Author Topic: 180gr 30-06 (Read 2447 times)

mmt7714 · « **on:** December 01, 2011, 06:37:10 AM »

I have always shot 150's out of my 30-06. Recently I have taken a liking to shooting my Remmy 760 with a peep sight. I got to thinking this would make an awesome short range woods gun. would 180's be a better choice for anchoring a deer where it stood or would they lack the expansion needed. Also, what about the old 180 round nose bullet. I have no experience with them on game, but I am wondering.

Mike

streak · « **Reply #1 on:** December 01, 2011, 04:06:45 PM »

Speaking from years of experience with using the 180 gr RN in 30-06 for deer and hogs in N.W. Louisiana and E.Texas, it was a very dependable round and most shots were " Bangflop" episodes!! These round nose bullets that my daddy, my brother, and I used were the Remington 180 grain RN Corelokt. My brother and I also used the same bullet in our .308 rifles and same results!!

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #2 on:** December 02, 2011, 01:01:15 AM »

maybe if like streak you used round nose 180s that open faster. Ive shot a pile of deer with the 06 and have seen truckloads shot with it. I think every other hunter in the woods up here has a semi auto rem 06. What ive seen over the years is 180s dont allways preform well in an 06. Most manufactures make there 180 bullet tough enough to hold up to 300 mag velocitys and it just doesnt expand that well at 06 velocitys. Ive said it before. Ive tracked more deer shot with 180 o6 bullets then all others combined. Lots of time all you see on recovery is a small hole in and small hole out and very little blood. Ive tracked deer for miles shot with them. In my opinion a 165 is a better choise hands down. Actually for many years now all ive used is cup and core 150s. Bullets like corelocks power points, sierras and nost bts. If your looking for extream penetration on the chance you might get a close shot with a poor angle. Try a nos partion at 150 or 165. they will penetrate deep and still open up well.

WyoStillhunter · « **Reply #3 on:** December 02, 2011, 03:06:35 PM »

The RN 180s would be my choice as the pointed 180s may be as Lloyd said, made to hold up under 300 Mag. velocities. That said, for WT deer and average mule deer at almost any reasonable range I would expect the 150 bullets (standard, cup-and-core,either RN or pointed) will give cleaner kills from an '06.

streak · « **Reply #4 on:** December 02, 2011, 04:23:46 PM »

Yes the 150 or 180 RN will both do the deed, although I really would be hard pressed to say that a 150gr would give " cleaner kills" than a 180 RN. I have witnessed many deer shot by the 180gr RN as " Bangflop" DRT situations.
Recently I witnessed my oldest son do a " Bangflop"shot on a WT using a 150 gr. in his .308 at 120 yards ( Rangefinder).
I also saw my brother up in Wyoming shoot a antelope at about 375 yards with his model 742 Rem 30-06 using a 180 gr for a " Bangflop" shot!

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #5 on:** December 02, 2011, 04:51:38 PM »

I have gone to ehr Remington 180 grain core lok for my 308.
I think they are the best brush rounds made.
I think the heavy round with the soft point transfer a lot of energy into the deer and knock them down.
When I was in college I tried every new bullet out for my 308 and the 30-06 I had then on the 5 to 6 deer a year we were allowed as well as taking others from school hunting on the farm.
I know it is not scientific but the deer shot with the soft points(either Rem or Fed) did not go far if hit and I can not think of one that did not hit the ground. The ones with the high tech super bullets seemd to run up to 100 yards then flop over.
I think you would be hard to beat the Rem or Fed 180 Soft points for the money.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #6 on:** December 05, 2011, 01:15:20 PM »

Quote from: mmt7714 on December 01, 2011, 06:37:10 AM

I have always shot 150's out of my 30-06. Recently I have taken a liking to shooting my Remmy 760 with a peep sight. I got to thinking this would make an awesome short range woods gun. would 180's be a better choice for anchoring a deer where it stood or would they lack the expansion needed. Also, what about the old 180 round nose bullet. I have no experience with them on game, but I am wondering.
Mike

If you don't like 150's on deer, you won't like 180's any better. I'm with Lloyd on this one, although i will say when you go to the RN design, they do open faster than most other designs. They sure aren't a "brush" bullet though, as NO bullet is a brush bullet. Bullets and brush just don't mix...

