30-06 hunting all around bullet opinions

[SHootSTraight22]

I would stay away from the Game Kings just because of core separation I've experienced.. If I were you looking for an all around load I would start with 180gr class bullets.. Also I prefer "bonded" core type projectiles over standard.. In my experience you get as much expansion (exit holes) but with deeper penetration for bone busting and quartering shots... Swift makes some awesome bullets for your needs that have a 100% lead core not a cheap alloy that fragments... The 100% lead cores seem to flow more during mushrooming and not break apart.. Also check out Hawk bullets.. They are bonded plus you can pick which jacket thickness you desire for your needs.. Woodleigh also makes some great expanding but holds together bullets.. The Woodleigh bullets blow out some really nice exit holes..

 

[2506]

For deer and hogs 150 Sierra Pro Hunter or Nosler Ballistic Tip 51.2 grs IMR 4064 in a Rem or WW case with a CCI 200 or BR-2 primer has been a tack driving killing load in about every 30-06 I have ever tried it in and that has been a good number of guns. If the occasional elk hunt was thrown in to the mix I would load up a 180 Accubond or Partition just for that hunt. If your rifle does not like 150s the 165 Sierra Game King HP pushed by 47.9 grs IMR 4064, CCI 200 in a Rem case out of my M1 Garand is wickedly effective on deer. This bullet is just as accurate as the 168 Match King but is a hunting bullet with a bit tougher/thicker jacket than many HPs.

 

[Cold Bore]

30-06 and elk?

165 or 180 Partitions.

Load up some of each, head to the range, and let your rifle tell you which one to use.

 

[alf]

or would I just be better off to jump to a 180gr and call it a day is sort of my thinking now.

This would be my approach.

2800 with 180's in a 22" barrel is easily obtained. Work up your load with 180 Ballistic Tips for an all around Ok. load, then substitute Accubonds for the elk trip.

I last did this with my custom 7-08 and 140's. Side by side testing at 600 showed same velocity, accuracy, and point of impact at 600.

 

[sbhooper]

Accubond or Partition for Elk.
Hornady Spirepoint for deer and hogs.
Noslers will work but the Spirepoint are cheaper and fine for soft game.

Let the Rifle decide

Agreed. The same weight of bullet for both brands always shot to near same poi in my rifles, too.

 

[JarheadAZ]

A key facet to my own approach to defeating targets reliably starts with the adage, "Bring enough gun". I handload and much prefer the .260 over the .308. The one is a marginal performer at the maximum competitive distances, and the other is solidly competing well within its capabilities.

Remember, Palma was shot with .30-'06 for a long time before the 7.62x51 usurped its place because NATO decided to cut corners. If NATO precedence were a REAL mandate, Palma shooter would be forced to use the 5.56 nowadays, but I don't hear a lot about any such precedence lately.

Funny how a 'vocal minority' can sway matters when they want to, and then they don't want to when a similar conditions reappear. But no matter...

Choosing between the .308 and the .30-'06, I own four rifles chambered for .30-'06, and all my .308's have been replaced with .260's. Same job done at least as well. Oh, yes; and less recoil...

I also shoot the .280. I consider it a superior adjunct to the .30-'06, but my '30-'06's will remain in the lineup. They do their jobs without bringing marginal performance to the table, and the .280s are old family rifles with much sentimental value. I choose to maintain their bores in a good state.

Greg

 

[STOMP442]

165 Sierra Game king should do everything you need no problem. They are very consistent with a great BC for a lead tipped bullet. The Berger 168 VLD would be my first choice with the Sierra a close 2nd.

 

[Paddyd]

I don't think there is such a thing as an all around hunting bullet for an 06.. I say that because there isn't one all around hunting animal. I think you'd be best to tailor the bullet to the animal. That said, the 3006 is a great all round hunting rifle since you can load everything from .224" saboted bullets to over 4000fps to a 220 gr bone crusher..

 

[Ksmirk]

Well I think I'm going to give a few bullets a go from the many responses from you guys, is there any reasoning of my choices? not really but hey I've got to start someplace. I think out of the gate I'm going to order some 180gr Nosler Accubonds and 175LRX Barnes... I'm guessing it's the LR habit of mine to pick these but like I said gotta start someplace. I've got some RL22 and H4350 that seems I should be able to find a decent load just need to gather up some more brass a get a stock completed, that Birch stock really was ugly lol going to have to find a scope that's not my normal BUT I'd like to get a turret that I can dial drop, thinking about a Leopold with the CDS turret, I'm thinking this thing may in the end get into my pocket since I can't seem to leave well enough alone. Again fella's I rather appreciate the advice! Later,

Kirk

 

[JabaliHunter]

The 168gr Nosler E-Tip might be worth a try too

 

[huffmanite]

The 168gr Nosler E-Tip might be worth a try too

Recall asking gent who is the board president of our 600 member private range, that is an avid hunter.....goes to Africa for big game hunting about every year and owns some nice hunting land here in Texas, what was his favorite hunting bullet. His answer surprised me. Without hesitation he replied, Remington core-locks....I've killed more game with it than any other bullet.

