Quilly...to be honest with you i've never used anything heavier than a 150grn in my 30.06 when i was shooting factory bullets and they performed well so i never went with anything heavier. I do have several friends who use the Sierra 165 grn bullets. When i started handloading i started using the Hornady 130grn Spire points and they group very nicely and perform excellent on deer. I've shot a lot of deer with that 130grn bullet and have never lost one with it and have complete confidence in that bullet. Let me add that the deer around here aren't really that big and if i were to go on a paid hunt maybe in Canada after a really big whitetail i would go with a heavier bullet no doubt. I started using a 25.06 several years ago and now thats about all i use for deer. I'm thinking of working up a good load for my 30.06 to use as a woods/brush gun where shots will be 100yds and less and i may go with a good 165grn bullet for that, maybe even a round nose.