30.06 for hill country bucks?

[massenrg]

I've just bought a 30.06 and will be hunting whitetails in the San Saba area.  I'm new to the Hill country and am worried the caliber will destroy the 100lb animals I may shoot in this area.  Is this a valid fear?  Anybody in the hill country use a 30.06 with good (or bad) results?  Suggested bullet weight?

Thank you.

[FWiedner]

I wouldn't worry about the deer.

A .30-06 won't do any more damage than any other hunting rifle on hill country deer.  Pick your shot so's you don't waste more meat than you need to.

A consideration because some of those deer are, uh... "petite", is to make sure you know your backdrop.

Those bitty deer probably won't stop any .30-06 load, so make sure you have an idea where your bullet might end up.

 

[markc]

I've shot alot of hill country deer with a 30-06.  I used a 150 gr bullet, handloaded Speer back then and switched to a factory Remington 150 CLSP.   I did not experience any greater loss of meat than guys shooting other calibers.  Now that I hunt areas that have large feral hogs, I switched to a heavier bullet, 165gr, when using my 30-06.  I still haven't noticed but a little more severe wound area when compared to the lighter 150 gr bullets...

[PEPAW]

Please try some of these so I can find out how they work on game. http://www.remington.com/ammo/centerfire/managed_recoil.htm
On targets they are fun to shoot.   I called the company and apparently the bullets are built to expand at the low velocity.
Of course, these are for shorter range.    But most of my Hill country deer were less than 200 yards anyway.

pepaw

[markc]

those are some light weight bullets for  the calibers listed.   I would like to try that 125 gr 30-06 round on something.  Not sure what though..With the hogs so numerous where I hunt deer, I will stick with a heavier bullet and recoil.  30-06 recoil only bothers me when firing from a bench anyway..

[PEPAW]

MarkC,
You mentioned hogs and thought those bullets are too light.   We shoot lots of deer and pigs with .222, .223 and .243.   So that 125 grain-06 should do a job within 150 yards or so.  If they do have same POI, you could carry both.    Those
I have some light loads for my .270 and will let you know how they work this season on deer and hogs.


pepaw

[JJ79]

I've just bought a 30.06 and will be hunting whitetails in the San Saba area.  I'm new to the Hill country and am worried the caliber will destroy the 100lb animals I may shoot in this area.  Is this a valid fear?  Anybody in the hill country use a 30.06 with good (or bad) results?  Suggested bullet weight?

Thank you.

Stick to lighter bullet weights and they'll do less damage...  Best way to keep from ruining a lot of meat is shoot the deer in the neck...

Don't worry, there will be lots of '06s booming around the Hill Country!!! Good luck!!!  

[markc]

I do feel that the .223 is a bit light for feral hogs, unless the round is placed right behind the ear.  For some of the heavier and more mature hogs we encounter, the 55gr pill won't penetrate the shoulder gristle.  In the thick stuff, or overgrown hay meadows, it can be hard to get a good head shot.  So for me atleat I prefer something more substantial than a .223, or even my wifes .243, and she is a very deadly shot with that thing...Yeah, I think a 125gr from the 06 would work on ferals, but again, best behind the ear if you can..  Good luck this season..

[PEPAW]

You are right.   The .22's are definitely not the best medicine for hogs.  

I was just trying to make the point the 125 should be enough with the special bullet Remington has designed for this load.    But I have yet to hear of field test results of the Recoil managed loads.

pepaw