Name your poison

[DaveA37]

I'm in a debate with another local reloader on which bullet YOU would select for your elk load in .300 Win Mag. and using a 165 grain bullet. I choose the 165 gr. to keep uniformity in the selection, knowing that a heavier bullet might be a better choice.

The bullets debated are (Not listed in any priority order):
Nosler AccuBond
Hornady Interbond
Swift Scirocco
Sierra GameKing

I have purposely left out Nosler Partitions from the above but add them here
Nosler Partition
Swift A-Frame

So what's your choice and if you care to, explain why. (It might help me win the debate) :mrgreen:

 

[OU812]

If I were to use a 165 in a 300wm and of the choices listed and all things being equal I would opt for the swift A frame. Reason? I like weight retention and lots of it at impact and there after. Unless you go all copper the swift will retain more weight IF recovered than any other listed and will be right there with the all copper bullets retained weight wise. Any of the bullets listed will get the job done but you asked for reasons and the above is mine.

Bill

 

[onesonek]

As much as anyone, I strive to get the best possible shot,,,meaning broadside. However, while I'm very picky about conditions and angle of the shot if other than broadside, sometimes circumstance's dictate other than the perfect or near perfect shot. So I look at it more as a worst case scenario. I want assured penetration, therefore, I wouldn't use a .30 cal. 165 gr. anything. If I must, it would be either the NPT or A-Frame. With the the others, bonded or not, I feel close range high velocity impacts might be rather suspect, on performance when it comes to deep penetration. Specially if heavy bone is in the path. It kind of follows that adage,,,plan for the worst, hope for the best.
My choice likely won't be a suprise to some, but as each to their own,,,,,mine (if I had a .300 mag), would loaded with 180 gr Partition. Also, I'm not overly worried about the NPT having a more arched trajectory over the 165 gr. boatail designs mentioned. I won't shoot beyond the NPT's PBR anyhow , and most often work myself much closer. While I have yet to be faced with the decision on B&C record bull at questionable distance, of the Elk taken so far, none have been over 200 yds., with most being closer. And with that to date, all but one were taken with the "06" 180 gr NPT, the odd one was with a .58 cal ML. While "06"/180 NPT combination has never failed me, I do have a .45-70 and 9.3x74R that are begging to be on the next elk hunt.

 

[SJB358]

I'm in a debate with another local reloader on which bullet YOU would select for your elk load in .300 Win Mag. and using a 165 grain bullet. I choose the 165 gr. to keep uniformity in the selection, knowing that a heavier bullet might be a better choice.

The bullets debated are (Not listed in any priority order):
Nosler AccuBond
Hornady Interbond
Swift Scirocco
Sierra GameKing

I have purposely left out Nosler Partitions from the above but add them here
Nosler Partition
Swift A-Frame

So what's your choice and if you care to, explain why. (It might help me win the debate) :mrgreen:

I would without a doubt pick the 165gr PT for the 300WM. It would be pushed pretty fast to offer excellent trajectory and it would hold together well enough for good penetration and retain plenty of weight. My 2nd choice would be the 165gr AB's. Again, when I hunt with my 300, it has 200's in the tube, but I wouldn't feel too bad with the 165gr PT. Seems like it has a very good track record. Scotty

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

My first choice would be 180gr Ballistic Tip. With a 26" barrel, there's a dozen powder where I could expect to break 3k with it. Good velocity, rapid opening design, and enough mass to get the job done....oh yea, and a good value so you can still afford to practice.

Of the one's you mentioned, 165gr AccuBond. See above, just more expensive.

 

[Teknys]

For me .... I load 180gn or 200gn for Elk in the 300xyz. If I were to load the 165, it would be in the AB or PT. I have used these two bullet types on Elk with no concerns about performance. I have also used the Scirocco on a couple of Elk and one was drt and the other due to a "bad" hit took me on a run for a few hours to shoot it again. Not the bullets fault.
Never used Swift A Frame but just looking at it's construction / reputation it should serve you well. Elk are not invincible, just not very forgiving to poor shot placement.
So AB or PT.

 

[Ridge_Runner]

AccuBond without a doubt, why?
cause they shoot like this

and perform like this

thats an exit at 702 yards, I've had them from 102 to 1350 and they all look like this
and

the AccuBond at right slammed into a green hard maple tree at 3520 fps, it expanded to .658 and retained 63% of its original weight, after around 30 head of game taken with the .284 160 AccuBond, I'm a believer
RR

 

[FOTIS]

165 Partition is my choice. Penetration and good bc for longer shooting if needed.

 

[efw]

Nosler AccuBond
Hornady Interbond
Swift Scirocco
Nosler Partition
Swift A-Frame

Whichever of these my rifle liked best, although the tough Sierra HPBT Game King might be worth considering in that cartridge.

I'd start w/ the NAB & NPT for their accuracy (the HIB hasn't got that reputation unfortunately) but the HIB as well just because those 3 are the least expensive.

If we were talking '06 I'd toss the Game King back in as well as the Hornady Interlock. At non-mag velocities you can run a standard CNC for elk w/out worries.

 

[Oldtrader3]

The only three 165 grain bullets that I have shot game with while using a .300 Magnum were the Partition, A-Frame and Speer HotCore which they do not make any more. The Partition is my first choice because of accuracy and bullet performance.

 

[Elkman]

I have seen a fairly large number of game shot with the Partition. For me the only big game bullet (give appropriate accuracy is the PT). I have been using it for 57 years , my dad used them for 50 years.

 

[BK]

Any of them, except maybe the Sierra. Let the gun tell you what it likes.

But I would definitely want a heavier bullet, except in a monometal.

 

[hubcap]

If I was limited to 165,s I,d pick the Partition. In the 300 mag I cant get away from 200 partitions. They hit like a sherman tank. :wink: :wink:

 

[Guy Miner]

First thing I'd do is kick the 165's to the curb and buy elk bullets. It's not like Nosler and others suddenly stopped making quality 180 & 200 gr hunting bullets.

Then I'd pick quality, by trying them for accuracy. I want expansion and penetration. Hard to argue with a good 180 or 200 gr Nosler Partition, or AccuBond. I'd be happy with either.

I've seen standard construction 165's from a 300 mag self-destruct on impact with mule deer. Want no part of that on elk. Lots of velocity potential with a .300 mag. If I had to stick with 165's... I'd buy 180's or 200's.

Regards, Guy

 

[DrMike]

I do like mass, so I'll likely be using 180 grain bullets in my 300 WSM. In your friends 300 WM, if limited to 165 grain bullets, I'd use either the Swift A-Frame or Nosler Partition. If all I had was the AccuBond, I'd use them without significant concern.

 

[sask boy]

I would go to the 180gr AccuBond it will still reach out and touch something and it has some mass.
I believe the 180gr can is a real good around bullet for the 300win mag

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Elkman]

I agree with the others that the 180 or 200 grain bullets are the best weight for deer and elk. I only use those in my 300's

 

[Oldtrader3]

I have had really good luck with 165 Partitions in my .300 H&H pushed to about 3150 fps for longrange deer hunting. They would not be my choice for elk or moose but probably would work fine in a pinch. These 165 Partitions surely do kill deer like the Hammer of Thor. One shot-one deer DRT.

 

[BK]

Now, everyone is bagging on 165s for elk, but I have a buddy who's killed a fair number of elk with a Remington autoloader in '06 with 165s. They probably aren't going to bounce off.

But I still like heavier bullets.

 

[SJB358]

Good point Kurt. I like the 180's-200's in the mags but again if the rifle wouldn't shoot them well- I would sell it! :twisted: Scotty