300 WSM 165 gr vs 180 gr on Elk

[BloodyRedArrow]

I am seeking advice from experienced elk hunters. I use Barnes 165 gr TTSX out of a 300 WSM on whitetails with great success. I have little experience with taking elk with a firearm. Is it worth find new ammunition in the 180 gr. to be theoretically more effective by carrying more energy.

 

[CJF]

I would say it depends on your effective range.

Lots of people on here killin' em with 140ish grain 6.5 Caliber bullets, so the 165 .308 Caliber will definitely kill em. If you are comfortable and accurate with the 165 and aren't shooting long range then the added benefit of the 180 may never be realized.

 

[Brightwhite]

At what distance? I wouldn't hesitate or think twice to shoot that 165 TTSX if it shoots out of your gun at something 500 and in. My wife dropped a cow last year with a 129 .260 Accubond at ~300 yards.

 

[OSUsmokey]

I knock elk dead with a 150 gr 270 WSM. You'll be fine

 

[BloodyRedArrow]

Thanks for sharing. I don't shoot beyond 450 yards.

 

[wildwilderness]

No, unless you plan to shoot past 700 yds

 

[wytx]

165 gr is just fine. I've taken many elk , moose and a cow bison with 165-168 gr bonded bullets in my 300wsm.

Good luck on your hunt.

 

[TheHardWay]

I'll echo what others have said. I've taken several elk out to 550ish yards with hand loaded 165gr ttsx

 

[Elkangle]

So I've done the dance with 300wsm bullet weights...started with the 175 bergers and worked my way up to the 200s.. then played with the eldx bullets for a few kills and then to the hammers back down the 166 grain range...

I'm going to say until the bc becomes a factor youl never know the difference and if anything im thinking the extra speed on the lighter bullets in the moderate distances is to your advantage

Hope this helps

 

[Indian Summer]

Yes. You’re gonna hear from the “My grandpa killed em with a .243” crowd. Maybe he did but why? You’ll never have a problem with a heavier bullet. Elk aren’t deer. Mountains aren’t farms.

 

[wind gypsy]

There is minimal benefit to going to a 180 barnes. You’d be trading a bullet with a lousy BC for a slower bullet with a lousy BC. 165 TTSX will penetrate fine.

The answer is different if you were shooting lead or long range.

 

[Fullfan]

I reload and shoot the 180ttsx from myKimber Montana in the WSM. Last 3 bulls all dies from one shot. Two were less than perfect shots. The 180@3000fps is a hammer.

 

[DropTyne]

The Barnes all copper bullets tend do better with higher velocity. Typically you step down a bullet size when comparing them to lead core bullets.

If your 165 shoots well, move on and go kill an elk. The 165 will certainly shoot flatter and have less recoil than a 180.

FWIW, I'm taking 168 TTSXs with me for my 30-06 this elk season. Good luck!

 

[TheHardWay]

Edit to my previous post...
I'm shooting the 168s, not 165s. Been a long week and my brain is fried!

 

[Read1t48]

I've shot the 168's for a long time. Excellent bullet and plenty of power for elk.

 

[Dr. Rx]

It’s funny
I just went the opposite way
I have 180 gr E tips for our state of communist California
But went with an entirely different Set up for a true western states rifle, I went with 200 gr Accubond

just wanted a bigger thumper

probably tomato tomaaaato

Oh well if I have to shoot cross canyon with wind.. I’m ready
kris

 

[One-shot]

I harvest the elk in the pic here with Barnes 165gr in my 7mm Rem Mag. You’ll be fine with what you’ve been using. Best of luck!

 

[William Sublette]

Yes. You’re gonna hear from the “My grandpa killed em with a .243” crowd. Maybe he did but why? You’ll never have a problem with a heavier bullet. Elk aren’t deer. Mountains aren’t farms.

Sure , good point.


But, would you feel safe hiding behind an elk if someone was shooting 165gr bullets at you from a 300wsm?

 

[Indian Summer]

Sure , good point.


But, would you feel safe hiding behind an elk if someone was shooting 165gr bullets at you from a 300wsm?

If you had to stand behind an elk and pick my bullet would you prefer a 165 grainer or my 200 grain Accubond? I always told my clients.... killing elk doesn’t just mean making them dead. It also means finding them. Everyone knows how tough it can be to find a deer that doesn’t drop in it’s tracks. Times that by 100 if you don’t anchor your bull on the spot. They are big and tough and can go a long way on 3 legs and one lung down the side of a mountain into hell holes rarely seen by man.

 

[BiggA]

Good info. Think this helped me choose a round