300 WM or 280 for a Roosevelt elk?

MD

MD

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If you were going to shoot a 500 pound cow elk would you use a 300 Winchester Magnum with Winchester silver box power-points or a 280 Remington with Federal 140 grain trophy bonded tip bullets?


Please don't suggest any other loads. Those are what my rifles shoot accurately.
 
I would pick the 280 especially if you shoot it better. I just got drawn for bull moose and am already prepping loads for the 7mm while the 300wm will stay at home. I just like the 7mm better personally. Can't go wrong with the premium 140gr bullet either.
 
I dont know MD, but ifffen it where me I'd be going 300 WinMag and get it done.
I'm sure the 280 is up for the task, but bigger diameter, bigger hole and more blood loss and trauma.
LEH success?
Good for you !
Rob
 
Do you weigh the cow elk to make sure it's 500 lbs before shooting it?

Both loads should do the deed, use the one you're more accurate with.
 
If you're going to cripple the .300 with weak hunting bullets, there's not much point in owning it, and the .280 with a good hunting bullet makes more sense. But why? The .300 with a proper bullet is a superior elk round without a doubt.
 
rral22 said:
If you're going to cripple the .300 with weak hunting bullets, there's not much point in owning it, and the .280 with a good hunting bullet makes more sense. But why? The .300 with a proper bullet is a superior elk round without a doubt.
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The last Roosevelt elk I shot took three Nosler Partions in the boiler room and just stood there like a postcard picture. It wasn't until I got flustered that it wouldn't fall down and my rifle was out of ammo that I dug in my pocket, found another cartridge, quickly loaded and shot again that it fell down. That was because I broke its leg. It was still alive when I walked up to it and had to poke it with my knife in the jugular before it finally expired.

If that is the performance of an accepted standard "better " bullet, I'm sure an off-the-shelf Winchester 180 grain bullet will kill an elk.
 
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rral22 said:
If you're going to cripple the .300 with weak hunting bullets, there's not much point in owning it, and the .280 with a good hunting bullet makes more sense. But why? The .300 with a proper bullet is a superior elk round without a doubt.
Click to expand...

My thoughts too, Win Silverbox can stay on the store shelves...
 
MD said:
The last Roosevelt elk I shot took three Nosler Partions in the boiler room and just stood there like a postcard picture. It wasn't until I got flustered that it wouldn't fall down and my rifle was out of ammo that I dug in my pocket, found another cartridge, quickly loaded and shot again that it fell down. That was because I broke its leg. It was still alive when I walked up to it and had to poke it with my knife in the jugular that it finally expired.

If that is the performance of an accepted standard "better " bullet, I'm sure an off-the-shelf Winchester 180 grain bullet will kill an elk.
Click to expand...

Well, that's weird, but what's your point?
 
rral22 said:
Well, that's weird, but what's your point?
Click to expand...

In Post Number one I clearly stated I was asking advice on whether to use my 280 or 300 on Roosevelt elk. I also stated that I had my ammo picked out.

Some people suggested my 300 ammunition choice was a poor decision.

I'm happy with the ammo. It killed a bear three weeks ago, and besides, as I described earlier , Nosler Partitions, which have been considered a reputable "Go-to" bullet for many years didn't do anything spectacular on the last elk I shot, so I repeated that I was sticking with Winchester Power-Points. No big deal. I appreciate all advice.

By the way, that elk was essentially dead on its feet with pulverized lungs. All three shots were right behind the front shoulder in a group you could cover with your hand. It probably locked its legs and just couldn't fall down.
 
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