Bullets for reduced recoil loads

[StdVel]

I’ve been putting together some reduced recoil 30-06 loads for deer hunting for a friend. Sierra 150 grain Gamekings are what I’ve been using for load development with the idea of switching over to 150 grain Partitions when I get close.

I had to disassemble a single round with a kinetic bullet puller and the Gameking deformed pretty dramatically. This makes me think it may be a better choice at 30-30 velocities (2,300-2,500 fps) than the Partition.

Do either of these two bullets sound like a good idea?

Is there a better 150 grain option I should consider?

Is the 125 grain load (ballistic tip) that Guy Miner posted markedly better for this application?

Thank you for any advice or suggestions.

 

[PJGunner]

I'd probably stick with the Sierra although I'd be more inclined to use the Pro-Hunter rather than the Game King. However, either one will work.
Paul B.

 

[clearwater]

I have found the Game King bullets to be very accurate. Under 2800 fps I would use on deer.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Either one is good. Those soft noses get banged up when using a kinetic puller. I put a round ear plug at the bottom of mine where the bullet will hit when pulling. Just make sure bullets have a cushion to hit.

 

[StdVel]

I'd probably stick with the Sierra although I'd be more inclined to use the Pro-Hunter rather than the Game King. However, either one will work.
Paul B.

Are the Pro Hunters softer or otherwise expand well at low velocities as far as you know?

I emailed Sierra and have not heard back. They don’t list the velocity envelope anywhere obvious and I’d like to hear what velocities they have tested them down to.

Soft cup and core designs do sound logical at the lower velocities.

 

[StdVel]

I have found the Game King bullets to be very accurate. Under 2800 fps I would use on deer.

I have found them to be accurate as well. I used to use them until I had one fragment and bounce all around the inside of a doe. It should have been a clean lung/heart shot but the bullet took a left turn at Albuquerque.

After that I switched to Partitions and haven’t looked back. Not only do they penetrate well, I have found them to give really good straight line penetration.

 

[StdVel]

Either one is good. Those soft noses get banged up when using a kinetic puller. I put a round ear plug at the bottom of mine where the bullet will hit when pulling. Just make sure bullets have a cushion to hit.

I use a little plug of felt. It’s done well on Partition’s and Accubonds and other projectiles but this Gameking nearly mushroomed. It was surprising. Made me think that the Gameking might perform well at low velocities.

I guess I can put them through some milk jugs and see how they compare to the Partitions.

 

[RL338]

How much do you want to reduce the velocity? Also are you looking for a pass thru?
I’ve taken many deer back in the day with Hornady’s 150gr SP out of my 7400 in 308 Win.

 

[frankm]

If you can find SP pistol bullets for the calibers you re reducing loads on they work real well. They were designed for those lower velocity bolt action pistols back in the day.

 

[Hunter26]

It all depends on what velocity you're trying for. If you want maximum recoil reduction, dropping to a 125gr bullet like the Ballistic Tip would work well even if velocity was in the 2500 fps area. I'm not sure of the velocity threshold of the Sierra Pro Hunters but they tend to hold together better than Game Kings. They were/are popular for Encore & XP pistol hunters, so they do well at low velocity. Another option would be something like a 110gr Barnes or similar pushed to 3000 fps. Or even the Barnes 110gr bullet for the Blackout. It'll expand to very low velocity, but consistent velocity and accuracy may be an issue with the 30-06 case depending in how slow you want it. Of course the 150gr Partition would work great too. I've used the 165gr version out of my 30-06 Encore pistol with a 15" barrel. Muzzle velocity was around 2500 fps and I've killed deer out to almost 200 yards with them and got great expansion in milk jugs.

 

[hunter24605]

The 125 BT, even backed way down, should be getting 3100 and would flatten whitetail with minimal recoil from an -06

 

[wvbuckbuster]

When son Ben was 12 yrs old and starting deer hunting, he wanted a 270 win like Uncle Billy. So got him one and a friend suggested using H380 starting load with the Sierra 130gr game King. It grouped well and killed deer out to about 175 yards or there abouts. Never checked speed but my guess out of the 22 in barrel might have been running 2600 fps or so. There was plenty of expansion. So, I see no reason that the bullet you are asking about will perform for you in your application.

 

[Slimfinn]

Are the Pro Hunters softer or otherwise expand well at low velocities as far as you know?

I emailed Sierra and have not heard back. They don’t list the velocity envelope anywhere obvious and I’d like to hear what velocities they have tested them down to.

Soft cup and core designs do sound logical at the lower velocities.

From the Sierra site. https://sierrabullets.com/bullet-101/
I've always heard the Pro-Hunters are better at the lower velocities.

