A buddy of mine was invited on an Oregon Elk hunt. He is a bow hunter and this is a rifle trip. I offered him my 300WSM for the trip. My question is, which of these bullets would be the best choice for an Oregon Elk hunt. I have
150gr Accubonds and Partitions, 165gr Partitions, 180gr Accubonds and Partitions and 180gr Partition PT. Accuracy is about the same for each of these bullets.
Thanks

The 30 calibre 180 grain bullet is the way to go. 165s are good bullets, but lack the sectional density needed for penetration on large animals (like elk) at longer ranges, and 150s have no place when hunting anything larger than deer.

As for the partition, that's as close to a sure thing as one can come -use them! Given that the accubond is a new bullet, I haven't taken any game with it yet, but I have some 200s that are bound for a 300 H&H.

Either of the partitions will work fine. 165 gr. bullets are very popular with real elk hunters, contrary to what you might read in gun magazines.

90% of the time any deer bullet will work on elk but occasionally a lightly constructed jacketed bullet will blow up on heavy bone and fail to penetrate. After this happens once or twice you learn your lesson and stick to Partitions, Barnes X, or the like.

My favorite elk bullet for the 300 Win. Mag. is the 180 gr. Nosler Partition. It just-plain works, and under every sort of elk situation you can come up with. I would only choose the PP Partition over the SP Partition if there's a significant difference in accuracy. Otherwise, I'd go with the SP Part. every time.........

AD

I have killed plenty of elk with 150 gn bullets in my .308 and my grandfather has killed somewhere near 50 elk with his .257 weatherby with the 117 gn hornady roundnose bullets. its about shot placement more than anything else.

quote:

Originally posted by plowboy:
I have killed plenty of elk with 150 gn bullets in my .308 and my grandfather has killed somewhere near 50 elk with his .257 weatherby with the 117 gn hornady roundnose bullets. its about shot placement more than anything else.

Wayne VanZwoll took a nice elk with a 308 and 150 Interbond. Course that's a Interbond, a much better bullet than a lowly Nosler Partition.
But, of the bullet you mentioned, I'd go with the 165 Partition. Jay

100gr Barnes X
117gr Hornady SP
120gr Rem PSP
25-06
Spells instant Elk Trophy Any ???

For an elk only trip, I like the 180gr NP. If it was a combo deer/elk, I think the 165gr gives up little to the 180gr in a partition & opens a bit faster for deer size game. Save the 150gr for deer.

HERE IN OREGON THE SHOTS CAN BE LONG OR SHORT, ITS A FUN PLACE TO HUNT, BUT I WOULD TAKE THE 180 GRAIN PARTITION...TJ3006

It is hard to argue with that 180 Partition. If it doesn't get the job done throw your rifle at the Elk and run!

The 300 WSM is perfectly fine for hunting elk here, regardless of premium bullet or not.. I don't think you need a premium bullet...

Anything at 165 grains or more.. you are perfectly set..

Don't let some of these guys convince you that an Elk is armour plated...Once upon a time a 30.40 Krag with a 220 grain round nose was consider Elk Medicine par Excellence!

cheers
seafire

180gr. anything.

I hunted elk in Ore. with an '06 stoked with 180gr. Nosler PP Partitions, and a .338 WM with various loads fromm a 200gr. X to 250gr. GameKings.

I liked the heavier & bigger bullets from the .338 but it doesn't mean other stuff doesn't work. Depending on where in Oregon the hunt is shots can be very close at a Bull that's leaving fast to longer shots.

His choice of clothing should be a bigger concern than which bullet. With the quality of todays stuff the bullets choice is of minimal concern as long as it's within reason. Nate