150 grain E-Tip in .30-06

filmjunkie4ever

Handloader
May 4, 2011
1,657
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Due to moving to Oregon (Northern California) the concerns of possibly having to someday switch to a lead-free projectile are that much more real.

Has anyone had any experience they are willing to share with the 150 grain .308 caliber E-Tip in .30-06 at all? Or the 150 grain TTSX for that matter?

That article by Ross Seyfried has got me thinking about dropping down as well. Let's face it we all shoot standard calibers with regular loads the best.

I would have to do the load workup and all but a 150 grain bullet at 2900-2950 would be plenty in my opinion. This should be easy to attain with 4350 and a little range time.

Thanks -

Dale
 
Dale,

I have worked up loads in my 30-06 with both E-Tip and TSX bullets. Hunter and RL17 both give me fine accuracy with the 150 grain E-Tip. I never pushed them hard, but the loads were just shy of 2900 fps. I obtained sub-MOA loads with 165 grain GMX and IMR 4831. I have taken no game with any of these loads, however. I have taken a good number of animals with both E-Tips and TSXs in other cartridges, however. Excellent bullets, both.
 
C'mon Doc! Give us your load! I have this new to me Mod 70 FWT 30-06 that is "just dying" to try either of the Etips or TTSX in 150! Help a Brother out! :)
 
preacher":24dheok3 said:
C'mon Doc! Give us your load! I have this new to me Mod 70 FWT 30-06 that is "just dying" to try either of the Etips or TTSX in 150! Help a Brother out! :)

Code:
FC	F210	HDY 150 GMX	IMR 4831	58	2996 +/- 90	1.05
FC	F210	HDY 150 GMX	IMR 4831	59	2995 +/- 94	1.08
						
Lapua	F215M	NOS 150 E-TIP	HUNTER	61	2720 +/- 17	0.57
WW	F210	NOS 150 E-TIP	RL17	57.5	2898 +/- 4	0.98
						
FC	WLR	BAR 168 TSX	RL17	52.2	2714 +/- 24	0.55
FC	WLR	BAR 168 TSX	RL 17	53.5	2715 +/- 24	0.55
						
WW	F210	HDY 165 IB	IMR 4831	59	2931 +/- 12	0.94
WW	F210	HDY 165 IB	IMR 4831	58.5	2838 +/- 9	0.95
WW	F210	HDY 165 IB	IMR 4831	59	2864 +/- 9	0.79
WW	F210	HDY 165 IB	IMR 4831	59.5	2905 +/- 11	1.05
						
FC	F210	HDY 165 GMX	IMR 4831	58.5	2902 +/- 10	0.74

I load both the E-Tip and the TSX 0.100 inches off the lands. After consulting with Hornady techs, I load GMX at 0.010 inches off the lands. The gilding metal does not generate the same higher pressure that is witnessed with the other monolithic bullets.
 
Doc -

What barrel length are you shooting those E-tips for 2900? Have you ever tried them with H or IMR 4350?

Thanks -

Dale
 
Twenty-two inch barrel. I don't see that I've used either of the 4350s to produce a group that stood out.
 
I've had good luck with 59 grains IMR 4350 and 150 grain bullets. I have read you can't get into pressure problems with IMR4350 and the 30-06 case with 150s as you can't put enough powder in the case to get into problems, but I don't know about solid core copper bullets. I'd want to work up.

My 30-06 really likes that load. I shoot it to test how I am shooting, because the rifle likes it that much.
 
filmjunkie4ever":2ar646z1 said:
Due to moving to Oregon (Northern California) the concerns of possibly having to someday switch to a lead-free projectile are that much more real.

Has anyone had any experience they are willing to share with the 150 grain .308 caliber E-Tip in .30-06 at all? Or the 150 grain TTSX for that matter?

That article by Ross Seyfried has got me thinking about dropping down as well. Let's face it we all shoot standard calibers with regular loads the best.

I would have to do the load workup and all but a 150 grain bullet at 2900-2950 would be plenty in my opinion. This should be easy to attain with 4350 and a little range time.

Thanks -

Dale

Dale, what Seyfried article are you talking about?

I'd run 150 ETs against about anything I'd use an 30-06 for. Bet the penetrate and expand like crazy. Plus they will weigh more than a 200 PT when they are done too I bet.
 
SJB358":j09tl0vd said:
filmjunkie4ever":j09tl0vd said:
Due to moving to Oregon (Northern California) the concerns of possibly having to someday switch to a lead-free projectile are that much more real.

