Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting long range elk. what is your bullet choice?

I am looking for an ultimate elk bullet. the platform is a savage 110fp 300 win mag. shots will range from the 400-600 yard range max. now let me explain why. where I hunt there is a high ridge that elk seem to love or hate. mid morning they seem to flock there, about half the time. it can be hit and miss. its wide open and clear providing a 400-600 yard shot. now my fav elk rifle is a ruger m77mkII in a 7mm. I bought the 300 for that hill side. I have seen some monster bulls on that hill, but its hit and miss. in the past I would glass it and hike fast and cut them off, no prob. well now I am disabled and about to be discharged in 2 months. so the quick runs up the mountain side aren't as feasible now. I don't doubt I can hit an elk at 600. I've killed much smaller targets at much longer distances.
I'm just looking for the best bullet to do enough tissue damage to drop them. is a 165 grain a little light? I'm looking for something in a ballistic tip, preferably 165-190 grain is what I figure would do it. looking for field experience to confirm.
thank you.
-1135

In 7mm, my favorite is a 200 grain Wildcat bullet made by Richard Graves out of Canada. Took a good sized cow with it at 666 yards several years ago in Colorado.

I reload so the possibilities are endless for a .30 cal,
I have over 500 bullets for my 7mm, what I need is something I can feed my 300 winneymag.
thats an impressive shot! are you looking for work as a civilian contractor? the pay is great but the weather is hotter than blazes.

the 190 hornady has always performed resonably well in my friends 300 mag

Several of my hunting partners have killed bulls out to 700 with the Nosler 180 BT. I witnessed a 550 yd cow kill with the 180 BT also. Also have seen the 180 AB in action at 440 yds. None of the animals went further than 20 yds. The 180 Bt and AB hold the same clicks in my 300 WM out to 1000 yds.

I found 2 different types of hornady 190 (gunbroker)
one is a soft point, one hollow.
which would you reccomend?
I've heard soft point can slightly mushroom at dischrge from the force, thus affecting bullet flight. I don't have much experience with long range hollow points. (300-400 yards with 223 is it)
any input from anyone on this?

Not looking for a job in that area
I could see myself showing up for work with my single-shot specialty pistol (7mm Dakota XP).

yeah, my time has come to put down some roots and raise my family. there once was a time though........ now it is elk I will have in my sights

7mm 180g Bergers .698BC

I shoot the Bergers in my 300win and have been very happy with them. I'll be shooting them in my 338 RUM as soon as they are available.

.300? I like the nosler 180 grain partition. Most of the elk meat I've eaten found its way to the table with a little help of that size and weight. 600 yards from a .300 win mag, though .. velocity could be too low for expansion. Try the 180 or 200 grain accubond.

Tom

300 gr SMK / .338 Lapua Magnum

I'm with Tom; the Accubond should be stellar out to the ranges the original poster is mentioning... plus not a liability up closer if need be. 180 grains.

Accubonds are flying long and true for me right now from a couple rifles. They are accurate bullets and hold their speed well. Great choice for that 400-600 yard window IMHO.

I've also now seen two elk slayed very decisively by them, which is always a confidance-builder!

-jeff

Colorado1135,
I've put in nearly 20 years of Elk hunting in the Flat Tops Wilderness area of Colorado and have always used the 300 Win. magnum with 180 grain Noslers as well as the Winchester Fail Safe bullet, also in 180 grain. Excellent results with both bullets. As we all know placement is everything.

TVan

It's obvious a lot of bullets will work but for the potential ranges you're looking at I'd consider the 200-gr Accubond in 30 cal.

I think I'll try the accubond, the general consensus seems pretty uniform, and I'll focus in the 180-200 grain class. more weight for the wind to have to move. thanks

I love my accubonds. My dad dumped a nice coues whitetail buck this past december at 531 yards. the enterance and exit were both stellar!

If Barnes would make a TSX with a good BC, I would try and make a load up with that!

I shot a buck at about 40 yards and i recovered the bullet and it looks great!

This is a 140 accubond from a 270wsm. MV was 3150, shot was 40 yards.

My 300 Wizzum likes 180 grain Accubonds.

I am hoping to have a chance at a bull next season with my 300RUM and a 180 grain Scirocco.

300 RUM - 180 gn Scirocco II's or Accubonds.

Not really long range in most of you guys book, but I took a very nice 5x5 this year from 475 yards with a 300wsm 180 accubond. the impact of the bullet was incredible.