Which grain to use on whitetail???

quamnet

I just bought a 30-06 and I was wondering what grain to use for hunting whitetails. I gave some Federal 220 grain at home but that would be a little too much??? What do you recommend? Thanks.

Tailgunner1954

I use 150 Nosler BT's, but I also hunt over open fields so long shots (150-300yd) are the norm (75yd is the closest shot in the last 8 years 400yd the longest), a 165 BT would also be good.
If I was hunting in dense brush than I would look at the 180 RN.
Buy a box of the different styles / weights, try them, and go with what shoots the best out of your rig, is the best advise I can give you.
Unless your shooting at real close range (under 35yd) you will get complete pass thru, even with somthing as fragle as the Nosler BT.

---

Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.

LSandBinc

Winchester 165 Gr. PSP, put of my 760 the furthest I've ever followed a chest shot deer was 40yds. Most drop in thier tracks.

Nighthawk

The 30-06 is one of the most versatile guns around they are many load offerings for it. You can hunt any North American game with it. I have found the 150gr Boat tail bullet to work very well on long range and short range work as well. I guess I have taken more whitetails with it than any other firearm I own.



Good Luck.

Rugster

jurdan

I VOTE FOR THE 165PSP ALLSO!!! I'VE USED THEM FOR MANY YEARS WITH GREAT RESULTS. I'VE ALLSO USED 165 HOLLOW POINT BOAT TAILS, BUT THEY DO TO MUCH DAMAGE TO THE MEAT. BUT I'VE NEVER HAD A DEER GO ANY DISTANCE AFTER BEING HIT BY EITHER!!

sjc1

I have used 165 grain Winchester soft points, Hornady 165 grain soft points and Speer 165 grain soft points over the years with excellent results. I think if you chose a 165 grain soft point you will do alright.

cpermd

Doesn't really matter.
Hit a deer in the chest with an 06 and he will go down as long as it is not a FMJ or Varmint load.
cpermd

robsguns

150 gr. if you buy your ammo from the store. 130 gr. Barnes Bullet if you reload. I always go with what I can make shoot the flattest for whitetail out of any given gun. Doesnt really make much diff. what weight you use when you have a 30-06 pushing it down range. The thing is, the flatter the better, you dont need to worry so much about the range that way.

SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC

bullhauler

I prefer the 165 grain. You get the best of both worlds. The velocity of the 150 with the knockdown of the 180. If you plan on an occasional close range shot, I would suggest a bullet like the swift sciorocco or the barnes xlc.

welcome to America...now speak english or get the ****out

JustC

Gotta second Robsguns suggestion. I have seen many deer lost due to the hunter using over weighted bullets. I have found the lighter the better, especially in the 150gr to 168gr range. I have had to help track deer for hundreds of yards because of 180-200gr bullets being shot at 25-30yds away. they just don't meet enough resistance to open up correctly.

A great rifle with a junk scope,....is junk.

Harleeman1030

I have always used 165gr shot them as close as 20 steps walking to stand and as far away as 300yards across sugarcane field...

n4thethrill

like most have allready stated most bullets from the 130 to 210 are acc.deer rounds i personally use 180 gr. swift sciorocco but i shoot a 300ultra mag in the last two years the deer i have shot didn't even know what hit them it is truly an awesome bullet just my 2 cents


you can be king or street sweeper but everyone is going to dance with the reaper

colt100

I have used 220 gr round nose soft points for a few years and have shot several whitetails with this round. I have never had a bullet fail to preform on a whitetail, no matter the distance >200 yards. Gotta put it where it belongs though.