Elk Bullet Recommendations

[The Big Game Hunter]

I got really lucky this year and drew an Observatory rifle bull elk tag. I plan on using a Ruger .300 Win Mag on the hunt. In addition to all my scouting work, I've been spending a lot of time at the range lately testing different loads and trying to decide what to use. Right now, I've got it narrowed down to two different loads: 180gr Barnes VOR-TX TTSX and 200gr Nosler Partitions. Both loads are pretty accurate in my rifle, though the Noslers shoot a little better (.8-.9" groups vs 1.1-1.2" groups at 100 yards off a bench). On the other hand, the Barnes bullets shoot a little flatter. I've used both bullets pretty extensively on a wide variety of big game (deer, hogs, African plains game, etc.) and been impressed with their terminal performance.
However, I've never used either bullet on elk before. Does anybody have any experience with these bullets on elk that would be willing to offer a recommendation on which one to choose? Or is it really just a wash between the two?

[Buzz2401]

I've killed over a dozen elk with the Barnes and my wife has killed three.  Never seen one run more then 100 yards and usually less then 30yrds.  That being said bullet placement is much more important then bullet itself.  After all guys kill stuff with arrows all the time.

[kirkl]

ive used a 150 grain nosler out of my 270 on elk before and it killed em dead. That barnes is a good bullett to. I say use the one that shoots the best which is the barnes. i shoot 180 grain bulletts out of my 300.

[losdaddy7]

X3 for Barnes VOR-TX.  Outstanding performance for me.....   180 grain 300 WM

[fisheral87]

I've started using the Barnes Vor-Tx in 7mm and 30-06. They have performed very well on elk and bear. I have also used the Nosler partitions in .325wsm and they were also very effective on elk. All of these were between 160-220 grain bullets.

I would say that the Nosler partitions provided more expansion, with that said it was not a material difference. Both rounds place correctly were effective on elk.

Al

[Dead-Eye]

I guess it goes without saying that a well-placed bullet is what really makes the difference. But there, I've gone and said it anyway. Study the kill zones from all angles, and practice, practice, practice. Get to know how your rounds drop at greater distances.

And remember, shooting up or down at a steep angle like a ravine (up or down), it minimizes the effect gravity usually has on the bullet, and you'll shoot high, so aim low.  Unfortunately, it's tough to find a place to practice and get to know what your rifle will do under those conditions.

I'm not saying that a round with good penetration and killing power isn't important. When the bullet hits, you want it to do some damage. Lots of other factors - just like the ones I just listed - can make just as much difference, and can also leave you going home just as empty-handed.

[The Big Game Hunter]

Thank you all very much for your input. I plan on spending some more serious time at the range before I hit the woods. I'll let you know what bullet I end up choosing and how the hunt goes.

[Dead-Eye]

What range were you going to shoot at? Maybe we could go together. I live close to DuPont.

[JDHasty]

200gr Nosler Partition

[BNAElkhntr]

I Use Nosler E-tip 180 grn in my 300win been to Africa twice with it everything dies right there.   retains about 98% after it penetrated 32'' of wet phone book.  shoots like a solid but Mushrooms perfectly

[dewandgin]

200gr Nosler

[kevinlisa06]

I shoot a .300 win mag as well and use the 150 grain Barnes X bullets. Still have quite a bit of stock before trying the newer bullets. Have yet to recover a bullet on an elk.

[jeffitz]

Definitely use the most accurate of the two,both are excellent elk bullets,good luck on your hunt.

[demontang]

I've been running accubonds for years. Head great luck with them. The partition is close to what I'm running and you should have great luck with it. I'm not a fan of all cooper bullets. Shoot what's most accurate and holds together.

[Buzz2401]

A partition is nothing even close to the same as a Accubond.  Totally different type of bullet.  One is a bonded copper jacket to a solid lead core which is designed to maintain as much possible weight retention allowing for deepest penetration.  Partition is not bonded and designed to essentially lose half of its weight on impact  causing severe tissue damage while still causing penetration with the remaining partitioned portion of the bullet.  Every partition I've ever shot anything with blew up on impact but they kill stuff quick also.   The Accubond is designed to work alot more like the Barnes then the Partition.  Barnes and Accubond typically have weight retention numbers above 95% while a partition has weight retention numbers closer 70%.   All work well though and I have killed with each.  But honestly quit using the Nosler Partition when I switched to the Winchester FailSafe back around 2000 or so.  I feel the Failsafe was the best bullet ever made but it was just simply to expensive to make.  I then switched to the Barnes and have never had a reason to go back.

[JimmyHoffa]

the partitions are more like the barnes tsx imo.  The accubonds or "accubombs' were the ones that disintegrate on impact and barely make it across the chest cavity.

