Factory elk loads

[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.