O.k. I have a new rifle (Savage 111) chambered in .30-06 Springfield.I went to the local sporting goods shop and had my gun bore sighted for $10.00. O.k. fine, then I inquired as to what cartridges were available in .30-06 Springfield. The range of options was $19.00 Remington 180 gr to 36.00 accutip federal 180gr. I then realized I really have no idea about cartridge selection, and the owners wife was not very helpful. She just kinda waited for me to buy the 36$ cartridges. I also admitted I could not buy any cartridges because I had no idea what the differences were.
I have three questions:
1. How do you choose a weight bullet for deer hunting (125 gr, 150 gr, 180gr)?
2. How do you select a brand of hunting cartridge (Remington, Winchester ect.?
3. How do you wade through all the various types of bullets vs. what you actually need?


Thanks for taking time and having the patience to answer my basic questions.

If I am hunting in the woods or anywhere that I know my shots are under 200yds I use Remington Core-Lokts or Federal Power-Shok (Blue Box) I think 180's. Penetration is great, expansion is great and they are accurate from my gun. If I were to have to really stretch the yardage I would shoot an Accubond, but from my experience the Remington loads kill very well.

125 grain bullets are more for varmints than deer in most cases. A little too explosive IMO. 150, 165 and 180 grain bullets are about right for deer. You can't really go wrong with the 180 gr. Core-Lokts and you can afford a bit more practice at near half the price of the expensive stuff.

Now keeping track of all these new bullets makes my head swim, but the Accutip is loaded by Remington and Federal loads the Nosler Ballistic Tip. The Ballistic Tip had a reputation for explosive behavior and ruining too much meat, although they've toughened them up now. The Accutip is a Hornady SST and I'm hearing that they're no better than the early Ballistic Tips.

How long are your shots? If you don't expect shots beyond 200 yards, try a 180 grain round-nosed bullet. Use pointed bullets if you're expecting long shots. Remington makes a round-nosed and a pointed 180 grain CoreLokt.

You don't need fancy bullets for deer in a .30-06, even for Saskatchewan bucks. You can quote me on that. I would check out the accuracy of any load before going hunting, just in case your rifle hates a particular load. If I had to buy off the shelf for my 30-06, I'd get the Hornady 165 grain BTSP load.

Bye
Jack

Matt, don't fret too much on this.

1. Pretty much, anything you shoot out of a .30-06 will kill a whitetail. And I mean anything, from factory loads with jacketed bullets, to handloads with cast bullets.

2. Given #1, it doesn't make much sense to pay a whole lot for cartridges. Suggestion.... buy a box each of the three cheapest options. See which one works best, stick with that, and don't look back.

3. Generally I avoid the plastic-tipped stuff. If you want to use them, don't hit the parts you plan on eating.

More specific? The basic, soft point 150gr. - 180gr. loads are a good starting point.

I've had friends kill a lot of deer and hogs with the cheap factory .30-06 Remington bullets, and I have sacks full of once-fired R-P brass that they gave me to prove it. No doubt the other brands will work just as well.

Considering I've killed a bunch of deer and hogs and such with little 100gr. bullets in my .257 Roberts and .250 Savage, you can surely understand how the bigger / heavier .30 cal bullets just won't have a problem with that size animal.

Ironically, the one time I used a rapid-expanding 125gr. bullet in my .30-06 in the field, it went through TWO critters (javelina) that are smaller than a typical deer, although pretty stoutly constructed. Still haven't figured that one out.

Good luck with your hunting. I really don't think you can make a bad choice here.

I find the mid range bullet weights work the best for me--i.e. 150's in the 30 caliber rifles on white tail deer. Concerning brands I tend to buy what every is the cheapest with the knowledge all makers ammunition must work or they wouldn't still market it or even be in business yet if it didn't work as advertised. Practically all soft point bullets will do the job. Some special applications may require a speciality bullet but with proper shot placement most will do the job. I use Federal 150 grain 30-06 cartridges and they ran me $7.99 per box of 20 at WalMart last year (stocked up for several years and glad I did). Still see them around my area for $8.99 per box of 20 this year. Always felt Remington made excellant ammo but tended to be overly priced. Winchester is another excellant maker. As more importers bring in ammo from other countries we are finding excellant buys from these sources... Personally believe Norma ammo is overrated and overpriced because of it. Wolf has been good but with very limited choices in bullet weights as well as Pri Partisan from Europe.

