30-06 grain for deer and elk.
#41
Spike
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location:
Posts: 44
I think caliber and bullet weight gets debated way to much over the internet. Elk are not hard to kill if you hit them in the vitals. I shot a bull elk this year in colorado at 450 yards and dropped it in its tracks. I shot it with a .270 WSM and a 110 grain Barnes TTSX bullet. Thats the only elk ive ever dropped in its tracks. In 2006 i shot a bull at 80 yards with a 7mm rem mag and a 150 g Swift Scirocco bullet square in the lungs, it spun around and i shot it in the lungs from the other side and i was about to shoot it again when it fell. If you happen to hit an elk or any animal for that matter in a critical area it may drop in its tracks but that doesn't always happen. Bullet placement is way more important that bullet and caliber choice. Choose a gun and caliber that you can shoot good and is reasonable for the game you are hunting, practice shooting it and know your ballistics well and you'll be just fine.
#42
Typical Buck
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Colorado
Posts: 797
So far all the random people I ask in person say, go with the 180, yet here I'm getting a lot saying go for the 165.
Here are 2 rounds I've been looking at and the 165 appears to have more velocity and energy. Are people just letting their heart rule their minds, assuming bigger is better, or am I missing something?
Just to remind you this is for mule deer and elk in Colorado.
SST and GMX are similar in the ballistics chart but no GMX at local stores.
Here are 2 rounds I've been looking at and the 165 appears to have more velocity and energy. Are people just letting their heart rule their minds, assuming bigger is better, or am I missing something?
Just to remind you this is for mule deer and elk in Colorado.
Code:
$17 for 20 PremierŪ Core-LoktŪ Ultra 180gr Muzzle 100 200 300 400 500 fps 2700 2480 2270 2070 1882 1704 ft/lb 2913 2457 2059 1713 1415 1161 drop 2.1 zero -8.9 -25.8 -52.7 $29 for 20 Hornady 30-06 Sprg 165gr SST 81153 MUZZLE 100 200 300 400 500 yds fps 2960 2750 2549 2357 2173 1997 ft/lb 3209 2769 2380 2034 1729 1461 drop 1.6 0 -6.9 -20.1 -40.7
#44
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,526
This is a link directly to Hornady. http://www.hornady.com/store/30-06-SPRG/?page=2
If you compare the 165gr SST and the 180gr SST (or any of them really) it should be a more accurate comparison, and I think will help shed a little more light on the 165gr-180gr differences.
My personal preference for my particular rifle is Hornady 165gr Interbonds or Winchester 180gr XP3's.
Muzzle1002003004005002800/28722597/24702403/21152217/18002039/15231870/1281
Test Barrel (24") Velocity (fps) / Energy (ft-lbs)Muzzle1002003004005002800/28722597/24702403/21152217/18002039/15231870/1281Trajectory (inches)Muzzle100200300400500-1.501.800.00-7.90-22.80-46.20
If you compare the 165gr SST and the 180gr SST (or any of them really) it should be a more accurate comparison, and I think will help shed a little more light on the 165gr-180gr differences.
My personal preference for my particular rifle is Hornady 165gr Interbonds or Winchester 180gr XP3's.
Muzzle1002003004005002800/28722597/24702403/21152217/18002039/15231870/1281
Test Barrel (24") Velocity (fps) / Energy (ft-lbs)Muzzle1002003004005002800/28722597/24702403/21152217/18002039/15231870/1281Trajectory (inches)Muzzle100200300400500-1.501.800.00-7.90-22.80-46.20
#45
Typical Buck
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Colorado
Posts: 797
SF 30-06 Sprg 180 gr. SST 81183 1283 2820/3178 2630/2764 2447/2393 2272/2063 2104/1769 1944/1509 -1.5 1.8 0 -7.6 -21.9 -44.1
SF 30-06 Sprg 165 gr. SST 81153 1125 2960/3209 2750/2769 2549/2380 2357/2034 2173/1729 1997/1461 -1.5 1.6 0 -6.9 -20.1 -40.7
Same bullet- Same Caliber-Same Manufacturer- Pretty much the same deal.
