.30-06 EXIT WOUND?

Deadeye777 · 12-02-2005, 03:42 PM

well, i'm out here on the palouse in eastern washington hunting whitetail with my Stevens 200 .30-06 this year, and some of the locals i've befriended say there's a huge Yote population out here that everyone wants thinned (killing livestock and the like). I was wondering...

What kind of damage does a .30-06 do at 100,200,300 yards? I'm trying to keep the exit wound to a minimum here... maybe pick up a few bucks on the pelts. I'm hoping the lite body of a yote won't make the bullet expand to badly and just cut right through at these ranges, but i'm unfamiliar with how it would react.

any help would be great... thanks!

mez · 12-02-2005, 05:29 PM

What kind and weight bullet are you shooting?

Deadeye777 · 12-02-2005, 07:12 PM

probably a 150 grain corelokt

saltflat · 12-02-2005, 07:52 PM

It will more than likely be pretty close to the size of the exit wound on a deer. The only think you could do is try. I personally like my .17hmr it will drop them if you hit them in the head.

gopher slayer · 12-02-2005, 08:38 PM

well if you shoot heavy game bullets they shouldnt expand much as long as you dont hit a bone.

Coyotestalker · 12-02-2005, 11:51 PM

.308 is my fav. for coyote and predator hunting. Similar in the realm of the 30-06 S, I haven't had a problem yet having a huge or destructable exit wound that would shred the pelt. Now depending on your powder and bullet weight, you will see some difference obviously in what happens. For me, I stick with 165 grains with a Nosler Ballistic tip. Again, that is with a .308, but much closer proximity to a 30-06 than most calibers.

"It will more than likely be pretty close to the size of the exit wound on a deer. The only think you could do is try. I personally like my .17hmr it will drop them if you hit them in the head". Spike

In response to that, I shoot the .17 hmr, and have taken coyotes in close range with the same effect. Yet, I would not trust my .17 HMR to take a coyote at anything past 120 yards if needed, or on a windy day. In my mind, I don't take chances with light bullets like the .17 to take a wish shot on the most deserving day. My Tikka T3 varminter in .308 is my right arm wherever I go on my ranch and nursery.

Jim Beam · 12-03-2005, 08:44 AM

I shot a buck one year with 220 grain fro 06 at about 30yrds away.2 and a half inch hole out came hole came out the other side hit a rib and the deer still ran 30 yrds before giveing up.I wouldn't thought that bullet would of expnaded that much.I believe I was useing rem coreloc.

HoytMT2332 · 12-04-2005, 04:23 PM

try using a bullet designed for really large game like bear...It wont expand..A tough bullet won't leave much of an exit hole.

Deadeye777 · 12-04-2005, 05:36 PM

that's a smart idea hoyt, thanks a lot for the post!

Rammer · 12-04-2005, 05:56 PM

Personally, I don't think you will be saving many pelts shooting a 30-06. I shot several coyotes in the last few weeks with my 7mm Rem Mag while deer hunting, and the results weren't pretty. I was shooting a 140gr Nosler Accubond, and all shots were right behind the shoulder with massive exit holes.

I guess I can't really compare a 7mm to a 30-06 as there is a huge difference in velocity, but I'm just trying to give you an idea of what to expect.

My 243 with 75gr Hornady HPs very rarely makes an exit hole tho