If I am hunting in the woods or anywhere that I know my shots are under 200yds I use Remington Core-Lokts or Federal Power-Shok (Blue Box) I think 180's. Penetration is great, expansion is great and they are accurate from my gun. If I were to have to really stretch the yardage I would shoot an Accubond, but from my experience the Remington loads kill very well.

I am glad to here you get good results with Remington Cor-Lokts, I bought a box of 150 gr when they were 1/2 off on sale a Dicks Sporting goods
I will have to look into the Federal Power Shok (Blue Box)

150, 165 and 180 grain bullets are about right for deer. You can't really go wrong with the 180 gr. Core-Lokts and you can afford a bit more practice at near half the price of the expensive stuff.

How long are your shots?

You don't need fancy bullets for deer in a .30-06, even for Saskatchewan bucks. You can quote me on that.. If I had to buy off the shelf for my 30-06, I'd get the Hornady 165 grain BTSP load.

Bye
Jack
Jack,
My longest shot would be about 200 yards. I will check out the Hornady 165 grain BTSP load
Thanks
Matt

I find the mid range bullet weights work the best for me--i.e. 150's in the 30 caliber rifles on white tail deer. I use Federal 150 grain 30-06 cartridges and they ran me $7.99 per box of 20 at WalMart last year (stocked up for several years and glad I did). Still see them around my area for $8.99 per box of 20 this year. Always felt Remington made excellant ammo but tended to be overly priced. Winchester is another excellant maker.

Thanks for the info on Federal mid range bullets..I will add them to my short list of ammunition to try out!

thanks
Matt

Keep in mind that two different loads, even of the same bullet weight, may not shoot to the same point. It probably won't be much, maybe 2-3", but it could bite you if you have a thread-the-needle through the bush shot. Zero at 200 yards if you can. That will put you about 2" high at 100 yards.

The BTSP is a boat-tail long range bullet. Usually boat-tails aren't as accurate as flat-based bullets, but my rifle likes them.

Bye
Jack

Matt, don't fret too much on this.

1. Pretty much, anything you shoot out of a .30-06 will kill a whitetail. And I mean anything, from factory loads with jacketed bullets, to handloads with cast bullets.



TRUE!!!
One thing though, Federal Power-shoks(blue box) and Remington Core-Loks have $5 mail in rebates on them. Wally World here has the Rem Core-Loks at a great price. Quickly find out what works and buy a bunch if you aren't going to handload. We haven't seen the end of the raising of ammo prices.

Jim

I am glad to here you get good results with Remington Cor-Lokts, I bought a box of 150 gr when they were 1/2 off on sale a Dicks Sporting goods
I will have to look into the Federal Power Shok (Blue Box)

You did just as I would advise you to do.
The 150 grain Corelock will perform very well on chest cavity shots,which are generally accepted as primary targets.They also perform well enough on bad angle shots and shoulder shots.In the '06,they are reliable out to 250 yards,maybe a little more.
Frank

150 core loks. you can find them in any store, anytime, anywhere.

It sounds like Remington core Lokt are the way to go. I am thinking today I will at least try three different ammo brands then selecting one.

I am going to a friends property to sight in today. I will let you all know how it gose!
I am excited:)

Jack Monteith Why are boat tails not as accurate?
Thanks
Matt in Maryland

Kragman71,
I am guessing you are a mauser fan based on your user name?

My buddy who is going with me has an 1891 Argentine 8 mm, that has been sporterized.
What is you opinon on this type of gun?
Thanks
Matt

Firstly.......do your homework. Then any ol' 150-180 will do. The $18-$22 a box stuff is fine.

But...........you gotta sight in your rifle and load combo. If it shoots great then go back and buy "X" amount of the same load(w/ the same lot # if possible) and stick with it.

I have seen a 150gr load by two different manufacturers shoot 6-8 inches different at 100yds. I have also seen a 150gr shoot 8-10 inches different from the same manufacturer. Pick a load and stick with it.

