I will be going Elk hunting this year, I will be taking my model 700, 300 Remington Ultra Mag. As always I will be loading my own ammunition for this hunt. I would just like to get some feedback on effective bullets for Elk hunting. I am considering the Sierra Gameking in a 180 grain or a Nosler Partition, also in a 180 grain. Let's hear some other hunters thought's on this matter.
Sierra Gameking or Nosler Partition for Elk ?????
- Thread starter Live2Hunt
- Start date
Calbuck
Active Member
I reload both of those bullets for my '06 in 150 grain size..I think the Partition is a tougher bullet, but the Gamekings shoot better out of my gun. That said, I'd bet if you put either in the right placement you'll have elk on the ground! BTW, I shoot a 700 also. Did you get a hold of the guy I told you about?
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Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Depends on the gun. I have killed elk with both and both do a great job. My 30-06 likes the Sierra best and my custom .300 Wby likes the Nosler.
I have shot the 180 grain Nosler ballistic tip handloads through my 300 ultra mag and I have also shot the Federal trophy bonded and the Swift scirroco's, never Sierra gameking's yet. By far the most accurate in that rifle is the Nosler ballistic tip. I have had such good luck on other species with the Sierra that I want to try them in my 300.
Calbuck
Active Member
I've heard/read somewhere that you need to load the next smaller weight bullet in the Barnes ttsx..is there any validity to this? Supposedly to get more velocity so it will open up. I loaded some 130 gr ttsx for my 30.06..they seem to shoot well. I'd rather have a minimum 150 gr though. Any ideas?
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Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
What velocity are you looking for? You must have some benchmark in mind. My son and I load for his .300 UM and it is a screamer with 180 grainers. We 3200 fps+ easily. You need to get some bullets & powder and start working up something. You definitely need a chronograph too. My son like 200 grain bullets and uses them, FYI.
Calbuck
Active Member
I apparently have some homework to do. I loaded the 130s with 56 grains IMR 4064 and a CCI 200 primer. That's middle of the road powder charge. Shooting a 22" barreled model 700 in 30.06. I figure I'm around 3100 fps with this load. It shoots roughly 1" groups @ 100, slightly bigger at 200 yds. I might mess with a half to full grain of powder either direction, but I'm pretty satisfied with it for stupid Cali all-copper law. I normally shoot 52 gr 4064 under Sierra 150 gr Gameking
Silentstalker
Active Member
I don't have much hunting experience with the sierra game king but I can tell you from 30 yards to well over 400 the Partition is a killer on elk and moose.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Many years ago when I was starting to hunt a lot of ground squirrels in central California, I experimented with 125 gr bullets in my 30-06. These lighter bullets shot well up to 100 yards, but then fell off quickly as far as accuracy went. The sectional density was pretty poor as I remember. Never loaded anything lighter than 150s after that and stayed with my 22-250.
Going to load a few rounds using the Nosler Partition and the Sierra Gameking using CCI mag rifle primers and 80.0 grains of IMR 4350 and see how each shoots through my gun.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Don't want anyone to get unhappy with what I'm going to post, but I think this is a waste of time and components. Picking one load and just changing bullets IMHO really won't show you a thing.
If I was going about a bullet accuracy test, I'd find a load that shoots best with each bullet. Could be completely different powders and charges for each and you definitely need to chronograph the testing too. One bullet might group better 100 fps faster (or slower) than the other.
I think you can say that each bullet performs well for certain people so that in itself is not an issue. Just because your rifle likes a particular powder charge and bullet combination, doesn't mean you can change the bullet and get the best accuracy for that bullet.
Just sayin............
If I was going about a bullet accuracy test, I'd find a load that shoots best with each bullet. Could be completely different powders and charges for each and you definitely need to chronograph the testing too. One bullet might group better 100 fps faster (or slower) than the other.
I think you can say that each bullet performs well for certain people so that in itself is not an issue. Just because your rifle likes a particular powder charge and bullet combination, doesn't mean you can change the bullet and get the best accuracy for that bullet.
Just sayin............
stevevan
Active Member
I'll take the Partition over the Game King every time for game as large as elk. Much better penetration with the Nosler. You might consider the Nosler Accubond. Has the best of both the Partition and the Game King.
Team Kabob
Very Active Member
- May 9, 2014
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PlainsHunter
Active Member
If accuracy is equal- I'd shoot the NP. I've shot deer with both and they both work well on deer. Not sure what the Game Kings do on an elk shoulder.
woodtick
Veteran member
Ain't that the truth!
I've been shooting the 200gr. Accubond for the last 4 years out of my 300RUM and I will never go back to 180's!! Good dose of H1000 and they push 3000 fps and they put elk on their @## with authority!!! Most accurate "HUNTING" bullet I've used and that includes trying Burgers!!
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Like I said...both shoot well for me in different rifles. I've killed elk with both bullets and........dead is dead!
Shane13
Active Member
I loaded Game Kings for 20 years, but the last batch I loaded (about 5 years ago) were crap. I shot 5 deer with them, and every one of them disintegrated completely. I found only tiny fragments of lead and empty copper jackets in the chest cavities. Deer died, but the bullets were NOT the same as they had always been. I figured either Sierra started using cheap alloys or I just got a bad batch somehow. Whatever the reason, I pulled the rest and reloaded with Partitions. I've since changed to AccuBonds and like them even better.