Author Topic: also, what grain bullet on for 30.06? (Read 1364 times)

massenrg · « **on:** September 29, 2005, 07:59:28 AM »

I'm wondering what the favorite bullet weight for 30.06 is (regarding deer?) I'm sure it depends on the hunter and region. I'm in central Tx. where they seldom exceed 130lbs. Any opinioins?

Thanks.

muzzleblast525 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 29, 2005, 08:53:56 AM »

150 will take anything in Texas...

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 29, 2005, 09:01:26 AM »

My vote goes for the 150 gr. also.

Lawdog · « **Reply #3 on:** September 29, 2005, 12:32:02 PM »

I prefer 165 gr. in .30 caliber. Yes 150 gr. will kill any Whitetail, Blacktail or Mule Deer going but sometimes you run into larger/tougher game and the added punch of the 165 gr. just gives one a bit more confidence. Lawdog

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 29, 2005, 01:04:54 PM »

Quote from: Lawdog

I prefer 165 gr. in .30 caliber. Yes 150 gr. will kill any Whitetail, Blacktail or Mule Deer going but sometimes you run into larger/tougher game and the added punch of the 165 gr. just gives one a bit more confidence. Lawdog

I like the 165 gr. bullets for Caribou.

elmer · « **Reply #5 on:** September 30, 2005, 06:26:26 AM »

I vote for the 165gr Core-Lokt.

jhm · « **Reply #6 on:** October 01, 2005, 04:11:54 AM »

165 in the 30-06 is a killing combo, and I do use the 150 in my 308 only because of a little less felt recoil in a small light rifle

JIM

ihuntbucks · « **Reply #7 on:** October 01, 2005, 07:08:02 PM »

I use 168 gr. ballistic silvertips (Winchester Supreme)

.....Rick

NYH1 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 02, 2005, 02:05:45 PM »

I like 150 gr. bullets in both 308 Win. and 30-06 Spr. for deer hunting. :grin:

Savage .250 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 03, 2005, 01:33:42 AM »

Nothing like being different..........180 Remington Core-Lokt.

" The best part of the hunt is not the harvest but in the experience."

760 Nut · « **Reply #10 on:** October 04, 2005, 11:01:40 AM »

We shoot 250 lb+ field dressed bucks annually in my area and 150 grains puts the boots to them everytime for me. :evil:

victorcharlie · « **Reply #11 on:** October 04, 2005, 02:06:43 PM »

Here in the hard woods of Tennessee where shots are less than 100 yards and the brush is thick I prefer the Remington corelot 220 grain round nose at 2400 fps...............

rebAL · « **Reply #12 on:** October 06, 2005, 12:38:19 PM »

Your most accurate load 150 & up.

massenrg · « **Reply #13 on:** October 07, 2005, 03:49:06 AM »

rebAL,

You mean lighter bullets are less accurate in the .06?

kenscot · « **Reply #14 on:** October 07, 2005, 10:43:57 AM »

I have used 150's for many deer, always killed them dead . Since I started using Nosler Ballistic tips I have moved up to 165's

379 Peterbilt · « **Reply #15 on:** October 07, 2005, 09:50:36 PM »

I agree with all the 150 grain responses. Plenty enough for deer. I have been using 180s though, but this is only because I have so many left over from moose hunting. Cant seem to get one, so I end up using 180s for deer every year. Haha :-D

beemanbeme · « **Reply #16 on:** October 09, 2005, 05:27:37 PM »

165gr bullets and if I couldn't get 165's, I use 180's. Truth be told, I've never shot a 150 thru a 30-06. I'm not saying they wouldn't work, I've just always opted for a heavier bullet.

rebAL · « **Reply #17 on:** October 10, 2005, 11:14:42 AM »

Quote from: massenrg

rebAL,

You mean lighter bullets are less accurate in the .06?

Not necessarilly but I personally wouldn't use less than 150 on deer and anything over 150 will still do the job as long as it's accuate in your gun. For example, I shoot 150 grain out of my Rem. 760 carbine, but 180 out of my Win 70. Either 1 will get the job done as long as it gets where it's aimed.

High Brass · « **Reply #18 on:** October 11, 2005, 08:31:46 AM »

I like 165gr. but that's just a preference. Can get them fast enough for flat shooting(least for me) and the simple ones like Rem. Core-Lokts and Hornady SPs and the like should hold together plenty fine. I've never shot 150s or 180s on deer as the 165s work just fine for me.

massenrg · « **Reply #19 on:** October 12, 2005, 04:09:48 AM »

I'm thinking that 150's are too much for the deer where I hunt. We've got an overpopulation where I hunt and I'll be shooting 100lb deer. I don't want to blow them in half but am uncomfortable with 125 grain bullets for the .06. I'm wondering what experiences you guys have had with 150 grains on a 100lb animal.

greenjeans · « **Reply #20 on:** October 19, 2005, 03:32:01 PM »

We have smallish deer here, also. I have taken three with my 30-06, from 90 pounds to 150 pounds. Two heart/lung shots and the most recent the neck just in front of shoulders. I use 150 grain Winchester Power Points. Plenty big enough and get pass through. Have never tried anything lighter in the 30-06.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #21 on:** October 20, 2005, 05:02:48 AM »

meat damage is a result of bullet construction not weight. A friend used a 30-338 and 150's to shoot antelope. The results were pretty disgusting. Despite his whining about flatter trajectory and boy howdy look what I can do velocity, we talked him into using 180's. The results looked more like a lope shot with a .270 with a whole lot less damage.

John · « **Reply #22 on:** November 11, 2005, 09:11:59 AM »

I used to use 150 till I got a rifle that didn't like em. For some reason or another my Ruger just doesn't group 150 grain bullets like you would want. It loves 165 grain bullets though, so that's what I use.

Now while we're on the subject. I loaded some 165 gr. Sierra boat tailed spitzers a few seasons back and all the family 06 rifles (3) loved em, but I didn't like what we saw in the field. I had some really blow up in whitetails. It didn't cost us any deer, all were killed, but it was mass fragments in a couple of good bucks. Seems they are more for targets than for game.

I switched to Hornady interlocks last season, but one of my brothers 06's didn't like those.

I just bought a box of Sierra Gamekings today. We should be back in business, and they are supposed to hang together on whitetails.

Time will tell, I'll be loading up a batch, and we'll be at the range and then to the deer field in the next few weeks. I sure hope the gamekings are the ticket, it's nice to only load one recipe for everyone.

greenjeans · « **Reply #23 on:** November 14, 2005, 03:11:51 PM »

I vote for the 150 grain, also. I have killed 4 with my 30-06 with the Winchester Power Points in a H&R Handi Rifle. Deer are small here, too and sometimes I think the 150's are too big. Really tore a smallish deer up with a 150 gr. this past weekend. Shot was behind the shoulder and exit wound was the size of a baseball. Never shot anything smaller in the 06. Have tried 165 gr. Core Lokt and they don't group well in my rifle. Have had real good success with 130 gr. in my .270, but letting my son in law use it this year.

Lawdog · « **Reply #24 on:** November 15, 2005, 10:52:40 AM »

greenjeans,

Quote

I think the 150's are too big. Really tore a smallish deer up with a 150 gr. this past weekend. Shot was behind the shoulder and exit wound was the size of a baseball.

If you're tearing them up with 150's then go heavier in weight or go to a premium bullet :yeah: . Going lighter will only do more damage. Lawdog

greenjeans · « **Reply #25 on:** November 15, 2005, 03:00:12 PM »

Thanks. Have some 180's I can give a try. Haven't shot any of them. May just hunt with the 25-06 Ultra for the rest of the year.