Factory elk loads

[Jburke]

Any recommendations for a good factory load for elk?  Something without breaking the bank, I've seen prices on some of this stuff and it's crazy. 

[cwuwildcat]

Any recommendations for a good factory load for elk?  Something without breaking the bank, I've seen prices on some of this stuff and it's crazy. 

It might help to let us know what caliber you're shooting.

[GoldTip]

Any of the Remington Core Lokt stuff with heavy for caliber bullets will put elk meat in the freezer.

[BlackRidge]

It all depends upon the caliber, but Hornady, Remington, Nosler are probably your best bets

[ing]

225 grain Accubond in 35 Whelen Doubletap Ammo, 165 grain spire point in 300 Weatherby Weatherby ammo, and 300 grain XTP in 44 Mag Hornady ammo.  Those are the three factory loads I'll be using for elk this year and they are all reasonably priced.

[Woodchuck]

before reloading, i shot core-lokt's and was always happy with them 

[demontang]

depending on your cal there are a few choices. Hornady has the new superformance ammo which it priced very well for the grade of bullets you get. Federal and some of the remington ammo is a good choice too. I havent had any luck with the rem corlok it never groups and I always get a bad round (last book had one ripped neck) but there higher end loads seem good.

[BlackRidge]

I'm partial to the Nosler Accubond partitions, so if not handloading, I tend to go with the Winchester Supreme Silver-tip. Group great and don't have any issues like the stock Accubond rounds seem to have.

Before that, it was Federal V-shock

The OP has pleeeeeenty of options

[bobcat]

Core-lokts       I would say anything BUT core-lokts. They may be alright for deer but there's a lot of better bullets available that will stay together and give you the penetration you might need on an elk.

Try something loaded with a Nosler Accubond or a Barnes tsx. Not sure what cartridge you're shooting, but for 30-06 you can get them right around $40/box. If you get something with a cheap bullet, you'll pay about $25. So you're only saving $15 to use a bullet that will reliable take down an elk. If you really want, I bet you could make a box of 20 last 5 years or more. So cost of ammo really shouldn't be a factor. How much does it cost to fill up your gas tank? 

[grundy53]

I pretty much only hunt with federal premium. It's worth it

[Bofire]

 :)thousands of elk were killed long before anyone brought out "premium" bullets. I do not think elk are tough enough to warrant them, and I think they are 85% hype. but then bright colors sell lures not success!!
Carl

[grundy53]

:)thousands of elk were killed long before anyone brought out "premium" bullets. I do not think elk are tough enough to warrant them, and I think they are 85% hype. but then bright colors sell lures not success!!
Carl

I get them for their reliability. I've never had a misfire with one unlike some of the cheaper bullets. When I pull the trigger on a bull I want it to work.

[Rick]

Core-lokts       I would say anything BUT core-lokts. They may be alright for deer but there's a lot of better bullets available that will stay together and give you the penetration you might need on an elk.

Two of the three cows killed in our camp last year were shot with 175gr Core-Lokts from a 7mm Rem Mag. Both elk literally dropped in their tracks,like you jerked the rug out from under them. Complete pass throughs on both shots.

Don't know what else you could ask for?

Its all about shot placement. Shoot an elk in the ass and they'll run for miles. Shoot them in the lungs and they die rather easily.  

[elk311]

I pretty much only hunt with federal premium. It's worth it

 

[bobcat]

Core-lokts       I would say anything BUT core-lokts. They may be alright for deer but there's a lot of better bullets available that will stay together and give you the penetration you might need on an elk.

Two of the three cows killed in our camp last year were shot with 175gr Core-Lokts from a 7mm Rem Mag. Both elk literally dropped in their tracks,like you jerked the rug out from under them. Complete pass throughs on both shots.

Don't know what else you could ask for?

Its all about shot placement. Shoot an elk in the ass and they'll run for miles. Shoot them in the lungs and they die rather easily.   

Not saying they won't work but I've seen them come completely apart just from going through the ribs on a little mule deer buck. And this was out of a 30-06 so it's not like the velocity was more than the bullet is designed for. I just don't see any reason to not use a bullet that can be relied on to stay together and penetrate all the way through. I want to have an exit hole for the much better blood trail it will provide. Two holes are much better than one, and one hole is likely all you will get with a non-premium (cheap) bullet.