Juggernaut on deer? What’s the verdict

[Park ranger]

I’m planning on hunting white tail with the 44 mag this year, but just wondering if anyone knows how the 30 cal 185 Berger juggernaut bullet does on game. I’ve used matchkings in the past and they mostly work, one might have got away.

I’d load it out of a 30-06, probably push to about 2600-2700 fps. I don’t want to wound deer, but I’m not interested in buying a box of hunting bullets because the 06 might not even make it out this year. If the majority says don’t do it, I won’t.

I’m not a very serious hunter, been known to come out of the woods to go spend the day at the range.

 

[Lone Hunter]

I'd say if you opened up the meplat a little that would perform great. I shoot that bullet in FTR and like it. Had considered opening up the meplat and running it out of my 300 WM but I've got other stuff for deer to mess with it too much.

 

[msalm]

In '06 just buy a box of loaded ammo for $15 on sale somewhere and use that if needed. Any 150-180gr cup and core spritzer will work, why take a chance? If you DO use that bullet, shoot them through the shoulders.

 

[Rope2horns]

They will keel.

 

[CharlieNC]

When I asked Berger about a different match bullet a while back their reply was the jackets are too thick to allow adequate expansion, whereas their hunting bullets are thinner for the purpose. You're asking for fmj penciling performance. Check Nathan Foster Terminal Ballistics website for authoritative options; if you're set on a match bullet he recommends the Hornady Eldm.

 

[Park ranger]

In '06 just buy a box of loaded ammo for $15 on sale somewhere and use that if needed. Any 150-180gr cup and core spritzer will work, why take a chance? If you DO use that bullet, shoot them through the shoulders.

Well there is a gut check moment for my pretentious self . Walk into Walmart and buy a box of core-lok in 30-06. I don’t think I can do it, I’ll put the rifle up for sale. Lol. JK, probably makes the most sense.

 

[Tommie]

Some day the “match bullets for large game” debate will end.

Some day...

 

[msalm]

Well there is a gut check moment for my pretentious self . Walk into Walmart and buy a box of core-lok in 30-06. I don’t think I can do it, I’ll put the rifle up for sale. Lol. JK, probably makes the most sense.

Well those old core-locs have killed a pile of critters. Back in my youth before reloading I had great results with the Win power points. If you want a little more class the 150gr mega point from Lapua works REALLY well on deer. But I DO understand your predicament...send me your address and I’ll mail you 30 rounds loaded with 165gr ballistic tips if that would help. I have components for the 06, have owned a half dozen, but I always rebarrel them to something more interesting!

 

[Down South]

Friend of mine from Mississippi has used the 185 gr juggernauts in a short barreled .308 for several years now on deer. He said they work well, I've been using the 168 hunting VLDs for several years with great success but haven't used the juggernauts personally.

 

[XTR]

I’ve always been of the opinion that you shot paper with target bullets and game with hunting bullets, and I still do; however, there do seem to be some exceptions. In particular I have read too many good reports on the Amax and all the Berger VLDs and Hybrids.

In the case of the Amax the problem seems to be almost explosive expansion, not penciling through that seems to be the rule, as in don’t want close high velocity shots.

In the case of the Berger’s there are is a whole lot of on game data that says the 215H makes a really good large game (elk) bullet in the 300WM out to ranges that most of us have no business shooting at animals.

Myself, I still shoot hunting bullets in all my hunting rifles, but I am working on a 215H load for my WinMag.

The 105vldH has a reputation as a competition bullet.

 

[Park ranger]

Well those old core-locs have killed a pile of critters. Back in my youth before reloading I had great results with the Win power points. If you want a little more class the 150gr mega point from Lapua works REALLY well on deer. But I DO understand your predicament...send me your address and I’ll mail you 30 rounds loaded with 165gr ballistic tips if that would help. I have components for the 06, have owned a half dozen, but I always rebarrel them to something more interesting!

Thanks, mighty nice of you. I’ll probably buy some. I got the rifle, a Remington 7400, for $125. Guess a can splurge on a real hunting bullet.

 

[GotRDid]

Since you Handload, I'll donate some component Hunting bullets if that saves you the horror of buying factory ammo.
GotRDid.

 

[sawcarver]

Wait!!!! You're talking about running Jugs in a 7400?!? That gun was built to shoot the deadliest mushroom in the woods! 180 corelock

 

[msalm]

And you’ll need a small base size die if using fired brass...I remember slamming a slide on a 7600 trying to get reloaded rounds to chamber when I was 16 or so.

 

[Park ranger]

I was able to get my LC brass to function test with no problem using my M1 loads. 173 FMJ. I wasn’t sure if the gun even worked. Seems to and shoots a softball size group at 100

 

[Park ranger]

Wait!!!! You're talking about running Jugs in a 7400?!? That gun was built to shoot the deadliest mushroom in the woods! 180 corelock

The only 30 call bullets I have are: 150 SMK, 155 SMK, 173 FMJ, 155 Berger hybrid, 185 juggernaut, 220 Lapua Match, 165 AP, 150 FMJ pulls, 147 FMJ pulls.

I’ll trade someone locally something for a box of hunting bullets. I appreciate the offer from everyone. Hoping the 44 mag stays my primary gun.

 

[JayBeeYou]

I have used juggernauts on a large number of whitetails and other exotics here in Texas,. They are absolutley devastating, large amount of bloodshot on the offside and will go through a large Axis deer after breaking both shoulders. When using them I prefer a good crease shot to minimize meat loss on shoulders.
Bottom line they kill very well.

 

[Nature Boy]

Regardless of whether the bullet is designed for target or hunting, if you double lung a deer you will find it balled up within 50-75 yards from where you shot it.