30-06 bullet choice.

[Oldtrader3]

I never was a big fan of the 150 grain .308 bullet in the .30-06 at those velocities, the 150 grain bullets often tumble or veer off course when they hit a rib even and do more damage than a 165 at 2850 does. The 165 with the higher sectional density is not as liable to tumble and is more liable to stay together and not shed it core. Just my experience.

That is why the military used the 152 BT's in the .30-06, they tumbled and did massive damage on hitting anything solid, without violating the Geneva Convention.

 

[Wondermutt]

I use 180g accubonds with IMR 4350 with excellent results. I used 165g Interbonds and the heavier bullet had no more damage. I used the 180's cause I was out of 165's and never looked back.

 

[AzDak42]

I started out my 30-06 load development with the 165 AB but am now moving over to the 180 AB. Velocity difference is negligible and drop out to 400 is almost a match. Why shoot a 165, when I can have a 180 do the same thing?

 

[Ryan46]

Not trying to throw this thread off course, but just when was it the military used Ballistic Tip bullets? The 30.06 has not been in use in the military since before the 60’s, except in some sniper rifles, and I have never heard of a 152gr BT nor am I aware that BT’s existed during that time frame.
BTW, every deer I have taken since the mid-80’s has been with the 150 BT with complete satisfactory performance.

Happy Shooting
Ryan46

 

[Oldtrader3]

I used M1 ball, 152 grain, military FMJ ammuntion as an example because Col. Townsend Whelen (corrected) shot 1000's of pigs and cattle with them, in order to study bullet and wounding behavior. So these military studies are a good mimic to real life when using 150 grain softpoints in a .30-06 or .308. The military picked that short projectile because it tumbled more frequently when hitting flesh, than the 172 grain did, thus causing greater wounding. Because the 150 grain softpoints also tumble in game fairly often and more easily after hitting any rib or heavy tissue resistance. This at least has been my experience after 60 years of watching others shoot .30-06's and shooting one myself. These 150 grain bullets are shorter and tend to stabilise less travelling through flesh than heavier bullets do. The military proved it and that is why I cited them.

 

[Guest]

I'm with Fotis on this one. 165 Partitions will work and never fail you provided you do your part on shot placement. I shoot H4350 in my 30-06 with great results.

Don

 

[Oldtrader3]

Me too, I have used the 165 Partition in various .30-06's for 50 years.

 

[Guest]

I believe BT in the military ammo sense means "boat-tail" rather than "Ballistic Tip."

 

[wisconsinteacher]

I am going to give the 180 AB a good run. I looked at them compared to 165 AB and out to 400 yards they are very close. I hope they work for me.

 

[Oldtrader3]

If you are going to shoot at long range, higher Ballistic Coeffecient and bullet weight will help out beyond 400 yards the 165 and 180 do cross velocities at about 400 yards and beyond that is where higher weights deliver higher performance.

 

[bullet]

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

FOTIS, where did you get that picture of my target for 30-06???? :?: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :wink:

 

[Guest]

Fotis,
Where do you get bullets that leave green residue or is that barrel just corroded! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Don

 

[PJGunner]

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...

THe late Finn AAgaard did some culling work on the ranch he was living using 220 gr. round nose bullets. He said they worked quite well with littel meat damage. The only picture I remember was an exit wound from a broadside chest shot. 'm guessing the hold was maybe 1.5 to 2.0".
Paul B.

 

[nosler06]

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

I have never used the 165gr in my 30-06. I have always for many years used the 180gr Partition with very little meat loss on any of my whitetails that I have shot with it. I use the 165gr Partition in my .308 with the same type of results. I have often thought the 165gr was slightly on the smallish side for a bull moose. That being said I have used my .308 with the 165gr Partition to drop several bull elk and it has done a fine job of it. JMO