Bullet performance vs. Deer

[jpuke]

I harvested my first deer this year, I got a large doe near Paxton NE on the opening day of the season.  My question is regarding what type of performance I should be expecting from my bullets.  I reload Hornady 150 gr SP's in my 30-06 and my chrono tells me that I'm getting 2850 fps from my 19" barrel.  I shot the doe from about 60 yards with a standard broadside shot, shot placement was good and I was proud of myself.  The shot knocked her down and she continued to move around on the ground so I put a second shot into her neck (probably a rookie mistake) and she expired shortly thereafter.  As we field dressed her I couldn't find anything resembling the bullet from the first shot and the neck shot left a huge (2.5") entrance would but no exit.  I should have looked at things closer as I cleaned it out but I was more worried about the procedure and not cutting anthing I shouldn't.  The inside of the ribs looked like the bullet had exploded rather than penetrated very far.  My questions are these - is this normal performance from a conventional soft point bullet?  Was the close range partly responsible for the performance?  I don't want to, but should I be switching bullets?  The only thing I can think is that YES I bagged my deer but if she hadn't dropped on the spot I might have had a tough time finding her since there was NO blood, it all remained inside her.  Anyone else's experience in this area is greatly appreciated. 

[Castaway]

You might have opened a can of worms with this one.  I like an inney and an outey.  It could be the bullet you were using was going too fast when you hit the deer.  Any bullet is a compromise between penetration, expansion.  Add that to the fact they are also designed for a particular, optimum velocity range.  Too fast and commonly the results are what you got.  The standard by which jacketed bullets are judged is the Nosler Partition.  It performs well over a wide velocity range, retains generally 60% of its mass and expansion is controlled to the point that the remaining bullet usually will exit on a broadside shot.

[goodconcretecolor]

I have been useing the same bullet in the old '06 for about 15 years. My load is a bit milder, 2750 fps. I have only recovered one of those bullets after taking more than a dozen deer with them. That bullet destroyed a shoulder (and a lot of meat) and the bullet was recovered just under the skin on the far side. The mushroomed bullet looked like one Hornady would use in their advertising, perfect mushroom, no jacket separation. Range was only 10 yards. 25 yd shot with a 150 gr. Remington factory load showed jacket separation with no bones hit. I think you have a good load and congratulations on your first dear. There could be any number of explanations for what you found.  The Hornady 150 gr. Interlock is considered a classic among many reloaders for good reason. Its combination of accuacy and terminal performance is hard to beat, especially for the price. You will need to go to a more expensive bullet to do any better and the bullet you have is probably the best deer bullet in its price range. Any thing more you get from a premium bullet is probably overkill on deer.

[Awf Hand]

If a 60 yard shot is typical for your hunting area, you might consider going with a heavier bullet.  Someone mentioned the Nosler Partition...I'd suggest a 180 or even a 200 (dep on your twist rate), as it sounds like your bullet jacket is failing before it completely does it's job.  The heavier bullet will be slower and allow the bullet to "hang together" with a higher percentage of retained weight and better penetration.

[beemanbeme]

One shot, one dead deer. (we'll give you the benefit of the doubt on the neck shot  ) I use 165's myself but there's probably been about a gazillion deer killed with your exact set-up.  I wouldn't angst over it too much. Pass thru shots are nice but, as you found out, shot placement trumps pass thrus. 
Probably the reason all of the blood puddled inside the deer is because it was laying down. 

[jhalcott]

  j,. You can shoot ten deer with the exact conditions and get ten different reactions. Just hitting the edge of a muscle as opposed to centering it can make a bullet do strange things. Congrats on the deer . Just keep practicing for the next one!

[Siskiyou]

I like the Hornady 150 grain, .30-caliber bullet load to 2800 f.p.s.  And I still have a bunch of them loaded up.  This bullet can easily be pushed beyond 2800 f.p.s. but you give up 100-yard penetration to rapid expansion.   I tend to go for a slightly heavier bullet in most calibers.  I prefer the 165-grain bullet in .30 caliber because it holds together at close range.  My favorite deer load in the 30-06 is a 165-grain Hornady, Nosler, Remington C-L, or Speer pushed by 56 grains of H414.  This maybe a max load in some rifles.

During the 60’s my neighbors would kill over twenty bucks are year.  They had my attention and I watched them load of deer loads.  Their bullet of choice was the Hornady 165 grain spire bullet.  Rarely was this bullet recovered from a dead deer because of full penetration.  When I started loading for the 30-06 the 165-grain bullet was my choice based on the neighbors, and my hunting partners success.  It has done the job for me.

The 165 gr. Bullet starts out a little slower but the 150 gr. bullet sheds velocity quickly.  So the 165-grain advantage is that it holds together at close range, and produces higher velocity, and energy at longer ranges.



I believe the 165-grain, .30 Cal. Bullet in the .300 Savage, 308 Winchester, and the 30-06 provides the idea balance in velocity, energy, and long range trajectory for the deer hunter.

[jpuke]

Thanks for the replies guys.  I have thought about changing bullet weights but this load shoots so well I've had a hard time convincing myself to change it.  (the 150's also cost less than the other weights)  I've got another year for load development so we'll see what's in store for next season.  Felt good to finally get a deer, tastes good too.  Corn-fed Nebraska venison is the best!