Bullet Suggestions for .30-06
#11
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Garfield NJ USA
Posts: 3,067
RE: Bullet Suggestions for .30-06
It's an 06, there are so many loads available from Remington, Winchester, Hornady, Federal, Black Hills, etc, etc, etc. For deer you don't need a premium bullet. From my experience Hornady makes some of the most consistant ammo. That being said I'm shooting Winchester 180 gr BST's out of my 06. I have some 180 gr Accubond's, and Hornady interloks loaded for testing. See which your gun likes best.
#12
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: WY
Posts: 2,056
RE: Bullet Suggestions for .30-06
I have two rifles chambered in .30-06: A Remington M700 and a Springfield (Remington) M1903-A3. What round one rifle likes, the other one doesn't. I'd be surprised if your rifle were any different? So, any of us telling you what we use may do nothing more than frustrate you by leading you down the wrong road.
There's a fair amount of experimentation required here, even with factory ammunition (even more experimentation can be possible with reloading, but...). Your best bet is to pick a few different factory loadings somewhere in the 150-180 grain range. Here's where you're potentially limited by cost, if paying $40.00 for a box of premium bullets isn't sustainable in your ammo budget (i.e. "pick rounds you can afford to shoot often"). Then, simply go to the range and see which ones shoot the best - consistently.
I've used Winchester PowerPoints and Remington CoreLokts for years to good effect on game from antelope to elk and with decent accuracy. You don't have to shell out your life savings on premium ammo to find something that'll meet your expectations.
There's a fair amount of experimentation required here, even with factory ammunition (even more experimentation can be possible with reloading, but...). Your best bet is to pick a few different factory loadings somewhere in the 150-180 grain range. Here's where you're potentially limited by cost, if paying $40.00 for a box of premium bullets isn't sustainable in your ammo budget (i.e. "pick rounds you can afford to shoot often"). Then, simply go to the range and see which ones shoot the best - consistently.
I've used Winchester PowerPoints and Remington CoreLokts for years to good effect on game from antelope to elk and with decent accuracy. You don't have to shell out your life savings on premium ammo to find something that'll meet your expectations.
#14
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Baileysville, WV
Posts: 2,925
RE: Bullet Suggestions for .30-06
165 is the best of both worlds ballistics-wise for the 30's. But as many have said..whatever your individual rifle likes. My BDL shoots 180 core lokts scary good.