A couple years ago Outdoor Life had a good article on using the 165 grain bullet in .30-06 to create 7mm Mag type energy for longer range shots, out in the 300 yard category.

Essentially the article said that by using the 165 grain bullet it provided more energy at longer ranges (than the 180 grain bullet) because it will be traveling at higher velocities. Having said that I've dropped elk using the 180 grain Nosler Partition in Federal Premium .30-06 ammo. It performed fine.

Shooting Times magazine had a great article on premium bullet performance in the Oct. '02 edition.

Regards.