No, I'm not asking for opinions on the selection. I'm about to start load development for a friends Ruger M77 25-06. It is primarily for deer, but where he hunts deer, he may have an opportunity for elk. Consequently, I need to build a load that will be as effective on elk as possible for this admittedly marginal caliber. I am starting with bullet selection, leaning hard toward the 115 grain Barnes TSX flat base. Any other ideas out there?

I know a lot of people use Barnes. I never got a warm and fuzzy. Three I would look at would be the Nosler 115 & 120 Part or the 110 Accubond. They would hold up fine at 25-06 velocity. The Barnes or the Noslers through the heart lung area will take an elk.

Just tell him not to be surprised if the elk just stands there waiting for a second shot.

Completely agree with Paul.
I tried 115gr Barnes XLC's which shot better than X's, the TSX had yet to be invented. Went back to using Hornady 120gr HP. My two favorite powders for my .25-06 are H4831sc and RL22, lit with WLR's.
The Nosler Partition 115gr & 120gr are two of my favorite. I load for three different .25 cal's and think quite highly of them.

I think he'll fill his elk tag with no problem if he put's the bullet through the chest. The reaction could be anything from dropping immediately to wondering off a short ways. Elk are funny that way. - Nate

The Hornady 120 grain HP is also an excellent bullet for the intended task.

Lots of elk have been killed with .243 WW 100 grain Powerpoints (not that the caliber or ammunition is ideal). That said, to give yourself (or your friend) the most margin, use a 120 Nosler Partition. Monometal bullets (regardless of manufacturer) are hit-and-miss, both in terms of accuracy and terminal performance.

I would work with the 117 or 120-drain Nosler partitions. Basically, you want the heaviest, toughest, expanding bullet you can find to compensate for the rounds limitations as much as possible.

I shot a cow with a 25/06 117 Hpbt at 120yrds quartering away. she only went about 4-5 steps.
weight was about 375#
Dave

I've taken two elk w/ the 25-06 though neither was a really challenging shot (42 paces and 77 paces). The Nosler was my choice at the time though if I were to repeat the hunt, I'd look at one of the Barnes TSX/TTSX's or one of the bonded bullets by Speer et al. Anything that will hold together.
The two I took I only recovered one of the three shots I made - the one that went through one shoulder and the heart/lungs ended up on the off-side under the hide. This elk made it a total of 20 yards before laying down and a neck-shot finished him.