I am possibly doing an elk trip with some guys that have been in CO
before. They are long gunners and I prefer handgun. I have a 460 xvr with Bushnell elite on top. I am very confident out to 150 yds using 200 ftx hornady rounds that I reload for whitetails. I also have a non encore contender with a 10" 30-30 winchester. Would like some input on loads for elk for the xvr, as well as possible barrel recommendation for the contender. Possibly a 30-30 load recommendation for Elk? Appreciate all your expert advice.

I'd take the 460 over the 30-30 anyday but step up to a Swift A Frame or Partition in the 260gr area. The 240 or 300gr XTP Mag will work well too. Gregg Richter has some pics of mulies and two bulls taken with his 475 I built him and XTP Mags.

I have been playing with some 275 gr XPB for the 460 and am very impressed so far. I will be killing some hogs with it early next month and will give you the results when I return.

I would not recommend the .30-30 Contender for elk. A 14" .338 JDJ No.2 or .375 JDJ barrel for that Contender would be my choice. I have no experience with the .460.
Like Gregg, I have also used the .475 Linebaugh and 400 gr. XTP's on bull elk and have been completely satisfied.

I agree with the 338 JDJ #2 or 375 JDJ for the contender.

I wouldn't use those 200 grain bullets in the .460. Definitely something heavier.

What Whit said, I would NOT USE the 200gr for ELK those things are too soft out of the .460 they will come apart quick, personally I would not shot a Deer with them. I would use something in the 250-300gr range. Swift, Partition, Hornady XTP. I'm a Barnes man and the 275gr XPB will do the job on an ELk, but people have to remember shot placement is the key. For Contender I like the 375JDJ, The 30-30 has killed plenty of ELk but it would not be my choice. Just My Opinion.

I did an elk at 350 with .338 JDJ #2 and 185X. It works. In .460 ditto on Swift.

Something big in a 460 should do the trick.

I would go with the 275 XPB like DOA said. Good and heavy and built for the 460.

I wouldn't use the 200 gr. on elk either, but i wouldn't under-estimate the Hornady 200 gr. 460 on whitetails. I have taken several LARGE Illinois whitetails with them at 150 yds + and they worked great.
I have never hunted elk, but I really like the Hornady 275 gr. as I have shot quite a few thru the S&W 460 PC 10.5.

I have seen them fail miserably on smallish whitetails. They can make a big but shallow wound channel. They may or may not work and for me at least, that's not good enough. I like to hedge my bets more. Nothing wrong with stepping up to a more "reliable" weight in my estimation. I know plenty of folks who have used them successfully, but again, there are much better choices IMHO. Just my two cents.......

So far I've had 100% on 11 whitetails of all sizes here in SW MO.
I have had excellent results with Hornady XTP in my glock 10mm and contender. Was wondering what you guys think the difference in
recoil would be between the 200FTX and the 300 XTP. Would you recommend the plain xtp or the MAG?

With both loaded to the hilt there will be a significant difference, but you can load the 300 down to a more forgiving level and still kill with it.

when your shooting at an elk you won't even know the gun went off.

LMAO...great answer! That's why I hope to square up on one of 'em before these days are done. A bugling bull elk could very well be orgasmatic...hope to find out(G).

I have yet to really remember pulling the trigger on any of the ones I've killed with any weapon. What I do remember is almost like watching it from the outside, really weird but that's why over everything else i love elk hunting. I was within 15yds of a raghorn this year with my recurve bow and it was awesome. I was also within 75yds of several other bulls including a big 300+" Rosie and even though I didn't get a shot all season it was the most fun I'd had in years.

At higher end 460 velocities, definitely the Mag version.

A big +1 definitely the mag version

definitley the Mag, they are two completely different bullets, the standard xtp will act like any other hollow point and you will get zero penetration, the mag has a totally different jacket design and is a much tougher bullet.

I've decided on trying some 300gr XTP MAG's. I did not see any load data on them in the loads area. Wondered if anyone had a favorite load for this bullet for elk in my 460 xvr?