.03-06 bullet selection - elk out to 500 yards

[apieceofwork]

Trying to finalize bullet selection for an elk hunt this year. My guide advised to be prepared to shoot out to 500 yards - we will make every effort to get closer, but he implied that shots at this distance are more common than they might be in the average unit.

I've narrowed it down to the following (rifle has a 24" barrel):

Nosler Partition 180 grain
- This is what I'm currently shooting. I ordered two batches...
- First batch has been working flawlessly (still have plenty of it left)
- Second batch had a ~20% misfire rate across three boxes. Nosler replaced that entire order including all the unopened boxes, but I did have one misfire out of the first 40 rounds I shot from the replacement boxes. I'll shoot from the first batch if I choose the partition.


Barnes LRX BT 175 grain
- I have 100 rounds of this, haven't tested it yet
- Better ballistics than the partition or accubond at longer ranges


Hornady ELD-X 178 grain
- I've heard questionable things about terminal performance on impact
- Best long range ballistics compared to the other three


Nosler Accubond 180 grain
- Heard good things, but is it worth choosing this over the Barnes or Partition, both of which I already have in quantity?


Appreciate your input.

 

[S-3 ranch]

I would run what you got
Only line I don’t like is eldx , they are very soft for those normal to medium range shots

 

[Seeknelk]

I killed one with the 178 eldx precision hunter at 630 yards. Small entrance, golf ball exit. Good channel of destruction.
It did very well. I'd much prefer that over any mono at any range.

 

[keystone112]

If you’re happy with the accuracy of the partitions in your rifle, I’d go with that.

 

[Bowhunter50]

I’ve never killed an elk out at 500 yards with a 30-06, but I did kill two last year at ~400 with a 175 grain terminal ascent from a 30-06. I know it’s not on your list, but a good bullet to consider. I’ve practiced out past 500 with good results.

From the bullets on your list, I would say the 180 accubond, but I haven’t used that on elk. I have used a 165 accubond with good results on elk from a 30-06 though

 

[ATL]

It has been several years since I lived in an area to regularly hunt elk. At the time I had great performance from the 30.06 and Hornady 180 SST (predecessor of the ELDX). I recovered the bullet from an elk in 2013, taken at approx. 150 yards. I can provide a photo of the bullet if you wish.

 

[CoMulies]

I’ve never killed an elk out at 500 yards with a 30-06, but I did kill two last year at ~400 with a 175 grain terminal ascent from a 30-06. I know it’s not on your list, but a good bullet to consider. I’ve practiced out past 500 with good results.

From the bullets on your list, I would say the 180 accubond, but I haven’t used that on elk. I have used a 165 accubond with good results on elk from a 30-06 though

+1 on terminal ascents

 

[abbrown]

Trying to finalize bullet selection for an elk hunt this year. My guide advised to be prepared to shoot out to 500 yards - we will make every effort to get closer, but he implied that shots at this distance are more common than they might be in the average unit.

I've narrowed it down to the following (rifle has a 24" barrel):

Nosler Partition 180 grain
- This is what I'm currently shooting. I ordered two batches...
- First batch has been working flawlessly (still have plenty of it left)
- Second batch had a ~20% misfire rate across three boxes. Nosler replaced that entire order including all the unopened boxes, but I did have one misfire out of the first 40 rounds I shot from the replacement boxes. I'll shoot from the first batch if I choose the partition.


Barnes LRX BT 175 grain
- I have 100 rounds of this, haven't tested it yet
- Better ballistics than the partition or accubond at longer ranges


Hornady ELD-X 178 grain
- I've heard questionable things about terminal performance on impact
- Best long range ballistics compared to the other three


Nosler Accubond 180 grain
- Heard good things, but is it worth choosing this over the Barnes or Partition, both of which I already have in quantity?


Appreciate your input.

168gn TMK outta my 06 pummeled a bull at 486 last October.

 

[Balderdash]

ABLR or Sirocco.

I know this will upset a few men of certain age, who love their NPT, but I had a few NPT leave pencil holes with chest shots. I'd take most any old cup and core before NPT. Also, they're not the most aerodynamic bullet for shots at 500+. There's much better choices these days.

 

[Smoke10]

I would vote for the accubonds based on my experience but if partitions are giving you good accuracy, don't try to fix it and change.
I have no experience with the eldx or Barnes.

I handload 165 grain accubonds for a 30-06. Muzzle velocity is ~2860 fps with a 22 inch barrel.
I have shot 5 elk with this rifle and bullet at distances from 120 yds on the close end, to the farthest shot on a cow elk at ~450 yds.
Farthest blood trail was ~100 yards (the cow at 450 yds)

 

[il_cop]

At distance the 200 gr eldx and 2680+ beats them all.

 

[Bluumoon]

Trying to finalize bullet selection for an elk hunt this year. My guide advised to be prepared to shoot out to 500 yards - we will make every effort to get closer, but he implied that shots at this distance are more common than they might be in the average unit.