 

[PJGunner]

Are the Pro Hunters softer or otherwise expand well at low velocities as far as you know?

I emailed Sierra and have not heard back. They don’t list the velocity envelope anywhere obvious and I’d like to hear what velocities they have tested them down to.

Soft cup and core designs do sound logical at the lower velocities.

I don't know if they're softer than the Game Kings but I've found then to be quite accurate in my rifles. I do run then in one loading for a rifle in .308 Win. with a reduced load of H4895. I won't give it out as it's way lower than the recommended 60% method for light loads. The rifle is a custom middle size Mauser action in a very lightweight stock, 18" soda straw barrel that'll shoot MOA or slightly less for three shots before the barrel gets too hot and starts walking shots. I never weighed it but doubt it's much more than 5.5 pounds. Recoil is rather stout with full power 180 gr. loads.
Paul B.

 

[StdVel]

How much do you want to reduce the velocity? Also are you looking for a pass thru?
I’ve taken many deer back in the day with Hornady’s 150gr SP out of my 7400 in 308 Win.

I’m trying to get 243 levels of recoil. It’s an A-Bolt with a large Swarovski scope and a big heavy scope mount. All of this should help keep recoil down. So far anything under 2,500 fps is very comfortable.

The reason I’d like to use a Partition is that I believe it will penetrate better than a cup and core if it hits bone while providing quick upset/fragmentation on ideal shots. I want him to be able to point the rifle at any deer within 200 yards and not have to worry about bullet failure.

 

[StdVel]

If you can find SP pistol bullets for the calibers you re reducing loads on they work real well. They were designed for those lower velocity bolt action pistols back in the day.

This is a very good idea. I’ve never tried rifle cartridges in a handgun platform but I do have a Contender that might be fun with a 7mm Waters barrel.

 

[StdVel]

It all depends on what velocity you're trying for. If you want maximum recoil reduction, dropping to a 125gr bullet like the Ballistic Tip would work well even if velocity was in the 2500 fps area. I'm not sure of the velocity threshold of the Sierra Pro Hunters but they tend to hold together better than Game Kings. They were/are popular for Encore & XP pistol hunters, so they do well at low velocity. Another option would be something like a 110gr Barnes or similar pushed to 3000 fps. Or even the Barnes 110gr bullet for the Blackout. It'll expand to very low velocity, but consistent velocity and accuracy may be an issue with the 30-06 case depending in how slow you want it. Of course the 150gr Partition would work great too. I've used the 165gr version out of my 30-06 Encore pistol with a 15" barrel. Muzzle velocity was around 2500 fps and I've killed deer out to almost 200 yards with them and got great expansion in milk jugs.

The light and fast option is probably the smartest option. I’ve tried a couple of mono metals out of curiosity but never got the accuracy that would make me comfortable hunting with them. In my mind 150 grains of jacketed lead in 30 caliber is already very light.

The ammo manufacturers have taken the light and fast route for their reduced loads and they employ guys who spend all day long working on problems like this.

The super light Cutting Edge looks really promising but I don’t have any and would like to finish this project before deer season.

 

[StdVel]

The 125 BT, even backed way down, should be getting 3100 and would flatten whitetail with minimal recoil from an -06

People smarter than me have said just that. The only bullet I’ve had fail was a ballistic tip though. It’s a single data point but it did make me loose confidence in them. I may revisit the BT someday but with the Partition I don’t foresee needing to unless there’s some special circumstance (like this one). Maybe I’ll order a box of 125 BT’s and give them a try.

 

[StdVel]

View attachment 26209
From the Sierra site. https://sierrabullets.com/bullet-101/
I've always heard the Pro-Hunters are better at the lower velocities.

I realize that terminal performance is a dynamic situation, with a lot of factors, but I really wish manufacturers would just list velocities their bullets are designed for. That’s one of the things I like about Partitions. They are tough enough for magnum velocities and fragile enough for low velocities. I’m just curious how low they can really go and still do well.

 

[StdVel]

I don't know if they're softer than the Game Kings but I've found then to be quite accurate in my rifles. I do run then in one loading for a rifle in .308 Win. with a reduced load of H4895. I won't give it out as it's way lower than the recommended 60% method for light loads. The rifle is a custom middle size Mauser action in a very lightweight stock, 18" soda straw barrel that'll shoot MOA or slightly less for three shots before the barrel gets too hot and starts walking shots. I never weighed it but doubt it's much more than 5.5 pounds. Recoil is rather stout with full power 180 gr. loads.
Paul B.

I’ve been using H4895 for this load and really like it. So far it has let me reduce loads below what I’d use and work up to reasonable recoil levels. Very versatile powder. Everyone should have a couple of pounds on their bench.