion that if a second shot is available ill always take it on anything larger than a deer.
Right now im playing with 208s at 2650 from my 06, and while ive got no on game experience ill get to try it on game later this month.
 
Gtscotty said:
This thread is making me twitchy for elk season... Wyoming draw results publish tomorrow, fingers crossed.
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I've been twitchy for elk season since last elk season. LOL

Another range session tonight and the "good news" is that the 180's did great from both my '06 and the new Remington .308 that I plan to take for my son to use. In fact, the 180's did a little better than the 165's from the .308, so that was an easy decision.

Essentially, the 180 Accubonds give me 1500 ft lbs and 2000 fps at 500 yards, and the same from the .308 at 400 yards. Both rifles are plenty accurate for those distances, given the right conditions and a solid rest.
 
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horsey300 said:
Good luck!
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No such luck, I was really hoping for a bull tag in my area this year, but pulled two cow tags instead. I also struck out on a low probability Muley tag, but that's no biggie, most of where I hunt elk is covered by a general deer area, so I'll just pick up a tag and keep an eye out for both during September.

It looks like the Accubonds will get the nod from me this year, but they might be 140's coming out of my 6.5 CM!
 
Gtscotty said:
No such luck, I was really hoping for a bull tag in my area this year, but pulled two cow tags instead. I also struck out on a low probability Muley tag, but that's no biggie, most of where I hunt elk is covered by a general deer area, so I'll just pick up a tag and keep an eye out for both during September.

It looks like the Accubonds will get the nod from me this year, but they might be 140's coming out of my 6.5 CM!
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Whereabouts if you don't mind me asking?
 
Like a dope I missed the CO draw this year so it's OTC tags for me. Son is a resident, and a D.V. so he gets to hunt cheap.

So now that the rifles and loads are settled on, I gotta decide where we're gonna go!
 
Newtosavage said:
Like a dope I missed the CO draw this year so it's OTC tags for me. Son is a resident, and a D.V. so he gets to hunt cheap.

So now that the rifles and loads are settled on, I gotta decide where we're gonna go!
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Wherever it is, I wish you both good luck and better memories! It looks like your ammo will be up to it either way!
 
Newtosavage said:
Thanks for the advice all. The 165's out of the .308 are the most accurate of the bunch, regularly printing .5's and .6's, so it's hard to overlook those.
It's an embarrassment of riches when I have 4 loads from 2 rifles that will all go sub-MOA to 300+
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Well if one load isn't hands down much more accurate than the rest, then I'd opt for the lightest of the two rifles. If the rifles are the same weight or so close in weight as it doesn't matter, then I'd go with the heavy bullet in the .30-06. You're not shooting a match, you're carrying the rifle all day and taking one shot. ;)

LD
 
The area system isn't that hard to figure out, altho it's certainly a bigger mess than 50 years ago.. Antelope all area's are draw, so pick where you want to go and apply. Deer most area's are general license, with some being draw only and some in addition to general license have doe/fawn licenses available thru the draw. Elk much the same way.
 
Loyalist Dave said:
Well if one load isn't hands down much more accurate than the rest, then I'd opt for the lightest of the two rifles. If the rifles are the same weight or so close in weight as it doesn't matter, then I'd go with the heavy bullet in the .30-06. You're not shooting a match, you're carrying the rifle all day and taking one shot. ;)

LD
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Very good advice. One rifle is 7 lbs. 3 oz. and the other is 7 lbs. 7 oz. (both scoped). My Tikka is the lighter of the two although I'm still thinking of chopping the Remington 308's barrel down from 24" to 20" (as the 24" barrel is a bit unweildy on that gun) in which case they would both weigh the same.
 
I've taken several elk in Wyoming with my .308 shooting 180 grain ammo. My farthest shot was approx 225 yards. None got away.

Since .308 recoil is easily tolerated by most hunters, I advise practice shooting two quick shots. One shot right after the other. Two chest hits will bring down any bull that ever walked.

TR
 
T.R. said:
I've taken several elk in Wyoming with my .308 shooting 180 grain ammo. My farthest shot was approx 225 yards. None got away.

Since .308 recoil is easily tolerated by most hunters, I advise practice shooting two quick shots. One shot right after the other. Two chest hits will bring down any bull that ever walked.

TR
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It's amazing how much more felt recoil the '06 generates compared to the .308, for just a 100-150 fps. gain. I am beginning to understand why the .308 is so highly regarded now that I have some experience loading for it. 180 Accubonds at 2550+ and 125 Ballistic tips at 2900 can cover a lot of hunting situations.
 
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