I've narrowed it down to the following (rifle has a 24" barrel):

Nosler Partition 180 grain
- This is what I'm currently shooting. I ordered two batches...
- First batch has been working flawlessly (still have plenty of it left)
- Second batch had a ~20% misfire rate across three boxes. Nosler replaced that entire order including all the unopened boxes, but I did have one misfire out of the first 40 rounds I shot from the replacement boxes. I'll shoot from the first batch if I choose the partition.


Barnes LRX BT 175 grain
- I have 100 rounds of this, haven't tested it yet
- Better ballistics than the partition or accubond at longer ranges


Hornady ELD-X 178 grain
- I've heard questionable things about terminal performance on impact
- Best long range ballistics compared to the other three


Nosler Accubond 180 grain
- Heard good things, but is it worth choosing this over the Barnes or Partition, both of which I already have in quantity?


Appreciate your input.

They’ll all work. Terminal range should be determined for each. For the LRX I believe you want to keep above 2200fps and it will still have the narrowest wound channel. The others keep above 2000fps at impact. Shoot more (practice) from varied positions, worry about this less.

 

[TaperPin]

The Partition is a predictable, proven design. Out to 500 yards I’ve never felt the Partitions were lacking anything.

 

[Bluumoon]

B

Thread 'Compilation of Formidilosus posts'

Apr 16, 2022

Hopefully this doesn't step on any toes. I've found Form’s posts to be incredibly useful and have spent more time than I care to admit digging through his posts. Attached are a few of the "core" posts I have saved for reference and to share with friends. To be clear, this is all Form’s content, some is older work and views may have progressed

@Formidilosus Thank you! If you have put all this in a book/website/ program let me know and I'll buy it. If not, you have a heck of a start, sign me up when you do. If the post violates decorum, please let me know and I'll happily delete...

• Bluumoon
• Replies: 59
• Forum: Firearms

• 

Target/match bullets for hunting

 

[Marble]

I've probably killed 15 elk with the 180 AB. I like that bullet. My hunting partners also use it. Consistent, predictable performance, easy to load for it, and a good track record across a variety of ranges.

If the partition works well in your gun and you can shoot out to 500 well with it, I wouldn't hesitate to shoot that bullet.

It is t difficult to shoot 500 yards. There are a lot of people that freak out about that range, but it isn't complicated. Any modern-day rifle in any of the fairly standard elk/deer cartridges can kill stuff at 500 yards.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

 

[TaperPin]

…but I did have one misfire out of the first 40 rounds I shot from the replacement boxes.

Misfires give me the willys. I’ve only had one while hunting, but ever since, I take the bolt apart once a year to clean/oil and replace the firing pin spring every 10 years.

 

[Balderdash]

NPT might be great for close up shots at large game at magnum velocities, which is what they were designed for; however, like mono's, I'd be careful about impact velocities getting low with them. I haven't run the numbers, but figuring it might be getting in the concerning range out of an '06 at 500 as they're not the most aerodynamic shape, which doesn't help in keeping impact velocities up.

Like many big game hunters of their generation, my dad and uncles preached NPT in the 1980's. They shot 7mm, 300 and 338 magnums, and 350 yds was as far as I can recall any of them taking game; for them in their day and age, the NPT's were a solid performer. My brother and I had a couple NPT punch pencil holes through broadside elk chests at 400 yds + with 300 magnums, which resulted in needlessly long recoveries. We switched to cup and cores and bonded designs - like the ABLR - for everything and haven't had an issue in 20 years and many animals that were both near and far. My brother, who lives in elk country, shoots exclusively 180 grn power points for everything out of a 300 WSM, which is his only big game rifle. I've long ago lost count of how many head of game he's downed with them, but I don't recall a single rodeo or CF. He's always been a fantastic rifle shot and, like me, very selective about his shots on game, which I'm sure goes a long ways towards his overall efficacy with the PP's. His longest shot on elk with the PP's is 530 yds and it was DRT; I was spotting for him.

 

[Cutler25]

I'm going to try Terminal Ascent in my in-laws 06. I think it'll be great option as long as the rifle likes it. I'm guessing they won't be comfortable shooting much more than 400 though, but they'll have the bullet to do it if necessary.

 

[UTJL]

Any of those will work. Don’t overthink it.

 

[apieceofwork]

Thank you, everyone. A lot of great info here. Also came across the Buffalo Bore iteration of the Barnes TTSX which has some great performance:

30-06 SUPERCHARGED LEAD-FREE Ammo Rifle & Gun Ammunition

30-06 SUPERCHARGED LEAD-FREE Ammo Field Proven rifle and gun ammo. Maximum firepower bullets. Best ammunition for rifles and guns for sale. Buffalo Bore. Strictly big bore. Strictly Business.

www.buffalobore.com