First Elk Hunt

by Stan
(St. Louis, Mo.)

I am going on my first elk hnt in wyoming this fall and plan to use a Browning 300 Mag. What would be the best ammunition for this rifle for elk hunting

Comments for First Elk Hunt

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Sep 12, 2014
Heavy Is Better
by: Anonymous

My .300's shoot more accurately with a heavier bullet. Remington makes a great bullet, 200 grain, safari grade, Swift A-Frame. Little pricey but I have taken huge Elk, Bear and Moose with these. It's my go to gun for Elk and Moose. Little much for bear. Its worth it to me to pay the extra $$$ knowing you have the best bullet in your chamber.

Apr 03, 2014
180 grain core lokt
by: Anonymous

I currently elk hunt with a model 70 300. I have always used core lokts, whether 30-06, 25-06, etc.
I have killed 6x6 bulls in each of the last two years with my 300 with core lokts. Both at about the same distance, roughly 200 yards. The first year I shot 150 grain bullets. They came apart rapidly on impact. I found several bullet fragments in the chest cavity, and never found anything that resembled a whole bullet in the animal. That kill took three shots with 150 grain bullets. The next year I used one 180 grain bullet. The bullet went in the elk through the ribs and left a hole on the other side of the ribcage that I could fit 2 fingers through. The elk just dropped and I became a believer. If shooting core lokts in a 300, I would highly recommend to go with the 180s. A lot of guys recommend barnes or nosler, etc. I have tried them on paper, but my gun doesn't hold groups with them like a core lokt does. Experiment with different bullets at the target range out to as far as you would even consider shooting an elk, different types of bullets (even of the same weight) can have very different flight characteristics especially at longer ranges.

Jul 17, 2013
300 mag
by: rick from wyoming

i personally use honady superformance cartriges in 180 grain. lots of people i know use remmington cor-locks in 180 grain. most important is to be comfortable with the gun and practice alot. ive had shots in timber as close as 15 yards and open areas at 800 yards. u need to find your comfort zone for range and gun/bullet combination.

Jul 30, 2012
Deep penetration is vital
by: Pat Cassidy

I would strongly recommend a Barnes X-Bullet type for your Elk hunt. These bullets will penetrate better than any other type of bullet and bloodshot less in the process.
If you are a handloader you can use the Barnes X-Bullet family of bullets, which I have used for a long time with nothing but excellent results. Federal sells a premium line using Barnes TSX bullets and Winchester's new XP3 looks to be as good.
Whichever you choose should shoot accurately in your rifle so do your homework on the range. You may have to try different loads/brands to get good accuracy.

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