Best bullet weight for a 30-06 hunting/target rifle?

[His lordship.]

I have been using my CZ 550 bolt action rifle in 30-06 and was wondering what the best all around target load is.  I mostly paper punch, and use handloads with this rifle, but may use this gun down the road for coyote, and maybe deer, or wild pig hunting.

The benefits of the CZ products is that they are very tolerant of different ammo, I have gotten good groups with the 130 gr. and the 165 gr., so I was wondering about your suggestions for more common types like the Rem. 700, and Winchester 70, and the Ruger 77 in 30-06?

I don't like recoil, and am concerned that if I use a real light bullet like the 110 grainer in a rifle that was intended for the 150 gr. as far as rifling is concerned, there might be a problem.  Today my favorite shop said I should go with 165 grain bullets, as the 150 grain types are more commonly used, I wanted to get the opinions of the distinguished contributors to this site.

Thanks.

[Bart Solo]

The beauty of the 30-06 is its wide bullet/powder selection.  Bullets range anywhere from 110 to 220.  Lyman's 48th Edition suggests that "the wide range of bullet weights usable in the 30/06 mandate some discretion in powder selection." It goes on to say that mid range powders such as  IMR-4895 work pretty well with all bullet weights, while lighter bullets work better with faster powders like IMR-3031 or H335 and heavier bullet weights work well with IMR 4350.  

My son wants to work up some lighter rounds for target practice with his new Savage, and I have been thinking about starting with a 150 grain Hornady jacketed Soft Point in front of 48 grains of IMR-4064.  The pressure at 48 grains is only 36,000 PSI.  You can even load a 130 grain Hornady soft point  with the same powder and load.

I am looking forward to hearing from the pros on this one.

[AZ223]

While I haven't had a chance to work up loads for my '06 yet, I've been led to believe the 168gr match grade bullets are one of the best for overall accuracy in a 30 caliber rifle. Of course, your gun may vary, but if you're after targets, you may want to start there. Also, check out www.snipercountry.com for more advice on handloading and long-range accuracy. Most of the contributors are from a military background, but still the advice is useful for any shooter looking for accuracy.

Good luck!

[while99]

I subscribe to the Soviet doctrine of throw-weight and tend to shoot heavier-than-average bullets in my .30/06s.  A couple of my favorites are the 190 Hornady boat-tailed spire point and the 200 grain Nosler partition.  I've also tried the 200 grain Accu-bond and preliminary tests look good.  You could work up a good hunting load with one of these bullets and then switch to a Sierra matchking of the same weight for your paper punching.
Keep your gun-hand ready and your eyes peeled.

[Val]

I believe the 165 grain bullet is the ideal weight for a 30-06. I use the Hornady 165 grain interbonds for my hunting bullet and the Hornady SST as my target round. These both use the same powder charge and have the same POI. The SSTs are less expensive than the Interbonds.

[smokey66]

i am a big fan of Nosler ballistic tip bullets. i have loaded the 165 gr in 30-06 with very good results. i use ballistic tips in different weights and calibers with great results. give them a try....

[Questor]

Chris D:

I think you should forget about doing everything with one weight of bullet. Use the 110s or 120s for coyotes (be prepared for lots of damage). I tried ballistic tips on coyotes and the bullets just go through and then I have an animal that runs off and is difficult to find.  If damage is an issue, you may want to research light bullets that don't open so explosively.

Then use 165 deer bullets for deer.

Then use a premium 165 for pigs (but I would use 180s)-- A tough bullet like a Nosler Partition.

Alternatively, use the varmint bullets for coyote, and hunt everything else with 165 partitions.

[His lordship.]

I appreciate the info so far on the 30-06.  My prior background in rifle handloading has been with the 6.5 Jap., 7.7 Jap. and the .243 Winchester.  With the 7.7 I had tried to download alot to reduce the recoil, and the only thing that happened was the accuracy deteriorated.  I also found out years later that if you download too much, you can create a high pressure situation with the cartridge! :shock: Lucky me, I did not have a problem with that.

I do have 2 boxes of the 165 gr. ammo, one by Speer and the other by Sierra.  I have been a traditional Hornady man, but thought I would give these brands a try.  The Sierra brand shot well in my .243.  I had always assumed that the 150 grainer worked the best as it is the most popular, I guess not.

One of the reasons I purchased my rifle in 30-06 is that it can do alot, I can have piece of mind to know that I can hunt in other parts of the world, find ammo for it, and it will do the job.

Thanks.

[lilabner]

I've shot the '06 for many years. I am convinced that you need not use a bullet heavier than 165 gr. for game like elk or moose if you use a stout bullet like the Barnes or Nosler that will hold together, expand well and penetrate. The 165 can be loaded to exceed 2900 fps and shoots nearly as flat as the 150 with that loading. For plains deer or antelope where long range shots are common,  I shoot the 150 gr. as it is a bit flatter - it can be sighted in to stay within 3 inches of point of aim out to 300 yards. I've been happy with Hornady spire points for lighter game like deer. If you want to do serious target shooting, you will need match bullets like the Bergers. Boat tails in the 170 gr. range or heavier.

[adirondacker]

the 165 grn bullet in the 30/06 seems to be, as most agree the best performing bullet.powder and bullet manufacturer is only a matter of personal preference.i have had good luck with sierra bullets for loading in  rifle calibers,both match and hunting.the 165 gr hollow pt boat tail is a devastating round pushed out by 56 grns of win.760 powder it expands very nicely yet will retain enough weight to carry it completely throu a deer size animal no matter where the point of impact is..the 760 meters very nicely.i use the same bullet in the 308 with 44 grns of 4064.stay away from the sierra match bullet,i think its 168 grn hollow point.they are very accurate but lack the expansion properties you would want for a good hunting load.

[ButlerFord45]

Has anyone mentioned 165/168 grain yet?  Any manufacture, what ever style you prefer, I'll bet ya a cup of coffee it'll do pretty good in the accuracy department for your '06