Need opinions/input on the Hornady 165 grain GMX and the Barnes 165 grain TTSX, or even others possibly. Would also be interested in what powders have performed with better results for you on these two bullets. Keeping my range 600 yds and under.

Varget is pretty much the hands down favorite .308 powder and has been for eons. I don't know anything about those bullets except they are the right weight for maximum performance in .308. I just loaded a sweet recipe for one of my rifles yesterday......Speer 165gr PSPBT over 44.6gr of Varget in once fired Lapua brass, neck sized only after being fired in that rifle.

Varget them both see which one your rifle likes.

I have had great results with 44.2 gr. Varget with the 165 gr Barnes TSX.

Awesome info guys, thank you. I’m thinking I may knock down to 150 grain TTSX and test it out, as well as some 180 Accubonds I have readily available. I’ve been seeing a lot of praise for the Varget as well looking around

Rl-15 is a great 308 powder it's not temp sensitive as much as say imr4064 and gives real good velocity.
I've got 4 308's and had others also.between h4895, rl-15, imr4064, aa2015, and cfe 223 to load all those to shoot ragged holes in each gun or at least get me happy 😂
Real hard to say what bullet and powder combo will get you happy with those two bullets.maybe none just have to see.rl-15 would be my start though

Everybody says use Varget in a 308 but it is not a finicky cartridge to load and there are many that will work like 3% said. My 308 shows a slight preference for R15 accuracy wise.

I would suggest a 338 caliber bullet propelled by a large volume of slow burning powder.

I don't know how many elk others on here have shot but I have shot a few. They ain't no 120lb Alabama whitetail. I like a 165 or 180 Accubond. I shoot a 300 Weatherby Mag. Same bullet. Same energy and speed just at different distances. They work well.

If I were going for a Trophy animal .308 wouldn't make the trip but it will do the job with good shot placement and not stretching the distance. They do have a tendency to run up on the next ridge and look back over their shoulder at you with their horns looking like a football goal post. Being able to driving some lead from nut to chin has its advantages.

Thank ya 3% and AU. Dang that tasted nasty coming out of my mouth 🤪

My uncle killed elk with a 308 but I can’t understand why you’re not taking advantage of a good excuse to buy a 338.

Just buy the Barnes already loaded. You’ll spend way less with two or three boxes than you would working up a load, especially if you don’t have Varget on hand or primers.

Now, please tell us what you settled on. Reloads workup or factory loaded ammo? Or, the opportunity to move up to a larger pill. Not sure where your hunt area is or if it is a guided hunt or a free chase on your own. I've seen elk absorb an inordinate amount of lead. I'd be starting at 165 grain in a premium bullet if reloading or if buying factory. Bigger pills are always better if you can shoot them well. If not smaller but only with the best bullets. Barnes makes great bullets, so does Nosler, Hawk, Woodleigh. Just get one that shoots well enough to put your holes into a 6 inch target at 400 and you'll be fine. Good luck.

I killed my elk with the 168 eldX. 330 yds DRT

Great bullet.....helluva shot

Monometal bullets tend to do better in a light for caliber configuration. I’d start with the 150s for sure.

H4895 pushing a 150 TTSX is what I shot my 6x6 bull with this year, 368 yards