I have just bought a new scope, and I want to get the best bullet possible for my gun. I want the extra fps for my 30-06, so I am looking into buying a few boxes of the Hornady Light Magnums. They travel at 3100 fps (150 grain). I have also looked at the TBBC round (in the Federal Premium line), but because of the style of bullet, it is not good for longer ranges. I am NOT talking about any 450+ yards shots, but I would like to be able to make any shot from 0-350 yards easily. I am only 15, but am, to what I can tell, an excellant marksman. I can put the holes about .6 in from each other every time at 100 yards. I want to get the extra fps, and bullet "configuration", to give me maximum range, but still be able to shoot for the front shoulder at less than 100 yards. I do not want the bullet to "blow up" . I am thinking of getting the Hornady bullet mentioned above, in 30-06, 3100 fps, INTERBOND. I know bonded bullets stay together much better than other types, and I hate ballistic tips, so I will NOT shoot them. The load I shoot now is at 2910 fps, but I want just a little more "getty up". I have just bought a new scope (4-12x50 Nikon Buckmaster) , and want to get the best load possible. Has anyone had experience with the load I mentioned above, or do you recommend using another bullet. (I do not reload yet, but give me another 3 or 4 years and I'll get back to you, so my only options are factory loads)

Thanx ahead of time!!

The light magnums do provide more velocity than the standard loads but they seldom reach the published velocities.They also tend to be very finicky and do not shoot accurately in many guns.Just because a given load shoots accurately in one gun does not mean that it will shoot accurately in others.The bottom line is that if you are happy with 30-06 ballistics keep using your rifle.If you really must have more velocity consider the 300wsm or 300win mag.

I'd have to agree with stubblejumper on that one.

'Ah Honorable Grasshopper, you have much to learn' Just joking with you Goose, but here's lesson #1...Speed is awesome but Accuracy Kills. You failed to mention what you intend to hunt but regardless, I have yet to see any animal that can 'jump' a round travelling at 2900 fps. I also question your comment about the Trophy Bonded Bullet "not good for longer ranges". You state your maximum yardage is 350 yards?! Keep in mind that this is the 'bread and butter' for ammo manufacturers. They have teams of people who study and work up which powder and bullet will perform best. Granted, they do it for a wide range of customers but I've see alot of deer taken with good old Remington Core Lok bullets and they've performed perfectly. You didn't say what you were shooting to get 1/2" groups at 100 yards but, if you can get factory ammo that will shoot groups like that, I'd stick with it! I think we've all gone through the speed phase but until you start to reload, shoot accurate. You'll harvest more than fast and inaccurate.

I agree the published data really means squat on factory ammo, unless you chrono the loads your only guessing that the factory ballistics are in fact exhibited in your rifle. The only way to know if a certain ammo is accurate and fits your needs is to shoot it, paper comparison are only a starting point and to shoot .6 at 100 is great but what happens at 350. All I am saying is whatever ammo you choose make sure you shoot it all intended ranges so you know what to expect when an animal appears in the crosshairs. If you have no access to shoot 350 yard in practice IMHO you have no biz shooting this distance in the field.

As to the light mag ammo by Hornady it depends on the rifle, best option is pick up a box and give her a go. The Interbond should be a good choice if your gun likes it. Some other bonded/boattails would be the Barnes Triple Shock or Nosler Accubond which are both loaded in the federal premium line. I also believe winchester supreme is loading the Nosler Accubond in come calibers this year as well. If deer hunting you could look at the Nosler Solid Based BT or Game King BT in Federal Premium line as possibilities, however if your a pin aimer then I would stick to a bonded or Nosler Partition.

My experience with the Light Magnums wasn't too good. However Hornady customs and my FN mauser just sang a sweet 1" song often with three holes touching out of five. Ballistics data is skewed for the simple fact the the majority of the manufacturers don't actually chrony the load they use pressure barrels for the data. I've also had good luck with Winchester silvertips. I load my own now but will still pick up a box or two of factory ammo for the season.

I find ordinary core loct and winchester power points fly the better then more expensive ammo and they just destroy deer like no other.

No matter what caliber, bullet type, weight, or speed, its nothing without accuracy! For your personal gun, you will just have to experiment with different types of bullets and different brands too! Even with the same bullet type and weight, individual guns will shoot to a different point of impact with different brands of ammo!
For the most part, premium brands will give more consistant groups, but I have a .308 that prefers plain old Remington Core-locts, to any of the expensive flavors that I've tried to feed it!
Wether premium or plain Janes, once you find a match for your gun, it will probably be capable of more accuracy at longer ranges, than you or I are! Good luck!

I have taken 5 deer with the remington core lokts. One was out to 140 yards. I wasnt even off by a hair.