I didn't vote because I don't believe there is such a thing as "best." It depends on so many variables that what is "best" for you in your gun may not be "best" for me in my gun.

None of the bullets you've listed are bad and all will do the job if you do your part. The only comment that I would make is that on an animal like elk you want to avoid bullets that are designed for rapid, massive expansion like the Nosler Ballistic Tip. But then, you didn't include any such bullets in your list, so it would appear you already know this.

Having said all this, I will admit a fondness for Nosler and Hornady bullets.

147 Grain, Have you made a decision on what you are going to use?

My son's Rem. 700 SPS with stainless 24" barrel shoots the 30-06 factory Federal Premium 180-gr. High Energy Partions (2,880 fps) very well with 1 1/16" groups, so we've dial one rifle in for elk. Second best was the AccuBond with 1/4" larger groups, which were still acceptable. Scope is Weaver V16 with 3 - 16 powered fine crosshairs.

The Remington 7400 semi-auto 30-06 shot 11/16" groups last Friday with the Winchester Supreme factory 180-gr. Nosler AccuBond at 2,750 fps. It also likes Federal 180-gr. (Speer) Grand Slams at 1 1/4" groups, but hates the Nosler Partition (standard 2,700 fps) loads from Federal. Scope is plane jane Bushnell 3-9 Banner.

Both rifles have had their actions tuned, trigger pulls are between 2 3/4 and 3 lbs, free floated / pillar bedded barrels, muzzle crowns touched up, and Limbsaver Pads for extended range time.

Fantastic! You two sure do sound like you're tuned in. I hope you have a great wapiti hunt and fill the freezer.

I don't think there is a best bullet either. There are just a lot of different bullets. Now depending on caliber, I believe there are prudent choices but they could be any listed. For instence, what is a better elk bullet; a 250gr Hornady interlock from a 358 Win or 180gr interbond in a 308? Will a 180 gr TSX from a 30-06 work noticeably better than a 180 gr Hornady Interbond from another 30-06 given the same shot placement? I don't think so.

One thing that has given me cause to re-think old ideas was JJ Hacks posts on bullets. At least on game tuffer than deer. Then I have to think, THINK, that if you chose a proper weight bullet for the cartridge your shooting that either the solid copper bullet's (TSX ect) or bonded core bullets might be best choices depending on which shoots best. This is some new thinking for me as I said. I'm still not sure that proper cartridge and bullet selection may be all thats necessary. Most the animals JJ Hack shoots in Africa are a lot tuffer than even our elk! And to many americans are quick to use to light a cartridge and bullet for what they hunt. Or maybe the TSX type bullets have just shut that door on myfoot!

They will all work given proper shot placement.

However, perfect placement may not be possible due to any number of variables in the field.

What I have found to work best under most all conditions are Barnes X or Winchester Fail Safe. Both will take out the heavy shoulder bone and keep penetrating on a bull elk or big bear. I don't want a bullet that flattens out on solid bone or peels apart on the way through.

My vote goes to lead, with a close runner up being copper.

I'm favoring the bonded cores.