300 WM bullet for Elk

[AzDiz]

Long time lurker first time poster. I'm looking for suggestions for an elk load for this fall, based on the somewhat limited bullet availability. I've been reloading, and shooting medium to long range for several year but mainly with 308, and a little bit with a 6.5 Grendel. I got invited on my my first rifle elk hunt with a couple buddies, so I took the opportunity to pick up a 300 WM that has been on the list for some time as my next caliber to add. I've archery hunted elk but this will be my first rifle load for elk. I started with a few boxes of factory ammo and my rifle grouped well with 180-185 gr loads.

I've picked up the following 3 bullets and I'd be curious to hear any experience with these options, 180 gr Barnes TTSX, Hornady 180 Gr ELD-X and Hornady 180 Interlock SP. I'm comfortable developing a load based on accuracy and external ballistics but would appreciate any insight on the terminal ballistics of these bullets for elk. I'm looking for something with the right expansion at 300-600 yards. I'm shooting a 24'' barrel with 1:10" twist. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[med358-boise]

I am a big fan of the TTSX and the 180 grain TTSX is an excellent choice.

 

[jaspepp]

3-600 yds and 180 gr, go with the Barnes

 

[Sockeye66]

My A bolt Browning shoots the 180gr TTSX better than any bullet Iv'e tested and that's quite a few. No worries about performance when the time comes.

 

[AzDiz]

Thanks for the replies. TTSX was my first choice but I read some comments questioning their expansion at lower velocities/longer ranges. I'd assume inside 600 it would't be an issue but wanted to ask for other experience with them.

 

[jaspepp]

That is the only downside to those solid copper bullets. 600 you're probably good but I wouldn't push it further. https://www.fieldandstream.com/long-range-shootout/

 

[KMLampson]

180 TTSX is an awesome bullet for the 300 Win Mag. I have taken numerous animals with it, including elk out to 540 yards and mule deer out to 620 yards. I don't like shooting at game much passed 600 yards, but that is really just a personal limit. Beyond that distance I would probably choose something like Berger over the Barnes.

 

[AZShooter]

Before Berger bullets were made, I used the 200 gr partition then the 200 gr accubond. Both of them always exited.

If you can find some, the 215 Berger hybrid has a great track record.
Read this and decide:
Many kills are documented with entrance and exit wounds, distance, retained energy, velocity etc First pages are discussion of the 215 hybrid compared to the 210 VLD. The kills begin on page 6

Comparing the Berger 210 VLD to the 215 Hybrid

As you all know I am a huge fan of the 210 Berger VLD, and have been for years. The amount of elk and other game we have taken with this bullet is stunning, and have never tracked an animal. Last season my son "Young-Gun" wanted to test the 230 Hybrid OTM in his 300 win and we did. We really...

www.longrangehunting.com

 

[Rick Richard]

For the ones you have, the TTSX would be my choice. You could also try the Hammer line of bullets too. Either 166 or 181 Hammer Hunters too.

 

[sable tireur]

Thanks for the replies. TTSX was my first choice but I read some comments questioning their expansion at lower velocities/longer ranges. I'd assume inside 600 it would't be an issue but wanted to ask for other experience with them.

This will depend on your chamber and at what velocity you achieve the acceptable accuracy.

My load with the 180 TTSX is at the upper node so I have a calculated remaining energy of nearly 1,800 ft/lbs at 600 yards so the TTSX doesn't present any problems for me. I later adjusted my chamber to allow seating these solids out and still feed from my DBM magazine.

The 180 gr. Hammer Hunter should stabilize in your 1:10" twist although the 181 gr. will lose BC points. These will also seat fairly deep into the case so you could have the leade and throat adjusted for the longer bullets. Ask Hammer about seating lengths.

The Swift 180 gr. A-Frame works great!

Enjoy your hunt!

 

[just_jon]

196 Hammer Hunter will also stabilize in a 1:10 barrel. Combined with 77 grains of RL26, it will run just over 3100 fps in a 24" 300WM. It will be my choice for my next elk hunt.

 

[memtb]

Long time lurker first time poster. I'm looking for suggestions for an elk load for this fall, based on the somewhat limited bullet availability. I've been reloading, and shooting medium to long range for several year but mainly with 308, and a little bit with a 6.5 Grendel. I got invited on my my first rifle elk hunt with a couple buddies, so I took the opportunity to pick up a 300 WM that has been on the list for some time as my next caliber to add. I've archery hunted elk but this will be my first rifle load for elk. I started with a few boxes of factory ammo and my rifle grouped well with 180-185 gr loads.

I've picked up the following 3 bullets and I'd be curious to hear any experience with these options, 180 gr Barnes TTSX, Hornady 180 Gr ELD-X and Hornady 180 Interlock SP. I'm comfortable developing a load based on accuracy and external ballistics but would appreciate any insight on the terminal ballistics of these bullets for elk. I'm looking for something with the right expansion at 300-600 yards. I'm shooting a 24'' barrel with 1:10" twist. Thanks in advance for any help.

provided that you can have your impact velocity above the speed for reliable expansion……Hands down a mono! I'm pretty fond of the Barnes TTSX's! memtb

 

[DJ Morrison]

TTSX! I Shoot them in 300 wsm, 300 wby, and lazzeroni warbird...

 

[fmuguira]

I wouldn't hesitate shooting an elk with any of those. Me, I d shoot the one my rifle grouped best …