Best Bullet for a 30-06

[willyp19]

What is the best bullet to use with an 30-06, for Deer, Bear, and Elk?

Thanks...

 

[700 bdl]

I always thought a 180 was the best all around bullet.

 

[FOTIS]

I always thought a 180 was the best all around bullet.

+1 with RL 22...

 

[JD338]

180 gr AB in the 30-06 would cover it all.

JD338

 

[longwinters]

From what I have been reading, here and there, Accubonds and TSX are the favorites. But I priced the Barnes today at . . . $37.99 a box (50). I cannot believe they do anything better than Accubonds or Partitions. That is probably why 75% of my reloading bullets are Nosler.

Long

 

[Brad]

I've used the 180 Partition on a couple of Bulls and Mule Deer in the 30-06 with perfect results.

 

[elkslayer308]

59 grains of RL-22 behind a Partition or AccuBond for 2800 fps in my model 70 is about perfection as it shoots sweet to match

 

[7mmfan]

That's +7 for 180's. Use either the AccuBond or Parition depending on which gives you better accuracy in your gun.

Brad

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

Although I dont own one, or even really like the 30-06, I load for a couple, including my moms browning a-bolt. I always thought the 165g bullet was the best all around for a 30-06. I load 165g sgk in my moms rifle and it shoots .3-.4". Has killed a couple cow elk, and many deer, and just this year her first black bear. If I was to own an 06, I would shoot the 165g, 180 in my opinion is to slow and a 165g can do everything a 180g can do if the same quality bullet and shot placement is used. I always gotta be the different one!! :lol:

 

[TRIC]

I would have to agree with Remingtonman...165's have always worked exceptionally well for me. 300 Win Mag, 30-06, and 300 WSM all are fed a steady diet of 165'ers....everything from West-coast black tails to moose have dropped quick and easy....

 

[big rifle man]

I shoot both 165 Grain Sierra Gamekings and 165 grain Partitions in a Model 700 ( 30.06) and have been very happy with the results on Deer. I use 165 grain partitions exclusively in my Kimber montana .300 shortmag for Elk and have been pleased with the end result. Thae gamekings work fine when pushed at less that 3000fps.

 

[FOTIS]

Must resist! ....Don't do it POP............Try to refrain from starting a Sierra MK vs Game thread!

:twisted:

 

[Guy Miner]

Remingtonman is a velocity nut! :grin: This from me, the guy with a .300 RUM and a .25-06... :roll: You know... 3200 fps is good, 3300 must be better!

No wonder he doesn't appreciate the .30-06! Not enough zap, and he likes a lighter bullet too... Weird. Kids these days...

For general purpose hunting, I like a good 180 over a healthy dose of Reloader 22 in a .30-06. If a guy was concentrating on deer only, I'd likely follow along w/Remingtonman and go with a 165 or even a little 150 grain bullet. A 150 Nosler at 3000 fps is wicked deer medicine! The .30-06 handles the 180 - 200's considerably better than a .308 Win, it seems a shame to not make use of the heavier bullets.

Regards, Guy

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

Hey now, I shoot heavier bullets in my 25-06, 270, and 300 RUM, there only around 3000fps for the 25-06 and 110g-125g and 270 and 150g, and 3100fps for the RUM w/210g. That seems about right. I could load lighter bullets and get 3400-3600fps out of them. I like a bullet to be going at least 2900fps I guess. The 30-06 will do it with a 165, but not a 180.

 

[FOTIS]

The 30-06 will do it with a 165, but not a 180.

I do not think there is a lick of diff between the two weights. I prefer the 180.

 

[Guy Miner]

Remingtonman :grin:

Actually, one great thing about the good old .30-06 is that there isn't one "best" bullet. The doggone thing handles everything from 130's - 220's very nicely, depending on what you're trying to accomplish.

If the 165's shoot better from your rifle than the 180's - I'd go for the lighter bullet. If the 180's shoot better, go with them. If they both shoot great, flip a coin!

Regards, Guy

 

[grizz007]

it's a good question that now and again comes across innocently enough. The .30-06 is more than enough for what you have voiced. If i like to use the 170RN in my .30-30AI @2350 what is to say that the 150's on up in the .30-06 are the wrong choice? I lean toward the 2500-2600fps range for the Noslers and as most have stated find one that your rifle shoots well and carry on.

regards,

 

[Glock Man]

I would have to agree that a 180gr Partition or AccuBond would allow a 30-06 to handle deer, elk and bear. I like the idea of one load. I use the 06 for my back up rifle for deer and elk loaded with the 180gr AccuBonds.

 

[Northwoods Hunter]

I am very glad this thread appeared...

I built a nice rifle with a pillar bedded medalist syn stock under a Wby Magnum action and 26" bbl in 30.06... I topped it with a Zeiss Conquest 3.3X10X44 scope.

I just started playing with loads for it for a 2008 Wyoming Elk/Mule Deer Hunt. The 165gr NPTs gave me good groups... already slighty under MOA

I guess I'll give some 165 and 180gr Accubonds a try!