Cartidge for Tikka 300 Win mag

[poly]

I just bought a Tikka T3 light in 300 Win Mag, and I'm going to try various loads to see what works best. I have Federal Premium with Barnes triple shock, and Nosler, but I'm wondering if someone knows what type of cartridge this gun might like the best. I typically shoot 180 gr., but I am open to suggestion. I use the gun almost exclusively for elk.

[M.T. Pockets]

Ahhh I wish I was there with you. I have a Remington 700 in .300 Win. and I love trying different factory loads in it. I've tried many, many different types and there is a big difference in what it likes. For elk, I wouldn't go under 180 grain in a .300 Win. There are some 200 grainers loaded too.

The Federal Premium line is hard to beat in my opinion, those 200 grain Noslers are devestating. My rifle likes them and I've taken a couple elk and a caribou with great results. Shoots nice groups in my rifle. Kicks awful hard though.

My rifle didn't like the Barnes 180's I've tried, the groups were just bigger than other rounds.

An outfitter I hunt with has told me that his favorite elk bullet is the Fail-Safe, so I tried some and my rifle likes them just fine. I used it on one hunt and it punched a hole through a bull's lungs and the second hit to the shoulder knocked him out of his tracks. I'll use it next time I hunt elk or anything else bigger than deer.

I would sure like to try the Barnes Triple Shock, if it shoots well in your rifle I'd gladly use it for elk.

I'd like to try Remington's 200 grain Swift A-Frame sometime too.

My rifle loves the old Remington Core Lokt, but for elk I like a premium bullet. I have seen the standard bullets from Remington & Federal perform poorly on the big beasts.

Good shooting, let us know what works for you. Tikka makes a nice rifle.

[poly]

Thanks for the info. I've had great luck with Federal too. I want to try to stay away from 200 gr. just to keep recoil down, but I agree that 180 for elk is good. I've heard others that didn't get good groups with the Barnes, so I'm anxious to see how they shoot in the Tikka. Bought a box of Scirocco's to try to. I'll let you know how it goes.