30-06 bullet choice.

[jr1968]

What would be a good nosler bullet for the 30-06 for WT's without alot of bloodshot meat
our deer range from 100 to 150 lbs. shots would be under 125yrds at most.


Thanks,
jr1968

 

[FOTIS]

I use 165 Nosler Partition with H4350 at 2800 fps for everything!

 

[DrMike]

I use 165 Nosler Partition with H4350 at 2800 fps for everything!

Not a bad choice at all; it will work very well in the 30-06. I also like the 165 Ballistic Tip. It works very well on deer at those ranges.

 

[6mm Remington]

165 gr. AccuBond or Partition. Use the one your rifle likes the best and you won't miss a beat!

 

[Oldtrader3]

The 165 Acconbond ought to be a perfect bullet for that sized game.

 

[Waldo]

I've recently gone thru a similar exercise and settled on the 150g AccuBond, target species Fallow Deer instead of Whitetail though.
Cheers,
Waldo

 

[DrMike]

I've recently gone thru a similar exercise and settled on the 150g AccuBond, target species Fallow Deer instead of Whitetail though.
Cheers,
Waldo

The 150 AB would be a good choice for Fallow Deer. Those we hunt here in BC require the use of shotgun only. Otherwise, I'd hunt with a centre fire rifle loaded with a lighter bullet.

 

[Guy Miner]

I think that any bullet from a fully - loaded .30-06 is going to result in bloodshot meat at the modest ranges described.

Shot placement should help reduce this. A shot through the rib cage, targeting the heart & lungs, will ruin very little useful meat. A hit to the shoulder or hams with pretty much any expanding bullet at .30-06 velocity will ruin some meat.

My son and I have been using 165 gr Nosler Ballistic Tips, Solid Base (no longer made) and Partitions at about 2750 fps from both his .30-06 and my .308 Win with excellent results. Quick kills. Exit wounds. No damage to useful meat if the shoulder is not hit. If it's hit, well, then yeah, there's meat damage.

Regards, Guy

 

[Waldo]

Placement is paramount but I would always consider getting a quick effective kill a priority every time, no point having very little meat damage if it runs off into the scrub never to be seen again. I have tracked a few deer after the shot but prefer to drop them on the spot or very close to it if possible.

I have lost one deer due to ineffective projectile performance (it wasn't a Nosler) and don't want to do it again. Put a good pill in the right spot and worry about meat damage while you field dress it.

Cheers,
Waldo

 

[big rifle man]

I would agree with Fotis. Out of all the bullets mentioned a Partition would give you the least amount of lost meat unless of course you hit bone. I've used nothing but partitions out of my 7-08 and have had good luck with minimum meat loss.

 

[AzDak42]

At 125 yards?

I've always had less meat damage with bigger bullets at modest velocities. I'd say load up a 180g AccuBond or Btip and call it a day.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

I've always thought that 165gr bullets were the answer for WTs from a 30-06 but if meat damage is a major factor in your decision, I would try a 180 bullet loaded down some. At the ranges you describe, a 180gr bullet at 2600-2650fps would still give you thought-free trajectory under 200 yds and will probably limit the amount of trauma if you hit a shoulder. I would try the AccuBond or Interbond and hope that the slower velocity reduces expansion.

This does sum it up nicely:

I think that any bullet from a fully - loaded .30-06 is going to result in bloodshot meat at the modest ranges described.

Shot placement should help reduce this. A shot through the rib cage, targeting the heart & lungs, will ruin very little useful meat. A hit to the shoulder or hams with pretty much any expanding bullet at .30-06 velocity will ruin some meat. Regards, Guy

 

[Guy Miner]

Agree.

Wonder if the 220 gr Nosler Partition, or any other 220 gr .30 cal soft-nose, at about 2400 fps would be the ticket? Maybe...

 

[onesonek]

Speed is the main culprit to blood shot. Well, and of course like others mentioned,,,,,placement.
At those ranges mentioned one doesn't need much speed for flat trajectories. I would actually go to a 180 gr. myself. They will still perform well on those smallish deer. If I knew I was going to need any more range than that, I would also load it down some,,,if one reloads that is. A down loaded 30-06 or .308 with the Nosler's 170 gr. PT would be awesome at that range and a bit more if needed.

 

[onesonek]

Agree.

Wonder if the 220 gr Nosler Partition, or any other 220 gr .30 cal soft-nose, at about 2400 fps would be the ticket? Maybe...

Being meant for larger game, might be just a tad tough/slow, opening early enough on small deer. Just guessing!
Soon as the AB-VLD is out, that 190 loaded down, would be darn good I think also.

 

[FOTIS]

I use 165 Nosler Partition with H4350 at 2800 fps for everything!

 

[SJB358]

Seems like a 165 PT or AB should be all you would ever want for in a 30-06. Alot of capability right there. If they are going into the lungs, meat loss should be minimal. Hitting front legs, well, any bullet is going to cause meat loss. Good luck.

 

[alaska100]

As mentioned on the "one gun" thread, we use the 30-06 a lot on a variety of game and have used both the Partition and a-frame with equal success. However, we prefer the 180 gr. But for whitetails the 165 is more than enough.

 

[SJB358]

Makes sense to me Sean. I would actually love to have a Pre64 30-06 FWT. Might bring the 30-06 into a new light for me!

 

[Ryan46]

For the size deer you mentioned the 150gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip will do just fine. Keep the velocity below 3000fps and it will give you probably quicker kills than any of the heavier bullets. That combo has worked great for me because the deer in my hunting area also about the size you mentioned.

Happy Shooting
Ryan46