Which bullet weight??

[30-06 lover]

I am going to Colorado this year hunting deer for sure, and if funds keep, cow elk also. I have a Savage 99C .308 Win that I absolutly love, so I have decided to take it this year. The last time I took the rifle hunting was on a deer/cow elk hunt in CO a few years ago. I tried sighting in with 180 grain bullets before that last hunt, but for some reason my 99 doesn't eat 180s worth ????. I tried silvertips, partitions, and core-lokts, they all shot about three inch groups, at best, at 100 yards. With 150 grain bullets I can shoot about one inch groups, and sometimes touch bullets at a hundred with my 99. I want to try 165 or 168 grain bullets, but I can't find any premium bullets in those weights, besides Rem Scirocco, but I have had major issues with Rems misfiring (express ammo), so I want that to be my last resort. I really don't like to hear "click" when I trip the trigger on a buck! (happened! )


So I have two questions.
1) Would you shoot 150s? A cow elk is big, but not as big as a bull (most of the time). Would you be comfortable shoting a cow with 150s? I thinking maybe Federal's 150 grain Nosler Partition load would do the trick?
2) If 150 is too light, who loads a 165/8 grain premium bullet? I don't reload, so it needs to be factory ammo.

I know a .308 is considered light for an elk rifle, but I am not going to shoot at an elk past 300 yards, and I am not going to be shooting a huge bull. Bonded bullets really trip my trigger, but I can't seem to find any bonded bullets for my 308. Any information will be appreciated! Thanks!!!
-Mike

 

[Delmar]

Have you tried some of the premium loads from Federal?

 

['Card]

Try some of Federal's Premium Vital-Shok rounds. The P308G has one of those Nosler Partition bullets (which I love) and packs 2,245 pounds of knowckdown power (energy in foot-pounds) at 200 yards. It's a 180-grain bullet, but I'll bet it would give you the accuracy you're looking for. If not, Federal also makes a Premium Vital-Shock they call a 'Barnes Triple Shock X-Bullet' in 165-grain that I've heard good things about.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Federal Premium Vital Shok 165gr Sierra Game King. They also make a Nosler partition and solid base boat tail along with the Barnes X bullet in the same weight.

 

[30-06 lover]

I tried Federal's Nosler Partion 180 grain load, but it shot poorly. Thanks!!!
-Mike

 

[41 Redhawk]

Federal offers the Barnes Triple Shock X bullet in 165gr and the Trophy Bonded Bear Claw in 165 gr. To me those are your best choices and will work well

 

[Vern Humphrey]

In .308 and .30-06, the 165 grain bullet is a good choice. It offers the best ballistic balance in those cases, and has the sectional density for good penetration. Many experts say the modern premium bullets (such as the Barnes X-series or the Game King) will perform one level above their weight -- with a 165-grain TSX, Failsafe, etc, being equal to or better than the old CoreLoct or Silvertip 180 grain bullets.

 

['Card]

Sorry you didn't have any luck with those Federal Nosler's. Those things have always been tack-drivers for me.

...and piledrivers too, considering the damage they do on the recieving end.

 

[Thomas Neal]

Which Bullet Weight

In my opinion, Unless you reload ! The 165 and up will be the best. Over the counter .308 and 30-06 are so close in fps. That I don't think, you'll be able to tell the differance. Unless you reload! If you do you can add 200 fps which turns the 30-06 into a lite mag!

 

[30-06 lover]

I just found Hornady Interbonds in 308, but they are only loaded for 150 grain. What do you all think about using 150 grains on cow elk at 300 or less? Thanks!!!
-Mike

 

[sumpnz]

I would avoid using the 150's on elk. For .30 caliber they don't have the sectional density for reliable penetration, especially out at 300 yards.

Give those 165gr Federal loads a go. I've had good luck with the Barnes X-bullets in my 6.5x55mm rifle (used a 140gr to take a large cow elk with it, it was handloaded to 2850fps). If the Barnes TSX load shoots well in your rifle, and it has the reputation of shooting well in most guns, I would go with that. Otherwise, one of the other Federal 165gr loads will probably do.

 

[Matt G]

Federal Premium Vital Shok 165gr Sierra Game King. They also make a Nosler partition and solid base boat tail along with the Barnes X bullet in the same weight.

Dr. Rob took the words right out of my mouth... er, keyboard.

Federal's got a nice selection of 165s to try (I'm partial to the GameKing):

http://www.federalcartridge.com/ballistics/default.aspx

 

[Kingcreek]

I've had very good results with the Sierra GameKing 165g in .308 reloads.
factory ammo? don't know or don't remember.

 

[30-06 lover]

Thanks for the replies! For me, there are two kinds of big game bullets, Partitons, and bonded. I have shot far too many animals with non-bonded copper jacket bullets, only to lose the animal, or have to shoot it more than once due to poor bullet strength. Copper jacket bullets seem to fragment more, so I keep to a bullet that almost 100% of the time holds together. I will order Remington Scirocco 165 and Federal 180 Partitions, and see which one shoots best and use the better for elk (if either shoot well). I might not hunt elk at all, but if I do, I will try use at least 165 grain bullets. Again, thanks for the replies.

 

[30-06 lover]

Another question...What do you all feel about Federal's new Fusion ammo? Would the 165 gran 308 win load be a good choice for elk at 300 and under??? I think it is considered more of a deer bullet, but it is a "bonded" 165 grain round for my 308, so I am guessing it will be okay? What are you feelings about using fusion? What do you think of the load for mule deer? Thanks!!!
-Mike

 

[H&Hhunter]

Either would be fine for mule deer.

I'd stay away from any polymer tipped bullet for elk hunting. My 99EG in .308 like the barnes 168 gr triple shock very very much. The 168 gr triple shock is a bullet which I personally and highly recomend for a .308 elk load.