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.30-06 big game bullet
utbrowningman
Member Posts: 2,723 ✭✭✭
Reloading my .30-06 and want to hear your thoughts on an all around bullet for mule deer and elk and would prefer one bullet to do the job.
Comments
Speer Grand Slams seem to give the best expansion in my .270. I'm not a fan of ballistic tips for big game.
One of my favorite loads for the '06 is 57 gr. of IMR4831 and the 180 gr. flat base Sierra bullet. That load shoots well in most rifles I've tried. Velocity runs 2700 +/- fps. I think if I were after elk, I'd substitute the Nosler Partition for the Sierra and that would work very well for mule deer, too.
When I lived in Montana nd hunted, I loaded 180 grain Grand Slams for my 30-06. I have long forgotten the powder and the charge. Primer would have been CCI large rifle.
My companions here in Michigan's Upper Peninsula only use the Remington 180 grain Round Nose bullet. Obviously not a long range bullet. Lots to chose from out there.
Try a 165 or 180 grain Barnes TTSX. I've been shooting Barnes for years and have had great luck with them. If you read articles in the gun magazines, Barnes are usually one of the better shooting bullets accuracy wise and that has been my experience also. Another thought about Barnes is that since they are all copper, you will be ahead of the game if you ever have to deal with a lead ban.
I like and have had good luck with Hornady interlocks. I would recommend a 150 grain of heavier.
Winchester 168gr Ballistic Silvertip is my go to bullet. Factory and for reloading.
I have gone to the hornady stx 170 grain polymer tips. best accuracy of any I have tried. no problems with local whitetails not sure how they would do out west on elk or moose.
Hornady SST's seem to be a good option if you're allowed to and want to use the traditional copper-jacketed lead bullets. I've also heard good things about Nosler if you don't mind the extra cost.
However, if you have to or want to try copper bullets, I've gotten my best groups ever out of my 30-06 with a Barnes TTSX, and have heard good things about the terminal performance in Barnes bullets as well as Hammer bullets. A 165-gr copper bullet should be about the same length as a 180-gr copper jacketed lead bullet, and be more than sufficient for deer and elk. Or if you prefer heavier, most 30-06 rifles should still be able to stabilize a 180-gr all copper bullet.
I shoot a 7mm STW using Barnes TSSX. DRT, side shot or length wise.
Should do the same in an ought 6.
Folds up elk and mule deer like a cheap pocket knife.
This is what I picked up but in the 165 grain. Will try out this fall if I draw out.