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.

[Hornseeker]

With good shot selection ANY bullet will work from a 243 up... But I myself shoot Barnes TSX's...that way if its a huge bull and I dont have a great angle, I can drive it to the vitals from any direction....period. MANY, MANY good premium bullets in factory ammo nowadays...

Id say...invest a few hundred dollars and start reloading.

[Bofire]

 :)Every elk I have killed with a hunting rifle, over 20, have had an exit hole, even the first one with a 30-30. I killed 7 with 7 shots in 1972 with a 222, none went over 20 feet. Before you get your panties in a wad, I worked for the Game and Fish and was on a long term nuisance call.
Carl

[fremont]

+1 Core-Lokt

[Jburke]

Oops, my bad.  I'm shooting an 06, but I think I probably have all the answers I needed.  I have some ammo that should work, but was just wondering about going through bone with them.  Hitting the shoulder and what not. 

[Hornseeker]

Hitting the shoulder, driving into the vitals on a quartering-to shot... or hitting vitals with a hard quartering-away shot, is where the good bullets with lots of Ooooomph behind them will pay off.....

Bofire.... that would be some fun chit.... for a while anyway! I have a buddy that has a buddy that kills problem Griz in Wyoming... 

[thinkingman]

I would focus on a bullet that has a partition or solid.  Federal used to make a Trophy Bonded BearClaw they called H.E.(high energy).  Closed to 3000fps with a sledgehammer bullet.
Today, I'd look for Barnes TSX bullets in that loading.
I agree that Corelokt is a deer bullet, not elk, and yes, elk have been dying for years but they've also run away with bullet holes and died someplace else for years.
Let's not start this debate again.

[GoldTip]

I would focus on a bullet that has a partition or solid.  Federal used to make a Trophy Bonded BearClaw they called H.E.(high energy).  Closed to 3000fps with a sledgehammer bullet.
Today, I'd look for Barnes TSX bullets in that loading.
I agree that Corelokt is a deer bullet, not elk, and yes, elk have been dying for years but they've also run away with bullet holes and died someplace else for years.
Let's not start this debate again.

Ok no debating, I've killed multiple elk with premium bullets and multiple elk with Corelokts.  Double shouldered most of the elk with either bullet, none of them have come back from the dead, the last elk I had to shoot twice was shot with a premium bullet (handloaded swift scirocco) that took out both front shoulders and rested under the hide on the far side, he was still trying to get up and I didn't want him to suffer.  While I agree a premium bullet gives you that extra confidence factor that your bullet won't come aprt.  I would venture a guess that more elk have run off with a bullet whole in the ass due to people shooting "premium" bullets that will drive "lengthways" thru an elk smashing everything in it's path, then have ran off with a 180gr '06 core loft to the shoulder.

[Skinnyman]

My vote is Barnes TSX or nosler Partition. Elk are much thicker boned than their smaller cousin the deer. Just nice to have one of these bullets if your shot hits their thick shoulder bone. I use the TTSX (Tipped TSX), I hunt with a 338 WM.

[SkookumHntr]

-Nosler Particion's have always worked well for me.

[highmuley]

I use federal brand loaded with Barnes bullets (30-06 180gr and .308 150gr). I have never had an animal leave its feet. 100% weight retention. Excellent down range kinetic energy, great terminal performance. Just my opinion

[robmill70]

I like the nosler partition (took an Elk with my 257 Weatherby, 120gr Nosler Partition), but I have used core lokt for years and NEVER had any problems....like some have said, it's about making a good shot.