Bullet Suggestions for .30-06

[Crazy Coot]

I'm looking for something new to try out in my .30-06 for deer hunting. Does anyone have any suggestions on what has worked for them?

 

[Strongbad]

165 and 180 gr. ballistic tips are good out of the 30/06. Good velocity for those types. I've also had good luck with the 165 gr. Hornady Interlocks. The 30/06 doesn't really have the horsepower to push any 165 or 180 too hard, so I would let the gun be your guide. Use what it likes. I just wouldn't necessarily be worried about a super premium bullet. Normally, for me, that's a factor, but not at 30/06 speeds.

 

[Zeke/PA]

I've been using Remington Core-Lokts for many years in the .30-'06 and I swear by them.
Zeke

 

[CB900F]

Crazy;

Are you looking for commercial ammo, or do you reload? What have you been using? It will help us make worthwhile suggestions if we've got a little more information, please.

900F

 

[Crazy Coot]

Yes, I forgot to mention that I'm looking for commercial ammo. I don't have any reloading equipment. I've been using 180 grain Core Lokts for several years and am just looking for something different.

 

[jpwilly]

Federal Ammo has lots of choices with good bullets to pick from the Barnes Tripple Shock, Nosler Partition, Sierra GameKing, Etc... CLICK HERE to check them out!

 

[Regolith]

Core-Lokts work great. Cheap and effective.

180 grain is a bit heavy for deer though. 150 might ruin a bit less meat, on both ends.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

From everything I've read, the consensus among those that have shot a lot of 30-06 is that on average the 165 grain slugs are the most accurate.

Seems to hold true in my 700 BDL. Three 165 grain remington core-lokts in one ragged hole at 100 yards. This was duplicated by 4 different shooters, on three different days.

Game preformance has been outstanding. Goes in, mushrooms fully within 3-4 inches, tears a pretty wide hole, golf ball size exit wound. Doesn't bloodshot a lot of meat.

The more explosive ones like bronzepoints,winchester silvertips, and most balistic tip designs I don't care for. Yes, the deer usually ends up DRT. But EVERY time I've helped clean one, there is a lot of bloodshot meat. Good for killing, bad for hunting freezer meat.

True, using a remington core-lokt or hornady interlock slug requires a little more attention to shot placement than the above. But you also get more meat off the game animal.

 

[Rokman]

I shoot 168gr. Winchester Supreme ballistic tips through my '06 because it shoots them better than any 150gr. bullets that I have used and I because I got a good deal on a Wally World close out last year ($13.00 per box). They haven't failed me yet.

 

[PotatoJudge]

I've had good success with the 150 grain Ballistic Tips.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

For deer, almost any cup-and-core 150 grain bullet will work. However, all things considered, the 165 grain weight is the best balanced bullet in .30-06. For deer, I wouldn't worry too much about weight. For elk, I'd switch to something like the Nosler Partition Jacket.

 

[BigGunsMoreFun]

Good old Lake City Surplus

I use the good old Lake City Surplus from CMP. It's always performed well for me and that brass holds up well for plenty of reloads.

I can't help you on the commercial ammo. I never use it. I still have about 5000 rounds of the Lake City stuff.

Molon Labe,
Joe

 

[jkingrph]

I like 130 gr for fun, less recoil. 165gr sp for everything else I do. Also for target work lyman 311299 gc. cheap and accurate.

 

[MKEITH]

The federal 165gr Nosler Ballistic Tips are my hands down favorite.

 

[Waywatcher]

I've had good success and accuracy on deer with 150 grain PSP's. Also less recoil than heavier bullets.

I tried 165 Barnes TSX this year and it seemed like it lacked knockdown power, but it did a good job of not damaging the meat it went through. A lot less ruined meat than the 150's I've seen.

 

[T.R.]

130 grain Speer bullet through the center of chest will put a buck down where it stands. This is how you turn a 30-06 into a 270!

TR

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

Originally Posted by T.R.
130 grain Speer bullet through the center of chest will put a buck down where it stands. This is how you turn a 30-06 into a 270!

Aside from the fact that a .277'', 130 gr. bullet has a much better BC, and therefore better ballistics, than a .308'', 130 gr. bullet. Penetration may also suffer.

That said, if the 180 gr. Core-Lokt is working fine for the O.P., I think he should stick with it.

 

[nitestocker]

I'm not a great hunter . so i have not had a lot of luck but, i have used the 165 gr. rem core lock and like them. i now reload and I'm using 180 gr.fed. part. because i was given a reloading set and a lot of bullets. but i think the 165 core locks will take any animal on this continent and then some. have fun

 

[luckytexan]

My dad always used 150 grain Remington Core-Lokts in the .30-06, and I've followed suit. I've never had a reason to try anything else; I get 1" groups with them from my rifle at 100yds when I do my part, and the bullets I've recovered from game had expanded well.

Give 'em a try. They're a lot less expensive than premium ammo.

 

[srsmith]

I have used lots of different 30-06 bullets for hunting Wisconsin white tails over the years and settled on the Hornady 165 gr boat tail Interlock #3045.
They start expansion quickly causing massive damage resulting in quick kills.
(I can track, but really don't enjoy it).
They always penetrate completely... never recovered one.
Their performance is uniform over a wide range of velocities.
Accuracy is sub-moa in my old Springfield.
What more can I ask ?

-Steve

 

[Acolyte]

Can you hunt with the Greek surplus?

 

[PotatoJudge]

While the Greek is fine ammo, FMJ should not be hunted with for legal and ethical reasons.

 

[Acolyte]

Cool beans, I haven't taken hunter safety yet so I'm just getting all my ducks in a row to be ready for this fall.

 

[PAPACHUCK]

The 165gr Core-Lokts are by my rifle's favorite. Sub-MOA all day long.