7 of 8 .300 Wby Mag factory loads carry 1,500 ft·lb and expansion velocity for elk; the best reach 800 yd (Nosler Trophy Grade Long Range 210 gr AccuBond Long Range). Ranked, with the drop chart for each.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nosler Trophy Grade Long Range 210 gr AccuBond Long Range | 210 | 800 | 2,825 | 2,170 | yes |
| Hornady Precision Hunter 200 gr ELD-X | 200 | 750 | 2,960 | 2,177 | yes |
| Nosler Trophy Grade 180 gr AccuBond | 180 | 700 | 3,175 | 2,045 | yes |
| Nosler Expansion Tip 180 gr E-Tip | 180 | 650 | 3,050 | 1,908 | yes |
| Barnes VOR-TX 180 gr TTSX BT | 180 | 600 | 3,100 | 1,869 | yes |
| Hornady Outfitter 180 gr CX | 180 | 550 | 3,100 | 1,823 | yes |
| Norma 180 gr Oryx | 180 | 500 | 3,248 | 1,560 | yes |
| Remington 180 gr Pointed Soft Point Core-Lokt | 180 | wrong bullet | 3,120 | 1,539 | 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.