30-06 for whitetail

[stillquietvoice]

I always used 165 bullets for hunting in my 06, but there really isn't a wrong answer between 150 and 180 gr bullets for deer sized game.

 

[Chuck R.]

View attachment 1113359

Diameter, impact velocity, and above all bullet construction mean something. Keep your 6.5 where it belongs, back "SOUTH" East hunting dog sized whitetail.

I fixed it for you , where I'm from "New England" we get some pretty decent sized deer.. at least greyhound sized, and my 1st deer rifle was a 30-06.

 

[Slamfire]

I think the future will be the 30 cal, or 8mm, or 35 cal. This is based on the "monolithic" or more accurately, lead free bullets that will be required over lead contamination concerns. The larger bullets will have greater mass, and their performance will be better.

 

[OFFGRID]

I always used 165 bullets for hunting in my 06, but there really isn't a wrong answer between 150 and 180 gr bullets for deer sized game.

what do you think is better for closer ranges?

 

[H&Hhunter]

I think the future will be the 30 cal, or 8mm, or 35 cal. This is based on the "monolithic" or more accurately, lead free bullets that will be required over lead contamination concerns. The larger bullets will have greater mass, and their performance will be better.

.257,.264, .277 and .284 cal monolithic bullets kill just fine. Speaking from experience of course.

 

[stillquietvoice]

what do you think is better for closer ranges?

I've taken deer with 165 gr bullets from 30 to 205 ydds with most were drt only had one run but he was already running, I stopped tracking him when a hunter in the ravine he went down in started blasting with a semi auto, I counted 30 rds. The buck basically dropped in front of him. That hunter wasn't alone I heard him yelling to his partner it has one hole in the ribs, my shot, but figured it was wise to leave and let that buck go.

Most of my shots were on moving game but found a hit behind the shoulder put them down fas, at closer ranges the bullets exited I found only one perfectly mushroomed bullet in the buck I shot at 205.

There are a couple of reasons I chose 165's first is that target bullets started at 168 gr so I figured good accuracy from a slightly lighter bullet would be good as well, second reason is that in 40 cal it is a perfect balance between 150 and 180 gr, greater velocity of a 150 and the energy t extention of a 180 gr bullet. I researched trajectory and energy charts to get the best compromise for me.

 

[GooseGestapo]

According to my early records, my first 17 deer were killed with a 150gr bullet from a .30/06.
Ranges from 27yds to 150yds. In fact the farthest I’ve shot game with the ‘06 is 150yds to include a cow elk I shot in Utah last fall.

Out to 300yds, the 150gr shoots flatter, so that’s my recommendation. I’ve killed deer with 130, 150, 165, and 180’s. At least a half dozen with the Hornady 150 soft points.

You’ll do well! I sight in a 150 2”high at 100yds for a 200yd zero, and 8” low at 300.
I used to load 150’s to 3,100fps with Win 760/H414 but because I’ve now got two M1 Garands, I find 2,800fps to be just splendid for most .30/06 applications.

fwiw, my younger brother lives in Nevada. He hunts white tail, mule deer, antelope, and elk. Even big horn sheep with a .308. He uses 1 bullet.... the Nosler 150gr Partition. There’s about a nickel difference in the .308 and .30/06!
(Of course the ‘06 is just mo’ better!)

 

[wgp]

165 gr Partitions

 

[OFFGRID]

so far im really liking these hornady 150 soft points. this group was today at 100 yards. no fancy rifle props, just old school shooting.