Looking for a basic, accurate, flat shooting, non lightweight factory 30-06 load

[BattleRifleG3]

Just like the thread title says.  I'm wondering what out there would be the flattest shooting, non-hot loaded, non-lightweight loading of 30-06.  Generally thinking in the price range of $20ish or less a box.  Bullet weights probably between 140gr and 180gr.  And not something hot loaded like Hornady's light magnum loads.

Obviously the only way to flatten the trajectory would be by bullet design.  For example, a 168gr match bullet from a 308 shoots higher at 500yds than a 270 Win with a hunting bullet.  I'm obviously not planning to hunt with an almost FMJ match bullet, but I'm sure there are varieties of boat tailed and other advanced bullet desigsn that do their best to minimize drag.

So what factory loadings would folks recommend to get the flattest trajectory out of an otherwise normal 30-06?

[Coyote Hunter]

Just like the thread title says.  I'm wondering what out there would be the flattest shooting, non-hot loaded, non-lightweight loading of 30-06.  Generally thinking in the price range of $20ish or less a box.  Bullet weights probably between 140gr and 180gr.  And not something hot loaded like Hornady's light magnum loads.

Obviously the only way to flatten the trajectory would be by bullet design.  For example, a 168gr match bullet from a 308 shoots higher at 500yds than a 270 Win with a hunting bullet.  I'm obviously not planning to hunt with an almost FMJ match bullet, but I'm sure there are varieties of boat tailed and other advanced bullet desigsn that do their best to minimize drag.

So what factory loadings would folks recommend to get the flattest trajectory out of an otherwise normal 30-06?

BattleRifleG3 -

What do you mean by “non-hot loaded”?  Do you mean loaded to less than SAAMI specifications?  No major manufacturer is going to exceed them. 

But I have to say I think you are on the wrong track.  Flat shooting means faster and faster and inexpensive bullets IMHO, don’t mix.  Standard cup-and-core bullets perform best at moderate velocities.  I think you are much better off spending a few more dollars and getting a load with a better bullet.  And instead of “flattest shooting” look for “flat enough” – then focus on accuracy and learning to shoot with that load. 

My guess is you’re looking for the Hornady Light Mag loads, probably the 165g InterBond which can be purchased for $26 from Cabelas.  Hornady claims 3015fps for this load.  When I chose a load for a friend, I chose the Federal 165g Trophy Bonded, which has a rated velocity of 2800fps.  It doesn’t shoot as flat as the Hornady load but is within 2” at 300 yards, and I think it is a better bullet.  It also costs a couple bucks more.

[BattleRifleG3]

I'm basically looking for a load that uses a bullet with the least drag but is still a hunting bullet and not a target match bullet.  I'm assuming standard powder loadings and pressures.

A few dollars more is fine.  High 20s per box is pushing it.

Federal's Fusion caught my eye as a potentially high quality but affordable choice.  Anyone know how it would do in this regard?

[Mac11700]

Here's a whole page of 30-06 Ammo...read the reviews..from $12...up...http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/browse?TabID=3&Categoryid=7529&categorystring=653***690*** I'm sure you can find something here you'll like...

Mac

[patrick.hover]

I'm basically looking for a load that uses a bullet with the least drag but is still a hunting bullet and not a target match bullet.  I'm assuming standard powder loadings and pressures.

A few dollars more is fine.  High 20s per box is pushing it.

Federal's Fusion caught my eye as a potentially high quality but affordable choice.  Anyone know how it would do in this regard?

My dealings with the fed. Fusion  has been OUTSTANDING...20 buck a box..premium  bullet, standard velocity, but VERY ACCURATE.

I love em (especially the 180's)

Patrick.

[Val]

Lighter bullets go faster, so they are flatter shooters. Bullets with higher BCs are generally more accurate especially at longer distances. Different guns like different loads, so you need to try different ammo to see what your rifle likes.

[BattleRifleG3]

Lighter bullets go faster and are flatter only within certain range limits.  Comparing ballistic tables, a medium weight boat tailed 308 has a higher trajectory at certain ranges than a lightweight 270 bullet.  The "zippers" fly fast out of the muzzle but slow down just as fast.

