Deer/Elk interlock/Accubond - 308/300mag

[tINY]

So, I drew a good elk tag this year. But I don't have time to work up a lot of loads...

I have a 308 (21" rem) and a 300 WM (24" Howa) and want to get loads worked up for both rifles for the Elk hunt - and I want to use the 308 for deer too....

Realizing that the 308 is probably a 200yd Elk rifle and the 300 mag is alright out to 350 or a little more (if I have enough time to get some data at long range), - WHAT BULLETS DO I USE?

I have 165 and 180 grain in both Hornaday Interlock and Nosler Accubond.

I was leaning towards the Accubond for the 300 mag, but some people say the interlock is fine for Elk (these will be Rocky Mtn Elk this year, not the bigger Roosevelt).

For the 308, I am wondering if the Accubond will have enough expansion to put down a coastal blacktail quick before he gets burried in the undergrowth on the coast....

Thoughts? Experience?



-tINY

[butta9999]

I have used the 180gr accubond in my .300wm with 76gr of RE-19 and a federal mag primer. This produces about 3000fps and it works fine on Sambar here in Australia.

Please do not use this load as it is a Max load stated in my manual, i worked up to this load with no sign of pressure.

Yes the interlock would also be ok too use. I use the 100gr interlock in my .243, i have done several rear end raking shots on feral goats. All resulted with the projectile exiting somewhere in the neck chest region. All dropped on the spot, the interlock hold up quite well.

Hope this helps.

[Shoney]

I have taken good numbers of elk with each of the following handloaded bullets in a 300 WM:

180 gr Rem Core-Loct
165, 180, and 190 Hornady Interlock
180 and 200 Nosler Partition

All did well, but the 200 Partion did the deed with the greatest authority, and several at ranges to well over 400 yards.

In brushy conditions, the only reliable shot to put any animal down, in its tracks, is in the spinal column, with little regard as to the bullet used. They will run short to long distances depending on the hit with any body shot. For game getting ability, the Nosler partitions are unsurpassed for North American game. For game getting ability with minimal destruction of meat, Remington Cor-Lokt; while Hornady interlocs do well also.

[mikenbarb]

tINY, I load alot for the Win.Mag. and heres what I use in a Remington 700BDL with a 180 grain load, Hornady 180gr. Spire Point with 71.3gr. IMR4350 Powder pushing them.(WARNING- HEAVY CHARGE AND MAY NOT BE SAFE FOR ALL GUNS!) Its pushing approx. 3040fps. and has plenty of energy for 400yd+ clean kills on elk sized game. It leaves the muzzle with 3650ft.lbs. energy and has around 1800+ft.lbs. energy left @ 400yds.
I have also had great luck with the Nosler Partitions, Winchester Silvertips(The real ones) and Speer Grand Slams.
Good luck on the elk hunt! Yummy, I can smell them cooking over the fire right now!

[tINY]

Thanks guys. I think I'll stick with the SST in the 308 and use the Accubond in the 300 mag. I'm resisting the temptation to load the 165 gr Accubond in the 300 mag....



-tINY

[elkman06]

I personally use the Interlock in both my 06 and 300wm with excellent results. I do believe they work better past 100yds as opposed to closer though. Most of my shooting is in the 200yd range.
elkman06

[crowbeaner]

tINY; you could load the 165 Interlock in the 300 WM with WW760 or H414. CCI 200s, 67.0 of 760 and 67.5 of H414. Right around 2900 fps and really good accuracy. I shot them in my old stainless M700 in 300 Win, and they cloverleafed the first three shots. Right out of the WW booklet on the 760charge. I never loaded it with a 180 because the recoil was plenty then, and the load shot so well I didn't figure I needed another. Sight in 3 inches high at 100 and hold dead on out to 300.