Would like hear who has used any of the above combos on Elk.
Looking at the Federal charts below,its seems the 180mrx really seems to boggie in the 308win. with very good/the best down range figures.
168tsx2700fps..300yd2037/1552
180mrx2620fps..300yd2160/1865 <<< gets my vote

http://www.federalcartridge.com/ballistics/Ammo_Search....hoose&firearm=1&s1=1

I would still like hear how the smaller 150,165(even 130) pills work, then I know it only gets better from there.
anyone who has used even good bonded core bullets like NF,TBBC,at general308win/3006 velocities, please tell us your results and at what range they did what they did.

21" bbl'd 30-06, 168 TSX 2 2,870 fps:





I'd use a 150 or no more than 168 in the 308.

I'd also add, I've never seen a 22" bbl'd 308 that wouldn't get 2,750 fps with the 165 and RL15. Also, not sure where you get your velocity figures but I believe they're wrong. The 168 will be doing around 2,100 at 300 yards if started at 2,700. The 180 will be doing nearly exactly the same started at 2,620. Barnes has downgraded the BC for the 168 TSX but hasn't gotten around to downgrading the 180's BC yet... perhaps that's where you've gotten your figures.

Regardless, a 168 TSX will do anything that needs doing to an elk from a 308, but I wouldn't have a lot of confidence in the 308's ability to open the 168 or 180 TSX much past 350 yards for any sort of expansion I'd want (regardless of Barnes optimistic 1,800 fps figure).

Brad

From the looks of where you took your elk, you needn't worry about 300 yard shots, or even 100 yard shots.

LOL, he was thumped at exactly 50 yards (lasered after the fact, no less).

I've shot them at just over 300 yards and have had opportunities at over 500 yards but wasn't prepared to take the shot. Got a Leica LRF last year and got my 30-06 sighted in to where I'm comfortable to 450 with it and its current reticle.

Have a 300 WSM with dots and will add another 100 yards to the 06.

Brad,
Thanks for showing us that elk again. That was a nice one.

I think I would go with the 180 Mrx but geting them might be very hard.
If not them I would go with the 168.

man thats a nice elk you had to be pumped after that.

I shot a moose with a .308 win and 165 barnes X boattail and thought it did very well.

I would use the same in the TSX for elk myself.

I use a 165-168 gr. bullet for elk in my .308 Win.

I think the 150 is too light and the 180 is unnecessary.

Interesting to note,(Federal ballistics)
300win/180NP2960... 300yd 2224v/1978e. 500yd 1799/1224
30/06180mrx2700..... 300yd 2232/1991..... 500yd 1994/1516
308win180mrx2620....300yd 2160/1865..... 500yd 1881/1414

although 308win is little behind 300win at 300yds,that is more than made up for by MRX. given choice , I take 308winMRX,no less performance, lighter rifle, much less recoil.not a bad offering.
8lb308win180@2620= 19 recoil
9lb300win180@2960= 28 recoil (50% up)

But Given a muzzle braked 8lb 300mag180mrx@2960,so I can shoot it accurately enough to direct all that power, that is a whole new ball game!
180mrx2960...300yd 2465v/2429e...500yd 2164/1872.

That Federal chart is optimistic to say the least. Barnes has posted the 180 MRX BC recently and it's the same as the 180 NP, .473.

Have used the .308 in Colorado with both the 165 and 180 grain bullets. My grandsons used it for their first elk hunts. With any of the Barnes X bullets, I'd go with the 165gr. Slightly flatter trajectory, higher velocity, and less recoil...not that that would bother any of us adults.