[Buzz2401]

I have heard that before.  But it is not the way it intended to work and not my experience with the Accubonds but alot probably depends on speed when it hits.  On the other hand never pulled a piece of partition out of an animal that weighed more then 50% of its original weight.  I have a few Barnes that are 100% weight retention and perfect expansion.  I do feel the Accubond is over rated but also feel kill factor is 90% bullet placement and 10% bullet construction.

[WAElkhunter89]

Not to derail your thread, but that's a great area. My Opa, father, and I always hunt this area. We all drew out for cows this year. My Opa drew this tag a few years ago and was able to connect on a nice 5x5 bull. Saw a monster bull in the area we hunt last year, at least a 6x6 if not bigger. Good luck to you!

[Rick]

A partition is nothing even close to the same as a Accubond.  Totally different type of bullet.

Nosler disagrees with you.  The Accubond is essentially a more streamlined Partition.


http://faq.nosler.com/index.php?action=artikel&cat=2&id=2&artlang=en

[Taco280AI]

TTSX or Partition, both good choices

[demontang]

I've shot accubonds a lot. Even shot a bull in the shoulder at 40 yards to try and keep him from running in to a nasty canyon. It broke the ball of the shoulder went through the top of the lungs and through the shoulder blade and out. Takes Hell of a bullet to do that. The ballistic tips on the other hand blow up. My accubonds I recovered from my bear was perfect mushroom and enter the chest and was under the skin at the rump. I've shot partitions and had about the same weight retention on a recovery bullet as a accubonds. Shot a few solids and not the greatest experience with them. Pencil through the animal a few times which ended in me loosing the animals. Wife shot a deer at 70 yards with a 243 accubonds. In and out took out a rib each side. I shot a deer at 130 with a Barnes and it penciled in and out I think animal never recovered no blood to speak of but it knocked the buck down.

[Taco280AI]

All depends on what you want the bullet to do. If you're going to punch through soft tissue, a mono isn't what you want. But if you're going to go through heavy bone, hard to be a mono. If you might either, something like an Accubond is great.

[Buzz2401]

A partition is nothing even close to the same as a Accubond.  Totally different type of bullet.

Nosler disagrees with you.  The Accubond is essentially a more streamlined Partition.


http://faq.nosler.com/index.php?action=artikel&cat=2&id=2&artlang=en

I guess I stand corrected it was my understanding the Accubond had better weight retentions but I guess not.  I knew the partition had low weight retention but from what I have read and experienced the Accubond was better but as Nosler states themselves I guess its not. I'm actually surprised Nosler would post low weight retention numbers like that for their bonded offering.  Most other companies advertise above 90% for theirs. Bullet construction is still quite a bit different and don't really understand why a bonded bullet is losing so much material.  I've only shot a few animals with the Accubond so my experience with them is much less then say the Partition or the Barnes TSX.

[fishngamereaper]

Accubnonds where doing to much damage for my liking. Switched to the Barnes a couple years ago and am really happy with the performance. 7 mm mag. I got better groups with the Barnes as well.

[Rick]

Partitions are the classic elk bullet.

[BULLBLASTER]

I'd pick a partition over a Barnes without a second look. 

[combs338]

I'd pick a partition over a Barnes without a second look. 

x2

[meatwhack]

In my opinion accuracy is the key. A well placed shot with either bullet is going to be lethal. I've used Barnes a lot myself and have friends that use partitions and accubonds. I've also used Bergers and know several people that have killed Bulls with them with good success. I will say this about the Barnes bullet as I've recovered and weighed most of them. If you want a bullet that stays together and retains nearly all its weight then this is a good choice every bullet I've recovered has looked identical to their advertisement of a perfectly mushroomed bullet with uniform pedals.

[JDHasty]

I'd pick a partition over a Barnes without a second look. 

x2

 

They work and work well.  Been using 200 gr 30 cal  for decades in the 300 Wby

[Stein]

The TSX and Partition are both very, very proven elk bullets - if not #1 and 2, certainly in the top three of proven designs.  Between the two would be personal preference, I chose TSX because it is lead free and zero chance of having a small chunk of lead in my meat.  It also shoots extremely well out of my rifle.

You aren't going to get any scientific evidence that one is better than the other because they are both just flat out deadly bullets on elk.  Pick the one you have most confidence in.

[257wbymagkiller]

Me and the family have been using accubonds out of the 257 and 300 wby since I was little and they have been putting them down hard.

As said about it really does come down to shot placement.

[Taco280AI]

Hope to be testing out the LRX on a few animals next month. Supposed to be softer and open at slower speeds than the TTSX while still retaining weight

[dan11011]

Barnes are my go to. Either will kill the elk.

[longrangekiller]

Accubond is all I shoot out of all of my rifles they haven't failed me yet


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[Lefty315]

Either bullet will do just fine, as will a half a dozen other bullets.   I'd pick the most accurate and go fill the freezer.

[longrangekiller]

Either bullet will do just fine, as will a half a dozen other bullets.   I'd pick the most accurate and go fill the freezer.

As much as I love my accubonds this is a very true statement accuracy kills


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