6 of 14 .280 Rem factory loads carry 1,500 ft·lb and expansion velocity for elk; the best reach 500 yd (Hornady Precision Hunter 150 gr ELD-X). Ranked, with the drop chart for each.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady Precision Hunter 150 gr ELD-X | 150 | 500 | 2,925 | 1,549 | yes |
| Federal 140 gr Fusion | 140 | 400 | 2,990 | 1,340 | yes |
| Nosler Trophy Grade 140 gr AccuBond | 140 | 400 | 3,000 | 1,350 | yes |
| Barnes VOR-TX 140 gr TTSX BT | 140 | 350 | 2,985 | 1,157 | yes |
| Federal 140 gr Trophy Bonded Tip | 140 | 350 | 2,950 | 1,171 | yes |
| Nosler Expansion Tip 140 gr E-Tip | 140 | 350 | 2,925 | 1,281 | yes |
| Norma 160 gr Tipstrike | 160 | wrong bullet | 2,789 | 1,354 | behind the shoulder only |
| Nosler 140 gr Ballistic Tip Hunting | 140 | wrong bullet | 3,000 | 1,350 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington 140 gr Core-Lokt Tipped | 140 | wrong bullet | 3,020 | 1,373 | behind the shoulder only |
| Federal 150 gr Power-Shok JSP | 150 | wrong bullet | 2,890 | 1,156 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington 140 gr Pointed Soft Point Core-Lokt | 140 | wrong bullet | 3,000 | 1,110 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington 150 gr Pointed Soft Point Core-Lokt | 150 | wrong bullet | 2,890 | 951 | behind the shoulder only |
| Norma 150 gr Whitetail SP | 150 | wrong bullet | 2,789 | 857 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington 165 gr Core-Lokt Soft Point | 165 | wrong bullet | 2,820 | 782 | behind the shoulder only |
1,500 ft·lb is the number most repeated (Guns & Ammo, Backfire); Hawks says 1,200, Boddington floats 2,000. Avoid quick-opening and match bullets. Legal: SD: ≥ .243 and 1,700 ft·lb at muzzle · CO: 1,000 ft·lb at 100 yd, ≥ 85 gr. Floor used: 1,500 ft·lb at impact plus the bullet's published expansion velocity. Orange = a target or varmint bullet (construction, not energy); red = never carries the energy. Sources: www.gunsandammo.com, www.chuckhawks.com, www.petersenshunting.com, regulations.justia.com.