DM

streak · « **Reply #7 on:** December 05, 2011, 04:20:16 PM »

I think velocity of the 150 gr tends to create more tissue damage i.e. bloodshot meat than the 180 does speaking from my experience.
Years ago before the 30-06 was developed the 30-40 Krag was a good hunting round with a 220 gr RN at velocities around 2000-2200 fps, it was a great whitetail round. in fact I have just rigged an Encore with a 30-06 SS fluted barrel and will be reloading it with 220 RN at 2100-2300 fps and using it with this load as a psuedo "30-40 Krag". I will also also reload up some 165 gr. for target and long distance hunting.

rickt300 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 05, 2011, 07:27:17 PM »

If I am hunting thick brush and shooting at very close range say under 100 yards and taking shots as they come I pick a good RN 180 like Winchesters power point, a Hornady RN or the Remington Corelokt and don't sweat it. The 150's kill quickly but I have had them tear up a lot of meant and not exit also. It really depends on the shot angles you are willing to take and if you shoot at running deer. No matter what you are shooting the 30-06 is a lot of gun for deer at short range.

shot1 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 06, 2011, 02:17:03 AM »

Round nose bullets as "brush busters" are old wives tales. After 41 years of deer hunting and killing hundreds of them with everything from a stick through a 45-70 I have learned a few things. Stick with the cup and core 150 gr bullets in the 30-06 in factory ammo and if you hand load use 125 Nosler ballistic tips and keep them at or under 3000 fps muzzle velocity. It is more of bullet placement than the bullet itself most of the time. If you place any bullet in the upper 1/3rd of a deers front shoulder most of the time it is bang flop. It is a crap shoot as to dropping a deer in it's tracks when shooting behind the shoulder in the heart lung area. The deer is dead it just does not realize it until it has run off a ways. Heart shot deer usually make a 50 or so yard dash and don't always leave a good blood trail because there is nothing to pump the blood out with. It also has to do with the deers state of mind at the time you shoot it as to if it is bang flop or not. If the deer is spooked and on guard most of the time it will run off some unless the central nervous system is hit. 180 gr 30 cal. bullets are made for larger game like elk and bear. I would urge you to learn the high front shoulder shot. You don't loose much if any actual eatable meat and it drops them in their tracks.

Graybeard · « **Reply #10 on:** December 06, 2011, 05:46:15 AM »

Never seen anything that kills them better or quicker than the '06 using Remington Core-Loct 180 grain round nose ammo. Back when I hunted them with a Remington 742 that's the only ammo I used.

.Dirty-.30 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 06, 2011, 06:21:55 AM »

Using a Remington 7400 I can tell you that the Winchester Power Points in 180gr perform perfectly. I have shot deer with dressed weights of 115# to 165# and you couldn't ask for a more "Blown up" deer on the inside. It was a shock to me to see the internals after being used to my .30/30's with Cor-Locts.

gstewart44 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 07, 2011, 03:30:49 AM »

Quote from: mmt7714 on December 01, 2011, 06:37:10 AM

I have always shot 150's out of my 30-06. Recently I have taken a liking to shooting my Remmy 760 with a peep sight. I got to thinking this would make an awesome short range woods gun. would 180's be a better choice for anchoring a deer where it stood or would they lack the expansion needed. Also, what about the old 180 round nose bullet. I have no experience with them on game, but I am wondering.

Mike

My first( and still favorite) rifle is a Rem 760 carbine. Took my first deer (10 pt WT with a Mulie looking rack) using Remington 180g RN CoreLokt. High shoulder shot quartering away. Hit the top of the shoulder and ran up the spine coming to rest at the base of the skull. Buck DRT. Have tried 150g in the carbine but muzzle blast is much more unpleasant. For Deer these days I use the Federal Fusion 180gr. They have worked very well on venison and pork.

charles p · « **Reply #13 on:** December 07, 2011, 04:31:43 AM »

If you consistently strike the forward 1/4 of the deer, you will stop it where it stands. When you examine rib and gut shots, you'll find that some of the deer will fall DRT and some will run. Some will bleed and some may not. Bullet location is the key rather than bullet weight. A Remington CoreLokt bullet is my favorite design. Shoulder and neck shoots give lethal results and do not ruin a lot of quality meat. Most of a deer's meat is in the ham and loin area, and certainly the best is. A dead deer always yields more meet than a lost deer.

RevJim · « **Reply #14 on:** December 07, 2011, 05:21:34 AM »

I have only seen the 180 round nose used by others on small East Texas whitetail/hogs to big Georgia whitetail ( the ones transplanted there from up North, big honking suckers!) My friend used the factory Remington Corlokts in his Remington 742. It is a real killer. I have handload the Sierra 180 round nose for a friends bolt gun,and it was sub MOA. I think it paiers well with a peep sighted, fast handling woods gun, and will work in a pich for long shots out on the Pipeline or logging road. Good luck to you!

rickt300 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 07, 2011, 08:16:51 PM »

Actually a good "brush" cartridge has the ability to penetrate deeply the flesh of the intended game animal. Moderate velocities coupled with adequate bullet weight do well in the thick stuff because they can handle the shot angles you get in the thickets. A bullet being blunt causes no problems in this regard. Pointed bullets work pretty good too.

Rock Home Isle · « **Reply #16 on:** December 21, 2011, 12:41:45 PM »

Quote from: mmt7714 on December 01, 2011, 06:37:10 AM

I have always shot 150's out of my 30-06. Recently I have taken a liking to shooting my Remmy 760 with a peep sight. I got to thinking this would make an awesome short range woods gun. would 180's be a better choice for anchoring a deer where it stood or would they lack the expansion needed. Also, what about the old 180 round nose bullet. I have no experience with them on game, but I am wondering.