I don't believe a 125gr bullet out of a 30-06 will have a flatter trajectory at 500yd than a 168gr bullet out of a 30-06.

[kudzu]

150 gr Swift Scirocco - Great hunting bullet and has a BC of 435

DM

[Coyote Hunter]

...
I don't believe a 125gr bullet out of a 30-06 will have a flatter trajectory at 500yd than a 168gr bullet out of a 30-06.

Lots of variables, but shooting Remington 125g @ 3140fps and 168g Core-Lokt Ultra Bonded, the trajectory tables put the 125 4" higher than the 168g at 500 yards (47.6" vs. 51.7").   The 168g has more energy, however, at 1037fpe vs 706fps.  For big game hunting I'd use the 168.

[nomosendero]

...
I don't believe a 125gr bullet out of a 30-06 will have a flatter trajectory at 500yd than a 168gr bullet out of a 30-06.

Lots ov variab;les, but shooting Remington 125g @ 3140fps and 168g Core-Lokt Ultra Bonded, the trajectory tables put the 125 4" higher than the 168g at 500 yards (47.6" vs. 51.7").   The 168g has more energy, however, at 1037fpe vs 706fps.  For big game hunting I'd use the 168.

The difference in the wind is much more important & difficult to deal with than the trajectory, which is fairly easy to allow for, a 165/168 would be far superior in the wind. Not to mention the poor penetration of such a light for cal. bullet as a 125gr.30cal.

[Mikey]

Batllerifle:  tests have shown that accuracy out to 300m is just about the same (less than 1" difference in groups) between round nose and spire point boat tails.  With this in mind I would recommend any factory 150, 168 or 180 gn load. 

As far as 'flat' is concerned, the midrange trajectory on any of the 3 bullet weights mentioned would be about the same.  If you are zeroed at 100m, you will be about 2-3" low at 200 and about 9" low at 300.  If you zero at 200, you hit a bit higher at 300 and hit about 1.5" high at 100.  If you have your rifle sighted in for a specified distance you can figure your trajectory out to farther distances and yes, factory 06 loads will take large animals (Elk, Moose) out beyond 300m. 

You may get slightly flatter trajectories with 'light magnum' loads but they are heftier on the shoulder. 

I would recommend the 165-8 gn slug as a midpoint twixt the 150 and 180 gn bullets but that is your preference and it depends on the game you are after.  Whitetail don't need a 165 or 180 gn bullet, but the lighterweight bullets in 30 calibers create a lot of meat damage which is why I prefer the heavier 180s. 

The concept of 'flatter shooting' is fairly moot with standard pressure loadings and regardless of caliber, most standard pressure loads have about the same trajectory and all within an inch or so of each other.  JMHO.  Mikey.

[k3yston3]

For factory fodder, my '06 likes 165gr Rem core-lokts... The group really nice, and have a poi near my handloads, plus they are about $12/box and I have never been anywhere that I couldn't find a box of them.  They are my backup ammo, if something was to happen to my reloaded ammo.

[oneshotonekill]

I have 2 factory loads that fit your description that have worked well for me.  The first is Hornady's custom rifle load with the 165sst, it is a high BC bullet that performs well on game and is loaded at standard velocity/pressure its also about $5 cheaper than the lite mag load.  The last time I bought some it was around $20/box.  The other is the federal fusion 165 gr load.  It is priced similar to the hornady load and shot pretty well but it has alower BC and would probably shed velocity a little faster at longer ranges.  Both of those loads have performed very good on game for me.

[Coyote Hunter]

The difference in the wind is much more important & difficult to deal with than the trajectory, which is fairly easy to allow for, a 165/168 would be far superior in the wind. Not to mention the poor penetration of such a light for cal. bullet as a 125gr.30cal.

I agree.  My post was just pointing out to BattleRifleG3 that a light bullet can indeed shoot flatter at 500 than a heavier one.

[Slamfire]

Heavier bullets will catch up somewhere down range, because they hold their velocity better. There isn't a game animal on the planet that a 180 can't kill.