Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Which bullet to use in 30-378 Wby Mag on elk

I bought this speedster to take to Idaho. I have never shot a caliber this fast big game. What bullet would you pick?

Keep in mind that I am a penetration guy. I'm thinking 180 TSX might be best, but I've never used the x bullets on game. I hope someone with a preference for jacketed lead bullets will chime in with their experienced recommendation. Is the 180 Swift A-frame a good choice? I know Nosler partitions have a good reputation, but I've blown them apart with a 270 in the ribcage of a whitetail.

Thanks

There are lots of good bullets to choose from. 180TSX is a good choice. If you go with a jacketed bullet, use one of the bonded core bullets. e.g. 180/200 North Fork, Trophy bonded, Accubond or Interbond. 200 gr. partition would be a good choice also.

Personaly, I would choose the Barnes bullets or North Forks........

I've heard terrible things about the North Forks bullets in here. Do a search. It was recent. All the other bullets mentioned should work fine. I've used 150 & 168 grain TSX's in my Warbird and both shoot fine. Either should take an elk from any angle. The 180 would be good too but will generate more recoil. With the TSX's and other bullets named I don't think you need as heavy of a bullet with the super mags for non-dnagerous game. I believe the 168 TSX may be the perfect all around 30 caliber bullet for 30-06 on up. Hope ya get a nice bull!

RickyD,

I searched and could not find any negative reports on North Forks. Do you have a link to these posts?

Big_Redhead,
Where are you planning to hunt in Idaho? Just curious, why a 30-378? Out here, the 30-06 is by far the most popular cartridge used, followed by the 300WM. Most elk are taken within 200 yards. I'm not knocking your choice, just asking.

The northfork bullet is a fantastic big game bullet. There are guys using them on african safaris and are reporting fantastic results at all ranges. I have never ever seen a bad report on one.

All the reports I've seen on Northforks have shown impecable performance. Accuracy and on game have been fantastic.
I've seen lots of reports from guys using them on safari in Africa----always great results. I've never seen a bad report on one.

I've got just the bullet for you.......got (100) 30 cal 180 Failsafes (molly coated) that I'll make you one he!! of a deal on.

Seriously, that class of bullet is what you need. I really do have and would make you a great deal on them if you want them.

Let me know,

Tony

Mr. Redhead,

My sole experience with an elk was a 130 gr TSX out of a .270 Winchester. It did just fine. I'd think with all that velocity, you'd need something that holds together well. A TSX or Fail Safe would be what I'd lean towards. I've tried NorthFork 150's in a .270 Wby, but always got flyers in my groups.

Joe

The .30-378 is capable of pushing a lubricated bullet like the 180g Barnes XLC over the 3400fps mark and non-lubricated 180g bullets over 3200fps. Using a sturdy bullet would be wise.

My preference would be for one of the following: a Swift A-Frame, North Fork, Speer Trophy Bonded, Barnes X/XLC/TSX, or a CT Failsafe.

Regarding the comments made by earlier posters about the North Fork bullets � they have performed beautifully for me. Used one in my Marlin .45-70 to take a 6x6 bull elk at 213 lasered yards. The bullet mushroomed very nicely and had good weight retention, as would be expected for a bonded bullet. In my 7mm Mag the 160g North Forks gave me a 0.266� 3-shot group at 100 yards, best that rifle has ever done. In a water jug test the 350g North Fork provided picture perfect expansion and near 100% weight retention. I plan to keep using them.

Actually the 30-378 will easily push a non-lubricated 180gr bullet over 3400fps and a lubricated 180gr bullet over 3500fps.

My cousin uses a 300 Weatherby for elk and swears by the Weatherby factory ammo with the Barnes bullets. He took a bull at 500 yards in 2003 and one at 70 yards in 2004. Both were one shot kills. By the way, have fun humping that big mother up and down the mountains. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for all replies.

lochsa, I was all ready to take my pet 30-06s when my partner showed up with a 300 Win mag. Time was when I would just swallow that with a splash of R&R, but no more. It's good Irish or Scotch now, and not to be outdone by my hunting partner, I picked up the 30-378 at the next gun show. I know it's foolishness, but I'm as human and as suceptable to human idiocy as the next guy, despite knowing better. It's already been fun though, showing off the rounds to my other buds, and the "gee-whiz" remarks at the range when I light off 120 grains of nitro powder. I should quit worrying about the bullet because the muzzle flash and blast will kill any elk. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Beargrease, the rifle isn't really all that heavy at 8 lbs (9 with scope). My transition M70 is heavier than that. My backup rifle will be a 6-lb 30-06. You guess which one I'll take hunting and which one I'll talk about at the campfires. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> It's a wet dream, I know. But it sure is cool. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> And with time and therapy, I'll recover from the recoil. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Actually, I can tolerate the recoil. I'm 6'1", 275lbs and able to leap tall building in a single bound. Recoil? What recoil? Actually, it doesn't really punch hard, it just SHOVEs you. I believe most of it is due to the jet thrust of all that nitro powder coming out that little hole. Just hang on tight and go for the ride, but DO keep it snug against your shoulder, else the [Leupold] scope will be introduced to your forehead under less than friendly circumstances.

