30-06 loaded with 150 E-Tips

[DON]

Is anyone using this combo in their 30-06 specifically for Whitetails? I'm thinking I could get this to 2900 fps from my gun with possibly less meat damage hitting bone compared to the ballistic tip given the E-Tips construction. Then again maybe I lost my marbles. :roll:

please give experiences on taking Deer if possible.

Thank-You,
Don

 

[DrMike]

Don,

I've developed loads with the 150 grain E-Tip in my 30-06. I get right at 2900 fps, as you suggest. I've worked up these loads with Hunter and RL17. However, I've not taken any game with this load. I have also worked up a load with the 150 grain GMX and IMR4831; this load gives me ~100 fps greater velocity and about the same accuracy. Again, I've not taken any game with the load. The game I've taken (mule deer) was with a 165 grain InterBond over IMR4831. I have no doubt that the 150 grain E-Tip will work when I finally make it into the field with that particular load, however.

 

[SJB358]

Don, is the meat damage real severe with rib shots? Just wondering, cause maybe a faster bullet isn't the answer and a slower bullet may be better yet. Never seen high velocity save meat over a slower, better constructed bullet? Might not hammer them to the ground, but the plain old 180 PT moving along at 2600-2700 has worked really well for about 20 years. Even with bone shots it does about as little meat damage as possible. Maybe a little work with the 200 PT as well. The old 30-06 has the ability to move that bullet along pretty decent as well..

 

[joelkdouglas]

Don, I know you're asking about a 150 grain E-Tip load. Sorry, I have no experience with the 150 E-Tip.

However, I have very little meat damage with 180 Partitions out of my 30-06. I get almost 2800 fps with it and H4350, so it's moving along pretty quick.

 

[6mm Remington]

Don it's a different caliber and different weight but same bullet, E-TIP. My son has taken a couple of antelope, a couple deer, and a nice cow elk with his 6mm Remington and 90 gr. E-tip motoring along at if I remember correctly about 3150 fps or so.

The meat damage has been minimal and it has performed really well in my opinion. We have not recovered one yet in an animal as they all have exited, even on his cow elk which was broadside at 350 yards. He hit her tight behind the on-side shoulder and it angled slightly forward and exited her left shoulder. She went about 25 yards and piled up.

I think you would be happy with that bullet in your 30-06 on deer.

 

[DON]

Thank You to all that responded your feed back is just what I needed. I was just curious about the E-Tip and does sound good, however my Nephew in Colorado suggested exactly what Scotty stated to go up to the 180 Partitions. I used to shoot Hornady 180 round nose bullets for years for Whitetails and looking back the meat damage was minimal with shots on bone.

My post is prompted by the extensive meat damage that occurred killing a Doe in December using my 165 BT load. The shot was at 30 yards, going 2800 fps , a snap shot I had to take or come up empty handed, you know the rest of the story then. The 165 BT is an excellent bullet and killing a few deer in 2013 with rib shots it was superb.While I know most bullets will cause a lot of damage on bone shots, switching to a heavier and or a differently constructed bullet could maybe minimize that if encountered.

Of course shot placement is key but given the situation not totally unavoidable too at times.

I have noticed shooting the 35 Whelen with 225 AB (a heavy bullet) the meat damage is minimal
with shear energy doing the job.

At this juncture I'm going to work up some 180 Partition loads for next year. I have the following powders on hand. RL-17, H4350, RL-22 and Ramshot Hunter.

I think 2700 something in FPS is doable in my 22" Rem 700 gun with this load.

Thanks to all,
Don

 

[joelkdouglas]

You should get 2700+ with both H4350 and Hunter. My barrel is 22.75 inches long, and I can get to 2800 fps with both powders. I could load up to 60 grains of Hunter with no pressure signs, but shot best around 58 to 58.5 grains. I can load up to 57.5 of H4350 but I find better accuracy at 56.5 grains.

RL-17 and RL-22 might produce desired velocities also, I've just never used them.

 

[DON]

Joel,
Thanks for the information, I have a box of 180 Partitions on hand. I think I have a good starting point to work with. Thanks to everyone again for your input.

Don