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RE: 30.06 bullets 150gr vs... 180gr
Ya know, I just came from hunting with a 270 and My favorite load so far with the 30-06 is the 165 grain. I think I am gonna use hornady light mag 180's for elk hunting, but everything else is gonna be a 165 grainer. I will have to do more testing with MY particular rifle. The 150's can kill and elk, but the 180's are preferred. EJ
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RE: 30.06 bullets 150gr vs... 180gr
The hornady is an excellent bullet. Much better than other non premiums. I have killed numerous hogs and deer with a 139 grainer out of my 7-08. 90% have not taken more than a step or two after being hit. I shot a big new mexico elk THROUGH the low shoulder at about 35 yards with the standard load, spire point, 180 grain hornady.It dropped where it stood. When we gutted it, as usual per hornady's, the lungs and most of the heart were jelly. I would not expect a hornady to be the bullet of choice of big game, for all angles, but, out of an 06, the165-180 spire point (flat base) is a great choice. I actually prefer a bullet that is a little on the heavy side, so I go 180 out of the 300win mag.
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RE: 30.06 bullets 150gr vs... 180gr
My two 30-06's shoot 180-gr. loads the best and that is what is used for deer and elk. Bullet construction is changed to fit the toughness of the animal so.......
Mule Deer = 180-gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips Elk = 180-gr. Nosler Partitions Once the above ammo is used up, I might just switch to Nosler's 180-gr. AccuBond for everything. Steve |
RE: 30.06 bullets 150gr vs... 180gr
I shoot the 180's for EVERYTHING no need to keep re-sighting in when changing bullets.
The 165's area good comprimise between both the 180 and 150's. BBJ |
RE: 30.06 bullets 150gr vs... 180gr
I think that people often times look at ballistic charts and overanalyze them. I shoot the 180 grainfailsafes in my '06 for all game from whitetail on up. The difference in velocity and trajectory are so minimal over normal hunting distances that I don't see the need to use the lighter bullet. I have never taken a shot over 300 yards in my life, and at these distance the heavier slug does just fine in the trajectory department. Some people will tell you that the lighter bullets expand better on game like deer, but I have never had a deer travel very far after being hit with that 180 grain failsafe, and I like knowing that the heavier slug will go through shoulders, ribs or whatever other bone it encounters on its way to the vitals.
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RE: 30.06 bullets 150gr vs... 180gr
I'm a believer in a load for a gun.....it's possible that a single gun can have several good loads such as a .30-06 shooting 150 grain bullets for deer and 180 for elk and 110 for varmints. However it never fails that we're just out of the bullet we want and we use something else.
I agree that the old '06 is a 180 grain shooter. My featherweight 22" barrel spits out 180 grain A-Frames at 2,800'/sec and that's fast enough to provide a very flat shooting trajectory. One can also do this with the accubonds and interbonds or Northforks or any of your favorite bullets. If you agree on the "one gun-one bullet" idea then the 180 is made for the .30-06 |
RE: 30.06 bullets 150gr vs... 180gr
Use a 165gr bullet. Why? Because it gives you the best of both bullets. 150gr speed and 180gr knockdown power.
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RE: 30.06 bullets 150gr vs... 180gr
ORIGINAL: James B If I had to use one bullet for all game with the 30-06, I would use the Nosler 180 grain Partition bullet loaded by Federal in thier Premium line of ammo. If you reload that would be my pick as well. If you don't mind changing weights then you are correct in assuming that the 150 grain is best suited for deer and antelope. I would still stick with a good Nosler or other premium bullet. The Grandslam from Speer and the 150 grain Hornady innerlock would work real well. Also the Barnes X bullet in either 140 grain or 150 grain. I am currently loading the Nosler Ballistic tip and the Sierra Pro Hunter in my 30-06 Pump rifle. Federal loads the pro hunter in one of thier cheaper lines of ammo and I wouldn't be afraid to bet my hunt on that combo either. For Elk and Moose though, stay with a good 180 grain bullet. |
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