Let's talk 30-06 ammo

[Blitzfike]

I love the '06, and shoot it in an 03-A3 springfield, a Garand, and a Winchester bolt rifle. I don't currrently have an '06 in my stable of Savage rifles, but when I can find a decent barrel, I will convert one of my 270s to it. My preference for the bolt rifles is the 165 grain loading, and for the Garand, I stay with the 147 grain loads with the appropriate faster burning powder for it. 180 grain bullets are great for the bigger game like elk or bear, but my old body doesn't like recoil as much as it did when I was a pup.
I have taken most of my deer with the '06.

 

[dennishoddy]

It appears the consensus is the 165 grain. Over the years, I've noticed the same thing in other forums and in written magazines.

The .308 favors the 150 grain. The core-loct rounds you bought will put lots of venison on your table, as it has for lots of hunters prior to this thread.
Its all about selecting the right bullet for the game that your after.

 

[BIG_MIKE2005]

Well it seems I need to buy a few boxes of 165's too then. Do you guys expect I will see any difference in POI between the 180 & 165 within a 300 yard range? I plan to log my info as I shoot but figured I'd ask anyway.

 

[dennishoddy]

According to my bullet drop calculator app, putting zero at 100 yds will result in a drop of 13.5" for either weight of bullet at 2750 fps.

 

[BIG_MIKE2005]

According to my bullet drop calculator app, putting zero at 100 yds will result in a drop of 13.5" for either weight of bullet at 2750 fps.

Is that what your getting for total bullet drop to 300 yards out if zeroed at 100 yards? I think I'm gonna zero at 200 yards & then do enough range time & note taking to have a really good base for 0-100 & 200-300.

 

[NoMoreOldNo7]

May not answer your question about bullet drop but shooting 180 gr Accubonds in my 30-06 sighted in at 200 yards and leaving the barrel at 2550 fps I have 10 1/2" drop at 300 yards. 300 yards is about the longest I'm comfortable with shooting my 30-06, my 7RM & .300 I'm confident out a little further. I have shot my 7rm at a 600 yard shoot but that was years ago. Punching paper and hunting are two different things, with four exceptions I've taken all my game within 150 yards and the majority at less than 100.

 

[aeropb]

You're really splitting hairs here. Bullet weight should be determined by your purpose. If I was you I'd simply find the most accurate load possible no matter the bullet weight. Heavier bullets tend to penetrate further at the cost off of explosive expansion. That said I like 150's in 30-06 for paper punching.