Sniggle

I picked up a box to try at the range. Anyone have any experience with these? Have you hunted with them? Did you get pass through on deer?

Thanks

hometheaterman

I bought a box a long time ago when I first got my 30-06 and just shot them at a target. I'm not sure how they do on deer as I've never shot them at deer. I haven't used them since that box. I didn't like how they looked but honestly don't have anything good or bad to say about them as I didn't really do anything to test them just used them to shoot at a target. I think I was shooting them from about 25 yards away.

country1

For deer, I would not go less than 150 gr nor more than 165 gr in the 30-06. If you are shooting good sized deer, I would suggest the 165 gr. The 165 gr also offers better ballistics than the 150 gr.

Sniggle

Kinda figured as much. I guess I will use the 125 grain rounds for rough sight in and maybe to let my 7 year old take a shot or two (with me standing over him and maintiaining contact with the weapon of course).

Pawildman

I'll probably get flamed for this, but I've loaded and shot 125 gr. Sierras in both the '06 and .308 for PA whitetail for years. It was mainly for my father who complained about the recoil from the '06. I built him a nice Rem. 700 in 308 and continued to use the 125's. He killed several deer with that combo over the years, and never had anything even come close to getting away. I'm fully aware that the SD is not what most folks feel is necessary for deer, but both guns shot the 125's nicely, and he shot that 308 very well. His longest shot was a decent 7-pt. at a little over 200 yds. Dropped like a rock.
I know your question pertained to the 30-06, but given the weight/caliber scenario, I think you can see my point here. Some may argue that this weight bullet isn't structured sufficiently to work on deer. Would I recommend it highly ass a great deer bullet in that gun? Probably not. But in the set of circumstances it was used in for Dad, it worked well. The deer couldn't tell the difference. In fact, most of them hardly ever moved...........

UncleNorby

For factory ammo, I would stay away from 125 for deer. I have shot several deer at close range with 150s (Winchester pointed soft points)and some of those did not pass through, so I doubt you'd have better luck with 125.

I recommend a partition style bullet. That way enough of the bullet should hold together for full penetration on deer.

Now, if you don't want a passthrough, they may be just the thing. Not my preference though.

Hurricanespg

I have shot lots of deer using 125gr out of the '06, and all of them were pass thru's.

What's the difference between shooting 125gr's out of a 30-06, and 100gr's out of a .243

How so?

country1

If you get a pass through using a 125 gr in a 30-06 for deer, it must be a close shot or the deer are not that big in the body. As stated earlier, a 125 gr does not have thesectional densityrecommeded for deer sized game. A 168 gr bullet will give you the best ballistic coefficient in a 30-06 and 308 Win - This is why a lot of the match bullets in .308 diameter are 168 gr.

Hurricanespg

If out to 300 yards is considered close, and Michigan/Minnesota/Canadian deer are considered small in body then alright.
Bottom line is shoot what your rifle likes. I have shot many a 30-06 that shot better with a 150gr, and many others that shot better with a 165gr, and even quite a few that liked 180gr's better.....try them out to see and don't rely on ballistic coefficient, or what the box says the trajectory is etc.

NorCal

In response to the original question, Remington Core Lok ammo is just fine. I've been using them for 37 years and every buck I've shot with them went down in their tracks. Keep in mind though like Hurricanespq says, that every rifle will like certain ammo better than others. Another great reason to spend more time at the range.