Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting elk bullet question

Well now that my wife drew her first elk tag (cow) I'm going to need to put her .308 barrel back on her savage. My question though revolves around bullet selection the primary bullet she uses is a Barnes 130 TTSX. But for elk I'm thinking of running 150Gr. TTSXs or a Nosler partition of the same weight. considering she is recoil conscious what would you run?

Richard

How well does she shoot the 130?

20 grains won't make a lick of difference as long as she puts the bullet in the right place.


My dad killed this bull with a single 140 Accubond from his 7mm-08 at 225 yards.





Elk aren't armored.




P

I'd stick with the 130 as well.. Can't imagine anything wrong with that choice if you are hunting sane ranges.

When Daughter #1 moved back to Colorado we had the same dilemma. She is recoil sensitive so she got a .308 Win. We ended up loading 130g TTSX for her. While she hasn't shot an elk, yet, she did get her antelope last year at 368 yards. I've also built 150g BT loads for her but think she will stick with the 130g TTSX

Perfect placement on that shot. Congrats to your dad Pharmseller.

Thanks. His feet didn't touch the ground for a week.

We practiced from field positions at least once a week for months. When the opportunity came it was just going through the motions.

Until he walked up on it, of course.






P

Absolutely. Hunts with Dad are the best! Congrats Pharm!

150 ttsx
To me...130 in 30 cal is just too short looking.
I'm sure it works.
I'm shooting 168 ttsx in my 06 and 130 ttsx in 270 with great accuracy.
Pharm, congrats to your dad dad.
I can't wait till the 15th or 16th to see the draw.

I killed a couple cow elk a few years back with the 120 grain TTSX out of my 7mm-08. Seeing the performance on both those cows tells me the 130 grain TTSX out of the 308 win will be perfect for your wife.

Good luck!

Hntnut: I strongly suggest the 165 grain Nosler Partitions!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Why? What's your experience with the 308 and various bullets on elk?

I am w/ Varmint Guy😜 Partitions always work😏

130 grains is enough if it holds together, which Barnes X bullets do.
But the Partition in 150 165 or 180 are also really good and it's very hard to beat a Nosler partition. Some bullets can match it for elk, but I know of none that really beat it.

I've tried a pile of different powders, primers, brass, etc. in multiple rifles using the Partition. I've yet to find a suitable load with the accuracy I desire. Made the switch to Barnes TSX and TTSX bullets and haven't looked back.

Partitions are great bullets but I've yet to find loads my rifles like.

Edit.

If the 130s shoot well and you like then use it.

Thank you for the replies I believe I'll have her stick with the 130 TTSXs they work well in her rifle and I have about 500 in stock.

Richard

Picky, picky, picky.

Good plan last post!

A 140 gr. Corelokt worked bang/flop on an elk out of my .260 at @ 150 yds.. As it has done on several caribou and a wolf, to ranges in excess of 300 yards.

Shoot what is accurate and she likes...



You too? Some folks here pity me because I haven't found a Partition load better than what my rifles like in C&C. Very limited experience with Barnes (factory) loads, but none of them have worked out well either. Gotta try some hand-loads... Not that I need premiums.. C&C work well. Cheaper too, and have killed just as well for me.

But then, I tend not to get too anal beyond, "Damn, that's good, and good enough!", - 1,5 MOA or better. Sometimes I get REALLY lucky on initial load development, and quit right there.

Any further would likely be masturbation.

I'd see which one the gun shoots most accuratley, as any of the bullet weights and manufacturers being suggested here will get the job done with proper shot placement. I am a huge fanboy of the Nosler Partition, it just plain kills. But I've got a few rifles that don't like it all that well. My plan B when required is a Nosler Accubond. I've never had either bullet fail to do its job if I do mine.

My thought also - she won't even feel the gun go off while shooting at an elk. Practice with the lighter bullets then you sight in with the 165's - don't even need to tell her any different.