 

[x_wolf]

I hunt with 30-06 for 11 years... Most of the game I shot with Hornady's Interlock 190grs. (no more in production). Today I'll choose for all game here (wildboars up to 3-400lbs, european deer up to 400lbs etc.) Barnes TTSX 130-150grs. Used for two hunting seasons, works perfect.

 

[rmr]

these are fantastic bullets:

http://www.northforkbullets.com/magento/products/bullets/?bweight=11

you can drive them at warp speed, and they will stay together and expand well. the downside is the expense, but they are worth it IMHO.

 

[Ksmirk]

Dang those are a touch pricey for a range trip! well I was trying to refinish the Birch stock and well it's ugly! no matter what I do to it it's just ugly SO called Richards Microfit and should have a pretty Walnut stock in a about 8 weeks. This little cheap rifle has started getting into my pocket but hey hobbies are hardly ever cheap and reasoning well lol.

I think those 2 bullets I'm going to start with will be a good start, read good things about them BUT if they don't play well with my rifle I do have some more suggestions to give a whirl. Guys I had no idea I would get the responses I have and I just want everyone to know theses a big thank you! I appreciate the advice. Later,

Kirk

 

[roninflag]

Evening fella's! well seems I screwed up, bought a Winchester 670 chambered in 30-06 to build me a strictly hunting rifle and I ended up shooting the thing BAD IDEA! I got the bug and well did a little playing like bedding the action then floating the barrel and now the dang thing seems to shoot pretty well BUT all I really have in the way of 30 cal is target bullets and am pulling my hair out trying to decide on a good all around bullet. I'm going to do my best to leave this rifle alone as I don't have a truly just plain ol' hunting rifle and am slowly getting back into it. I live in Oklahoma and most hunting is going to be deer and hogs BUT me and some buddies have been kicking the idea around of Elk so that'll give a little idea of where I'm trying to get, I had my mind set on the 165gr class of bullets and am really looking at the Sierra GameKing soft point boat tail but keep wondering if that bullet would be enough for an Elk? or would I just be better off to jump to a 180gr and call it a day is sort of my thinking now.

Fella's if some of you Elk hunters could chime in I'd appreciate it and would appreciate your opinions in general as this is my first 30-06 and think the bug has bit me on the 06. Thanks and sorry for the novel. Later,

Kirk

i have harvested or guided hunters to 38 elk. the 30-06 and a 165 hornady or sierra or partition have been good. a 180 btsp , ballistic silver tip , or partiton good. no one has used a 200 partition but i would say they would be good too. 3 cow elk were harvested with a .243. it was less than ideal.

 

[savagedasher]

06 is a great cartridge . But I think a 308 is all that is needed for soft skin game in the USA .
Larry

 

[Ksmirk]

Oh the 308 is MUCH more than I think is enough! I bought the rifle for the receiver but thought I'd shoot it and that guy who has to play with things came out, it started off shooting around 3.5-4 groups and thought it could be better, bedded the action and got around 1-1.5 then floated the barrel and well now it's a half inch rifle so thought since I don't own a true just hunting rifle why not? buy ammo anywhere for the most part and doubt there is any animal in North America that I can't take with the ol' 06 I mean until I got this rifle my hunting rifle was an AR I put together with spare parts when I built my 3G rifle It's all good I still feel the 06 is a cannon but in the end dead is dead and I'd feel better about shooting an Elk with the 06 than the 55gr GameKings from the little 223.

When I get the new stock and get everything fit together I'll post up some range results from some of the bullets you fella's have mentioned and hopefully I'll have recalled my password for my photo bucket password so I can post pics. Later,

Kirk

 

[kev77]

185bergers !!! Way better then above.

 

[Ksmirk]

LOVE the Berger 105 VLD Target in my 243 but in all honesty don't care for their hunting bullets, much more prefer the Sierra over the Bergers for hunting. About to order a few different bullets as running around the places in town I came up empty handed. Guys ya'll have been great help. Later,

Kirk

 

[Zero333]

Partitions don't shoot bugholes most of the time.

If you want a all around bullet for hunting deer up to elk and shoot bugholes, I recommend the 180 Gameking btsp.