Gang, I was lucky enough to draw a Cow tag in a SW Colorado unit and would like to carry my 15" .308 Encore. I would like to start working up a good load and need suggestions. As of now I plan to try the 165 Horn. SST and probably some 168 Rem PSPCLs. Please advise.
Thanks,
Dave

Dave what area (Unit) will you hunt in? What season? Dark timber or open "spot & stalk" area?
What ranges do you expect to shoot at?
xphunter

Dave

I shot a cow in 1993 with a 309 JDJ using a 180 Nosler Partitian. Bullet worked as it should. In your 308 I would go with either the 165 or 180 NP. Don't worry about giving up velocity. What you want is penetration. If your 308 will do 2200 with the 180 that's what I'd use.

BTW, my 309 was spitting out the 180 NP at 2225 FPS.

Ciao

Mike

xp. 77 mostly open. Sorry I meant to type 165 for the Rem PSPCL. I wont shoot outside of 250. Once I decide on a bullet and get a good accurate round worked up, I'll crunch the downrange enery numbers in order to know what I'm dealing with.
What do you think?
Mike thanks. How much expansion do you get with those NPs at those velocities?
Dave

Dave I sent you an e-mail.

But for those that would like to know:

he 180 NP I shot my cow elk expanded perfectly. Granted the shot was taken
at around 20-30 yards, but most elk shots are really 150 or less, especially
when in dark timber. I'd say 60 yds is a long shot.

The bullet expanded to 50 cal and went thru both shoulders. The entrance
into the chest cavity blow a 3" hole thru ribs, shredded the liver. I
recovered the bullet when I was cutting the back straps out and found it
back on the rump. So basically it traveled the width and length of the elk.

Personally, I don't think you can go
wrong with using the 180 NP. Remember elk are tough thick skined critters
and bigger bullet work better and the NP will work at pistol velocities.

I was kinda thinking about the 165 Nosler BT for elk. Has anyone tried this bullet?

Bob