What is best bullet for 30-06 deer hunt?
- Thread starter Odessit86
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30-06 for deer. Basically just pick whatever your gun shoots best, it will work fine.
For me I handload a Barnes 168gr TTSX, but that load uses the same bullet and basically mimics the velocity of the Barnes Vor-TX ammo.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1001616439?pid=778704
For me I handload a Barnes 168gr TTSX, but that load uses the same bullet and basically mimics the velocity of the Barnes Vor-TX ammo.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1001616439?pid=778704
Roverguy
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For deer, something in the 150-165 range is probably best. If shorter range likely, a more robust bullet construction (ie something like the Nosler partition or a Barnes mono metal) would be advisable whereas if ranges over 150 yards, a good cup and core type bullet will be fine. I would start with Federal Fusion 165 grs and see how that shoots. It’s pretty good all around ammo and generally shoots well. If you need a tougher bullet for close range work, the Federal Vital-Shock 165 grs should suit you needs. Good luck!
.38 Special
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Hard to go wrong with the .30-'06. Premium ammo is fine, but completely unnecessary, at least until you get into "elk and bigger" territory. I personally gravitate to heavy-for-caliber bullets and kind of dislike things like 150 grains and below in a .30 caliber, but lots of people make them work. Once you get up to 180 grains, you are in the sweet spot for the '06, in my opinion, and any old cup-and-core bullet will do for deer. I like the Hornady, but for no particular reason.
My suggestion would be to find plain-Jane ammo that shoots well in your gun, and then shoot a lot of it. That will be of far more value than would a box or two of "boutique" stuff sitting on your shelf.
Good luck!
My suggestion would be to find plain-Jane ammo that shoots well in your gun, and then shoot a lot of it. That will be of far more value than would a box or two of "boutique" stuff sitting on your shelf.
Good luck!
Gun-Reck
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Like asking which automobile is better to run over a squirrel.
The one you shoot the best, or the least expensive one you shoot well, is the simple, and correct answer.
bigpower491
Member
Agreed
Winchester Power Points, Remington Core Lokt, Federal High Shok......any of those are more than adequate
I also am a fan of heavier bullets in the 30s.
As far as handload, I've had fantastic results with Speer Hot Cor and Hornady SST, always a 180 in 06. I get better accuracy and of course, better knockdown power
troy fairweather
Member
I always preferred 165-180s
I wouldn't go below 150 gr unless you want to go to a solid copper bullet. You don't NEED anything heavier than 165gr, but if 180's or heavier are available and shoot well in your rifle there is no downside to using them.
In a nutshell most any common 150 or 165 gr bullet will do the job at typical hunting ranges. The more expensive premium bullets might offer some advantage on game larger than deer, or if you're shooting at extreme ranges.
I have been handloading for quite a few years and haven't shot factory loads in a while so I'm out of the loop about which specific loads have the best reputation for accuracy.
In a nutshell most any common 150 or 165 gr bullet will do the job at typical hunting ranges. The more expensive premium bullets might offer some advantage on game larger than deer, or if you're shooting at extreme ranges.
I have been handloading for quite a few years and haven't shot factory loads in a while so I'm out of the loop about which specific loads have the best reputation for accuracy.
.308 Norma
Member
I used Hornady 165gr BTSPs in my 30-06 for mule deer for many years. I was never disappointed in them, and the only deer I ever shot and lost with one of those bullets was my fault - I stupidly got excited, shot too fast, and hit that deer in a hind leg.
That's a no brainer. First F150 of course. Second how can you go wrong with a 150 gr that allows you to buy enough of the same lot number for practice and hunting a few seasons. Yay for the 30- 06
Some rifles shoot 180's better. Some shoot whatever fine
Taurus 617 CCW
Member
I have always found soft points to be more than effective on deer. Inexpensive and the deer have never taken a single step after being shot.
.308 Norma
Member
Certainly not my Ram 1500 - hitting a squirrel with it might break its plastic front bumper.
Thank you , yeah I am a beginer and I herd that some bullets type not good enugh on deer.
I bought some ammo on auction..
1 box Nosler Trophy Grade 180gr
2x box Core lokt 150gr
4x box Core lokt 180gr
1x Winchester PowerMax bonded 150gr
1x Federal vital shock 165 gr
Will try them how my rifle perform..
But according to you guys 180gr seems overkill in short ranger ..like Trophy Grade etc..
Any expirience with some ammo that I listed ?
I bought some ammo on auction..
1 box Nosler Trophy Grade 180gr
2x box Core lokt 150gr
4x box Core lokt 180gr
1x Winchester PowerMax bonded 150gr
1x Federal vital shock 165 gr
Will try them how my rifle perform..
But according to you guys 180gr seems overkill in short ranger ..like Trophy Grade etc..
Any expirience with some ammo that I listed ?
troy fairweather
Member
We get some big deer here in N.Y. But any of that ammo will work, pick what shoots the best and make good shot placement. Generally a heavier bullet that's slower will damage less meat.
