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171farm Offline OP
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I’m signed up for a Montana 2021 elk/mule deer combo and I’m looking for advice on what ammo I should use. I do not reload so I have to rely on factory offerings. I used Hornady Precision Hunter 300wm 200 gr 3 years ago on an elk hunt in Colorado. Although I successfully harvested a decent bull at a touch over 300 yards I’d like to consider another round. The precision’s were fatal and dropped him in his tracks requiring a few follow ups to ultimately ensure I finished him off (guide told us that morning how tuff elk were and have been known to get back up after being knocked do so keep shoot until they stop moving). My issue is if he didn’t fall I wouldn’t have had much of any blood to follow due to none of my hits passing through. Should that concern me or am I over thinking things?

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over thinking it...


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I used a 200gr Accubond on Alaskan Moose. Did the job.

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Try both 180 grain Partition and Accubond in your rifle. Use whichever round gives you the best accuracy.


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Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.

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If it's worked before, use it again. I like Barnes TSX or TTSX. Been a proven performer. Some people here think the 6.5 Needmore is sufficient for Elk, others will say just hit 'em in the vitals and they'll die, a few rationalize Jack OConner used a 270 for everything, and then there's the final coup de grace - poachers use .22's to kill elk all the time argument, all of which make elk seem as easy to put down as a squirrel. My take is a good bullet, partition, solid copper, or similar is required and the rest is irrelevant, except for distance. A 30-30 will take an elk at 100 yards. A 300 wm - shooting the same 180 grain, .30 cal. bullet will take an elk at 400 yards. My experience has been that each elk is different, some die fast, others will run 100's of yards - given the same bullet, placement, and distance.

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Contrary to what your guide said elk do not wear Kevlar. When Shooting a 300wm any bullet will stop an elk so pick the one you shoot best out of your rifle.


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Most bullets will work most of the time.

If you want deep penetration, go heavy. Stouter bullets also help in that regard. My choices, depending on the rifle are Barnes TTSX/LRX and Nosler AccuBond/AccuBond LR.I also use Swift A-FRame and Scirocco and the no-linger available North Fork bullets.

The new Federal Terminal Ascent have been accurate in my handloads (.280 Rem and 7mm RM) and I would use them this year if I can find more as components. They offer the best of everything I like about big game bullets - high B.C., poly tip to help B.C.and initiate expansion, bonded core (front half), mono metal rear.

Last edited by Coyote_Hunter; 09/15/20. Reason: spelnig

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The 180 Partition has worked for me on many elk and deer. Shoot well and you will have few if any problems. Good luck on your hunt.

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I shoot A 168 gr TTSX Barnes. Hyper accurate and should easily dispatch those two species

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I have had great results with 200 grain partitions on several elk and moose.
Several great bullets are on the market these days, I do like heavy for caliber
bullets on larger game. Two of my grandchildren have harvested moose this season
With 165 grain in 308 win. So whatever you chose after the research you are doing
Will most likely preform great.


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171farm Offline OP
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Hey all, thanks for the replies so far. I think what I’m gonna do is try some of the suggestions you have given and see what shoots well out of my gun. The issue I’m up against now is finding some of these in stock. I haven’t went to the local places yet but a lot are sold out online

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Another vote for 168 Barnes TTSX. Out of my .300 Weatherby, all one shot kills with pass through on large mule deer and bull elk. Should do the same with a .300 Win Mag. All were hit in the vitals and went down immediately if not sooner. A 180 TTSX should work similarly if you can’t find 168’s. I handload the 168’s since the 180 gr and above has more felt recoil in my rifle it seems. Happy Trails


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Another vote for Barnes Bullets, in either the 165 to 180 grain variety. The VOR-TX brand ( by Remington), and some of the Federal Premium loadings are using Barnes bullets. memtb


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Over thinking it.

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A 300 WM? This should be pretty easy, I killed my 1st dozen Elk w/ a 300 savage or a .243. You can't be too close or too steady.


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Last edited by lvmiker; 09/16/20.

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I would love to know where the first and followup shots hit the elk. Secondly pass through shots are not necessarily a requisite for ample blood trails. Inquiring minds would like to know!


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I’ve killed elk with the 200 eldx worked just fine, if your gun shoots them roll with them.

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180 Partition, 180 Accubond, 165-180 TTSX to include the incredible 175 LRX


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171farm Offline OP
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Originally Posted by shootsacreed
I would love to know where the first and followup shots hit the elk. Secondly pass through shots are not necessarily a requisite for ample blood trails. Inquiring minds would like to know!


We didnt gut it so I didnt see first hand evidence but based off of the entrance wounds all of the shots were within the vitals. The first shot was a bit high but might have caught the heart, the others were all lung shots due to his orientation. First shot put him down but he got back up and I shot him again and the second kept him down but he was clearly attempting to stand back up so I shot at least one more time and again it was a lung shot. Without seeing the internals, I think the first shot was lethal and he would have died but I dont know for sure. I would think if he would have ran more than the step or two he took between shot 1 and 2 there probably would have been blood but I just typically would think a pass through would produce more blood.

Again, the bullet did what it was supposed to by killing an elk so Im probably over thinking it.

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