30-06 With 150gr PT

[elkslayer308]

I was working on some more loads with my old favorite, the H4350 powder, and my 30-06. I have real good accuracy with the 150 PT and 59.5 grs of H4350. I havent chronied yet but i think I am close to 3000, about like 2950-2975fps at the muzzle. I dont care, numbers arent everything. My 30-06 loves Nosler Partitions, it shoots them the best of any high dollar or low dollar bullet. Everything from the 150-200 grainers shoot excellent. I purchased a 300 Win Mag a few years ago and have recently decided on a 180 PT or PPT which ever I have at the time, as my #1 load for the 300. I want to shoot 150s and 165s in my 30-06 though since I now have a magnum to shoot the 180-200 range. Does anyone have experience with shooting elk with the 150 PT in a 30-06? I am just curious at the possibilites. I am sure it wouldnt do any less than a 270-130 PT on an elk.

 

[Jeff Olsen]

I think a 165-gn PT would be a better choice as both an all-around bullet for the 30-06, AND as an elk bullet. The only advantage the 150 has is that it shoots a teensy bit flatter but take a look at a chart and you'll see it's pretty insignificant, and you'll also see that the 165 and 150 are carrying about equal speed by the time you get to 300 yards or so, and you'll see that the 165 is carrying much more energy. The 165 will buck wind better and of course penetrate more.

The disadvantage of the 150 is too much speed at closer ranges.

Finally, of course, the best choice would be the 180-gn PT for elk, but I understand that you want to work on lighter loads for your 30-06. I decided to do the same thing when I got my 338 WM, and I've settled on a 165-gn AccuBond as my main load for my 30-06.

-jeff

 

[JD338]

The 165 gr PT would be a better choice and the 180 gr PT would be an excellent choice for Elk in your 30-06. Elk are big and you don't always get the perfect broadside shot.

JD338

 

[baltz526]

150gr Partition is a good choice for an all around big game rifle in 30-06. 2950fps and great accuracy is attainable. as a backup elk rifle it is fine, deer it is perfect.

 

[Jeff Olsen]

I think how perfect the 150 is for deer depends on the conditions. For blacktail, where ranges tend to be short, the 150 is going faster than I want to see, ideally. I killed a nice blacktail buck with my 30-06 a couple years ago using my elk load for the rifle, a 180-gn AccuBond, and for me at least, that 2800 fps muzzle velocity is about the most I'd want to see for a blacktail deer rifle...

I'm sure it's a different game with mulies, but then again I think the 165 is the better choice at longer ranges (look at what all the match guys use in a 30-06 or 308). And the 165 is a better elk bullet.

-jeff

 

[elkslayer308]

Hey guys, thanks for the response! Yeah I plan to go with the 165 PT, it shoots the best and at 2875fps, is plenty fast and flat enough for deer and elk. I wont take rear end shots or tight quartering shots on elk with any rifle, whether it is a 30-06 or a 30-378, 150 or 200 grain bullet. I just like to shoot them in the vitals or in the head or neck. I think that those hard quartering shots are a bad idea on any animal. I will take a gently, to medium quartering shot on animals or if they are straight away and close enough, I will shoot them in the back of the head or neck. Never lost one either. Yeah, anyhow, thanks for the tidbits fellas.