What factory ammo do you use in your 30-06 Spr. Carbines??

[NYH1]

This could be posted in 3 different forums, deer, hogs/wild boar and bear.  Figured I'd try here first.
 
My son (10) and I took my new Remington 7600 Carbine (18.5" barrel) 30-06 Spr. with a Leupold VX-II 2-7x33mm Scope to the range yesterday to sight it in.  I brought 2 boxes of ammo.  Remington's 165 gr. PSP Core-Lokt and Winchester's 165 gr. PSP Super X.  They both shot alright, however the targets I was using I generally don't do that good with so that didn't help, they're all I had though.  I'm getting the targets I like and I'm going to fine tune it. 
 
I want to go with a mid weight bullet because this rifle/carbine will be used for deer, hogs and black bear from 2 to 200 yards.  I want to use a bullet that will work good on all three so I don't have to go sight the gun in every time I'm going to hunt one of the three.  My last 7600 Carbine 30-06 shot Remington's 150 gr. PSP Core-Lokt's around an inch at 100 yards.  I was only hunting deer then so I was happy with the 150's.  This one will be used for deer and hogs mostly with black bear here and there.
 
What are you guys or gals using in short barreled carbine 30-06's?  Or what factory ammo would you recommend if you were going to hunt the game I'll be hunting with my carbine?
 
Thanks, NYH1!       

[BRL]

I've always used the Core-Lokt in 150 grain...even for hogs. I've shot more hogs than anything else and have never needed more than 1 shot from that ammo. I really don't think more than 150 grain is needed in the .30-06. Now, if a heavier bullet shoots better in your gun, by all means use it if you need that extra accuracy. But, a 150 grain from a .30-06 will handle any deer, hog or black bear alive.

[no guns here]

That being said and pretty much true... I like a mid-weight bullet of about 165 grains...
 
 
NGH

[LanceR]

I suspect that you would find that folks worry about zero changes with bullet weight changes more than they should.

I don't have ballistic data for the Remington of Winchester bullets you mentioned but using Sierra ProHunter spitzer point 150 grain and a 180 grain round nose ProHunter at typical 30-06 velocities and you zero both about 2.7" high at 100 yards they will fly within 1" of each other to over 200 yards.

Either bullet you named will work just fine.  If a 7600 turns in 1-1/2 to 2" groups at 100 yards it is certainly accurate enough for any of your target species at 200 yards.

If you are aiming for the heart and lung area a good practice target after you are zeroed is a 9" or so paper plate.  The heart/lung area of the smallest legal deer is still bigger than that.  If you and your son can keep the shots on the plate at a given distance you'll do fine.

If your son is going to be hunting with that rifle I would consider using a reduced recoil load and thinking about a shorter maximum range.  Remington's 125 grain managed recoil 30-06 load is a darn good deer killer out to 200 yards or more and it should be a dandy hog load, too.  I'm a fan of making big holes that go out the other side of bears since the hair soaks up so much blood.  I want a good blood trail or a bear that is down quickly and I'd want more penetration than the 125 grain bullet is likely to give. 

Hope this helps.

Lance

[NYH1]

Thanks for the replies.  My son's not quite ready for the -06 yet.  I have to get the targets I like for zeroing my rifles and try a few more types of ammo.  Plus these are the first rounds being fired though it.  I don't know how much of a differences that makes if any at all.     
 
NYH1! 

[NYH1]

I bought a box of Federal Fusion 165 gr. for my 30-06 Spr. and they shoot the best of the three different rounds I've tried so far.  I'm getting about 1 1/2" 3 shot groups.  Even when I shot 5 shot groups they were still no bigger then 2".  I'd shoot a few rounds then let the barrel cool down while I shot my 223 Rem. and 280 Rem. 
 
I know I can do better as my back heals.  Crouching over looking through the scopes boths me real quick.  My 30-06, 280 and 35 Rem. are ready for deer, hogs and black bear hunting.  My 223 is ready for woodchucks, crows, fox and coyote.
 
NYH1!     

[smokehouserex]

 
 
  Hello NYH1:
  The responce from lanceR was exactly what I have experienced over the last 45+ years of deer hunting. I have never shot hogs with a 06, just with shotguns. IMO the 180gr.RN is a very good choice for 200yds. and more. If you test them on paper you may be surprised how well they shoot at 200yds+ compared to a spitzer type bullet.
 Good hunting with your Son, I did the same with mine. At 9yrs he wanted the 06, no44mag or 243, he still loves the 06 as do I.
  Roll Tide
  safety first
  HM

[Graybeard]

Don't have a carbine now but back when I did I used Remington 180 round nose core-loct ammo. Inside 250 yards nose shape is pretty insignificant. Don't let a possible 200 yard shot decide for you what nose shape to use.

I still use 180s but these days mostly Nolser PTs but some times BTs.