elk loads? 165 or 180

[hank4elk]

I thought of putting this? on the gun link but maybe here is good. I have been shooting 165 loads in my REM.700 30-06 for years and just recently had to go through the whole no-lead thing here in CA. My question is should I use 165's that I know right where they are going now on my elk hunt in NM, or go up to 180's that everyone says I should use on elk? I shot the 180s' right after the 165's and they where real close but not as tight and they where a little higher, and to the left. Still within 2 1/2" @ 200. I have a friend has brought down 2 6x6 tule elk(Yeah,l he's drawn both) useing 165's . He say's to "go with what brought you to the dance". Any thoughts? I know elk are not mulies, but I used a 30-30 in the old days with success. 165's or 180's? I've got 2weeks and 2 states between hunts. Thanks

 

[kphunter]

I would stick with what you're confident with - the 165's. The Barnes Triple Shock X bullet would be a great choice.

 

[gundogtrainer]

165 gr barns x will do the job

 

[Rancho Loco]

What kind of 165?

 

[hank4elk]

Federal Vital shock 165 TSX and same in 180 tsx. The box load statement says almost 2000 FTLBS ? at 300 yrds on the 165's. They do shoot sweet now that I've put $200 worth of loads through. And I know I should shoot a lot more than I do ,but I usually only need one.

 

[AZ Jim]

Elk are tough critters!

In my humble opinion and from experience, I would recommend the 180's for elk. Make sure it is a well constructed bullet. I have seen them shot with 165's and 220's also, but the 180's seem to be the best all around combination of trajectory, velocity, down range energy, and penetration. What ever you use shot placement is the key.


I have seen an elk shot with the 165's that ran a long way before dropping or having to take follow up shots when bone was hit. I saw my dad shoot a cow elk 4 times with 220's before it fell over (we believe over penetration without bullet expansion at the range he was shooting, therfore not dumping enough energy as the bullets passed through). All shots were in the vitals, last one in the spine.


AZ Jim

 

[wmidbrook]

165 grains are fine. I've shot several elk including my avatar pic with 165 grain TBB in .30-06--no tracking job involved at all. TSX's are supposed to penetrate as much if not more than TBBs. So, don't worry, use what you can shoot best. Shot placement is the most important factor.

 

[Devils Garden]

This is all about your confident level and it sounds like your 165 grain bullet is your favorite. Don't change, stay with it. To make you feel better about it - I've killed seven bull elk with the 150 grain bullet. The 1st four were with my .308 Savage and my last three with the Browning Medallion 7mm Rem. Mag. You are always going to hear differences in what to use and what not to use. Stay with your 165 grain bullet, it will do the job for you.

 

[hank4elk]

Thanks for input folk's. It's ALL about shot placement in my book. Heart/lung. And the confidence to do so. The 180's are real close and if the outfitter in NM thinks I should use them on my un-guide elk hunt, I'll dial them in. But I do like the way those 165's shoot now. ALL the loads I'm talking about are Federal Vital-Shock Barnes TSX. Thanks again, Hank..