I have a 300 WM that I have worked on for some time now trying to get it to shoot 180gr Accubonds the best I can get is around an inch, However it shoots the 180gr Ballistic tip 1/2 moa all day long @ just over 3000 fps..What do you guys think about the ballistic tip for Elk ?

The issue was discussed pretty thoroughly recently, albeit about using the BT in a 300 Wby. You might want to look at that thread: http://noslerreloading.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=10887&highlight=. I personally prefer the AB or PT at the velocities generated by the 300 WM, but there are certainly fellows using the BT with good results. It's hard to argue against success. My sole concern would be the result of using the BT at close range.

clambdin

Load up the 180 gr BT in your 300 Win Mag and go kill an elk.

JD338

........Regardless of your bullet choice, nothing wrong with 1" groupings used as hunting loads either. 1 1/2" OD or less groupings, is my particular guideline and very sufficient for elk loadings.

So if you have a little better bullet for elk, which groups at around an inch vs another bullet that groups at a 1/2", go with the better bullet which has the 1" grouping. The BTs are a good bullet for elk, although I`d prefer the A/B if given the choice between the two.

180gr+ BT's at 3000+ are serious elk killers.

.....I`ve used the BTs on elk in the past. No complaints!

But it`s always fun to play with other alternatives. For the first time, I`ll be using the 190 gr hunting Berger VLD on my next elk hunt.......That oughta shock `em pretty good, with little to no tracking needed.

Thanks for the replies, Is it true that the current production BT is made stronger than the used to be ?

The early BT's were fragile. The current rev of the 308 cal 180 gr BT is a very robust bullet.

JD338

There is no reason to go to a less capable bullet. If you were concened about ultimate accuracy you would be shooting a sierra match king. I can personally guarantee that if you shoot a elk in the shoulder with a sierra match king or a Hornady interlock at 50 to 75 yards the animal will run away and die where you won't ever find it. An elk has a kill zone of about 16 inches. Unless you plan to shoot nothing under 1600 yards a minute of angle is just fine. There is a reason the companies have developed bonded bullets and partition bullets. The hunters have gotten real tired and complained a lot about bullet failure. Not bullet accuracy but bullet failure. The competition folks worry about extreme accuracy. Hitting a bull elk in the shoulder or driving thrue 4 ft. or wet rumen to get to the heart/lung area aint going to happen with a bullet at 3000 FPS that blows up on the hide or rib on entrance.
Sorry for the intensity but I'm still living with the outcome of a few standard bullets shot at magnum velocities. For a difference of 15 or 20 cents a bullet or a half minute of angle there is just no need!
Good Hunting
Elkhunt

clambdin

What is your load for the 180 gr AB? Tell us what you have tried and we will help you get the AB shooing sub MOA for you. What rifle, scope, and mounts do you have?

JD338

That's what I'm going to try as soon as I get The RL-22 powder I have on back order.I got my Nosler 180 Gr. Bt today.I know everyone likes the Accubonds,but I've always had good luck with the B.T. on deer.Maybe if I ever get drawn for the Elk hunt here in Kentucky I'll try the Accubond.

I am with Greg on this one. Use a PAR or at least a bonded bullet.

B_S I look forward to your field report!

This last few threads on the 180gr BT's seem to confirm on of my theories. BT's shoot better then most other Nosler Hunting bullets.

Yes, the early BT's were junk, but as you can see from this forum, Nosler is very good about taking feedback, and incorperating it into better bullets. Now the BT's are a very good bullet, but Nolser recommends a maximum impact velocity of 3000-3100 for good reason.

I had the BT's loaded in my 300 win mag for deer a few seasons back and when elk season came around I didn't have anything ready for my other guns. I took the gun with 180 BT's loaded to 3070 fps and preceded to kill my bull with one shot. Bang-Flop I might add. Since that time I've taken many more, all one shot kills! I've never done this with my Wby, but my son used it for a nice buck, also a I shot kill and really not that bad on meat damage! (he did recover the bullet and uses it to brag up the 180 BT's.