168 grs with powders such as H4350, IMR4350, RL19, H4831, IMR 4831. With a bit of luck, you might approach 2900 fps, that would be an extremely versatile load.
- mike

1st 168
2nd 180
3rd 150.

I would use the 168 and 180 without reservation.
I would use the 150 only if extremely accurate and the others are not. The 150 will get the job done but probably isn't a "shoulder puncher" on elk. (at least not as reliably as the others).

Giiven that Barnes recommends a lighter bullet weight, I see why the 150 is the #1 choice. However, the way I see it I think you would be best served by the 168 for a trio of reasons. One big reason is that the venerable '06 has the case capacity to launch said bullet at a reasonably fast velocity. Another is the fact that heavier slugs will carry their momentum at distant ranges. Lastly, the heavier slug will penetrate better at distant ranges than will the lighter one, and afterall, that's why you selected the monometal bullet in the first place, no?

Buckshot....your explanation is perfect but in this case your eyesight isn't. Take another look at the poll and you'll see that it's easy to misread the bars. The 168 is leading the poll over all others combined by about 4:1.
AND---I'm sure it for the very reason you gave!!

I voted for the 168gr TSX, it's a super accurate bullet. I have worked up loads for it in my 300 H&H and a buddy has been working up loads in his '06. I would start load development with powders like RL-19, IMR4831, IMR4350, and IMR4064.

180 TSX - H4350 - Lapua Brass - WLR

VERY VERY Accurate in my Pre64
56.0 @ 2750 fps
57.0 @ 2800 fps

Ace Barnes makes a .308 cal 168 gr TSX bullet as well as a .308 165 gr TSX bullet . The 165 gr bullet has the very same ogive as the 180 gr Tsx bullet while the 168 Gr has a longer ogive much like some of the 168 gr hollow point target bullets. I use the 165 TSX in a mauser action 30-06 Ackley and it is almost scary how it groups with a max charge of IMR 4350. The 168 gr bullet must be seated deeper to fit in my magazine and does not group nearly as well. Hope that helps.

Given my experience with 130 gr. TSX bullets, on
northern whitetails, I am loading my 300 WSM
with 168 gr. TSX's, for a future elk trip.
The 130s out of my .308 Win, Savage Striker(MV
2775 fps), are total devestation on heavy deer.
This load rips huge channels through deer...and
exits. I am confident that the 168's will do
the same to elk.

Squeeze

In my 700 rem the 168 with 56.7grs of IMR-4350 Rem. 9.5 primers is just the ticket 1.5" @ 200

I would go 168.
Recently I shot 3 of those into .285, at 100 yards with a moderate dose of RL -powder, either 19 or 22. I am gonna play with the combo some more, if I can get 2850, and still be better than MOA, I will use thaty one for ELK...tj3006

Either the 168 or the 180, whichever your guns shoots the best. If it shoots both equally well then the 180. The 180 has a higher Ballistic Coefficient and Sectional Density so even though it travels slower it hits harder, drops about the same and drifts less in the wind.

Taking the listed velocity for the "most accurate powder tested" out of the Nosler #5 manual and the BC from the Barnes site (I've heard they lowered those)

168 gr / 2832 fps / 1970 fpe @ 300 yds (where it matters) / 43.03" drop @ 500 yds (where it might matter) / 18.47" wind drift @ 500 yds.

180 gr / 2780 fps / 2153 fpe @ 300 yds / 42.59" drop @ 500 yds / 15.96" wind drift @ 500 yds.


Now you say, "Well, I drive my 168 TSX a lot faster than that!", so let's look at real world velocities for loading just under max IMO

168 gr / 2950 fps / 2153 fpe @ 300 yds / 39.22" drop @ 500 yds / 17.41" wind drift @ 500 yds

180 gr / 2825 fps / 2229 fpe @ 300 yds / 41.14" drop @ 500 yds / 15.64" wind drift @ 500 yds

Thus my contention that you do not lose if your gun will shoot the 180 gr TSX and gain in Sectional Density for penetration, wind drift and energy.