.30-06 bullet choice

[CApighunter]

I am just starting to reload for my Remington 700 in .30-06. My question is what bullet should I use. I did a little research and am a bit overwhelmed by the amount of different choices. Lead bullets are not an issue for me since the condor area is much further south than I am, so lead is a viable option. As far as bullet weight is concerned, I'm thinking either 165 or 180 gr. I plan on mostly hunting hogs and deer, but I want to get a bear tag this fall and try my luck. Most of the deer in California are small Blacktails that rarely are over 150 pounds, but our hogs and bears grow pretty big. So my question is, what is the best bullet for these three animals? I want a bullet that will expand quickly on a small deer, but still retain enough weight to pass through a hog or bear. I'm not sure if such a bullet exists, but that's why I'm asking you guys!
Thanks,
CApighunter

 

[Joel Lehman]

I have use Sierra Pro Hunters, 150 grain flatbase in my 30-06 for almost 50 years. They expand well on our small Texas deer and will go completely through a hog shot broadside in the head. We do not have bear to hunt.

Joel Lehman, Austin TX

 

[Pacsd]

Joel has the idea. However, those are home rolled. I like the Sierra boattails myself. If you are going to use factory loads then I say the Rem 150 Cor-lokt on deer and hogs. Couldn't say about the bears.

 

[Art Eatman]

I've done in a bunch of cenTex deer with a 150-grain '06. Whatever works best in your particular rifle for group size.

Hogs and bear? I dunno. Odds are I'd go with 180s, although they're likely not really necessary.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I think the 180 grain is an all around excellent choice.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I've only ever used 165 gr in my '06 for everything I've hunted.

I've not actively hunted hogs but have hunted wounded black bear or bears that were hit on the road with ( I shouldn't say this) certain Game Commissioners in PA back in the day, I have no doubt that any 165 gr bullet in 30-06 will take down anything in the lower 48.

 

[Pit4Brains]

I hunt in a condor area in N. Arizona so I was introduced to the solid copper bullets a good while back. I've been hunting with the Barnes Triple Shock since and I love them. Not only do you leave a clean gut pile for other animals other than condors, but there is less damage to the game from fragmentation. The solid coppers seem to pass thru elk like Karo syrup thru a two year old.. They just demolish everything in the narrow path and leave a clean, dead animal.

 

[oldreloader]

I've been using Hornady 165 gr for SEVERAL years with great luck.

 

[Kachok]

All around I like the 165gr bullets in my 06 they shoot every bit as fast as the 150s and their ballistics are almost as good as the 180s. Best bullets in the 165 class are the Serria Game Kings, SSTs, and Nosler Ballistic tips IMHO. 165s are good for any deer and some even use them on elk, but I think I would load some 180gr or 200gr Accubonds/Partitions for them, you cannot have too much penetration on big animals like that.

 

[murf]

this really belongs in the hunting forum. will get mucho bettero response.

165 grain sounds about right for all the animals you want to hunt. the 180 grainers will kick harder, but, if they are accurate in your gun, why not.

murf

 

[ArchAngelCD]

For Deer which are not all that hard to kill I use a 165gr Sierra Game King for hunting and for practice I use a 168gr Match King bullet. I find no need to adjust the loads or scope using those 2 bullets.

For tougher game I have been using a 165gr Nosler AccuBond bullet. I used to use a 165gr Nosler Partition but they cost too much now and the AccuBond does just as good a job IMO. I use H4350 for all my 30-06 ammo used in a bolt action rifle.

Hornady, Speer and a few others make acceptable bullets for hunting Deer. Like I said, they are not all that hard to kill, they are soft skinned...

 

[murf]

if you are reloading, you can load a 150 grain bullet for deer for the expansion, and a 165 or 180 grain premium bullet for the boar and bear.

murf

 

[mnrivrat]

165 Grain Hornady BTSP @ 2700 FPS is generaly a very accurate and effective loading.

I shot several thousand rounds of this load in several different rifles and it was my favorite loading , and always performed well.