Has anyone had any experience they are willing to share with the 150 grain .308 caliber E-Tip in .30-06 at all? Or the 150 grain TTSX for that matter?

That article by Ross Seyfried has got me thinking about dropping down as well. Let's face it we all shoot standard calibers with regular loads the best.

I would have to do the load workup and all but a 150 grain bullet at 2900-2950 would be plenty in my opinion. This should be easy to attain with 4350 and a little range time.

Thanks -

Dale

Dale, what Seyfried article are you talking about?

I'd run 150 ETs against about anything I'd use an 30-06 for. Bet the penetrate and expand like crazy. Plus they will weigh more than a 200 PT when they are done too I bet.

Guy posted this a couple days ago, about the best article I have ever read regarding what really matters where a hunting rifle is concerned. I have posted a link to the thread where there is a link to the article.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=33004

I too believe a 150 grain E-Tip should work very well in a .30-06 for just about anything. I think they are competitively priced with the Accubonds as well.

59 grains of 4350 has traditionally been a darn good load in my .30-06 rifles as well but I will start at 56 and work my way up on this one.

Thanks for the advice. Keep it coming.

Dale
 
A few years back in one of my old 30-06's I tried H 4350 and Big Game. In that Ruger 77 MK II I worked up to just under 2900 fps with excellent accuracy with H 4350. Big Game got more speed but in that gun it wasn't as accurate. If the different 180 gr lead core bullets don't work out in my new gun I'm strongly considering going to the 150 gr E Tip. Almost ordered some up a couple of weeks ago.

Did this test back then and found the info again.

150 gr E Tip, 2850+/- fps impact velocity, 149 gr (100%) .645" penetrated 6 water jugs.



 
Great picture Gerry. Looks like that 150 did a whole lot of great things. Pretty impressive.
 
I've played around with quite a few bullets in my '06. This thread has caused me to review my data acquired over the past number of years. As result of this, and seeing Gerry's picture, I believe I will just load up a hundred or so 150 grain E-Tips and go out and kill something. Yeah, that'll work.
 
Yes gentlemen, if you can get them to shoot in your gun it definitely looks to be a performer.
 
Dale;
About 20 years ago I tried 4064 in my 1967 vintage ruger mdl. 77. Never found reason to change. Checking my log book on 4-22-15 I loaded 52.5 gr 4064 behind 150 gr. TTSX. I don't have a picture but my notes show 4/5 went into .150, 5/5 into .733 at 100 yards and 5/5 into .650 at 300 yards. Fractionally a smidgen better then ballistic tips. 2900 fps.
Good luck
 
Thanks SC, I actually use a lot of 4064 around our place with various other cartridges and have used it with Sierra Gamekings in my .30-06 in the past.

Dale
 
Thanks Uncle Mike! At this rate, I will have to sing an entire concert at your funeral! :grin: (y)

Hey SC- I have used 59gr IMR 4350/150 anything for close to 30 yrs, but a few yrs ago, upon seeing many folks recommend it, I too tried IMR 4064...it varied from 50.5 to 54, depending upon the rifle/bullet I used. I have plenty and I will most likely start out with it in this Mod 70 FWt/30-06 and the cup n core 150's...I like "Old School" as much as cutting edge newbies! Thanks a bunch ( you too Doc!) Rev Jim Knight
 
I've got four boxes of 168 E-Tips... Need to give them a try in the .30-06 rifle...

The mono-metal bullets penetrate so well, to me they really are a bit of a game-changer.

Guy
 
preacher":aubdykzq said:
Thanks Uncle Mike! At this rate, I will have to sing an entire concert at your funeral! :grin: (y)

Thanks a bunch ( you too Doc!) Rev Jim Knight

I'm mildly concerned. I surely hope you can carry a tune. Don't want my widow to be traumatized by the service. :mrgreen:

Guy,

I have certainly enjoyed a modicum of success with the E-Tip (and TSX) in a variety of rifles. The 130 grain E-Tip has proven to be very successful in my 270 WSM. I have no doubt the 150 grain E-Tip will work equally well in my 30-06.
 
Thoughts about the 168 gr vs 150 e-tip compared to a 180 AB for a 22 inch barrel 30-06 for elk?

I know the 180 AB is great elk medicine, but if trying the E-tip would you try 150 for the velocity or the 168 for the large BC ?


Thanks
Eric
 
Eric, I'd shoot either with complete confidence. Whichever shoots accurately would easily crush any elk walking. No problem with penetration and id likely want the speed to insure good expansion.
 
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