Arkansas Paul
Member
I've killed deer with the following from a .30-06:
165 grain factory Remington Core-Lokt
150 grain handloaded Hornady SST
165 grain handloaded Hornady SST
150 grain handloaded Hornady Spire Point
165 grain handloaded Sierra GK BTHP
165 grain handloaded Winchester Ballistic Silvertip
150 grain handloaded Nosler Ballistic Tip
These are the ones that I can remember off the top of my head.
None of the deer could tell a dime's worth of difference. They all died. Very quickly.
With a big 150 grain+ .30 cal bullet, it simply doesn't matter on whitetails. Any decent expanding bullet will work just fine.
165 grain factory Remington Core-Lokt
150 grain handloaded Hornady SST
165 grain handloaded Hornady SST
150 grain handloaded Hornady Spire Point
165 grain handloaded Sierra GK BTHP
165 grain handloaded Winchester Ballistic Silvertip
150 grain handloaded Nosler Ballistic Tip
These are the ones that I can remember off the top of my head.
None of the deer could tell a dime's worth of difference. They all died. Very quickly.
With a big 150 grain+ .30 cal bullet, it simply doesn't matter on whitetails. Any decent expanding bullet will work just fine.
Last edited:
d2wing
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I like 165 SPBT bullets in 30-06. Hornady Bullets are what I used to use. Deer are not very big; I prefer lighter bullets that expand quick enough. Lots of guys use 180's but my opinion is that they may pass through without expanding. But any 30-06 bullet is good medicine on deer in the right spot.
Roverguy
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You have a great rifle. If one of those brands of ammo doesn’t deliver good little groups, I would be amazed. Hope the deer cooperate!
I primarily shot 165 grain BSTs and my 30 -06. I also quite like the 180 grain, SST and ballistic tip.
Personally, I don't care for 150 grain bullets in 30 cal. 165 is where I start with 308 and the 30-06.
When shooting factor ammo I primarily shot 165 -180 Remington or Winchester... If using federal I tended to go for whatever Sierra's were available.
Personally, I don't care for 150 grain bullets in 30 cal. 165 is where I start with 308 and the 30-06.
When shooting factor ammo I primarily shot 165 -180 Remington or Winchester... If using federal I tended to go for whatever Sierra's were available.
WisBorn
Contributing Member
150-180 grain bullets. Buy a few different brands of ammo in different weights. I would go with one that consistently shoots a 3 shot group in 1 1/2" or less at 100 yards.
I shot many whitetails with 150 & 165 grain soft point boat tails from a 30-06.
I shot many whitetails with 150 & 165 grain soft point boat tails from a 30-06.
.38 Special
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I actually have had very good results with Remington's stuff. Those Core-Lokt 180s are ideal, in my opinion. I would shoot up just about everything you have for practice, and finish with three boxes of the 180 Remington, making sure that you're properly sighted in. With a hundred and sixty rounds of conscientious shooting, a confident zero, and a full box of hunting ammunition, you should be well prepared.
<edit> You will hear all sorts of nonsense about hunting cartridges and bullets. The essential truth is that if you hit a deer tight behind the shoulder with any reasonable bullet out of the grand old '06 you will have your meat - and the location of the hit is far more important than the price of the bullet. Practice until you can count on that hit, and any of the bullets you mention will work perfectly.
.308 Norma
Member
PLENTY of experience - with factory loaded 150gr and 180gr Remington CoreLokts in a 308 Winchester. When I started big game hunting (back in the early '60s) Dad and I both shot 308 Winchesters, and we both used factory loaded 150gr Remington CoreLokts for deer, and factory loaded 180gr Remington CoreLokts for elk. I did that all the way up until the early '80s when I decided I "needed" a more powerful (and more versatile) cartridge for killing mule deer and elk, so I got myself a 30-06 - which all I ever used in it were handloaded Hornady 165gr BTSPs.
BTW, I don't mean to sound like some kind of language Nazi, but a "bullet" is just the missile - it becomes the projectile when it's in motion. And the word "bullet" shouldn't be substituted for the word, "cartridge" - which is the case, the primer, the powder AND the bullet.
You asked about the best "bullet" for deer hunting. The best "cartridge" for deer hunting is a whole different discussion. Actually, there's a lot of different discussions about the best cartridge for deer hunting right here on THR.
Random 8
Member
Don't get anything fancy. 150 or 165 soft points will be lights out effective, mild on your shoulder and wallet, and tend to shoot as well as anything. For factory ammo, I'm partial to Hornady loads, but try a few and see what your rifle likes.
DM~
Member
Of all the different weight bullets we have used out of a 30-06 on deer, 165 grain gave the best expansion with decent penetration.
150's sometimes expand too fast and 180's sometimes don't expand enough, and 165's cure both of those problems at 30-06 velocities.
For deer, I don't worry about the brand of ammo too much.
DM
150's sometimes expand too fast and 180's sometimes don't expand enough, and 165's cure both of those problems at 30-06 velocities.
For deer, I don't worry about the brand of ammo too much.
DM
.38 Special
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I think personal preference really plays into that. Some folks like "light and fast", hoping for more bangflops and less tracking. Other folks worry about total failure and prefer the predictability of "heavy and slow", even if they have to do more walking after the shot.
Also, I once saw a 168 totally come apart and require several follow-up shots.
