oldrgr

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.

Steven Ashe

I believe that it was Jack O'Connor who said: "Beware the man who only owns one rifle. He can probably shoot it!" This warning was valid in the old days when men did lots of hunting and had to kill lots of game, maybe to survive. Today, the vast majority of our shooting should be on the firing range. The chances to hunt, for most of us, are limited. Therefore, keeping detailed range books is a very valuable asset. If one views range work as an extension of hunting, same can be a lot of fun, while at the same time, getting one ready to take the world class trophy that may even be presented somewhere in the future.
That said, work up any number of loads and/or run any number of various factory ammo through your rifle, in order to find out how each functions in your rifle barrel. Keep records so that you will know which cartridge to use for the game, determined by the size and toughness of the game sought. If you later decide to jump to a second or third choice of load in your cartridge, do so with plenty of time to get back to the range and again test that load so that your rifle is registered and you are ready to hit the target at various ranges, from various shooting positions.
Personally I would take a heavier bullet over a lighter bullet, because I believe in creating a large wound channel. This, more important on elk and heavier game, as previous responders have pointed out that varmint type "Ballistic Tips" will cleanly take white tail deer, while the same bullet may disenigrate before penetrating deep enough into a bull elk to be effective!
Most lighter bullets can be made to exit the muzzle at a higher velocity, transmitting into a flatter trajectory. How far may you need to shoot? In the eastern woods, a 200 yard shot would be rare. In the Rocky Mtns. one must be ready for at least a 200 yard shot and prepared for a shot out as far as one is capable of killing cleanly.
Bottom line: Too many variables to restrict one's self to one cartridge, when one is anticipating hunts on game ranging from white tail deer to elk. Get at least a couple of cartridges registered in your range book, so that you will be ready for whatever hunt comes your way.

bronko22000

semi - Depends on the distance you're shooting. Initally the 150s are great but somewhere past 200-250 yds the 180s shoot flatter and hit harder due to their ballistic coefficient.

Steven Ashe

Bronko wrote: "150s are great but somewhere past 200-250 yards, the 180s shoot flatter"

How do the 165s compare, in the equation? My 300RUM likes 165s and of course, I am able to get higher MV, then with the 180s, which produces flatter trajectory. Am I losing a lot, in terms of killing power past 250yds., when compared to a 180?

Big Al C

With a .300RUM you probably have more "killing power" than you need with either bullet weight, well past the ranges that most of us should ethically shoot at.
I would agree with Skeeter that a premium bullet is a bigger factor than just weight. If I had to pick just one bullet/weight for my '06 it would be 165 grain Nosler Partition or 165 grain Swift Scirroco.

NVMIKE

First check out your ballistic tables to see what gives you the best overall performance, muzzle velocity doesnt mean much because you rarely get to stick your barrel against an animal and squeeze one off. As the small/fast bullets go downrange they loose speed/energy QUICKLY, so do those that are too large for the caliber. I think the difference in drop between the 150 & 180 is @ 3/4" at 300yds but almost 2" at 400. But energy @ 200yds is 2116/150gr 2325/180gr, the 180 will maintain energy better the farther you go. So.... compromise, I'd use the 165's. Bullet quality is more important, your better off hitting an elk on the money w/ a 130gr x-bullet than gut shooting him w/ a 180 gr soft point bullet. Use the very best bullets, X,failsafe, etc... If you like the 150gr and are used to them stick w/ them just use the premium bullets. Get one load that your gun likes and stick w/ it. As for 270's they are great for some things, but growing up out west I've come to know them as the elk woundingest S.O.B.'s on the market. But if your excellent w/ one dead is dead.

akbound

Hi Steven Ashe,

With a case the size of the .300RUM if I were using 165 grains on any game, I'd be very inclined to only use premium/bonded bullets. And then most likely only on light medium game, (deer). Bullets of 180 grains or even 200 grains and more are what is needed to make the really large cases perform like they can at all ranges, especially long ranges. The superior sectional density of the long, heavy, bullets rapidly overtake the shorter, lighter, bullets within the first couple of hundred yards. And assuming similar construction they will outpenetrate at all ranges.

With premium bullets of 200 or more grains the big .300's behave on game like the "third of an inch" magnum bores. Heavy bullets and big cases in .30 caliber effectively "up-bore" a size! (But only with premium bullets!) As well as improving the long range trajectory and wind drift characteristics.

The only disadvantage of the heavier bullets is increased recoil, (and less expansion on really light game).

Good luck.

Dave

akbound

Hi semi,

If I intended to use one bullet, in a .30-06, for all big game out west including Elk, I'd most likely try to find a load using a premium 180 grain bullet, zero for it, and stick with that. A bullet like a Nosler Partition will guarantee expansion on game as light as deer while also assuring penetration on game much heavier.

Good luck finding your load!

Dave

eldeguello

180 for elk and above! The reason you see people shooting .270's, etc., using lighter bullets is that the lighter bullet in the .270 has greater sectional density than the same weight in the .308" size, so it will penetrate better! You CAN use a 150 grain .30 for larger game, but don't be surprised when it doesn't prform as well on big stuff as the 150 grain in a .270 does!! You'll have to shoot it in exactly the right spot, or shoot it more times!

147 Grain

If my 30-06 had to use one bullet for everything it would be 180-gr. Nosler AccuBonds.

Normally, I use 180-gr. High Energy Partitions for elk and 180-gr. Ballistic Tips for dear.