bigpapa

What's the best load for deer in 30-06. Right now I'm using 180grn core-lockts. Should I be using 165 or 150 and is cl's the best. I've been thinking about trying the winchester silver tip's but I don't know how they will do on deer. Any suggestions would be great.

Joe D.

If you're shooting 180gr and consistently dropping deer with it and it's accurate out of your gun, continue using it.I use 150gr BarnesXin my .308 and it workswell, so that's what I use. Some people will say that 180gr is overkill on deer, but dead is dead.It's pretty much what ever your preference is.If it's not broken don't try tofix it.

SwampCollie

A 180gr Core-Lokt is a big ol' thing for a bitty little southern deer.

But, as said, if you have been getting good results... how much more dead do you want your deer to be?

As a generic answer though... I'd say 165gr Sierra Gamekings.

Ought_Six

I have been using 180gr Remington Corelokt bullets for years. I have killed several whitetails with them and have no complaints. It is my opinion that if it aint broke, dont fix it.

I only wish Remington would put a little more care into the manufacture of their bullets. There is substantial deviation from lot to lot on their bullets, such as where the cannulare is located. Since I reload, I can us any bullet I choose and will probably change to Hornady Interlock 180s when I use up my Corelokts. The one thing I really like about Corelokts is the protected point aspect.

James B

It would be hard to find a load for the 30-06 that would not work well for deer. I have always used the 150 grain bullets but any 150 grain or heavier that shoots well in your gun will work great. I like the Federal BLUE BOX 150 grainers for factory loads.

Dixie Rebel

My favorite bullet weight for the 30-06 is 165 grain.

1. Barnes Triple Shocks
2. Nosler Partitions
3. Nosler Accubonds (bonded core; just as accurate as Ballistic Tips)
4. Sierra HPBT Gamekings (very accurate; designed for deer hunting!)

My favorite powders for the 30-06 are:

IMR-4350 and IMR-4064

ipscshooter

Back when I used a .30-06 for deer, I shot Winchester SuperX 150 gr. power points. They worked great. I'm now using Remington Express 100 gr. Core Lokt's in my .243. They work great too. Find whatever is most accurate in your rifle and use it. Those 180's probably have a bit more recoil than 150's, and you really don't need anything bigger than a 150 for deer. Don't know if that matters to you. If you like the 180's, don't mind the recoil, and they're accurate from your rifle, I don't really see any reason to switch.

idunno

I'd have to agree... pretty much anything except for the 55gr spitzer would be sufficient for deer. Your best bet IMO is to find what shoots best in your gun.

savage3006

I use the 150gt corelokt or winchester superx. They both work well. No need to use something heavier for a deer.

Alsatian

Just about any .30-06 load will doyour business on a deer. I suppose the 220 grain round nose bullet would have, relatively speaking, a sub-optimal trajectory, but for average deer hunting ranges would it matter? I suppose the bullet may not expand much on deer, but would it matter? If there is any error to be made selecting a .30-06 load it would likely be in buying a load intended for varmint hunting where the bullet might expand explosively on the surface and non-fatally wound the deer. Thus . . . I think you would be OK selecting any load with a bullet weight of 150 grains and higher.