Point on point is simple for those guys running out buying whatever is on sale at the ammo rack 180 gr bullets aren't doing that much more or less. And for some to say that 165 gr bullets are too light haven't done the research to compare higher quality loads to run of the mill loads.
Load both bullets to the same specs and the 180gr wins every time. Buy the cheapest ammo and it becomes a different scenario.
SF 30-06 Sprg 165 gr. SST 81153 1125 2960/3209 2750/2769 2549/2380 2357/2034 2173/1729 1997/1461 -1.5 1.6 0 -6.9 -20.1 -40.7
Same bullet- Same Caliber-Same Manufacturer- Pretty much the same deal.
Point on point is simple for those guys running out buying whatever is on sale at the ammo rack 180 gr bullets aren't doing that much more or less. And for some to say that 165 gr bullets are too light haven't done the research to compare higher quality loads to run of the mill loads.
Load both bullets to the same specs and the 180gr wins every time. Buy the cheapest ammo and it becomes a different scenario.
#46
Fork Horn
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 386
My buddy deer hunts with a .30-06 180 grain coreloks.
after he shoots the deer, he goes to the hospital to get stiches from the scope wound on his fore head.
His blood is mixing with the deer blood when he's field dressing.
While I down sized to a 7mm-08, or .243 depending on the day.
after he shoots the deer, he goes to the hospital to get stiches from the scope wound on his fore head.
His blood is mixing with the deer blood when he's field dressing.
While I down sized to a 7mm-08, or .243 depending on the day.
#47
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,526
My buddy deer hunts with a .30-06 180 grain coreloks.
after he shoots the deer, he goes to the hospital to get stiches from the scope wound on his fore head.
His blood is mixing with the deer blood when he's field dressing.
While I down sized to a 7mm-08, or .243 depending on the day.
after he shoots the deer, he goes to the hospital to get stiches from the scope wound on his fore head.
His blood is mixing with the deer blood when he's field dressing.
While I down sized to a 7mm-08, or .243 depending on the day.
#49
I would use the 180gr. In my 30-06's i use a Sierra 180gr Prohunter, they are super accurate, Sierra makes the most accurate bullet on the market, they have won more compitition shoots than all other bullet manufactors combined. I have used the prohunters to kill numerous deer, elk, and bear, they function flawless, perfect mushrooms everytime.
#50
Typical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location:
Posts: 819
I know this has been asked on the net a lot but you guys have nothing better to do, right
So I have a deer and elk tag (both Female) and would like to carry one round for both. I'm thinking 180gr but I've heard premium 165 are an alternative and shoot flatter.
If you aren't shooting far, flatter shouldn't be too large a concern. I would feel more comfortable with a 165 grain IF it was a premium bullet. However I don't think you will find a box for less than thirty dollars.
Looking to spend less than $30 for box of 20 if possible. I'd like to get a few boxes and some range time with them. Rifle is the Marlin XL7.
Haven't seen too many (any) premium ammo for less than 40 bucks a box. Fed Premiums with Nosler PT's are about 40 plus a box.
So how abut something like this
Ammo .30-06 Springfield Nosler Trophy Grade AccuBond 165 Grain 2800 fps 20 Round Box
or this
Federal Premium Vital-Shok Ammunition 30-06 Springfield 180 Grain Nosler AccuBond Box of 20
Both <$30 right now.
Any other recommendations?
So I have a deer and elk tag (both Female) and would like to carry one round for both. I'm thinking 180gr but I've heard premium 165 are an alternative and shoot flatter.
If you aren't shooting far, flatter shouldn't be too large a concern. I would feel more comfortable with a 165 grain IF it was a premium bullet. However I don't think you will find a box for less than thirty dollars.
Looking to spend less than $30 for box of 20 if possible. I'd like to get a few boxes and some range time with them. Rifle is the Marlin XL7.
Haven't seen too many (any) premium ammo for less than 40 bucks a box. Fed Premiums with Nosler PT's are about 40 plus a box.
So how abut something like this
Ammo .30-06 Springfield Nosler Trophy Grade AccuBond 165 Grain 2800 fps 20 Round Box
or this
Federal Premium Vital-Shok Ammunition 30-06 Springfield 180 Grain Nosler AccuBond Box of 20
Both <$30 right now.
Any other recommendations?