Bullet Question for Deer
09-10-2013, 11:34 AM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Kaneohe Bay, HI
Posts: 16
Bullet Question for Deer
Hi, I'm a fairly new hunter and don't have a ton of experience. I have a new 30-06 and I've found a couple of factory loads that it likes. I'm going hunting this weekend and don't have time to test any other loads.
Range will be 300 yards and less. Probably in 200 range.
For Axis deer what would be your preference out of these two:
Thanks,
Dave
Range will be 300 yards and less. Probably in 200 range.
For Axis deer what would be your preference out of these two:
- PPU 150 gr Soft Point (seems to be a quality round)
- Hornady 180 gr. Interlock SP
Thanks,
Dave
09-10-2013, 04:07 PM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: west central wi USA
Posts: 2,224
I don't believe that axis deer are much bigger than whitetails. A 150 grain bullet would be pretty hard to shrug off, especially the way you're shooting them. 2 in. high at 100 yd. would put you pretty close to right on at 200 yd. and about 8" low at 300 yd.
09-10-2013, 04:10 PM
#6
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,425
In a 30-06 the 150-165 grain bullets are constructed for deer, the 180s for larger game like elk...This means the 180s might not open up as well on light weight game like deer...They are constructed to be tougher to penetrate further into a larger animal...
Use the 150s, they will do more damage and shoot a bit flatter...
Use the 150s, they will do more damage and shoot a bit flatter...
09-10-2013, 07:29 PM
#8
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SW Montana
Posts: 550
Like others have replied, 150-165 grain bullets from a .30-06 are perfect for deer size animals.
My first centerfire rifle was a .30-06 and I loaded Hornady 150 gr Spire Point bullets for it. I killed a mule deer and an elk every year for many years with those bullets. After I moved to Montana, I started loading 180 gr Sierra GameKing bullets for elk, but I also killed a few deer with them, and they worked just fine.
Like Wingbone posted, use your 150 gr bullets, sight your -06 2" high at 100 yds, shoot at least a 3 shot group at 200 yds and also at 300 yds, and go kill an axis deer. I hear that they have the best tasting venison.
My first centerfire rifle was a .30-06 and I loaded Hornady 150 gr Spire Point bullets for it. I killed a mule deer and an elk every year for many years with those bullets. After I moved to Montana, I started loading 180 gr Sierra GameKing bullets for elk, but I also killed a few deer with them, and they worked just fine.
Like Wingbone posted, use your 150 gr bullets, sight your -06 2" high at 100 yds, shoot at least a 3 shot group at 200 yds and also at 300 yds, and go kill an axis deer. I hear that they have the best tasting venison.
09-11-2013, 10:35 AM
#9
Spike
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 46
Defintiely go with the 150 soft nose. I shot a deer last year with a .35 whelen with 180 bear claws ( all i could find) and knocked him flat to the ground. Shot twice more as it crawled off. It ended up getting away. Sad story for me and for the deer.
