Best .300WSM bullet for elk

KineKilla

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I am not a fan of Hornady projectiles. I've seen the SST over expand or fail to penetrate on elk. I've seen the GMX do sone strange things on deer.

Shoot a factory loaded round that uses either Barnes TSX or Nosler Accubond and you'll likely be happy with the results.

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wytx

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Feb 2, 2017
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I load 165-168 gr bonded bullets in my 300wsm. They have proven to e deadly on everything frorm shiras moose, cow bison, bighorn sheep, hogs , deer and pronghorn.
I prefer Speer Grand slams, or Swift A frames, but TBBC and corelokts have worked well.
Spouse loads up 180 gr Accubonds with great success as well.
 

TX_Diver

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I'd go with nosler partition or accubond but there are other good options out there too.

Buy 3 different boxes and see what shoots best in your particular rifle.
 
OP
TonySkyline
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These are the 4 I have in my shopping cart as of right now. Is their anyone of these I should eliminate for elk? Their is somewhat of an ammonia shortage so a lot is currently sold out or on back order . 3/4 are 180g and the Hornady is 200g. I wanted to try the Barnes vortex but those are also sold out.


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OP
TonySkyline
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I should add that I live in upstate NY and as I know of, their is only 3 sites that will ship here , targetsportsusa (my favorite but super super backed up), outdoorlimited, and ables ammo. Most of the good local shops have gone under due to basspro moving in the area a few years back. I only really have bass pro, dicks (absolute last resort), wal mart (they don’t carry anything but cheap ammo around here), and ... I think that is really it besides a few local gun shops. This is why I order my ammo and especially now since the pandemic hit. I’ve probably placed 10 orders in the last 3 months but just recently decided to go with the 300wsm for the tikka build


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hodgeman

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I've used the 180 Accubond exclusively in my 300WSM since 2006 to flatten everything from caribou up to bears and moose. In my experience, those two things go together like apple pie and vanilla ice cream.

Lots of ammunition companies load that bullet- I use the Nosler Trophy Grade but Winchester, Federal and a bunch of smaller companies use it as well.
 
OP
TonySkyline
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I've used the 180 Accubond exclusively in my 300WSM since 2006 to flatten everything from caribou up to bears and moose. In my experience, those two things go together like apple pie and vanilla ice cream.

Lots of ammunition companies load that bullet- I use the Nosler Trophy Grade but Winchester, Federal and a bunch of smaller companies use it as well.

Is this what you use? Nosler has it in stock but of course they won’t ship to NY. Man that is pricey but if it does the job intended, I’m all in.
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Rs3003

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Federal Nosler Accubond 180 grain are cheaper than direct from Nosler. That’s the only 30 caliber bullet I shoot.
 
Last edited:

hodgeman

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Is this what you use?

Yep.
This one walloped a moose broadside at 221 yards and came to a rest under the off side hide weighing 124.1 grains. The other round punched through and exited. Both shots were basically text book “behind the shoulder lung shots” and the moose went down within 10 yards.

The moose would have been in excess of 1000 pounds on the hoof.
 

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OP, if you go with the Nosler brand ammunition then save your brass. Someone who reloads the 300 WSM (there are quite a few of us out there) would buy your once-fired brass and that would lessen your overall cost.
 
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Killed my one and only elk with Winchester Accubond CT. 180 grain bullet. 233 yd shot, practically free hand. Mid thorax double lung pass through. Ran 50 yards and died. N of 1 but I’m not changing


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Rs3003

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9c1cdc85c85bb1dc5f3c644c532a5110.jpg
806db8250fcb9a8912380780500b3fab.jpg

These are the 4 I have in my shopping cart as of right now. Is their anyone of these I should eliminate for elk? Their is somewhat of an ammonia shortage so a lot is currently sold out or on back order . 3/4 are 180g and the Hornady is 200g. I wanted to try the Barnes vortex but those are also sold out.


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Get it shipped for cheaper to family in other states that you visit or visits you. Then you can save a little more
 
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Before switching to 180 Accubonds, I used the 180 Superformance.
The 180SF performed well on paper, but in the field, not so much. I watched an elk remain on his feet long after three shots to his boiler room.
Fast forward to my 180ACB elk, he dropped in his tracks with first shot, same location.
 

hunt1up

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What a coincidence. Mike at HCA is building me a .300WSM from a Tikka as well, and I also don't hand load. So I'm in the exact situation. Thanks for starting the thread OP.
 

drlfc

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Apr 5, 2020
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NY
I really like the 180g accubond or partition bullets. Horneday is my favorite factory brand. Good hunting!
 
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Mike's short mag tikka set ups are ideal because you can get longer COALs and maximize potential from the short cases. However that benefit is lost if you are using factory ammo.

The reamer mike has discussed for the 300 WSM is setup for berger 215s. If you are only going to use factory ammo I would ask him if it would make more sense to use a SAAMI reamer with less freebore so your factory ammo is not jumping a mile to the lands.

That said, i've had great luck with factory nosler 180 accubond and precision hunter 200 eldx.
 
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