Howdy Big Red-Wow-You touch that thunderboomer off around here and I'll know exactly where you are whether from the muzzle flash in the AM-PM or the sonic boom of ignition. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Bullet choice:My opinion for your new toy is the 200 Nosler and I wouldn't load it to max either.A 200 grain Nosler slightly over 3,000 fps is all a man needs and then some.I sometimes use my 200 Nosler "High Energy's" at 2930 fps in my little .300 Win Mag and it works just fine but I don't or haven't noticed any difference in that and the 180 Nosler at close to the same velocity in effect on the Elk around here.Like Lochsa said; most shots are 200 yards or less but there are some cross canyon shots that can be 300 or more depending on where your hunting.

Save you arm and ears and tame that puppy down slightly.Kidding you of course.Are you reloading it or is it factory fodder?Any how..Congrats on the new gun.

Jayco

I can't find the thread now. Maybe I'm wrong but I know one of the high BC bullet manufacturers were being discussed and several knowledgeable shooters said the BC's claimed were grossly overstated and that they had had terrible luck with the bullets. I thought this was North Fork but maybe I have them confused with another small manufacturer. Sorry I can't be more specific but maybe somebody else remembers the thread.

I was wrong! it was not North Forks bullets that were being critized but Lost River Technologies. Here's the thread: https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads...true#Post421566 .

Sorry about that! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Big Redhead,

I hump a Remington 700 in 7STW. I just had to have something to compete with my cousin's 300 Weatherby too. That rig weighs a little under 9 lbs with scope, rings, ammo and sling. It gets a little heavy for me by the end of the day, but if you see a bull at 500 yards it is worth it. My rifle has a factory muzzle break on it an it recoils less than my Remington 700 Mountain Rifle in .308. Actually, it is a pleasure to shoot. I replaced the stock trigger with a Jewel and it gives me sub-moa groups at all ranges with Federal Premium 160 grain Accubonds. I would still recommend Barnes bullets for that Barn Burner you bought. If you get a close shot something less stout could blow up. Both of the aforementioned bulls that my cousin shot with the Barnes-X where complete pass-throughs at 500 and 70 yards with minimal meat damage. When I was sighting in my 7STW last year there was a guy at the range with a 338-378 Weatherby. The 7STW was like a 22 rimfire compared to the muzzle blast of that monster! Good luck and enjoy your new Earsplittenloudenboomer.

Beargrease

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

A good friend of mine shoots a "Big 30" and he loves the Weatherby Factory ammo. He's killed a couple of elk with it with no problemo.

rickyd,
Thanks for taking the time to look that up. From what I've heard, the north forks are one of the best bullets available. I'd like to try them in the whelen.

bigredhead,
The 30-378 with barnes TSX should make a deadly combo. Good luck on elk this season.

Surely you realize that only depleted uranium bullets will kill elk!

Thanks for all the well wishes, guys. It would be sweet to share fresh elk backstrap chops around the fire in Idaho this fall. Y'all are welcome to join us, but bring some good suds.

Hi Jayco. There's 3 rounds left in the box of Weatherby ammo I bought with the gun. Maybe it's me but those 180 Barnes x-bullets in the factory loads don't shoot very well. Granted, I'm still cutting my teeth on this cannon, but the best group so far at 200 yds is about 6 inches for 3 shots. Naturally, I will handload from here on out. I wouldn't get much practice in with factory loads at $86.95 per box! The RCBS loading dies were only $25, and I've got a slew of the 180 grain Hornady SSTs from Midsouth to play with. A pound of Hodgdon Retumbo powder is good for at least 50 rounds. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> That's funny - we can load over 500 rounds of 45-70 with a pound of Unique. I don't know how much down-loading will happen with the 30-378 though. I bought it for it's ranging capability. I would say I'll trade you a few rounds behind the Sako for a ride on your YZ-250, but I know better. I rode a YZ-125 once and that was enough for me. You can still shoot the Sako if you want to, but I'll stick to the mundane bikes, thank you. Did you see any elk on your ride the other day?

Live well