(But you REALLY should reload) -----pruhdlr

Using the 30,06 on deer
You really can't go to far wrong as long as you stay with 150 grain or bigger.
You don't need to spend a lot of money either. I don't shoot factory ammo much. But If I did I would start with a 165 grain remington federal or winchester. I,d use a pointed bullet and you really ready for any deer walking out to as far as most of us should shoot.
150s are good but at close range you might get a bullet to explode on impact with a big bone.
180s are fine too but a 165 is what I would use...tj3006

remington and federal hae some very attractive deals going on for that ammo. I think 150 and 165 grain loadings. I shoot 150's out of my '06 and performance has been good.

Err, Frank's Krag is less like a Mauser than your Savage.

Why is a boattail less accurate than a flat based bullet? Well, we're getting into the deep end of the ballistic pool here. Bullets usually yaw some when they leave the barrel and take maybe 50 yards or more to straighted out. A flat based bullet has a pointed nose trying to grab some air and pull it sideways, while the wide base is grabbing more air and straightening it out. The narrow base of the boattail isn't grabbing as much air and can't straighten the bullet as soon.

The benchrest boys who shoot at 100 and 200 yards generally stick with flat based bullets. The 1000 yard shooters use boattails as they drift less in the wind.

Every barrel has it's preferences, and you have to shoot them and see. Just because a particular load shoots tiny groups in a friend's rifle doesn't mean it's the best for your rifle.

Check out these sites if you want to get into the deep end.
http://www.nennstiel-ruprecht.de/bullfly/index.htm
http://www.exteriorballistics.com/index.cfm

Bye
Jack

Kragman71,
I am guessing you are a mauser fan based on your user name?

My buddy who is going with me has an 1891 Argentine 8 mm, that has been sporterized.
What is you opinon on this type of gun?
Thanks
Matt

You're pretty good at selecting cartridges,butnot so good at deciphering names.
The Krag in my name is for the Rifle designed byOle Krag;not PaulMauser.
Frank

I own a Savage 111 in 30-06. I shoot very few factory loads but I have shot groups with 150 grain Remington and 180 grain Federal Nosler Partitions. The Noslers were far more accurate, about 1 1/4 inch 3 shot groups at 100 yards.

I can get groups around an inch consistently with handloads using 125 grain ballistic tip, 150 grain Hornady, and 180 grain Hornady - the only full power bullets I have tried. I have shot 3, 3 shot groups with 180 grain Hornadys and IMR 4350 that were 1/2 inch center to center. I cannot do it consistently, however. I am not sure if it is me or temperature sensitivity of IMR 4350 or what. An inch is plenty good for an 8 lb 30-06 hunting gun, however.

The inexpensive scope it came with is on my Son's 7mm-08. It has been shot a lot less and still works. I put a Simmons 44 mag that was great glass (a friend and I looked at a scope test form with his Leupold and my Simmons and we could see no difference) but broke after a few hundred rounds. Next was a Tasco World Class. Also broke after a hundred rounds or so (maybe 200). Currently wears a Burris Fullfield II (decided I needed to move to a bit more expensive scope).

I tested my handloads and the couple factory loads in wet newspaper to see how they penetrated. The penetration of the Hornady 150 grain and 180 grain was not as different as I expected and the cavity formed by the 180 grain was bigger early. I think the 150 went about 14.5 inches into the paper and the 180 went 15.5 inches. A little more penetration with a bigger cavity seems like a good thing. The 180 grain Noslers went 19 inches. You don't need that much for deer but a great bullet - and an accurate load for my Savage. The ballistic tip (125 grain) went at least a foot - not as fragile as I expected.

Jim

You think that picking a factory .30-06 load is complicated - just wait until we talk you into handloading!!!!

:p

I have killed 30+ deer with .30-06s. 75% were with 165 gr bullets. Find a 165 boat-tail SP that shoots good and you have all you need. Since 150s and 180s both work well, I always just figured you could split the middle with 165s and not look back.

I have killed a few quite cleanly with 150 gr core-lokts, 150 gr Hornady inner-locs, and 180 Federal SPs. I have never lost a deer hit with an '06 in any of the above weights. Hit'em square and it won't matter.

most every gun ive owned has performed well,, what ever wt of bullet,,, with the fusion... of course i can say the same for
winchester power pt. i like the 165 fusion in my 06.