Mike

I have shot my .30'06 for many years. I have yet to find a bullet weight that isn't just the best for what I wanted it to do when shot out of the '06. Though the '06 wouldn't make my list of Essential Calibres, that's more a measure of my personal bias as a statement against the grand ole .30'06.

These days I do most of my hunting with the 165 gr Barnes TSX loaded into the '06. But I have a friend that just loves the 180 gr (BT) bullet for most everything. I reload for accuracy and performance in my firearm, and the 165 and the 180 both will have very good down range performance. And you with your 180 gr (BT) will most likely out perform my 165 gr BT in terminal ballistics at the other end.

If you are looking for a short Range Hammer in your .30'06...maybe consider something like a 220 gr round nose bullet for your open sited rifle. Its not going to reach out there as efficiently as your 180 gr (BT) bullet, but with open sites on your gun....you'll have no care for long range shooting anyway. Open site, most of your shots will be less than 200 yards. I'd take a 220 gr projectile, loaded in my '06, on a thick cover heavy brush Moose Hunt and have no fear about being under gunned.

yellowtail3 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 21, 2011, 01:40:31 PM »

At iron sights ranges, I don't think it matters what bullet weight you choose - it'll blow through both sides of just about anything. I'd prob opt for 150s.

thumbcocker · « **Reply #18 on:** December 22, 2011, 12:09:01 PM »

I use the rn core lokt 180 gr. in my 308. No complaints. Also, I used 180 gr. speer spitzers in an '06, worked great.

Ranch13 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 22, 2011, 12:18:05 PM »

I always preferred 165's in the 06 and 308

oneoldsap · « **Reply #20 on:** December 23, 2011, 05:15:59 AM »

The 180 is the yardstick used to judge all the others ! Must be good . Here in VT it's what most of the 06 guys use !

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #21 on:** December 23, 2011, 05:31:00 AM »

All i can say is shoot 50-100 deer with them and then come back and tell me what you like. Id about bet its cup and core 150s and maybe a few would go 165 cup and core bullets but I doubt a single one of you would still be using 180s. Even for larger game theres nothing a 165 or even 150 partition wont kill cleanly that any 180 would..

JesterGrin · « **Reply #22 on:** December 23, 2011, 06:15:54 AM »

I will jump in here a bit.

At least for the 6 or so 30-06 rifles I have had they did not like the 150Gr and lighter bullets as far as accuracy.

The 165Gr class worked well in all of them. But a couple I would get better accuracy from the 180Gr but not enough to warrant the need to jump up to the 180Gr class.

I have found the Hornady 165Gr SST to be very accurate. But it does open up fast. I have only shot 3 Deer in the 150-165 lb class at between 100 to 150 yards. But all 3 were DRT. But they were good shots. But did not leave a large exit whole which did worry me in case I did not make a good shot and had to track. And in South Texas Tracking is something you do not wish to do lol.

I wanted to add that I did place a call to Hornady about the expansion characteristics of the Hornady 165Gr SST. And was informed that they were designed for fast expansion as in many places up north they desire a bullet that if they do pass through the target they will not travel great ranges beyound that.

The original and favorite bullet has been the Sierra 165Gr HP/Boat Tail. It has given me great accuracy as well as pass through with a large exit wound.

rickt300 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 23, 2011, 08:22:17 AM »

My 30-06's (have 2) are used as general purpose pieces. One is a Remington 7400 that I use as a loaner to those I drag out night hog hunting and it is loaded with the Hornady 180 gr. spire points because they feed perfectly. The other is a sporterized Springfield that was my primary elk rifle for years and I used many varieties of 180 gr. bullets in it with good success. Nowadays I am hunting with the 35's more and more, a 35 Remington and a 35 Whelen. The diameter is blessed with a number of RN designs and I am still testing! Years ago when I could get bulk 180 gr. Remington RNCL's I used a lot of them on deer, hogs and a couple of elk. I can't think of a single incident when I wished I had used a different bullet. The Hornady RN is more of the same. It seems at times the entrance wounds are a bit bigger with the round noses than when using more pointed bullets, not always but sometimes.

Rock Home Isle · « **Reply #24 on:** December 23, 2011, 09:00:59 AM »

I've run a lot of ammo through my .30 calibres over the years and I have really developed a deep appreciation for the 165 gr BT as the projectile of choose in all my .30's. I reload the 165 gr in my .30'06, my .308 and my .300 short mag...

For general shooting, I use 165 gr Sierra BT. That's a very good general purpose projectile. I've used it for many years to take antelope, deer, and elk. Then for year I used the Nosler Partition...again an outstanding projectile and much more effective than the Sierra when the shooting angle gets hard.

These days I use the 165 gr Barnes TSX...again its another very high quality projectile and again its performance has been outstanding. I made the switch to Barnes simply because it is a BT projectile, instead of a flatbase which is the Nosler.