I just wanted to get some comments on what you guys think is the best hunting projectile for use in .30 magnums for elk and large plainsgame sized animals.

I am working up loads for my .308 Norma Magnum and want to standardise on a readily available and not too expensive projectile that works well for most game.

I would use Nosler Partition around 200 gr. to 180 gr.

There'll be plenty of recommendations for the NP. So there it is. Now I like them if they shoot well, which they do about half the time for me. I prefer some other bulletes now though, the Accubond is great 30 Mag Cal bullet, and I really like the Swift A-Frames (except their price) as well. In 30 cal, I have begun drilling out all of my TSX's (except the tipped one) and they have worked great. They are a bullet that likes a little velocity, so they are certainly worth a look, they don't tend to deform under high pressure, and have actually shown some higher pressure characteristics for me from time to time, but most folks I know really like them on bigger game and in Mag calibers.

I believe there is a bullet being made today that is superior to the competition - the Nosler Accubond. They are relatively inexpensive, hold together because they are bonded bullets (i.e., great terminal ballistics), have extraordinary ballistic coefficents (i.e, great trajectory and energy retention), and are as accurate as the Nosler BT (i.e., nearly match quality). I like the 165 gr in my '06 AI and the 180 gr. AI in my 300 WM, although the 200 gr. might work a bit better in moose and big bears.

200gr NP or Grand Slam, whichever your rifle shoots the best.

The 180 grain Nosler Partition has always been my go to bullet for my .300 Winny. I did go to the 200 grain Nosler Partition for Brown Bear. The only bullet that ever topped it was the North Fork and you know the rest of that story. Good shooting.

For general purpose usage with a .300 Magnum, I'd use the 180gr Partition.

For real heavy game with a magnum-length .300 (H&H/Weatherby/RUM) I'd take the 200gr Partition.

Great bullets that work well and are likely the most proven bullets out there currently.

Swift A-Frame is another good'un along the same lines, I find they're a bit tougher.

All good suggestions, and most are cheap enough you can get a box of each to see what works best for you. I'd say go with 180gr bullets, and try out the Accubonds, NP, A-Frame and maybe a Barnes TSX or TTSX

edit -
Just noticed you're in Australia, aren't Woodleighs a bit more available and affordable to you then they are for us over here?

Here's my comment: why do I see this sort of question asked all over the internet; I want the best, but I want it not too expensive ( in other words, cheap)? And it has nothing to do with your relatively upside-down place of residence. If you want the BEST you're going to have to pay the piper. Or settle for something lesser.

My choice has been Barnes solid copper since September '04.

Very simple: 180 grain Nosler Partition, period.

I am going elk hunting this fall and that is what will be loaded in my 300 Wby Mag and my backup 300WSM when I leave for New Mexico.

I can't believe I'm the first to mention the very best......and of course that is the A-Frame.....but good news....Northfork is back....see the thread in big bores!

The Lapua Naturalis in 200grains............

The 200grn Partition.

Let me see. The H&H loves the 200 gr FBTSX and the 200 AFr. The winnie likes 180 AFr and the Wby takes anything made by Wby! Luv em all!Yeah you could call me a 30 mag slut!

Nosler 200 grain Accubond.

180 or 200 grain nosler Acubond if you ever intend to shoot at longer ranges as well as at short range.

Hi Bob,

For my 300 WSM I standardised on the Barnes 168TSX. With the high wt retention on the Barnes I don't think a heavier bullet is required even for Sambar & they shoot very accurately as well. They are relatively available & cost only a little bit more than a partition.

Regards,
JohnT

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
I can't believe I'm the first to mention the very best......and of course that is the A-Frame

Vapo, second post in man, second post in!

I use to think 180 gr NPT, but am moving towards the 200gr bullets for my Winny. I came upon a revelation when it shot sub-MOA with 200gr TBBCs, so I think it's a bullet weight I need to look closer at. Anyone want some of my 180 gr NPTs in trade for your 200 gr NPTs?

quote:

Originally posted by Fish30114:

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
I can't believe I'm the first to mention the very best......and of course that is the A-Frame

Vapo, second post in man, second post in!

Fish....sorry I didn't read very well.....

I would consider using a premium Gs-custom 160hv in your .308Nmag for big dollar elk/large African PG.
You wont need to drill out the HV-custom like some folk do their Tsx...and you wont get the pressure problems either, cause HV is a true drive band design,(unlike the half assed effort grooved barnes).

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

quote:

Originally posted by Fish30114:

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
I can't believe I'm the first to mention the very best......and of course that is the A-Frame

Vapo, second post in man, second post in!

Fish....sorry I didn't read very well.....

Well, I don't write that great sometimes

I like 200 grain bullets in my 300 mags. I shoot 200 grain Noslers in my 300WSM and 300H&H. You can take a shot from any angle with confidence that you will reach the vitals. The 200 grain bullets also have a very high BC, so they will shoot almost as flat as the 180 grain bullets.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
I can't believe I'm the first to mention the very best......and of course that is the A-Frame.....but good news....Northfork is back....see the thread in big bores!

I second the A-Frame, 200 gr. TBBC in a factory load by Federal.

In the 300 Mag I have taken elk and black bear with the 180gr Nosler Partition, also elk with the 200gr TBBC.

I would also recommend the 180-200 Swift A Frame and the North Fork.

I love the 200 grain Nosler partition in my 300 wby. It works great for elk! Here is the recovered bullet from last years bull. First shot exited. The anchor shot went from the tail end into the vitals. All told he did not go that far...I probably did not need teh second shot, but he dropped to that one. Love the 200 grain partitions.

quote:

Originally posted by R Flowers:
Very simple: 180 grain Nosler Partition, period.

I am going elk hunting this fall and that is what will be loaded in my 300 Wby Mag and my backup 300WSM when I leave for New Mexico.

That's what I'd use in the WM. I have a RUM and use 180 Siroccos and 200 gr. TBBC's, and 150 Siroccos for whitetail in the SC beanfields.