I'm looking for something new to try out in my .30-06 for deer hunting. Does anyone have any suggestions on what has worked for them?

I have a .270 but most of my friends use a 30-06. Most of them use Remington Core-lokts 165 gr.

.30-06 IMO has 2 bullets for it, 150gr and 180gr, I've heard quite a few guys say the same. 150's for everything, 180 for the big stuff. I'd use 150s, find what works out of your gun, I'd probably go with a softer bullet for deer, no need for a premo controlled expansion.......to penetrate deep, I'd want it to expand and dump that energy in the animal, course not something thatll just shred on impact. I'd use 150s.....as my standard load and only when I needed to use the '06 on something larger, ie elk, bear, would step up to a premium 180gr bullet.

Deer/3006 -150 to 180gr. If you want more direct info you need to give more details. Ie: factory or reload,what have used before/reason for changing &hunting factors such as range/shot preference (aim point), etc.

What if your gun shoots 165's the best for the bullet you want to use?What about hunting sitaution/usage for a guy whothinksa 100 yard shot as far why load up a 150gr bullet when larger pill may infact be better suitedfor the job?Not everybody will pay prem. price so thats another factor that may determine which would be better.Yeah i know deer are small,thin skinned, easy to kill, etc.Yet they account for most of thebullet failure posts and stories. I believe the fly fishing term "match the hatch" also applies to hunting bullets. Pick a bullet designed for your situation. If more did this "bullet failure" posts and stories would be far less.

Ihunt withthe Hornady Light Magnums loaded with 165 Grain Interbond bullets. They shoot flatter than 150s with a lot less wind drift and have given me complete pass thrus on elk. Two deer taken with this load did not move 5 ft. Chrony this load at 2950fps from a 22 inch barrel shoot 1 to 1.5" groups.

I will be needing factory ammo. I don't have any reloading equipment. I've been using Remington 180 gr. Core-Lokts in the past. They're Ok, but I think there are more accurate bullets out there.

My most favorite bullet in the 30-06 for deer sized animials is by far the 165 grain bullet.

DM

Not sure if Federal still loads the 165 grain SGK load but if they do it is a dandy. I would go with a 165 grain for deer in a 308 or 30-06.

I currently have 150gr Hornandy InterBonds & 165gr Sierra gamekings loaded for my 30-06 and they both perform extremely well out of my savage 30-06 on deer. I also have a few 150 Barnes TSX loaded
I plan on trying out the cor-lokts in the near future

Prior to switching to my .243, I used Winchester 150 gr Power Points in my .30-06.