30.06 bullets 150gr vs... 180gr
 

i have been shooting 150 gr bullets in my 30.06, i will most likely hunt deer in the midwest. But, what type of game before i move up to 165 gr or 180gr bullets? I am thinking that the 150 gr bullets would be pretty good for deer, black bear, elk etc... When would you want to use a 180gr and could you get away with a 150 gr in those situations if need be? I ask this cuz i see people hunting larger game with .270's using a 130 or 140 gr. So a 150 should be a good gr bullet for most things correct?

i am trying to determine that if i get to hunt larger game, having to re-sight my rifle for heavier bullets or if i can just use 150's for most things. Where are 150's no longer a good idea?


wrong forum sorry, i am moving this

RE: 30.06 bullets 150gr vs... 180gr
 

Nope I'd say look at 165-180 grain as your one only bullet if you have your heart set on only using one for all game. I 'd look at Trophy Bonded, Nolser Part, Barnes X, Speers Grand Slam, Win. Failsafes or bonded polymer bullets like: Nosler Accubond or Hornady Interbond.

Also I think your confusing grain size as the determining factor for what to use vs game. The old days maybe so but today we have the luxury to have bullets(like mentioned above) that are constructed in a way to take advatange of smaller diameter bores/grain size and will result in equal and many cases more superior results. The determining factor is construction, what you look for in a deer bullet is very different than an elk or moose bullet, as the body composition is much different in the game. Almost any bullet will punch clear through a thin skinned animal like a deer, but elk and moose are both larger in body size(to soak up energy and impede progress), thicker skinned and larger bones, thus it is important to find a bullet that will create a wound channel, but also stay together long enough to punch into the vitals and possibly thorugh the opposite side. Good rule of thumb strong the game the strong the bullet construction needed to get the job done. Now some will use these bullets for deer which will work but can also cause problems such as limited expansion, less shock & less of wound channel=less blood on the dirt. Personally I use different bullets/construction because I want different effects on the game I am hunting. For example on deer I want rapid expansion and will use a Nosler Ballistic Tip or similar. However for Elk or Moose I want controlled expansion and penteration so I will use a win. failsafe, Nosler Partition, Trophy Bonded, Barnes X, etc. It boils down to personal preference and experience.

I think the more reasons or excuses you have to punch paper the better, practice will make improvements to your in field expeditions and will lead to more confidence, ability assesment, limitation setting and ulitmately success. The fact you have to monkey with your scope is good b/c it keeps you familar with how to do so if you incure a scope bump that requires some fine tuning, I honestly can't tell you how many times others have said so to move it down I need to do what??? Sounds stupid but practice and T&E is a good thing IMHO. Not to mention a guy will spend the money to buy and outfit his rifle only to pull it out for one trip a year, doesn't really make sense...your at the range so what is wrong with adjusting the hairs a little now and then.

Best of luck and enjoy playing with your rifle

RE: 30.06 bullets 150gr vs... 180gr
 

when i use my `06 i use hornady sst in 165 grain they seem to do a good job on whitetail never had them go more than a couple of steps.

RE: 30.06 bullets 150gr vs... 180gr
 

Bullets makers are designing bullets for particular jobs in today modern hunting world. But remember this theory as you go about choosing rifles and loads. The man who shoots mainly one rifle with one load for everything in north america up to brown bear, will more than likely know his rifle better, his load better, shoot futher will better consistancy than anyone having to trade guns or resight in for a different load throughout the hunting seasons. In short you want a successful hunt everytime pick a load stick with it. And let your knowledge and accuracy prove the results.

I choose the 165 as my all around .308 caliber load. Its the only one I need. Tested and proven from 10yds to 535yds in the hunting field on heavy game like elk. Deer don't even have a chance. lol

RE: 30.06 bullets 150gr vs... 180gr
 

I find what shoots best and stick with that (usually). The 168 gr hornady shoots best in both 30-06's and both .308's ...... so that's what I use. I found something interesting: I have a bullet drop type scope and it tells me that a 168 gr bullets needs 2600 fps to match the drop indicator. Guess what. That is just what shoots best in all four rifles. Guess they know what they are doing.

RE: 30.06 bullets 150gr vs... 180gr
 

I would pretty much concur with everyone here in saying the 165 would probably be the best bet in your '06

RE: 30.06 bullets 150gr vs... 180gr
 

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.

RE: 30.06 bullets 150gr vs... 180gr
 

I like the 165 Nosler BT's in my '06 for whitetails the best. I wouldn't go lighter personally, due to the fact I shoot 150's in my 308 exclusively and like shooting different stuff in my '06. My buddy swears by a 180 coated X bullet out of his for anything he may hunt.

RE: 30.06 bullets 150gr vs... 180gr
 

The 165gr bullet in the 30-06 is said to have the velocity of the 150s and the power of a 180gr. I use the 165s for deer and 180s for anything larger. If hand loading velocities of 2900 fps can be achieved by both 165s and 180s.

RE: 30.06 bullets 150gr vs... 180gr
 

semi

Personally, I prefer to stick with one bullet weight, but like skeeter 7MM said..... pick the right bullet "construction" for the job at hand. If you really want to get the most out of your 30-06, and have a bunch of fun diong it, consider getting into reloading your own.

I've got a Browning MKII Safari BAR in 30-06 that just happens to like 180 Grn bullets and more specifically Nosler Ballistic Tips. I mostly hunt whitetails and hogs here in Arkansas and hope to do some black bear hunting for the first time this fall. With that in mind, I'm currently loading 180grn Nosler BTs at about 2640 FPS. The Ballistic Tips will give me quick expansion on the whitetails and the 180 grn weight good penetration on hogs & bear. Not to mention that this load has proven the be the most accurate in my gun.

Here is a pic of a .35" CTC 3 shot 100Yd group I shot with this load this past weekend. (Best group ever!)


Now, if I ever get a chance to go hunt elk or moose, I'll try out some 180 grn bullets that are constructed a little "stronger", like the Nosler partitions, failsafe, etc. Again, reloading will allow me to try out various bullet / powder / velocity combinations until I find the one "My" gun likes the best.

A .30-06 w 165-180 grn bullets will take anything on the North American Continent; however, it you were to ask everyone here which was more important: "Bullet type/weight" Vs. "Shot Placement" .......I would bet that the vast majority would choose "Shot Placement". Reloading, especially for the .30-06, gives you a chance to have the best of both worlds. You get to mix & match until you find the most accurate load for "your" gun and for the job at hand......after that......."shot placement" is all up to you!


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